Do It. You're Ready Enough.
There are twelve lies of the Imposter Complex. Lie number seven — “you’re not ready yet” — shows up right after you’ve decided to do it.
You can no longer unsee all the changes around you that need to be made. You have things to say, words to write, stages to climb, and systems to take down and rebuild.
"YES," you say. "I will be the one."
Then, immediately, the Imposter Complex sidles up to you, real cozy-like, and says:
"Listen, kid (yeah, it’s patronizing as hell, that one) -
one day you’ll be ready. But that day isn’t today.
Maybe you’ll be ready when you get that NEXT degree. Or put ANOTHER ten years under your belt. Or make that discovery. Or win the award. Or get that client. Or get the nod from HER. Or lose the pounds.
So sit back, cool your heels, and keep working it."
And so, you prepare and you train and you polish and you sharpen the pencil.
Because you have high standards of excellence and mastery. (That’s good. And the number one reason why you experience the Impostor Complex.)
But then it shows back up once again, whispering:
"The pencil isn’t sharp enough.
The pitch doesn’t gleam with startling shine.
Your thighs - they need to be more toned, taut, and tanned.
You’re not smart enough.
Wise enough.
Brave enough.
Charismatic enough.
Gorgeous enough.
Spiritual enough.
Wealthy enough."
(And let’s not even get started on TOO smart, TOO wise, TOO gorgeous, TOO wealthy. Not today.)
Now, what your thighs and wealth have to do with how prepared you are to ask set up the appointment with the CEO or send your manuscript off to the publisher is something well beyond me, but this much I DO know, with every fibre of my being:
Do it. You’re ready enough.
The manuscript is close enough to done.
The pencil is sharp enough to write the words that can change everything.
Your voice is strong enough to say what needs to be said. (Even when it trembles. ESPECIALLY when it trembles.)
Two things:
As you sit down to make the call or write the book or step up to the mic to deliver the talk that will change EVERYTHING, think about how everything you have ever made, delivered, sold, created, drafted, crafted, survived, healed, and done is coming together. Right here and now. For this very purpose. For this very moment.
And?
No one was ever fully ready. For anything. The pencil tip can always be sharper.
The space in between the systemic changes you want to see and the brave new world is your decision on whether you are fully ready or not.
Do it. You’re ready enough.
Check out my free training on the 5 Shifts Our Clients Use to Overcome the Imposter Complex and Grow their Income and their Impact
Where I pull back the curtain on five shifts to start raising voices, rates, and hands all while being the kind, congruent, and authentic leader I know you to be.