You have everything you need to create the kind of life you want to live.
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I remember the excitement I had when my first book was published on Amazon. To get to that moment had taken more of me than I thought I could give. I had to beat doubt, fear, and self-limiting beliefs. I had to overcome everyone and their mother telling me I wouldn’t make any money as an author.
I told myself I didn’t care if I failed–I was going for it.
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When I finally got the courage to chase this dream, someone was there to tell me what a loser they thought I was. They left the nastiest review on Amazon letting the world know what I was already struggling with inside. All the negative things about myself that I was thinking, this person, left in the review.
It would take me weeks, months, maybe even years, to recover. It took a long time to shift my focus on what was important. I let that and several other comments keep me from the life I truly wanted to live. In 2012, I said enough. I told myself I didn’t care if I failed–I was going for it. Here are four ways to beat it.
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1. Do the work anyways. The best thing you can do is to determine to do the work no matter how you feel. Will it always work out? Probably not, but what builds your dream is constant action and continuous commitment to do the work that it takes to build a dream. Even when you feel like an imposter, write, podcast, and make videos. You might even create content that helps you work through how you feel. Make no mistake; doing the work is what makes you successful. There are no silver bullets.
2. Focus on those you’re trying to help. At the end of the day, this can’t be about you—it has to be about those you’re trying to serve. When you’re dealing with imposter syndrome, it’s usually because you’ve shifted your focus from others. This can’t be about YOU. It has to be about them. Keep your eyes on the path by continuing the create value and help people. Continue to do the work that will make an impact and lead to freedom. When you do, you don’t have time to dwell on feeling like an imposter.
3. Continue to educate yourself. Maybe you feel like an imposter because there’s more for you to learn about your craft. Guess what? The Internet and social media have given us the opportunity to learn everything we need to about what we do. DON’T get caught in the trap of always researching, which has hurt too many dreamers. BUT, be willing to always learn more. Commit to being a student of life and your thing.
4. Never settle. Life is short. I’ve probably written that a thousand times on this blog, but it’s true. When you settle for less than you know you deserve in life, you become an imposter. Commit to working as hard as you need to work to make your dream your reality. Everyone in the world can look at you as an imposter—that’s cool. Simply smile at them as you do the work. They’ll jump on your bandwagon when you win.
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Don’t let imposter syndrome keep you stuck. You are meant for greatness.
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If this New Year is going to be the year to escape to a life of freedom, you have to find a way to beat that little voice inside of you. You’re going to have to find the strength to ignore the haters or those who can’t dream past their situation.
You have everything you need to create the kind of life you want to live. A mastermind group can offer you support. The Internet and social media have opened the doors to opportunities that weren’t possible back in the day. You’ve got to believe it and then do something about it. Don’t let imposter syndrome keep you stuck. You are meant for greatness.
Audio version:
Have you ever dealt with imposter syndrome?
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Photo: Flickr/ Nikky Stephen
This article originally appeared on KimanziConstable.com.