Charlotte

Kindness is bold, despite what society tells us. It helps beginners grow, connect, and feel safe to overcome their fears and thrive.

Discover the unconventional lessons, hard-won wisdom, and strategies I learned from starting—and failing—my startup as a female entrepreneur.

Failure doesn’t define you—it teaches you. Bounce back stronger with lessons learned, rebuild confidence, and turn self-doubt into resilience!

Small habits can be life-changing! Forget overwhelming resolutions—lasting change starts with simple, actionable steps. Ready to transform your life?

How To Overcome Imposter Syndrome as a Multipotentialite Mindset and Habits September 23, 2024 byCharlotte Do you sometimes feel like you’re constantly falling short, no matter how much you achieve? In today’s world, where social media constantly showcases polished lives and picture-perfect achievements, it’s easy to feel like everyone else has it all figured out, leaving you behind. Many of us struggle with self-confidence, particularly when imposter syndrome sets in. I have dealt with this pervasive feeling first-hand; it can make even the most accomplished individuals feel inadequate and undeserving of their success. Understanding Imposter Syndrome Imposter syndrome is not just a momentary feeling of doubt or a bad day. It’s a persistent, internalized fear of being exposed as a “fraud.” We are terrified that one day, everyone will wake up and realize “the truth”. Despite clear accomplishments, those suffering from imposter syndrome believe they don’t deserve their achievements and attribute any success to luck or external factors, rather than their own hard work and talent. This mindset can have a detrimental impact on self-esteem, mental health, and career growth. Interestingly, imposter syndrome tends to be more prevalent among high achievers and those who have excelled in multiple areas. Emilie Wapnick dives into how multipotentialites may be more likely to experience impostor syndrome in this article.  Instead of feeling proud of their broad range of talents, they question whether they truly belong. When you feel like an impostor, you constantly hear that voice whispering in your head, “You’re not good enough. Sooner or later, everyone will figure it out.” And this isn’t just limited to one area of life—it can sneak into our professional lives, personal relationships, and creative pursuits. Societal Pressures and Personal Fears Several societal pressures and personal fears contribute to our feelings of inadequacy. We often feel pressured to specialize or conform to societal norms. Society frequently encourages us to “pick a lane” and stay in it, pushing the narrative that being a jack-of-all-trades makes us somehow less accomplished than those who focus deeply on one area. How many times have I told myself that not being an expert in any particular field meant I was good for nothing? I feel this especially strongly at social gatherings, where conversations inevitably shift toward work or passions, and I hear people proudly sharing how knowledgeable they are in their specialized area. Don’t get me wrong—I think it’s awesome when people are so passionate about something and become experts in their field. I always take these moments as opportunities to learn new things and lean into their passion. But that nagging sense of inadequacy often creeps in, making me feel like I don’t belong because I don’t have a deep well of expertise to draw from in one specific area. This is when imposter syndrome tends to kick in, fueled by personal fears and insecurities that I’ll be judged for being “less than” or for spreading myself too thin. The truth, however, is that society needs both specialists and generalists. Specialists bring focused expertise to the table, while generalists offer adaptability, creativity, and a broader perspective. In fact, multipotentialites do not need to specialize. Together, these different strengths make for better teams, more innovative solutions, and ultimately, a more well-rounded society. So why do we downplay the value of being a multipotentialite? Ways To Overcome Imposter Syndrome Reframing Negative Thoughts One powerful way to combat imposter syndrome is to reframe the negative thoughts that feed it. Acknowledge your accomplishments, and remind yourself of your capabilities. Instead of allowing self-doubt to run the show, practice self-kindness and self-compassion. This shift in mindset has transformed my internal narrative from “I’m not good enough” to “I’m learning, growing, and improving every day.” It is an ongoing practice. To this day, I have to actively remind myself that being a multipotentialite is a gift. My curiosity, adaptability, and eagerness to learn new things across so many areas are strengths that many people wish they had. Let me clarify. I don’t ever want to fall into the trap of thinking I’m better than others simply because I’m a generalist. The point is not to say that being a multipotentialite is superior to being a specialist—it’s just different. Here’s what I remind myself: I am enough. I don’t need to match anyone else’s level of expertise to belong. We can be complementary. Experts can teach me about their specialized knowledge, and in return, I can help broaden their horizons. The grass isn’t always greener on the other side. Chances are, someone else is looking at my experiences and thinking my side of the fence is greener too. Embracing Your Unique Journey It’s vital to recognize and celebrate your own unique strengths and talents. Instead of obsessing over what you lack, focus on the breadth of skills and experiences you do have, and the highlight and richness of your own journey. It’s easy to fall into the trap of comparison, but once you realize comparison is the thief of joy, you can open your eyes to the extraordinary path you’ve carved out for yourself. Now in my early 30s, I feel like I’ve lived many different lives. How many people can say they’ve been both a freelance strategy consultant and a farmer, a startup founder and a flight attendant, a sales manager, and a fruit deliverer? I’ve lived in major cities and remote rural areas across Southeast Asia, Oceania, and Europe. I’ve found love and built friendships with people from entirely different backgrounds than mine, defying the idea that soulmates or close friends must come from the same culture or social circle. Creating an extraordinary life has always been my goal—not necessarily in wealth or fame, but in terms of variety and richness of experience. To me, that’s where the true magic of being a multipotentialite and a lifelong learner lies. Rather than focusing on what I may lack, I choose to celebrate the diversity of experiences and skills I’ve gained. Building Resilience Resilience is often

