JUST DO IT!
Hi guys, Happy New Year! For good reasons I have not been chanced to write on here as I have been very busy with work and life. I promised myself I was going to squeeze out time to write this, and here it is. Enjoy!
One fascinating story that perfectly epitomises the contention of this piece is the inspiring story of an average student that was awarded a fully-funded scholarship. Although Iβm still unable to confirm the credulity of the story, the didactic essence of the story remains of great utility. A lady applied for a fully-funded graduate scholarship and she got it β yes simple as that. According to the story, what was in fact special and untypical was that she barely met up with the award criteria, yet she applied and got awarded. She later discovered that the scholarship was to be awarded to only 10 people and only 7 people applied and she was fortunately among the 7 people who applied. While the story looks outrageously unbelievable, there is no doubt that it is very possible. More importantly, the point to be drawn from this anecdote is that there is no harm in trying. However there are more lessons I have drawn from this story.
These past few months, I had the opportunity of seeing that a lot of people in high places, holding top positions are not exactly eminently qualified. You would be stupefied at the number of average people who are actually bulldozing their ways through life and excelling despite their averageness. You will also be shocked to realize the number of smart, creative and βmore competentβ people who are shadows of themselves and are far from fulfilling their true potentials in life because they are ensconced in self-doubt. Simply put, a βfraudβ feeling like a Pro, while a Pro is feeling like a βfraudβ. I agonized over this seemingly intractable problem, and I came to a more complete, personal realization that none of these people is, in reality, a fraud and in fact, the difference between the βreal fraudβ and the one that thinks he is a fraud is cowardice. Sadly, the inexorable comeuppance for such cowardice is that no matter your level of competence, such a person has the inveterate tendency to be placed under people he is actually better than. Now let me explain.
There are a lot of brilliant articles written about imposter syndrome and how it stultifies oneβs courage to put oneβs self out there in a meaningful way or go after new opportunities. When opportunities come knocking, you donβt feel βcompetent enoughβ or βqualified enoughβ to go for it. In fact, research has shown that almost everyone experiences this feeling and βcapable peopleβ are more likely to experience it. However, I have come to the realization that although βimposter syndromeβ exist as a valid psychological concept, in this generation of grossly βweak-minded peopleβ the term is most times euphemistically used to coddle people for their cowardice. Now, revert your mind to the story of the average student that won a scholarship. The only reason she got it was because she tried. She didn't care whether anyone thought she deserved it or not. In future, when you eventually found out she is actually average, you start to say she was freakishly lucky, or if you are mean like me, you might call her a fraud.
No, she is not a fraud! You are just the coward, who is so fearful of failing that he refuses to even try. It is simple logic, the bridge between dreams and achievement is βtryingβ. Someone is ruthlessly and brazenly chasing her dreams, unbothered about whether anyone thinks she is good enough or not, while you were busy doubting yourself and you think she is a fraud because she got what you also covet? In my experience working as a professional writer, I have never approached any job with certainty that it will produce excellence. I simply try my best and get myself paid well- that is how I bulldoze my way through life, I am completely unworried whether people think I am good at what I do or not. The strident truth is that in a world where life is not balanced, and we are all just trying, the greatest disservice you can do to yourself, is to disenfranchise yourself from participating because you think you are not good enough. Maybe you are truly not competent enough, or qualified enough, but you are not a βfraudβ- you cannot be a fraud for trying!
This essay is directed at two categories of persons- the one who knows he is average and not the most outstanding of all, and the one who is competent but still doubts he is ever good enough. For the first category of persons, just do it! Try! After all, a lot of people are bulldozing their ways through life and winning, including myself. Donβt be discouraged not to try. Anything you have exerted efforts into leaves you better- if talent doesnβt do it, growth will. The good news is many talented and competent people would continue to cowardly shy away from going for it- so take advantage of that! For the competent one who is on the verge of doing a great disservice to himself by submerging himself in self-doubt, this is my two cents for you- your doubts are most likely valid, yet people with far less talent and brilliance than you have navigated this same path you want to toll, and they have excelled. Importantly, donβt be beclouded by the obsession of starting only when you have attained perfection. In reality, nothing like that actually exists. Everything you see today- the most sophisticated versions of everyday life- are a result of conscious efforts, failings and consistency. Reduce your obsession for quick results and compulsory excellence. Rather, channel your obsession to efforts and growth because every attempt stretches you to improve. In the end, trying is mostly what it takes to hit that success we desire.
I leave you with the words of my highly cerebral mentor, Destiny Ogedengbe;
βWhenever you lack the courage to do anything productive, remember we are all exaggerated versions of themselves. Inwardly, we are mostly a series of self-defeats. Do it or not, life will simply go on. Let people motivate you. Compete with the courage that people have; not the result or silver linings peculiar to them. Courage is how people live on their own terms, so do it for you and no one else can be more you than you.β
So guys, that business you really want to start, or the migration plan you want to make, or even that tall fine man you really want for yourself, but you are stuck in the geyser of self-doubt and fear of failure- go for it now! It doesnβt have to necessarily be a giant step, take all the baby steps required and grow to the level of competence you want. Just do it!
