Back to school!

 It's that time of year again.  Pumpkin spice latte and books on books and books.   This is my most favorite time of year.  I didn't always know that I wanted to be a professor.  What pushed me towards that path was my experience with two wonderful mentors who were teachers.  When I didn't think I was smart enough they told me otherwise.  They politely pushed my fears back into a room  I didn't know existed and told me that they were irrational.  It wasn't until later that I figured out that my self doubt had a name called imposter syndrome .  

 There's an article that I love to read that explains it (imposter syndrome) so well.   My fav part of that article: Once we know what to call this fear, the second step that I’ve found really valuable is knowing we’re not alone. Once I learned this thing had a name, I was curious to learn who else suffered from it. One of my favorite discoveries involved the amazing American author and poet Maya Angelou. She shared that, “I have written 11 books, but each time I think, ‘Uh oh, they’re going to find out now. I’ve run a game on everybody, and they’re going to find me out.’”

Think about that for a minute. Despite winning three Grammys and being nominated for a Pulitzer Prize and a Tony Award, this huge talent still questioned her success.

 It's OK to question your fear.  Invite it in.  Talk to it a little bit.  Recognize its presence.   Give it directions.  And send it  on its way.  

 There is nothing that we cannot do  when we do it with  our full selves. Got it?