I see you, striving hard to achieve something great.
And I see the doubt, the fear, the uncertainty. I see the way you keep yourself small, the way you try to stay out of trouble, the way you try not to make mistakes.
I see your hesitation.
Did you know, you’re the only thing holding yourself back from realizing your goals?
It’s normal to doubt oneself.
Sometimes, the fact that you doubt yourself is the sign that you’re exactly where you need to be.
After all, if all you feel is certainty, are you really pushing yourself to grow?
If you’re the smartest person in the room, are you really in the right room?
Albert Huffstickler’s poem “The Edge of Doubt” reminds us that doubt is where the new things come from.
Surround yourself with people and circumstances who challenge you to evolve into something greater.
You’re still allowed to doubt yourself. But strive to accomplish your goal anyway.
Everyone has an opinion. Ignore them all, even the “good” ones.
There are always going to be people who think who you are and what you do is never good enough. They’ll tear you down publicly or whisper it behind your back.
There are also always going to be people who think you are amazing, that you are the best thing since sliced bread; They’ll cheer you on in your goals, and stand by your side.
Your Critics, your Cheerleaders, all in the same space
And, you know what?
Someone’s positive opinion of you doesn’t indicate you’re more “deserving” of a voice any more than someone’s negative opinion of you.
Lean into positive feedback as a way of bolstering your courage to keep striving. Lean with discernment into constructive criticism so you can learn how to do what you do better.
But remember that in the end, none of these people are an authority as to whether or not you belong, or have the right to take the risks you’re taking.
None of them can rightly tell you whether or not you’re good enough, smart enough, or if you have what it takes to achieve greatness.
Because in the end, you’re the only expert on you, the only expert on what you have to bring to the table, the impact you want to have, and how hard you’re willing to work for it.
And you’re the one doing the work.
If they’re not in the arena, they don’t get a voice.
It’s easy for people to criticize others actions when they have no skin in the game. It’s easy for people to criticize when they have no experience.
Sometimes people just want to give an opinion so they can be included in the conversation, even if they have nothing of value to share.
But they are not the ones daring greatly.
You are.
So ignore the chatter.
Imposter or not, failure is not the risk – it’s the requirement.
To be surrounded by people who are better than you is to be surrounded by people who have failed. It is to be surrounded by people who have made mistakes, and who have also been told they don’t belong, that they are the imposter.
Those greater than you have felt great doubt too.
Expect doubt. Expect mistakes. Expect failure – desire it, even.
Failure does not prove you to be an imposter; and to reach your goals, you will be required to fail. Embrace it. Failure will make you better – it is the coach of success, and the teacher of empathy.
Fail often, and fail early. Sometimes it will be harder to fail the more successful you are – take advantage of these beginnings and mess around, find out what works, and what doesn’t.
Even in your uncertainty, create connections. Do not isolate yourself in fear that someone will find out that you don’t deserve to be here – rather, expect that many people will tell you that you don’t belong.
Expect them to be wrong.
To doubt yourself is to deny your own growth.
Do not underestimate how far you’ve come.
Sure, you can do more. You can become an even greater version of yourself than who you are now. But perfection is a lie, and there is no end to the growth that we are capable of.
Who you are now and how much you’ve grown is testament to the value that exists within your story, and if you find value in your story then so will someone else.
Don’t deny the possibility of changing someone’s life; You may not have all the answers, but there is no right way to do most things, and you are always qualified to coach your past self.
Be courageous, and encourage others.
You’re not alone in your self-doubt.
Don’t underestimate the struggles those who are successful have faced or are facing; be inspired by their achievements, find the parallels in their journey to your own. In your empathy, recognize your desire to support others and cheer them on in the way that you need to be supported and cheered on.
Even in great success, we still need encouragement.
So let me encourage you:
You may not feel confident, you may not feel comfortable, but if you feel like you’re the imposter in the room, then you’re in the right room.