The Hollow Men

A friend and fellow Canadian Association of Professional Speakers member, Nathalie Plamondon-Thomas (https://thinkyourself.com/) , recently wrote “Studies reveal that 85% of people suffer from a lack of self-confidence, while 70% admit to experiencing imposter syndrome.”

What I’m sorry to report is that this applies, perhaps even more so, to professionals and entrepreneurs.

You see it all too often– the gig is ongoing, but you no longer have any idea why. A paycheque of sorts comes in, the bills are met, but you begin to fantasize about retirement, or a side gig, or an all-consuming hobby. Or you get into self-destructive behaviours – gambling, drinking, affairs, sketchy business ventures…. the list goes on.

At some point in professional careers doubt will set in. “Is this really what I should be doing? Is this where I should be?” Usually a pack of attached doubts come along, doubts about partnerships – business and matrimonial, doubts about identity, doubts about faith, doubts about values. In so many words, we find ourselves at some point mid-career and mid-life wondering if we’ve got it all wrong.

Interestingly enough, this crisis is much less evident among those professionals who are truly aligned. That is, those who are in the place they were meant to be, who derive satisfaction and reward from being in the place where their giftings satisfy the needs of those they were born to serve. The creative mind and spirit which get to invent, to build, to solve, to satisfy, to intrigue, to teach, to inspire, and to mystify can hardly become bored and dissatisfied.

When we’re in the place we were meant to be by virtue of innate attributes, experience, and training, how is it possible to be insecure, bored, or feel like an imposter?

So the question really is this: are you in the place you were meant to be by virtue of your inborn attributes, your experience, and your training?

Call me if you like. Been there, done that, no judgment.