In September 2020, I had just finished going through the $40 Twitter growth course I bought.

I chose my username, used a good profile picture, and “optimized” my bio.

I was motivated to grow my account.

But there was only one problem…

Every time I sent out a post, I felt a surge of anxiety hit my stomach.

• Would anyone even see?

• What would they think?

• What does it say about me as a person if my post flops?

I’ll admit, I carried this feeling for many months.

It wasn’t sexy.

And it sure as hell wasn’t fun.

Spending hours writing tweets, thread, and comments, only to watch them flop. It made me question wtf I was doing.

But I every day, I kept hitting “post.”

3 months into my Twitter journey, these feelings of inadequacy and anxiety skyrocketed when I rebranded as a writing account.

Sure, I was naturally decent at writing, but I wasn’t an expert.

Who was I to teach writing to others?

I felt like I was going to be “found out” at any moment.

I felt like an imposter.

And I was.

And so are you.

But that’s not a bad thing…

Whether you’re:

• Building a business

• Starting to post content

• Trying a new hobby

You’re supposed to feel like an imposter at the start.

You’re adopting a new identity and doing something you've never done before.

And adopting a new identity means you’re “killing” your old one.

It’s like growing your muscles.

First, you need to go through the discomfort of breaking down your muscles with resistance.

Only then can you build back stronger.

Once you build your experience, your brain will be able to look back on past experience and find support for the identity you want to adopt.

In the meantime, lean into the feeling of being an imposter. It’s a signal that you’re choosing to become more than what you are.

Recognize it as a good thing.

Most people don’t have the courage to try.

They stay comfortable their whole lives and later live a life of regret. Be proud that you’re choosing a different path few people travel.

Now, I’m not gonna lie, there are going to be many times on this journey you’ll question yourself.

But giving into your feelings of anxiety is choosing to stay the same, choosing not to fulfill your potential.

If you give in and quit, I guarantee you’re going to always wonder “what if...”

My Framework For Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

For 9 months into my writing account, I didn’t feel like a writer. I didn’t have an English degree or a published book, who was I to give advice?

But posting online was my way to keep myself accountable and understand the topics I was learning better. So despite my feelings, I kept posting.

And over time, I gradually shifted my viewpoint.

Some people began to thank me in the DMs, telling me how I helped improve their writing.

It happened enough times that I realized I didn’t need to be an expert to help others.

I just needed to teach the people a few steps behind me.

In fact, you can help others more than if you were an expert.

Many experts have years, even decades of experience.

They forget the nuance of being a beginner:

• The doubts they feel.

• The struggles they face.

• The steps they need to take.

So, it is your ethical obligation to teach what you know, regardless of how you feel.

You’ll be helping those behind you more than an expert could.

And the best way to do this?

The 3E Framework: Emulate, Experience, Educate

1. Consume content and emulate from those ahead of you

2. Apply it and gain experience

3. Create content and educate those behind you

Most people are rewording book quotes and other tweets.

By processing information and applying it to the real world, you instantly set yourself apart.

• You build trust with your audience because you’re teaching them.

• You develop understanding because you’re forced to simplify information.

• You don’t feel like an imposter because you’re speaking from experience.

• You become interesting because you’re documenting your life.

So, adopt the mindset that you’re teaching the people behind you.

Embrace “Imposter syndrome.”

Your Canadian friend,

Dakota “Imposter” Robertson