Three truths.
I swear that I WILL give you a rest from hearing about my Kid entering into high school... soon. But for the moment, it’s still a grade-A biggie for me.
As her parent, for sure. I shared why this was so significant over on Instagram this week.
But also, as a student of the Impostor Complex. You see, my daughter is now of the age that I was when I started to notice the Impostor Complex in myself
Or rather, she is the age I was when I started to exhibit the behavioural traits that we run to to avoid feeling like the Impostor... or to cope with feeling like an Impostor.
The people-pleasing.
The leaky boundaries.
The comparison.
The diminishment.
The perfectionism.
The procrastination (okay... that may have begun pre-high school).
I didn’t know that’s what it was, mind you. And it’s taken me most of my teen years, 20s, 30s, and 40s to understand why I would try to run and hide in those behaviours that were doing me more harm than good. Because you can run, but you cannot hide.
That much has always been clear.
But it’s ALSO clear that in spite of the false starts and insecurities and disconnections and miseries endured from not doing what I’ve claimed I’ve wanted to do, I can see that all along I have ACTUALLY known three truths, and they have guided me up every hill I’ve ever desired to climb:
I don’t have to go this alone. I CAN. But I don’t have to.
I’ve done hard things before. And I can look to those accomplishments as proof of my capacity.
And when the desire is greater than my fear, those fears will not - cannot - stop me.
That’s what I want to remember.
That’s what I want my daughter to remember.
And that’s what I want YOU to remember.
Today.
Every day.
PS - If you want to know which of the behavioural traits of the Impostor Complex is in YOUR way, be sure to take my quiz!
We’ve been cooking up a beta for a six-week coaching program on Unshakeable Confidence that is limited to 20 people. We’re announcing it next week to the public AND we’ve already sold close to half the spots just by opening our big mouths about it on Instagram (more reason to follow me there!). If you want more info, hit reply and we’ll give you the goods.
COOKIES. Because first day of high school means we make cookies with pals, doesn’t it? With sprinkles and all the chocolate chips in the cupboard and all the cinnamon? Isn’t THAT how we hang onto to the moments by our fingernails? Probably not, but it was a delicious attempt in any case.
Jen Louden is a love and a friend and has been a client, but mostly what I want you to know is she does a fantastic job supporting creatives to stay committed to their voices and to be resilient.
She recently wrote, "Fear camouflages itself as confusion and keeps brilliant creative women from the pleasures and successes of a fully expressed life. And fear’s number one choice when trying to trip you up? Your inability to choose. Your refusal to take a seat at the table of desire. To say, 'I want this! And I am willing to work for it!’” Can you relate?!
Jen is working to turn fear of choosing into clarity and ACTION. She’s offering a free challenge to guide you to choose your next creative project with love and in a spirit of enoughness. It starts September 10 for one week ONLY and you can sign up here - so go sign up!
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.