Letting go of limiting beliefs
Never in my life have I held onto something so tight, and even when I would let go, they would remain. I am talking about my limiting beliefs. They show up in so many forms, not feeling good enough, or feeling like an imposter, or always questioning if I have any value to add to anyone. My favorite is a combination of them that would leave me crippled in doubt about myself. I have carried mine around most of life, and I realize that I can let them go now, turn the page in my story, and live. I am going to get real with you with the hopes that you can spot these limiting beliefs in your life and begin to let them go.
Not feeling good enough
Ever get picked last in school? Ever think you need proof of success to have anything worth saying? I wonder how many voices remain silent because they don’t think they are good enough? How many never start creating because they don’t feel they are good enough? I began using my voice and creating in spite of not feeling good enough, but I rarely let anyone see the real me. I would choose “looking cool” over being myself, and my depression often kept me from really enjoying what I was doing. I could put on a happy face, but it only hid the real me. It hid the parts that were hurting, and it hid the parts that wanted to have fun. I struggled to be myself because I hated myself, and I hated who I was, so why would anyone want to see the real me? The answer is simple: the real me is relatable and fun. I may be the biggest dork in the room, and I don’t care anymore. I used to be so envious of creators that were comfortable enough in their own skin to be themselves online. When I think about getting picked last in school or mocked for the clothes I would wear, I can see why “cool” was vital to me. I can see why I wouldn’t feel good enough, but it’s all bullshit. Over the last four months, I have grown to love myself and see that I have a lot to offer. I work my face off, I have created the best community on the internet, and I am cool with celebrating me. Celebrating me isn’t about arrogance or ego. It’s about loving myself for the first time and seeing a radical change in my outlook on life and the content I create. The more I put me out there, the more relatable I become, and it allows for greater connection with more people.
When you realize you are good enough, you will feel unstoppable, and it becomes contagious to those you are reaching. If you take anything away from this article, its be yourself, you are good enough. If you are planning to create a community around your brand and content lead with that example. People will have a greater connection to you when you can be yourself. With that greater connection comes the desire to see you grow and succeed as a creator. I am in awe of the support from my community always pulling for me, and I know that I will have more to offer them the more I love myself. The same will be true for you.
When you realize you are good enough, you will feel unstoppable, and it becomes contagious to those you are reaching.
Relinquishing imposter syndrome
Imposter syndrome has hindered me in so many ways. It has silenced me because I don’t feel like I have the right to speak on certain things. Success doesn’t dictate what you can or cannot talk about. I know that I’m not a partnered streamer or full-time YouTuber, but I know how to market myself and my content. I understand workflows and how to get the most out of each piece of content to promote brand growth. Just because it takes time doesn’t discount the fact that it can work. I know that as I relinquish imposter syndrome, I will add more value to everyone that consumes my content, and some will go on to find greater success than me. I have seen this with many people that I have helped, and I celebrate it, I love seeing my friends win. I have a heart for content creators because I understand the struggle. I want to put 100% of who I am into my content for two reasons, I want to offer the most value, and I want to inspire others to do the same. I know that if I hold back because of my imposter syndrome, I hold back value that could significantly impact someone. I have to reach the next level of who am I as a person. I do that by believing I am pretty amazing, and I have a hell of a lot to offer. I see clearly how detrimental imposter syndrome is to my growth, and I don’t have time for it. I have to grow to be the best version of me, and when I am the best version of me, I will add the most value.
When you create from this place, you will see the impact you will have on those that consume your content. Content that impacts will be shareable, and that will grow your brand naturally. Silence the voice in your head that has you questioning if you belong. You belong, you have something to say. Let go of the limiting beliefs you’re not an imposter. If adding value with your content is the goal, then let nothing silence you. Next time you stream, record a video or record a podcast, be yourself. You are enough, so let the real you shine in your content.
How have you overcome?
Let me know in the comments if you have overcome your limiting beliefs. What are your current struggles? Post them in the comments and they may be the next topic I cover. Thanks for reading!
Nice article. “creating in spite of not feeling good enough“ creates the confidence to keep creating, not the other way around. Not feeling good enough becomes part of the obstacle you can learn to have fun with. For me the goal is to see if I can do it. There’s nothing more gratifying than that when you get all the way down to it.
You imagine yourself into being with far more success than willing yourself into being. It’s a more gentle process than we think. You may need to spend 20% of your energy pushing yourself out onto stage, to get started, and then the rest is trust in what you’d imagined yourself to be. That’s when you stop forcing and imposing and surrender to the process.