Get the imposter out of the frame!

As the song goes, this is ME! Sharing a happy moment at a recent lunch held by Sister Snog with its lovely funny founder, Hela Wozniak-Kay who is in the frame with me.

I've spent the last few weeks working on the banishment of my internal imposter. With the summer solstice comes new beginnings and there’s some exciting things on the horizon for Funny Women CIC and I will be able to tell you more after the General Election.

?In the meantime, thought I would share a few of my own observations following my ‘breakthrough’:

• Own your expertise – this is the lifeblood of what we do professionally, personally and creatively. Our mix of achievement, knowledge and skills is unique to us and ours to sell and impart. Nobody else is like YOU!
• ?All limitations come from ourselves - fear?is one of the biggest blocks for so many of us. I consider myself to be relatively fearless but, honestly, that’s a front and I spend too much time ignoring the stuff that frightens me rather than confronting it.
• Trust that other people believe in you – working mainly in comedy is ‘no joke’ pardon the pun. Funny Women is not a hobby or a side-hustle. It’s my life’s work. I’d lost confidence in myself recently but incredible peer support has been vital to my change in attitude.
• Ask for help but don’t beg – there’s no shame in admitting that things are tough or you are struggling as long as you are ready to receive help. Look like you can win even if you’re bricking it! A smile will do it and I should know this better than anybody...
• ?Build your personal community – a trusted cohort of friends, business contacts and other experts who can level with you, tell you if you’re wearing your heart on your sleeve a little too much, or give you praise when you need it most.
• Network!!!? You will never meet anybody to do business with, get advice from or even marry if you don’t get out OUT! I’ve always networked since I first started working and learned the most at the feet of some incredible people at different life stages.
• Get a mentor, or two – I’m more familiar with being the mentor and realised that I actually need to receive as much as I give. When a friend saw me scribbling ‘I need a mentor’ during a meeting recently she urged me to get one, even though it felt counterintuitive. Guess what? I found one via the Invest in Women Hub and she’s amazing!
• ?Lastly, HAVE FUN!? Even though my business is all about ‘funny’ I got seriously close to not having any fun myself. 'Tears of a clown' rings true and that imposter has a lot to answer for. I'm now getting my own back!

Join me for some summer fun on Saturday 17th August at The Groucho Club Ltd. for my Funny Women Stand Up to Stand Out Summer School! More details and how to book here.