20. I Am No Longer Playing It Small And Stepping Into My Power Affirmation

Have you ever felt like an imposter, doubting your abilities and comparing yourself to others? In this empowering episode of the Mindful Life Changes podcast (formerly known as the Mindful Career Change podcast), host Valerie Mekki, a career change counselor and guide, tackles imposter syndrome head-on with a powerful affirmation for courage: 'I Am No Longer Playing It Small and I Am Stepping Into My Power.' To help ignite your bravery, courage, confidence, and worthiness 

Discover why imposter syndrome affects us all, regardless of background or status, and uncover the antidotes to this common experience. Learn how to combat self-doubt with acts of courage, no matter how big or small, and find out how self-love is the key to overcoming feelings of unworthiness. Learn invaluable insights on how to reframe your self-worth and embrace your true value.

If you've ever questioned your abilities or felt like you're not enough, this episode is your beacon of empowerment. It's time to deactivate imposter syndrome and activate your inner strength. Tune in now and transform your mid-career journey.

Show Notes and Timestamps:

[00:00:36] Intro

[00:01:12] The first thing you need to know about imposter syndrome

[00:02:31] What are the antidotes and causes of imposter syndrome? 

[00:03:39] The second culprit of imposter syndrome- unworthiness

[00:05:01] Start affirmation with a body scan

[00:05:30] Memorize this affirmation

[00:06:02] Say the affirmation out loud

[00:06:35] Visualize your affirmation 

[00:07:51] Make your affirmations sticky

[00:08:38] Celebration for episode 20

We talk about our inner critic in this episode and if you’re curious to learn more about this, check out episode 12, to learn how to co-exist in a healthier way with your inner critic.

Curious to learn how to make your affirmations sticky? Listen to episode 1 and I’ll walk you through how to make your affirmation practice a more effective and transformative tool for your career-changing journey. 

Formerly known as the "Mindful Career Change Podcast," I decided to broaden our conversation to cover all life transitions, not just our careers.

Follow the show @mindfullifechanges on YouTube, IG,and DM a question or comment about the life transitions you're going through too. I might answer your question in one of the episodes to help you and other midlifers navigate this everchanging and beautiful season of life.

OR

Connect with me on YouTube @ohhellomidlife

Chapters

• 1:12 The First Thing You Should Know About Imposter Syndrome
• 2:31 What are the antidotes and causes of imposter syndrome?
• 3:39 The second culprit of imposter syndrome- unworthiness
• 5:01 Start affirmation with a body scan
• 5:30 Memorize the affirmation
• 6:02 Say the affirmation out loud
• 6:35 Visualize this affirmation
• 7:51 Make your affirmations sticky
• 8:38 Celebration of the 20th episode

Transcript

Have you ever experienced a moment when you look around, whether you're in an office meeting or with a client, and thoughts begin to creep in of self doubt? You question your abilities and compare yourself to others, wondering, what am I doing here? That my friend is the feeling of imposter syndrome. It's a common experience, but the key is not to let it become your norm. It's time to snap out of your imposter syndrome and step into your power. 

[00:00:36] Hello and welcome to the Mindful Career Change Podcast. I'm your host, Valerie Mekki, a career change counselor and guide. Today's episode, we are practicing an empowering affirmation of deactivating imposter syndrome and igniting your courage, confidence, self love, and worthiness. By reciting, I am no longer playing it small and I'm stepping into my power.

[00:01:12] The first thing you need to know about imposter syndrome is how common it is. Originally, when the concept of imposter syndrome was first developed, it was thought to apply mostly to high achieving women. Since then, it's been recognized as more widespread experience, regardless of a person's degree of expertise, professional background, or social status. Impostor syndrome can happen to anyone. So that person leading the meeting or sitting across from you or beside you. Yes, they too could be having the same thoughts of self doubt and feelings of unworthiness. You're not alone in this. 

[00:01:53] Let that sink in and be a reminder to you. The next time you're in a meeting and you're looking around, remember, at a certain level, we're all navigating our own thoughts and battling our inner critics.

If you're curious on how to quiet your inner critic, listen to episode 12, where I walk you through on how to change the dialogue with your inner critic. I'll put the link in the show notes. 

So how do we prevent these moments of feeling like imposters from causing us to play small or inflame our insecurities of perfectionism and working ourselves to prove our worth?

[00:02:31] The antidotes to imposter syndrome? Courage and self love. Why courage and self love? Because imposter syndrome stems from self doubt and unworthiness. 