7 Strategies To Overcome the Fear of Judgment When Starting Something New Mindset and Habits August 28, 2024 byCharlotte https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=man1mfcKC9A Ever feel paralyzed by the fear of being judged? You’re not alone. We all have that inner voice telling us we’re not good enough or that others are better. This feeling is especially strong when our confidence is low, making it tough to start anything new. But as we gain experience, that fear of judgment fades. Have you ever excelled at something and had someone with much less experience give you unsolicited advice with a know-it-all attitude? It can be irritating—and sometimes laughable. But because you’re confident in your abilities, their judgment doesn’t faze you. So, why does it feel so hard when we’re beginners? It comes from a combination of our lack of self-confidence and our need for others’ approval. As humans, we naturally seek approval, but this becomes unhealthy when it’s excessive. Social media doesn’t make it any easier. We often measure worth by followers and likes, which gives others too much power over us. Today, we’re taking that power back! Here are 7 tips to help you overcome the fear of judgment when starting something new: 7 Tips To Overcome the Fear of Judgment 1. Cultivate Kindness: Judge Less, Live More This may sound counterintuitive—I’m talking about overcoming others’ judgment, yet I’m telling you that you might be judging others too. But the two often go hand in hand. We tend to project our thoughts and actions onto others, assuming they’ll think or behave like us. Reflect on whether you’re sometimes judgmental and practice being happy for others’ successes and supportive of their efforts. Especially as women, I’ve noticed many of my female friends become bitter toward other women’s successes, whether it’s because they looked better, younger, or fitter. This mindset only slows us down. Wasting time hating on others keeps us from moving forward. Showing kindness is much more beneficial and has a direct impact on our positive mindset and happiness. In fact, a Systemic review and meta-analysis (Curry, et al. 2018) showed that “performing acts of kindness boosts happiness and well-being”. A friend of mine made it a daily practice to compliment people on the street. We often voice negative thoughts more than positive ones, so this is an excellent way to give and receive positivity while building self-love and kindness toward others. Remember: Kindness is the strongest shield against judgment. People often judge out of their own insecurities, and kindness can disarm that. 2. Realize Judgment Is Mostly Imaginary This realization was a game-changer for me. People simply don’t have time to worry about anyone but themselves and their close circle. We often give too much power to people who, in reality, don’t care about us at all. Think about that uncomfortable feeling when you’re walking into a quiet room with everyone seated—it feels like all eyes are on you. Now reverse the scenario: if you were one of the seated people, would you even look up? Probably not—you’re likely focused on your phone, a book, or your own thoughts. That’s how little people care when you’re in the center. Even if you trip and fall, how long will people laugh? A few minutes at most. And in a few hours, they won’t even remember who fell. Reversing scenarios like this helps you realize that others don’t care nearly as much as we think, which can be liberating. 3. Dissociate Yourself from Criticism While most judgment exists only in our heads, there are times when we do encounter harsh criticism. The key is to separate yourself from it. Look at criticism objectively. Instead of letting it damage your confidence, use it as an opportunity to identify areas for improvement. When I first started dancing, I often laughed with others at my own awkward movements. I didn’t take it personally; instead, I saw it as feedback on what needed improvement, which paid off over time. And it’s also a chance to practice not taking ourselves too seriously and have a good time at our expense. The more you realize that it’s not you being judged, but specific behaviors or actions, the more effective you can be in your learning process. 4. Journal and Reflect on Your Feelings When you feel judged, take time to reflect on why and how it made you feel. Separate constructive criticism, which helps you grow, from destructive criticism, which only tears you down. Journaling is a great way to clarify your thoughts and strategies. For example: “Someone joked that I looked stiff on my surfboard and said I’d never be able to turn and ride a wave. It made me feel ridiculous, like a failure.” From here, you can break it down: Constructive Criticism: You need to change your form. Destructive Criticism: You’ll never be able to turn and ride a wave. Now, set a strategy: Focus on looking up, adjust your hips for better mobility, and work on your form. By focusing on what you can control, you shift from feeling powerless to empowered. Journaling is beneficial for so many purposes that it deserves many articles of its own. Smiling Mind provides keys to start journaling for mental health and wellbeing. 5. Avoid Comparing Yourself To Others Easier said than done, right? Especially in an age dominated by social media. Every time we log on, we’re bombarded by others’ successes—whether it’s someone achieving mastery in a new skill seemingly overnight or influencers touting their picture-perfect lives. This constant stream of other people’s highlights can make it feel like we’re falling behind. But here’s the truth: Everyone has their own unique path. Just because someone seems ahead doesn’t mean they didn’t face challenges or setbacks along the way. They might have started earlier, devoted more time, or found a method that worked specifically for them. And that’s perfectly okay. What we rarely see are the hours of practice, the failures, and the moments of doubt others experience. Mastery takes

The first step is always the hardest part of any journey but it’s also the most powerful ✨. In this blog, I’ll show you how to take that first step today towards your goals. Whether you need actionable advice, motivation for self-improvement, or a kick in the pants to get moving 🚀 this blog has you covered!

Learn to overcome hesitation, take courageous actions, and build momentum to move forward with confidence. Don’t wait for the “perfect moment” – start now and take that first step to anything you’ve been wanting to try! 🔥