Self-Doubt and the Case of the Overconfident Coach. This is a story that may well be your story and one that you need to face
Let me tell you a story about the time I learned that self-doubt can be sneakier than a cat stealing snacks from the kitchen counter. This was way before I discovered affiliate marketing—or Michael Cheney—but it’s a tale that will stay with me forever.
It all started on a soccer field when I was 12 years old. I’d just joined the school team, and Coach B was… well, let’s say “enthusiastic.” He had this booming voice and a whistle that sounded like a fire alarm, and he was convinced—convinced—that I could become the team’s star striker.
“Kid,” he bellowed, pointing at me like a game show host announcing the grand prize winner, “you’ve got natural talent. With a little work, you’re going to crush it out there!”
Now, you’d think a pep talk like that would pump me up, right? Wrong. All I could think was: Me? A star? Yeah, sure, Coach. And next, you’ll tell me I can fly if I flap my arms hard enough.
The Warm-Up of Doubt
The first practice was a disaster. Coach told us to do dribbling drills, and my feet acted like they were allergic to the ball. Then came shooting practice, where I managed to miss not just the goal but the field entirely.
“You’re overthinking it!” Coach hollered, waving his arms like he was conducting an invisible orchestra. “Just trust the process!”
Trust the process, I thought. That’s easy for you to say—you’re not the one tripping over your own shoelaces.
The more Coach praised me, the worse I felt. It was like he saw something in me that wasn’t actually there. What if I let him down? What if everyone else on the team realized I was just pretending to be good?
Building to the Big Moment
Fast-forward to game day. Coach had me starting as striker, which felt about as wise as putting a goldfish in charge of the ocean. I wanted to tell him I wasn’t ready, but he was already handing me the captain’s armband.
“You’ve got this,” he said, with the confidence of someone who’d seen the future and knew I was about to score a hat-trick.
Meanwhile, my inner monologue was going something like this: You’re going to trip. Everyone will laugh. You’ll become a meme before memes are even a thing.
The game started, and true to form, I spent most of the first half running in circles, avoiding the ball like it was a beehive. By halftime, we were down 1-0, and I was ready to fake an injury just to escape.
But Coach wasn’t having it. “Stop doubting yourself,” he said, crouching down to my eye level. “You’ve got the skills. Now show everyone what I see in you.”
The Surprise Ending
The second half began, and I don’t know if it was Coach’s speech or the fact that I was too tired to overthink anymore, but something clicked. The ball came rolling toward me, and instead of panicking, I just… went for it.
I dribbled past one defender, then another. My teammates were shouting, “Shoot! Shoot!” So I did.
The ball soared through the air like a movie slow-mo moment and slammed into the back of the net. Goal!
The crowd went wild. My teammates tackled me in celebration. And Coach? He just smiled like he’d known it all along.
That day, I learned two things:
- Self-doubt is often the only thing standing between you and success.
- Sometimes, the people who believe in you know you better than you know yourself.
Enter Michael Cheney: The Coach of Affiliate Marketing
Years later, when I started exploring affiliate marketing, I felt that same old self-doubt creeping in. All these gurus online made it sound so easy: “Make six figures in your sleep!” “Quit your job in 30 days!” But instead of feeling inspired, I felt… intimidated. What if I wasn’t cut out for it?
Then I found Michael Cheney’s Millionaire’s Apprentice program, and let me tell you—he’s the Coach B of affiliate marketing. Cheney doesn’t just hand you a whistle and say, “Go figure it out.” He breaks down the game plan step by step, showing you exactly how to succeed.
But the best part? He gets it. He knows you’re going to doubt yourself, make mistakes, and sometimes feel like you’re running in circles. And he’s there, every step of the way, to remind you: “You’ve got this.”
Conclusion: Trust the Coach
If you’ve ever doubted your ability to succeed in affiliate marketing, I get it. I’ve been there. But here’s the thing: Success isn’t about being perfect from the start. It’s about trusting the process, listening to the right mentor, and pushing through the moments when you feel like giving up.
So, take a lesson from my 12-year-old self: Stop doubting. Start doing. And if you’re looking for a mentor who knows the game better than anyone, Michael Cheney is the guy you want on your team.