When it comes to self doubt, you might think the antidote is self confidence. But in my view, it takes acts of courage to develop confidence in something. If you're doubting your seat at the table at work or your role as a new business owner, it may take proving to yourself that you're entirely capable of making that presentation or volunteering to be a lead in a project.

Yet acts of courage to build self confidence don't always have to be big. They could be a collection of smaller steps, like writing the email to a potential client or making an effort to participate more in meetings. The only way to overcome self doubt is to confront them and walk through it, stepping into your power and into a moment filled with bravery and courage.

[00:03:39] The second culprit of imposter syndrome is the feeling of unworthiness. Now, unworthiness can be caused by a combination of past trauma related to your childhood or cultural upbringing, societal pressures, and social comparisons. It can be complex and a lot to unpack. So know this, however, or whomever caused you to feel less than or not deserving. It was all untrue. You are an intelligent and unique being. There is no one that can replace you because there's no one in this world like you, which makes you rare and valuable. 

Let's take this moment to recognize that we can't change the past, but we do have this moment and beyond to see yourself in a new light. Protect this newfound image by creating boundaries. Limiting your intake of social media, surrounding yourself with positive people, and giving yourself more moments like this of self care. 

The beginning of this affirmation calls out you're no longer playing it small. Let that be a reminder of your value. You no longer believe your value in the world is small. And you're stepping into your power of self love to embrace your worth.[00:05:00] 

[00:05:01] So are you ready to practice this empowering affirmation of stepping into your power? Let's begin by priming your mind and body so you're open to accept this affirmation in practice. We'll start by scanning your body, letting go of any tension or energy that doesn't serve you and take a cleansing breath in and out.

I'll begin by reciting this affirmation twice. While you hear this affirmation, imagine you're writing this affirmation down on a whiteboard or you're watching someone write it on a board for you. This will help with memorization, so let's begin. 

I am no longer playing it small, and I'm stepping into my power. I am no longer playing it small, and I'm stepping into my power

[00:06:02] I'll repeat the affirmation again, but this time I want you to repeat it out loud to yourself so you can make a connection. I am no longer playing it small, and I am stepping into my power.

I'll repeat the affirmation again, once again say it out loud to yourself. I am no longer playing it small, and I am stepping into my power.

[00:06:35] Now, imagine you're on a path and with each step it lights up with energy, with frequency that energizes you with courage and love. Visualize this moment and feel the energy rise from beneath you. I'll repeat this affirmation again and imagine yourself and this vision in full color.

I am no longer playing it small, and I am stepping into my power.

I'll repeat it one last time and give you a moment to let it sink in. I am no longer playing it small, and I am stepping into my power. When you're ready, slowly open your eyes if you had them closed. And if it feels comfortable to you, place your hand on your heart to help seal in this moment of self care and love.

[00:07:39] This affirmation is yours to recite and practice for 21 days at least once a day. It's most effective before you go to bed at night or when you wake up in the morning before you start your day. 

[00:07:51] You can take your affirmation practice a step further by making your affirmation sticky. Try turning it into a mantra and repeat it to yourself while you're working out, taking a walk, or doing yoga. Or write this affirmation down on a sticky note and place it somewhere visible, like on your computer or laptop, as quick reminder that you're no longer playing it small and stepping into your power.

If you're curious to learn on how to make your affirmation sticky, which is the acronym on how to make your affirmation practice more effective and sustainable. Go back to Episode 1, where I walk you through the steps on how to make your affirmation sticky so it can have a transformative impact in your career changing journey.

[00:08:38] If you haven't noticed, this is Episode 20. Mentioning Episode 1, and it being the 20th episode, fills me with joy and celebration. A little over six months ago, I had this idea of creating a podcast for career changers and sharing positive affirmations. I didn't fully grasp the scope of what I was getting myself into. I just had this idea and I couldn't keep it to myself and I had to bring it to life. Yes, there were plenty of moments of self doubt and tears, but I stepped into my power and purpose and here we are at episode 20. Thank you for sharing this moment with me and I look forward to more weeks to come with more content on mindfulness for you, the career changer. 

So if you're new to this podcast, thanks for joining us. Explore other affirmations that resonate with you. And if you found this episode helpful, please share it with a family member or a friend who may need an empowering affirmation to help step into their own worth and power.

Or please do me a favor and help rate this podcast wherever you're listening. Your support will help this podcast grow and blossom so other career changers can discover it. 

[00:09:56] Thank you again for joining me. And most importantly, thank yourself for taking the time to make a mindful career change. I'll talk to you soon.