We have the new season of “The Lion’s Den” behind us! And now I would like to give you an insight into my inner life when I was asked for the VOX show for the first time: Because I actually wanted to turn it down - because I was a woman. I was afraid of publicizing my success. But I learned from this: Here are five tips to overcome self-doubt.

I still remember six years ago when I was asked whether I wanted to be on the jury for “The Lion’s Den”. Of course I felt honored that they wanted me on board, but I immediately said to my husband: "I'm canceling, I can only lose on the show."

My stomach ache was because I was a woman. As a woman, you learn to be reserved from an early age. Not talking about your success, just doing your job. That's how it was with me too. Of course I was present on sales television - but I had not yet appeared as an entrepreneur. I had pulled off a huge thing in secret. Every day I did my best to continue working on our success - with an incredible amount of passion and a lot of dark circles under my eyes (lack of sleep!). But nothing was further from my mind than to “peddle” my success.

As you know, I've been sitting in the Lions Arena for six years now. So I agreed back then. Today I would like to share with you five tips on how I overcame self-doubt - and went my way full of energy.

It's always good to tell friends or family about your concerns. The view from the outside always creates new perspectives - and usually a solution. In my case, I spoke to my husband, who completely straightened me out. The time is ripe for a successful woman who goes out and shows that business is not dry as nails, but, above all, fun. “Look at how great your company is growing,” he said. “Why are you afraid to symbolize this?”

This question touched me to the core. I knew my husband was right. Shouldn't a woman have the same right to be successful - and to show it to the outside world? Why did so many women hide and hide their light under a bushel?

The next day I called the production company and said yes.

The inner critic speaks up far too often - in my opinion. Why is there no inner praiser? So let’s applaud ourselves! My company, “Judith Williams Cosmetics”, was already doing excellently back then. Whether brand building, sales or marketing: I managed to set up a million-dollar business with a great team - and all without studying business administration. Year after year we recorded incredible growth rates and had become the favorite brand of many women. In short: I had earned my place in the lion enclosure – and I could be proud of it!

It makes sense to record small and large successes in writing. Then you'll have a black and white overview of what you accomplish every day - and don't forget it so quickly! So in the evening, write down all the things you are proud of and grateful for. With every more page in the diary, the self-doubt becomes less, I promise!

Self-doubt always shows us that we are afraid of something. And of course, there are no certainties in life. We can always fail, embarrass ourselves or really drive a project into the wall. But should I tell you something? This is completely natural! Say goodbye to the desire to be perfect. This will only make you dissatisfied in the long run because it is not even possible. Of course I could have fallen flat on my face with the jury job, but hey, then something new would have come along! Learn to accept and love your mistakes. We can only grow if we try things out!

I always lie down on my famous fluffy bathroom rug (insiders know this ritual from my book „How dreams learn to fly) and dream about how my day could go. This “visualization” gives incredibly positive energy and self-doubt doesn’t even have a chance to gain the upper hand. Daily meditations also help a lot not to lose focus and to concentrate entirely on the inner center (and not on the critic in your ear).

When I take a seat in the lion's chair again today, I do so with an attitude of strength and inner calm. For the future, I would like to see many more women give up their “small thinking”. Believe in your dreams and have the courage to show yourself! Never be arrogant and never lose your groundedness. But still reach for the stars!

And if negative comments come, just ignore them and move on. No matter what!