We all get the thought: "I don't know if I'm ready for this change, this challenge, this step, this ________ ." You can fill in what yours is.

We all get the imposter feeling. It's natural and expected. The problem is that it usually comes with a negative connotation. That this is something we should be afraid of and avoid. It tells us that we should turn around or go in another direction. But, should we listen? Is getting this feeling actually a bad thing?

The definition of feeling like an imposter is doing something new that you haven't done before. Yes, we feel uncomfortable. And yes, discomfort is hard to embrace. But when we get this feeling, it means we're pushing outside of our comfort zone and stepping into something that will allow us to grow, learn, or create change. So, why should it be something we run away from?

The reality is getting our imposter feeling is a good thing. It tells us that we're about to expand who we are, and although scary, it's also exciting and worth celebrating.

Talk to it: Label your imposter so you can talk to it. Give yourself a voice in the conversation. What is it saying to you? What are you saying back to it? Tell your imposter that you're glad it's with you, but you're going to keep going. In the end, it's only looking out for you.

Creative work to look at

‍

A question to ponder

‍What would you do knowing you would fail?

A quote to think about

‍"Follow the butterfly and see where it takes you"

Joe Jonas said this in a podcast with Adam Grant. I find it to be a creative and elegant way to talk about the feeling we get when we're walking down a new path.