You’re Perfectly Imperfect
We all have “perceived handicaps.”
Maybe you're a hybrid world citizen like me and primarily use English to work with clients or communicate with your community.
If you're anything like me, you've sometimes struggled with having an accent or making grammar mistakes. And you've probably felt less confident and doubted your legitimacy – just because you're not a native speaker.
I know I did.
When I started blogging four years ago, I felt so insecure about my English that I had to have every piece of article proofread by someone.
But this was somewhat chaotic as I had to spend a lot of time on Fiverr (the platform for hiring contractors); I couldn't stick to the same person, so I would browse, and spend time reading and writing reviews. When you outsource, you also have to manage that and verify the work!
I would always spot some mistakes, and one day, I even thought - it could be anybody behind those accounts. What if they didn’t have the credentials and experience they claimed to have? What if they used software? I could do that too!
This step was really unnecessary; it costs money, time, and energy - and dramatically slowed down my process from idea inception to completion.
Today, I have 4 practices that help me keep the momentum when creating a newsletter, video, a new program, anything!
1- I use Grammarly premium for EVERYTHING that I write, and I don’t have to wait on someone to correct something. By owning this step, I also build on my writing skills.
2- Everywhere I go, I carry this tiny notebook - where I write down new words, fun words, words that I’d like to use more often. Most of the time, those words emerge when watching Netflix, reading a book, or having a deep conversation with someone.
3- I script outlines (sometimes more) for what I’ll say in front of a camera or mic. When I’m out of practice after a long break, I do a few takes until I feel that it’s “good enough”.
4- I’ve carved out time to write every week for the past four years and to harness and honor this practice, I commit to long-term projects such as my podcast launch last year or my book project this year. Other than the content for my programs, I published 50 blog posts and 15 podcast episodes and sent out 60 newsletters!
Those are the four habits I cultivate to be a more confident writer and speaker. Once in a while, the thought of not being a native speaker will creep in: I procrastinated on launching my podcast because I told myself, “I have an accent,” “I speak with mistakes,” etc.…But each time, the negative thoughts are easier to get past it, by launching these ideas into action.
I know that it’s not about being perfect and super polished. It’s boring. And it’s unattainable. I choose and praise being ourselves, whole, and unapologetic.
Maybe the desire to do something perfectly has held you back from sharing your best work with the world.
Today, I invite you to be OK with having doubts, fears, and a few typos and some inconsistencies. Share your work anyway. Someone needs your knowledge now, and it's better shared than sitting in your head or your laptop.
Does this resonate? If nothing was holding you back and you weren't worried about being perfect, what would you share today?
Comment on this blog and let me know, it will make my day!
Maika Endo
P.S. If you wait for too long to share something because you want to make it “perfect”, you run the risk of outgrowing it, becoming more distant as time goes by, and perceiving it as obsolete. An alternative to this: Share now, and edit or upgrade along the way.
About Maika
Maika mentors heart-centered, impact-driven entrepreneurs to build the foundations of their business with her signature Intentional Business Building™ method. Her approach is holistic and integrates the entrepreneur mindset, marketing strategies, and systems to help create sustainable changes and long-lasting results. A lifelong passion for the human psyche, healing arts, and personal growth brought her to mentorship and coaching. She’s French-born in Japan and currently lives in Istanbul with her family. She enjoys cooking, sparkling wine, and playing with her son in parks.
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