You know that voice articulating all your worst fears? The voice hurling questions and comments as you begin something new.

You’ve never done this before.
Is now really the right time?
What if this is a terrible idea?
What if no one likes it - or worse, it doesn’t resonate with anyone else?
What if you’re wasting your time?
You don’t know what you’re doing.
How are you going to pull this off?
Why you?

Somehow the imposter hones in on our specific insecurities so each remark feels threatening. It’s always personal. It’s our imposter.

We might be tempted to side with the imposter - hold back, wait until a better time, stay where it’s safe and known and comfortable. Or we might try to banish, silence, or ignore the imposter.

But just like with fear, what if our imposter could be a friend? Perhaps we don’t have to cower in fear or soldier on in defiance. We get to choose how we interact with our imposter.

Real friends engage. When our imposter starts speaking, let’s chat.

You’ve never done this before. / I know, isn’t it exciting to try something new?

Is now really the right time? / The “right time” is pretty elusive, don’t you think? I won’t know until I try!

What if this is a terrible idea? / What if it’s not? I’m curious to find out.

What if no one likes it - or worse, it doesn’t resonate with anyone else? / Well, I know it resonates with at least a couple of people that I’ve shared the idea with already. I can always adapt the idea based on feedback.

What if you’re wasting your time? / What if not doing this is wasting an opportunity?

You don’t know what you’re doing. / That’s part of the fun - I’m learning as I go.

How are you going to pull this off? / Honestly, I’m not sure. I don’t have it all figured out - I’m taking it one step at a time.

Why you? / Why not me?

Our imposter helps us reflect and reframe. When we choose to engage, our imposter can propel us forward with eyes wide open.

To answer today: When your imposter starts talking, what will you say back?