Last week, I spoke at the Nigeria Software Testing Week (NSTW25) event about barriers and breakthroughs in career progress.
After my session, someone asked me:
“How did you overcome impostor syndrome - especially after switching careers five times?”
My answer? I didn’t. I still feel it. I still get afraid. But I do it afraid, every single time.
The truth we often forget.
Fear never really leaves.
There’s no magic day when your palms stop sweating before interviews or when impostor syndrome packs up and disappears.
Honestly the goal shouldn’t even be to erase fear - it should be to learn to move with it. And the best way I know? Practice.
If something big is ahead of me, I prepare, I rehearse, then I step in scared - knees shaking if I must. Because here’s the truth: you and I will never be 100% ready all the time.
3 mindset shifts to help you move with fear.
Plus practical steps you can take right away👇🏾
1. Stop waiting for confidence. Start practicing courage.
Some of your biggest dreams are on the other side of fear. Courage gets you moving. Confidence is the reward, not the starting point. Keep practicing courage.
✨Practical step: Pick one small, scary action this week. Introduce yourself to a senior colleague, volunteer to present a slide, or send that LinkedIn message. Don’t wait to feel ready. Do it afraid.
2. Fear is not your enemy. Inaction is.
Sometimes, fear shows up when you’re stretching into something bigger, and instead of letting it paralyze you, take it as a sign of growth. Don’t stay still, that’s how you stay stuck.
✨ Practical step: Write your fear down. Then list the worst and best outcomes if you act. Nine times out of ten, the “worst” is just discomfort or in your head. But the “best” option? That could change your whole life!
3. Your inner compass > external noise.
Growth isn’t just about chasing “harder” challenges or overworking yourself. It’s about aligning with what you truly value. When your actions follow your compass — not comparison or pressure — clarity comes.
✨ Practical step: Ask yourself weekly: Is this moving me closer to the life I want? If not, adjust. Direction matters more than speed.
My Own “Do It Afraid” Moment
I’ve had many do-it-afraid moments, but one that came to mind when I was writing this newsletter was my last career pivot.
When I decided to move from energy into tech in 2021, I wasn’t sure it would work out. I hadn’t been in a product-led tech company since 2014, so honestly at the time, it felt like I might be overreaching.
But instead of letting that “so-called disadvantage” deter me, I sat down, mapped my strengths, spotted patterns from past roles, and got clear on where I added value. That gave me the courage to apply to global roles - afraid, but intentionally.
And it paid off!
From YouTube to Bolt to Glovo, I landed interviews and showed up even while pregnant.
And although those roles didn’t work out, my compass kept me going.
Within months after I had my baby, I landed a 100% remote role in tech, that aligned with my strengths and goals.
That same process of mapping strengths and spotting patterns is now in my Personal SWOT Workbook: it comprises 40+ prompts to help you uncover strengths, recognize gaps, and gain clarity wherever you are in your journey.
Because half the battle of doing it afraid is knowing yourself enough to keep moving, even when fear is loud.
Challenge For You This Week:
Pick one thing you’ve been putting off because of fear. Not ten. Just one.
Send the email. Schedule the call. Apply for the role. Raise your hand in that meeting. Start that business.
And do it afraid.
💌 Hit reply and tell me: What’s the one thing you’re committing to do afraid this week? I’d love to cheer you on.
P.S. Still trying to find your inner compass? My SWOT workbook is a great place to start. It’s already helped 200+ professionals uncover their strengths and get clearer about their next move - even when others thought they were “crazy”. Grab it for $1 here before the price goes up.
🎨🌀 This Week’s Growth Mix
🎙 The Hidden Cost of Rising to the Top by Indra Nooyi (Former Pepsi CEO)
📖 How Consultants Project Expertise and Learn at the Same Time
📅 Attend the Dive Conference → Get early-bird tickets + a 10% special discount code (click to get the discount code before today’s deadline).
This sparked up a fire within me
Thank you❤️
Thanks for this!