Ever felt inadequate???

When was the last time you felt inadequate?

For me, it was just two weeks ago when I got licensed as a minister at my church.

There’s so much I still have to learn, and there are definitely things I’m not yet confident in explaining.

But I am willing and eager to learn.?

During my interview, when they asked, "Why are you interested in this process?"?

I gave an honest answer: "I wasn’t."???

I explained that it was recommended to me, and I openly admitted that I was afraid of the responsibility and expectations that came with it.

You should have seen the interview panelist's facial expressions ??.?

They put their pens down and asked a series of (“off the script”) follow-up questions to understand how I made it allll the way to the closing interview.?

My answer.

I knew I was supposed to be there. No matter how much fight I wanted to put up.?

When it’s time to level up and stretch yourself, more is going to be expected of you.

You’ll probably feel a bit inadequate—that’s normal. (If you don’t, it might just be a lateral move and not a true step up).

The next time those feelings of inadequacy creep in, here are two things I want you to keep in mind.

• Take an inventory of your journey so far. What have you accomplished, even when you were just starting out, feeling unsure and inexperienced? Think back to those moments. If you keep a journal, go back and read what you wrote during that time. Scroll through your old social media posts and see what you were sharing when you were leveling up. Sometimes, all we need is a little reminder of how far we've come.

• Began building a community that aligns with where you're headed. Group learning can really expedite your learning curve. It’s like the Montessori model—where different ages and skill levels learn together in a supportive environment. What kind of community would you benefit from being a part of?

Feeling inadequate isn't a stop sign—it’s more like a yellow light. It’s a reminder to move forward, just with a bit more care because you're not feeling as sure of yourself. You might not be speeding ahead, but you're still moving, and that’s what matters. Keep going!