The Power of Vulnerability: How One Brave Action Can Help Conquer Fear and Imposter Syndrome

Apr 24

When I started learning more about social media management I enrolled in a class, I actually enrolled in a lot of classes some more helpful than others, but in one class in particular I distinctly remember the instructor being adamant about not sharing vulnerabilities, weaknesses, or mistakes. I remember him saying that if you do you'll lose credibility with your audience.

Have you ever heard something and immediately felt in your gut that it was not the way for you?

I actually learn so much from other people sharing how they overcame their mistakes, challenges, and shortcomings. It helps me connect with them. I've also found that sharing mine gives me the opportunity to inspire others to overcome their own challenges as well.

The truth is, I can barely stand people who act like they're perfect, like everything they say or do is right, and they've never made a mistake.

I believe that vulnerability is not a weakness and that sharing your mistakes can be an incredibly powerful tool for building community and inspiring others. It's not easy to allow yourself to be vulnerable it can make us want to retreat into our shells but it can also be the catalyst for change, incredibly rewarding, and helpful in achieving our goals.

When you're feeling vulnerable, it's easy to want to hide from the world and pretend as if nothing has changed. But, what if we could use this feeling as fuel? What if we could use it as motivation, a reason for us to take action in spite of our fears and doubts?

In this post, I’ll share some thoughts on how we can use being vulnerable to help overcome fear and imposter syndrome.

Understanding Vulnerability

Vulnerability can be defined as openness or susceptibility to attack or harm. It's also used to describe a person who is emotionally exposed and sensitive -- that's the definition we'll focus on here.

Vulnerability isn't always a weakness; it's actually one of the most powerful tools we have at our disposal for building meaningful relationships, learning from mistakes, and growing as human beings. It allows us to learn about ourselves and others in ways that would be impossible if we were always hiding behind masks or putting up walls around ourselves.

This is me speaking from personal experience.

Of course, it can be scary. It takes courage to put yourself out there and let people see who you really are. But, with discomfort comes the opportunity for growth. Those risks often lead us down paths where we can discover something new about ourselves (or others). It certainly has for me!

Not only is it about putting yourself out there with others; it's also about cultivating self-compassion so that when we do make mistakes, we can learn from them instead of beating ourselves up over them. It's being comfortable with being vulnerable enough times to eventually become comfortable with who you really are. Which will ultimately lead to feeling more confident in yourself as well!

The Connection Between Vulnerability and Conquering Fear

Fear is a normal and natural response to perceived danger. It's what helps us survive as humans, it's also what keeps us from taking risks and making mistakes. The problem is that when we are constantly afraid of failure or rejection, it can hinder our ability to live a happy life filled with meaningful experiences and relationships.

So how do we get past this? In order to overcome your fears, you must first understand them. When we have an idea of what we're afraid of (or why), it becomes easier for us to take action in spite of that fear.

The answer lies in embracing vulnerability!

I can't tell you how much of a difference it's made in my life to have a community of people who are real with each other and maintain a judgment-free space. I've learned so much about myself, others, and the world around me by allowing myself to be transparent sometimes.

When we have a safe space that allows us to be vulnerable with others (and ourselves), we can be honest about our feelings and get a better look at the source of those emotions and limiting beliefs. If I had a nickel for all the times I felt like I was the only one who felt a certain way, only to connect with others & realize that I wasn't. Having those deeper conversations allowed me to learn from other people's experiences or just get a fresh perspective. None of which could happen if no one is willing to open up and share.

The Role of Vulnerability in Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

The role of vulnerability in overcoming imposter syndrome is two-fold. First, it helps you explore your feelings on a deeper level, define what's important to you, and celebrate all the things that make you uniquely you. The more you understand yourself, the stronger your confidence can be.

Second, the confidence you build through analysis and understanding won't be built on a fake persona you put on to be someone other people want you to be or external factors like praise from others (including those on social media) it'll be built on the foundations you created for yourself. Based on your own self-worth and values that you've assessed and prioritized.

This is why I think it's so important to have the right community and space. I’d rather not say how many years I listened to completely unhelpful advice to 'just be like someone else', 'do what they do because it works for them', or my go-to for many years before I knew how to do better -- 'fake it till you make it'.

To be honest, all those tips did was make me feel awkward in my own skin. The discomfort of being vulnerable a few times to really get to know myself and strengthen my resolve was totally worth getting that lame advice out of my system.

The Impact of One Brave Action

Now for that one brave action. By now you probably already know where I’m going with this but to keep things interesting I'll take you in two directions. The first, as you probably already guessed is to be brave enough to allow yourself to be vulnerable so you can examine what makes you tick and get to know yourself better. That might be something you work on alone or in community.

The second is to allow yourself to make mistakes. Do the thing that scares you, stop waiting for perfection, and act on your ideas, even if they seem small or insignificant at first glance. You never know where those actions will lead you!

If someone rejects us because we're being too honest about ourselves, then so be it; We'll find someone else who appreciates our authenticity!

One brave action can change the course of your life. It's empowering to overcome fear and self-doubt, and it gives you the motivation to take another action in the future.

Strategies for Practicing Vulnerability

Now that you've read about the power of vulnerability, it's time to put it into practice. The following strategies will help you start building your own courage and confidence.

Identify what makes you feel vulnerable: This is an important first step in understanding how to be more open with others and yourself.
For example, some women may feel uncomfortable speaking up in meetings because they don't want to appear aggressive or bossy in front of their male colleagues (and vice versa). The point here is not just identifying these situations but also understanding why they make us feel so nervous-- and then working through those feelings by practicing new ways of interacting with others so we can become more comfortable sharing our thoughts and opinions without fearing judgment or rejection from others around us.
Examine the source of those feelings and beliefs: This is where we can do some serious self-reflection and learn something about ourselves. Once you've identified the source of your feelings, it can be helpful to think about why they are there. Who or where do they come from? When did they start? What are they holding you back from? Are they a result of what someone else has said or done? Are they something that is holding you back from achieving something in your career or personal life? If so, what specifically?
Begin to separate yourself from those feelings and beliefs. You are not your thoughts or emotions; they are merely a part of you. You can learn to become aware of them, recognize their effects on you, and then let go of them when necessary.
If it helps you, get in community with one other person or a group of people you can trust and talk it out. Exchange stories, ideas, and experiences to support each other in tearing down those limiting beliefs, and celebrate each other's successes!
Do something that gets you out of your comfort zone. Do it afraid. But embrace the opportunity to learn and celebrate yourself for taking the uncomfortable action

The power of vulnerability is real, and it can change your life. You are not alone in your fears and doubts; the only difference between you and others who have conquered their fears is that they were brave enough to act on them.

Also, be brave enough to share this article with someone else who could benefit from it too!