Branding Byte #002:

During the last two weeks, I exchanged with more than 15 people in 1-to-1 calls to figure out how to start as a creator on LinkedIn.

One of the questions I asked during that time was: Why they didn't start before?

Most told me they were afraid of the perception people would build about them. They lack the credibility to share their tips and their journey.

In today's Branding Byte, I am going to share with you the mental framework I used to get rid of impostor syndrome.

This step-by-step guide can be applied to your life in general, especially if you have already asked yourself those questions:

• "Should I start this endeavor"

• "Am I the right person for this job"

• "I am not gonna be able to do this by myself"

Those three situations arise when you lack confidence in your ability to perform.

Getting rid of the impostor syndrome is a must to live a life on your terms.

Everyone is one step away from breaking into the start of an amazing journey.

Unfortunately, there's a wall with deep roots, making it hard for you to overcome your fears.

Family, friends, and culture altogether influence your propensity to take action and sometimes hold you back.

That may be the exact reason you're stuck.

1/ Stop thinking you need to be an expert.

Yes if you've already built credibility in a domain it's great and it'll be easier for you to build your personal brand.

However, it's a false belief to think you can't start if you don't have a fancy stamp that gives you credibility.

Let alone that, there are even more reasons:

• You think no one is willing to learn from you

• You're afraid of what people would think of you

• You believe you have nothing valuable to share now

• You get paralyzed to publish thinking it's not yet perfect

What's funny about those 4 is they all come down from the same roots:

Impostor syndrome.

Be reassured I have a framework that will guide you out of that spot.

Step 1: Why are you getting paid?

The most important step is to recognize your value.

You don't need to be paid with money to recognize your skills, if you help friends/family in a specific domain, the time they take to ask you is enough to showcase that you have something valuable to share.

For those that got a salary, tell me how it's different to be paid by a company from getting paid by an individual for a service.

Let that sink in, there's no difference.

How is speaking in front of friends/family/colleagues different from sharing your thoughts and expertise on Linkedin?

Again, there's no difference, you created that mental wall.

So here's what this first step consists of:

Write down everything you currently do in life that is a by-product of your skills and capabilities.

Once you did that, think of yourself a few years back. Would you have needed someone to help you figure out the path to follow?

Of course you would, there are always people a few steps behind, just like the past version of yourself.

That's your audience, assess their existence, find them, and be the guide that's still figuring it out but already has valuable insights to share.

Step 2: Get rid of the Spotlight effect

Sorry to break it, but no one cares about what you do. Everyone is living in a movie being the main character.

Repeat after me:

No one cares about what I write about.

You really thought you were so important that everyone wants to know what you do?

Everyone is struggling to figure out his own life and it would be so damn easier to understand that.

Why would you care anyway?

You're living in your own limitations, and nothing good happens there.

How would you react in a hypothetical world in which people would directly say that you can't do something, even if you don't know them?

The first reaction would be an impulse rejection of those people.

Why?

Most people hate when they get told what to do. From strangers, it's even worse, but that's exactly what you do when you let the fear of judgment eat you alive.

Here's something you can do, go to the park, take public transport, or walk in the streets and watch how everyone is so over themselves.

People will judge you anyway as they'll project into you their own fears.

Go after what you want, and do it for yourself because everyone deserves to follow a dream.

Step 3: Stop waiting for permission

No one will give it to you.

That was the key for me, understanding that I owe no one a penny. I can do whatever I want, that's my life and I am the one accountable for my decisions.

The moment I understood this, everything fell into place.

You need to tell yourself this, it's essential to accept this reality. But I know it's a scary one because once you do you can't unsee it. With all the realm of possibilities that are waiting for you, that feeling of freedom can be unbearable for some.

It's sad but that's the reason so many people trade their dreams for a secure 9to5 with a monthly pay-check, there's nothing to be ashamed of, but if you're deeply convinced that you can't live in that path, that you aspire for more, give yourself permission and start now.

Self-permission is the base of your LinkedIn journey, once you figure out that you're already credible enough to share your insights on the industry and that no one cares about how you end up you have no other choice, my friend...

If you found that useful, don't hesitate to send me a message and follow me on Linkedin, I post daily tips on personal branding.

Everyone can make it.

Till next week for a new Branding Byte!