1 | Bye, Imposter Syndrome: Why to Start Before You're Ready

Feeling stuck by imposter syndrome or afraid to start? This episode is your permission slip to show up messy, let go of perfection, and take that first brave step.

Why you'll love this episode:

• How to start before you’re ready (even if your mic is surrounded by couch cushions)
• Real talk on imposter syndrome and how to quiet that “who do you think you are?” voice
• Simple ways to build confidence and momentum when self-doubt tries to steal the show

🎙 Let’s connect:
What small step are you taking for yourself this week? I seriously want to know—DM me on Instagram @growingwildpodcast and tell me!

⬇️ Grab your free Small Step Bingo Card → Download here 

Let’s keep growing together!

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📚 Browse my book recommendations for mindset & self-growth
🌱 Want more support, tools, and resources? Start here: jamiecole.co

Transcript

Jamie Cole: 0:00

Do you ever feel like life's one giant balancing act and you're the circus freak juggling flaming swords while trying to look like you got your crap together? Yeah, me too. Today, I'm talking about taking those first little steps to whatever goal you have in mind and beating imposter syndrome. You know, the fun little voice in your head that loves to ask, who the heck do you think you are and why it's time to tell that voice to take a freaking seat? Because you don't have to be perfect for everyone else. You just have to be good enough for yourself.

Jamie Cole: 0:39

Welcome to Growing Wild, the podcast where we embrace the messy, beautiful chaos of life and figure out how to thrive in it. I'm Jamie Cole, a marketer by trade, dreamer by heart, and your host on this journey to figuring it all out together. This is the space where we're going to talk about real stuff, like learning to be good enough for yourself, setting boundaries without apologizing, doing the thing you've been dreaming of, and building a life that feels authentic, even if you have no idea where to start. Through mentorship, real talk, and a whole lot of trial and error, I want to inspire you to show up confidently, tap into your creativity, and build something that feels 100% you. So if you're ready for the best, most unapologetically real version of yourself, grab your coffee, shot of tequila, or whatever keeps you sane, and let's grow.

Jamie Cole: 1:35

Before we dive in, can we just acknowledge something? Life is a lot. Maybe you're clocking in 40 hours a week and somehow also expected to meal prep, clean your house, and get your steps in. Or maybe you're a mom whose entire day revolves around snacks, laundry, and negotiating with tiny dictators. Or, you know, maybe you're just trying to survive in this weird, overstimulating world we live in. Whatever your situation, I see you. You're not alone. And let's be real. When you're juggling that much, the last thing that you're thinking of is carving out time for yourself. But here's the deal. If you don't make space for you, who will? And no, I'm not saying you need to find time. Screw that phrase. The time isn't hiding under your couch cushions. You have to make it. Even if it's just five minutes a day to breathe and remember who you really are outside of all of the chaos, I could have an entire another episode just on that. And maybe I will. The first thing I want to talk about is the thing constantly holding me back from my next big idea, imposter syndrome, or as I like to call it, the voice in my brain living rent-free. You know the one. It whispers sweet nothings like, you're not good enough, or why would anybody take you seriously? You're not qualified at this at all. Cute, right? No. Here's the thing. I've started so many projects and business ventures over the years, and every single time, that voice pops up. It's like clockwork. But you know what I've realized? That voice doesn't mean that I'm not good enough. It just means that I'm human. For years, I thought I had to prove myself to everyone. Friends, family, especially random strangers on Instagram. But all that did was exhaust me, and honestly, it didn't even work. The only person I needed to prove myself to was me. And once I started to realize that, things started to shift. Now, let me just pause right here and say, I am not standing on some mountaintop of self-confidence yelling, I've got it all together, because I don't. Not even close. Half the time, I'm just winging it, hoping for the best and learning as I go. So if you're listening, thinking she must have it all figured out, let me save you the trouble. I don't, but I'm showing up anyway. And if I can, so can you. Being good enough isn't about arriving at some magical finish line. It's about taking one step at a time. Even if you don't know exactly where the path leads, it's messy, it's imperfect, and honestly, that's the point. So, are we ready for story time? Earlier I mentioned that I've started many projects and then I get discouraged before I can complete them. Well, this podcast was one of those projects. And it took some work and a major mind shift to to get it to the point where it is now. And if I had waited until the situation was perfect and felt like I had it all together, I wouldn't even be recording this first episode right now. And when I tell you I dwelled on perfection, I could not be more serious. And let me tell you why. Because if you're going to have a podcast, you need podcast cover art. And if you're going to have cover art, you need a logo. And if you have a logo, you need brand image. And there's so many fonts and there's so many colors and I could have spent years perfecting it. And I spent way more time than I'm proud of, honestly. But then also, do I need a website? Do I need an email address? Of course, I'm going to need an Instagram handle and a Pinterest. And how will I advertise the fact that I have a podcast? I need more social media and a marketing plan and all the things. But did I? Do I? Now, what about sound quality? I'm going to need a different setup. Do I need a microphone? Well, to be honest, right now I'm talking into a microphone surrounded by my couch cushions because I'm thinking that's probably my best bet at acoustic quality. Now, at this point, I was exhausted before I even started. And then the imposter syndrome kicked in. So why was I doing this? Who is going to listen to me? Why do I think my story or whatever I have to say is even good enough to help anyone? And then I really thought about it. Well, if it helps me, isn't that enough? If I can get my thoughts out of my head, that's kind of like journaling. And journaling helps people. So maybe that will be enough. And that's when it really came together. Yes, that is enough. And that's what this is all about. And that's what my point really is. I didn't need a perfect logo because if I'm being honest, I'm going to end up changing it. And that's okay because we all change. And being authentic isn't about being perfect. Being me is more important. So I finished the logo with minimal perfectionism and I'm recording the episode right now. And if you're listening to it, that means I published it and you're my hero. But even if my husband is the only one who actually listens to this, hey babe, that's okay too. Because my words are out there, out of my mind, and I can start working on episode two. So how can all of this help you? Well, here's my challenge. Start small, like laughably small. Take five minutes today to do something for yourself. Journal down a random thought, scribble a doodle, or go hide in the bathroom and record a voice recording with your next big idea. Hey, I'm not judging. Whatever it is, just start. Because here's the truth. No one else is going to show up for you. Not in the way that you can. And those small steps, they add up. They're the start of you becoming the person that you're meant to be. And the best part? You don't have to have it all figured out to begin. As an added bonus, I'm going to share with you a fun little printable that I made for myself. It's called the Small Step Bingo Card, and it's full of tiny little actions that you can take to push yourself to the next step. Keep it next to you at home or at work. Heck, hang it on your fridge because it's pretty dang cute if I do say so myself. And when you get a bingo, go treat yourself to an ice cream cone or whatever tickles your fancy because you freaking deserve it. You can find that download in the show notes of this episode or on my Instagram. All right, well, I guess that's it for today. If this message hit home, or if you're also trying to figure out how to kick imposter syndrome to the curb, let me know. I'd love to hear what small step you're taking to show up for yourself. You can find me on Instagram at jamiecole.growingwild, where I'm sharing more tips, laughs, and messy moments from my wild journey. And hey, if you know someone who needs to hear this, send it their way. Let's build a community of people who are done with the perfectionism game and ready to grow, flaws and all. And remember, you don't have to be perfect. You don't have to have it all figured out. You just have to keep going. Thanks for hanging out with me today. And until next time, stay wild.