Are you a Sceptic? Why that might be Holding you Back

 

                 Photo by Nazmi Javier 

Let me give you a thought. Think about the last time someone told you about a new idea, opportunity, or even just an unfamiliar restaurant recommendation. Was your first instinct:

A) “Sounds amazing! Let’s do it!”

B) “Hmm… but what’s the catch?”

If you answered B, congratulations—you might be a lifetime member of the Band of Sceptics. Don’t worry, we meet on weekends, and there’s always a PowerPoint presentation reminding us about the dangers of optimism.

All jokes aside, being sceptical isn’t super bad. In fact, it’s a critical part of healthy thinking. It keeps us from falling for scams, pyramid schemes, and that email from a Crypto King who just needs your bank info to help you make millions of dollars.

But what happens when that scepticism becomes your everyday default mode? What if it quietly crawls into your relationships, career, and sense of self until every opportunity looks suspicious and every silver lining just means a black cloud is nearby?

The Double-Edged Sword of Scepticism

Scepticism, like any ingredient in your dinner, is best used in moderation. The problem arises when we cross the line into chronic scepticism—a state where doubt reigns supreme and trust becomes a rare luxury.

Let’s unpack how that plays out in real life:

Relationships: You presume that everyone has ulterior motives. Rather than accepting a complement, you ask yourself, *"What do they want?" *

Career: Because they appear "too good to be true," you pass off excellent possibilities.


Personal development: What's the use of trying new things? Your inner skeptic tells you. Most likely, it won't work.

As Mark Twain (sceptic-in-chief) once quipped, “A man who carries a cat by the tail learns something he can learn in no other way.” The problem? Chronic sceptics don’t even touch the cat.

The Fear Behind the Doubt

At the heart of excessive scepticism you will not find wisdom—you will find fear. Fear of being wrong. Fear of being hurt. Fear of disappointment. It hides as intelligence but often stems from past experiences that made us wary.

Think about it: saying “no” feels safe. It keeps you in control. It protects your fragile ego. But it also boxes you in.

Imagine you’re standing on the edge of a pool. Scepticism is whispering in your ear, “The water’s probably freezing. Or full of chlorine. Optimism, on the other hand, is telling you to dive in and yelling, Cannonball!

Who’s having more fun here?

What to Do Instead: From Sceptic to Smart Optimist

Now, I’m not asking you to throw away all your critical thinking skills like expired milk. Instead, take this into consideration: what if you turned your scepticism into curious thinking?

1. Ask, Don’t just Assume

Instead of automatically rejecting anything that crosses you thought path, ask curious questions. Turn “I doubt it” into “Tell me more.” Not only does this make you more open-minded, but it also makes you sound like an intellectual Jedi.

2. Use the “What If It Works?” Idea

Sceptics often focus on what could go wrong. Flip the script. Ask yourself: *“But what if it works?”*

* What if you can launch that side hustle or business venture?

* What if saying “yes” to that romantic encounter does lead to something great?

Just a little imagination can go a long way. Albert Einstein said, “Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited, whereas imagination embraces the entire world.”  Not bad for a guy who probably got side-eyed by a few sceptics himself, especially for his whacky hair.

 3. Practice Baby-Steps of Faith

You don’t have to buy into everything that comes your way all at once. Try saying “yes” to small things in life:

* An adventurous new restaurant.

* A hobby that tickles your curiosity.

* Letting a friend set you up on a blind date .

Over time, these small acts of open mindedness build trust—in others, and more importantly, in yourself.

4. Surround Yourself with Doers

Have you ever seen that persistent skepticism has a tendency to spread? Spend time with dreamers, builders, and yes-people—not the more agreeable variety, but those who have the guts to make an effort. Their enthusiasm is contagious and a powerful remedy for skepticism.

You Don’t Have to Ditch Your Inner Sceptic—Just Give Them a Seatbelt

Consider your inner skeptic to be similar to your car's sulky GPS voice. Although it is unable to drive, it is nonetheless capable of making insightful recommendations. Put your skepticism in the backseat with a juice box, let your curiosity drive, and let your optimism ride shotgun.

The fact is that you cannot research your way to complete confidence since life is full of unknowns. You have to jump in at some point.


What if it takes a wrong turn? We call that experience. You will survive. You may even have a fascinating story to share.

Final Thoughts: Trust, But Also Dance a Little

Being sceptical isn’t a flaw in our personalities. It’s a defense mechanism. But if it’s becoming your go-to response, it might be time to soften the armor.

Try to have faith that good is possible. Take risks—brave ones, not foolish ones. Allow others to surprise you. Allow yourself to be surprised.


In actuality, skeptics frequently fail to see the magic. And if you're ready to look beneath the surface, life has a lot of magic to give despite all of its craziness.

So next time your inner sceptic says, “I am not sure about this…”

Just Smile, and say, *“Let’s find out.”*

Ready to retire your sceptic’s badge—at least on a part-time basis? What’s one thing you’ve been hesitant to try that might actually be worth doing? Let me know in the comments below. Please Subscribe so we can grow this blog organically. If you love listening to podcasts you can follow me by clicking here👉Wise Mindset Guy Podcast