How To Eliminate The Doubt Of Missing A Shot
Every time I set up for a stroke I doubt myself.
I have been trying to ignore these thoughts of failure but they just keep coming back and I don’t really know how to deal with them.
I have tried to think positively instead, but no matter what I do the thought of failure remains.
As always, any help is appreciated.
The thoughts persist because you are trying to fight reality. The reality is that you will miss occassionaly and you cannot convince yourself that you won’t. 
What works for me is the statistics approach.
When I play the shot I know I can miss it but it’s still the BEST option of what I have. If I attempt anything else I may risk even more by either missing or playing to easy ball to my opponent (which is also a risk).
So decide for a shot in most typical situations and go with it. You can also experiment by proving yourself right or wrong.
When you approach the net, approach with a cross court shot for a few times and then with a down the line shot a few times.
You’ll very likely realize that the down the line shot gives you better winning percentage in the long term.
So when you have a short ball and you want to approach the net you KNOW that the down the line shot is the best.
You also know that if don’t approach on this short ball you have just wasted an opportunity to put pressure on your opponent and now the percentage of winning the point is LOWER than if you approached the net.
That’s how you eliminate all doubt in your mind - by proving to yourself that all other choices are less effective.
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