Can we talk about that sneaky little voice that pops up when I’m doing something new, exciting, or a little scary. You have that too, right? You know the one:

“Who do you think you are?”
“You’re not ready for this.”
“You’re going to mess it all up.”

I cringe at talking about “imposter syndrome” because it seems like such a buzz word, but it’s so real and it’s more common than most of us realize. Even the most confident, successful people deal with it — I’ll explain more in just a minute.

Here’s something I’ve learned about imposter syndrome: it isn’t a sign that you’re not good enough. It doesn’t mean you aren’t qualified. And it doesn’t mean you can’t. It’s actually a sign that you’re stepping into something important. It usually shows up when you’re stretching into a new version of yourself and doing something meaningful… something real.

You may not feel like you’re qualified. You might even think you’re faking it. But the truth is, you’re probably just growing. That awkward, uncomfortable feeling of not quite fitting into your new shoes? That’s transformation in real time.

When I first started writing, I wasn’t sure what I was doing. Honestly, I still don’t. I don’t have a fancy degree in children’s literature or a bookshelf full of published work. But I enjoy it and I have have a message I believe in and that matters to me. That voice in my head still tells me I’m not qualified. It told me to wait. It told me someone else would do it better. But I kept writing and hired a coach to drown out the doubt.

Imposter syndrome isn’t logical. It feels real and convincing, but it doesn’t actually reflect the truth of who you are or what you’re capable of. It ignores your wins, your heart, your intention. It tries to protect you by keeping you small… but who wants that?

If you’re waiting to feel confident before you begin, let me save you some time: confidence comes after you start. You build it by showing up, even when you’re unsure. You grow it by doing the thing messy, unpolished, and imperfect. Action creates confidence, not the other way around.

And if you think you’re the only one who has ever doubted themselves, think again.

Sylvester Stallone was rejected by over 1,500 talent agents. He was broke, homeless, and struggling to eat. But he refused to sell the Rocky script unless he could star in it. People told him he wasn’t good enough, that he had no experience. He did it anyway. And he made history.

J.K. Rowling was a single mom living on welfare when she wrote Harry Potter. Twelve publishers said no. She kept going.

Walt Disney was told he lacked imagination. Oprah Winfrey was told she was unfit for TV. These are not small names. These are people who were doubted, dismissed, and still chose to believe in their vision.

If you’re reading this and sitting on a dream, waiting to feel “ready” or “more qualified,” this is your permission to go for it. You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to be willing.

You are allowed to want something more. You are allowed to step into something that lights you up even if it doesn’t make total sense to anyone else yet. Especially if it scares you a little. As long as it aligns with your values and feels right in your heart – go for it!

That fear you feel? That’s not proof you’re a fraud. It’s proof you’re on the edge of something meaningful.

So here’s my advice: take the step. Write the story. Apply for the job. Launch the business. Go back to school. Try the thing your heart keeps whispering about.

Not because you’re certain. But because you’re called.

Imposter syndrome doesn’t mean you’re not ready. It means you’re brave enough to grow.

And that, my friend, is exactly where the magic happens.

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