When I think of my own experiences with imposter syndrome or having a lack of creative confidence, I often equate that with my lack of willingness to appear foolish.
Even as a 50-year-old man with lots of cool accomplishments under my belt, I’m still scared I might look like an idiot to people I know and respect (or even people I’ve never met before).
This fear, if I listen to it, can keep me from living the life I really want to live.
It will keep me living small, doing small work, and worried “you” won’t approve of me.
I don’t listen to that fear as much as I used to.
I’ve learned to show people the rough and unfinished drafts of my novel.
I post content online 5 days a week.
I speak freely about my experiences getting and staying sober.
But it doesn’t mean I’m not scared of what “you” will think of me.
Every time I post a video or a written post such as this, I hesitate for just a moment and wonder if “you” will like/accept/respect me.
And then I remember that I have to be willing to look foolish or to make mistakes in public if I want to accomplish the things I want to do in life.
And you probably know this already, but that fear is really just a boogeyman.
The few times I have felt embarrassed in public were not nearly as big of a deal as my fear led me to believe it would be.
Have a mission in life or in your work. If your mission is important, it will lend you the willingness to look foolish.