Jennifer Lee, the co-creator of the animated blockbuster Frozen, told the class of 2014 at the University of New Hampshire about how she struggled with self-doubt and only found success when she learned to, um, “Let It Go.” Here’s a excerpt from her speech from Biography.com.
Self-doubt is one of the most destructive forces. It makes you defensive instead of open, reactive instead of active. Self-doubt is consuming and cruel, and my hope today is that we can all collectively agree to ban it.
Think to the moments of your life when you forgot to doubt yourself, when you were so inspired that you were just living and creating and working. Pay attention to those moments.
When you are free from self-doubt, you fail better… you can accept criticism and listen.
When you believe in yourself, you succeed better. Hours spent doubting, questioning, fearing can be given over to working, exploring and living.
If the first draft of ‘Frozen’ was the one we made, if I had been too insecure and defensive to listen to the notes and criticism … it wouldn’t be ‘Frozen’ and I wouldn’t be standing here.
Is self doubt holding you back?
Read some more inspiring excerpts from Commencement Speakers for 2014 graduates here:
http://www.biography.com/news/commencement-speeches-2014#awesm=~oHAObrpvn7oiwe
