My inbox received a few pleasant surprises over the past weeks.
These were DMs from former peers in my corporate days.
Some of whom I have not been in contact with for 10 years.
They were more than a note of ‘hello, well done’.
They were heartwarming reminders of ‘what ifs.’
Last October, I was confident my corporate experience as a client strategist would give me a good start as a solopreneur.
Years of developing business strategies and Marketing plans would prepare me for possible headwinds.
When I was hit by a force least expected, I didn’t know what struck me.
Suddenly, the path ahead seemed more daunting than I had ever anticipated.
This force would soon become a familiar visitor in the coming months.
It was that voice that questioned my ability and doubted my creditability.
An experience also known as imposter syndrome.
𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐲𝐧𝐝𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥.
It struck me twice, when I started coaching and when I had to put myself ‘out there’.
It struck the 3rd time when a new challenge surfaced recently.
𝐇𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐨 𝐛𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐲?
While I confronted and overcame my challenges on the first 2 occasions, I chickened out this time.
Reflecting on my decision, I realized what if I hadn’t jumped over my first 2 hurdles?
This 3rd challenge would not be possible.
Yet I was sure I was confronted by mountains when faced with those 2 early challenges.
So what turned my mountains into hurdles?
Mindset. What we chose to see.
𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐥 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐭.
Today, I am celebrating imposter syndrome as a sign of courage.
For scaling new grounds and pursuing things I deeply care about.
I want to embrace my initial anxiety as fuel to keep pushing forward.
This is my invitation to you:
❇️Think about the times you felt like an imposter.
❇️Write down what you learned and how it helped you grow.
❇️Share it with someone you trust and encourage them to do the same.
Let’s recognize imposter syndrome as a show of courage.
Not a sign of weakness.
It’s the sensation you experience ONLY when you challenge yourself beyond your current limits.
I made a promise I would not chicken out again.
I am ready to jump my next hurdle.
How did you overcome yours? 😃
