Barbara Corcoran’s Journey to Self-Belief: Overcoming Inner Criticism Through Persistent Positive Self-Talk
Barbara Corcoran, the renowned real estate mogul and original investor on ABC’s “Shark Tank,” recently opened up about a deeply personal aspect of her success: the long and challenging path to truly believing in herself. At 77 years old, Corcoran shared in an interview how it took her many years—decades, in fact—to silence her inner critic and embrace her own genius and value.
For much of her early career, Corcoran struggled with persistent self-doubt. She described a mental tape that played repeatedly in her head, convincing her she didn’t belong in important meetings or group settings. “My tape would say, ‘Hey, Barb, you should have never been here. You didn’t need to come to this meeting,’” she revealed during a recent episode of The Burnouts podcast with hosts Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni.
It wasn’t until her mid-30s that Corcoran realized this negative self-talk was holding her back. Determined to change her mindset, she consciously replaced the old tape with a new mantra: “Barbara, you’re a genius… You’re great.” Although at first it felt untrue, she committed to repeating this positive affirmation daily. Remarkably, it took approximately 15 years for this message to truly resonate and become her internal truth.
Corcoran’s experience highlights the profound influence our internal dialogue has on shaping our confidence and opportunities. “It’s just funny what your head can do for you. Most of everything, I think, plays out in your head,” she said. She reflected on how she wished she had told her younger self that she was far more capable than she realized. This self-awareness, gained through years of conscious effort, helped Corcoran break free from limiting beliefs and unlock her full potential.
Her story is especially inspiring given her impressive achievements. Corcoran founded the Corcoran Group in 1973, a New York City real estate brokerage she eventually sold for $66 million in 2001. Beyond her business ventures, she has become a trusted voice in entrepreneurship, sharing her expertise on “Shark Tank” since its debut in 2009.
Positive Self-Talk: A Common Thread Among Successful Leaders
Barbara Corcoran is not alone in using positive self-talk as a tool to overcome self-doubt and foster confidence. Shelley Zalis, CEO of The Female Quotient, shared with Success Magazine that she only pays attention to her inner voice when it encourages her with “You can do it!” She acknowledged that negative thoughts sometimes creep in, but she counters them by recognizing the uniqueness of her journey and the importance of her contributions.
Similarly, author Ryan Hawk, who has interviewed over 600 CEOs and business leaders, recently told CNBC that the most successful individuals share a crucial mindset: they never believe they have “made it.” Instead, they continuously push forward, driven by a desire to make a meaningful impact. “There’s no moment of arrival,” Hawk explained. “They’re just pushing. They’re driving. They’re trying to put a positive dent in the world.”
These insights align with Corcoran’s revelations and underscore the importance of nurturing a growth-oriented, resilient mindset to achieve long-term success.
Key Takeaways
- In a new interview, Barbara Corcoran says it took her many years to learn to truly believe in herself.
- For years, she replayed a mental tape telling her she didn’t belong in important meetings.
- She ended up consciously changing the tape to “Barbara, you’re a genius… You’re great,” and says it took about 15 years for the message to stick.
Barbara Corcoran’s journey is a powerful testament to the transformative effect of persistent positive self-talk and the importance of self-belief in personal and professional growth. Her experience serves as a reminder that even the most successful figures face internal battles, but with deliberate effort, those mental barriers can be overcome.
For more insights, visit Here.
