“Who the hell do I think I am to make a difference or be remarkable?!”
This inner-dialogue has been my trusted confidant for much of my life.
I wasn’t a leader when I was younger.
I was worried about what people thought of me – your classic “people pleaser.”
I was timid, shy, and insecure.
I felt like a boy trapped in a man’s body, just trying to slip under the radar, afraid to screw up and afraid to be myself.
I had what Carol Dweck would call a “fixed mindset.”
But amidst all the insecurity there was still something inside of me that yearned to make a mark on the world; to do something of greater significance.
I had a desire to do something big and bold but my inner-critic would always show up asking, “Who the hell do you think you are to have those big dreams!?”
This voice of doubt and insecurity hasn’t gone away, but I’ve stopped listening to it.
Whenever I push my limits or stretch my comfort zone, the plodding mental tapes start playing.
There are no surprises here.
I’ve learned to turn down the volume.
I choose to render the voice incomprehensible like the whaa-whaa-whaa of the Peanuts teacher.
Tame the inner-conflict.
This push and pull between our big-self (potential), and our small-self (fears and insecurities) is called the “impostor syndrome.”
It’s that voice that tells us we’re not good enough, or not capable of doing remarkable things.
It’s the ego piping-up as the voice of fear, trying to kill our dreams when we start thinking big and opportunistic.
Does this sound familiar to you – this conflict between your big-self and small-self, the conflict between your call to greatness and your doubts?
The ego wants us to stay safe, not rock the boat, and just keep doing what’s easy and comfortable.
But if you don’t address it, it’s the one barrier that will prevent you from doing all you’re meant to do.
Let your mission lead.
As I was working on You Have a Calling over the past year and a half I really struggled with feeling like an impostor.
“Who was I to start this movement and community?”
Putting myself out there and being a leader didn’t go over well with my “people pleasing” nature.
I was unsure whether I could really build a successful online business or not.
Despite these fears I knew I needed to create this community.
I decided to stop listening to the belittling pitch my small-self was attempting to sell.
And you can too!
The inner-voice discouraging your greatness, the one you’ve been trusting to keep you safe, has been bull-shitting you all along!
The reality is, feeling afraid and unsure is a normal sign that you’re following the path of your potential.
You have something to offer. You are pure potential.
When you’re called to greatness, the quest will be beyond your current development.
You have to grow into it!
This means moving toward your edge and taking steps forward even if you don’t have it all figured out.
There can be a new response to that condescending voice in your head saying, “Who the hell do you think you are?”
Are you tired of listening to the lie that you’re not enough? I know I am.
So here we go.
You Have a Calling is live and out in the world.
Welcome to a community that is here to help your face these fears and live from your big-self.
“Always go with the choice that scares you the most, because that’s the one that is going to require the most from you.” – Caroline Myss
If your fears are keeping you from moving forward or you have big dreams but keep thinking, “Who the hell am I to do this?” Let’s commit to working through these fears together, and to keep growing into our dreams!
To break free from the shackles of mediocrity, you have to acknowledge who you can become, and who you can become is far more powerful than you realize.
What fears are you facing right now? Where are you dealing with the “impostor complex”?
This is a safe place.
I want to hear from you.
Share below!
Oh yeah, haters will be deleted.
