I heard something recently that hit me like a cold slap to the face:
“Don’t be so attached to your present self that you don’t give your future self a chance.” — Vinh Giang.
At first, I smiled and scrolled past. But then the words stuck. I realized how often I’ve done exactly that — clutching tightly to the version of myself I currently am, just because she feels familiar. Comfortable. Safe.
But is she enough for where I want to go?
Starting out in social media marketing — a whole new field feels both exciting and terrifying. Every time I get a project brief or need to pitch a content strategy or applying for a job, the only thing louder than my excitement was the voice in my head whispering: “You’re not ready. You don’t know enough. Who do you think you are?”
And I almost believe it.
Almost.
But here’s what I’ve come to realize: if I wait until I feel completely ready, I’ll wait forever. Growth doesn’t come with a neon sign flashing “Now You’re Ready.” It sneaks up disguised as a messy opportunity, a challenge that makes you doubt yourself, a door that looks too heavy to push open.
I’m learning that the only real difference between who I am today and who I want to become is nothing but a knowledge gap. A skill gap. A courage gap. And the only way to close it is to start — even when I feel under-qualified.
Yes, imposter syndrome is realllll. Bro!!! It drips into your thoughts, telling you you’re an amateur pretending to be a pro. But here’s my counter-attack:
What if I’m not pretending? What if I’m just practicing? “Practice they say makes Perfect”
So I decided, whenever an opportunity comes my way — a client project, a strategy session, a chance to show what I can do — and I feel that familiar knot in my stomach, I’ll just say: “Do it anyway.”
Because the worst that can happen? I’ll fail.
And then I’ll try again — this time, smarter and with real experience.
The best that can happen?
I’ll grow into the person I’m already becoming — the one who gets the job done, who figures it out along the way, who builds the confidence that only comes from actual doing.
So this is a note to both of us — you reading this and me writing it:
Stop playing small just because growth feels uncomfortable. Your future self — the confident, capable one — is waiting on the other side of that discomfort, cheering you on, hoping you’ll take the leap.
Trust yourself.
Say yes before you feel ready.
Bet on yourself.
And when it gets hard — because it will — just whisper back to the fear: I’m doing it anyway.
