I recently hosted a Salon Series talk for Coventry University on supporting Women in Academia and Business. The theme was Building Confidence and Beating Imposter Syndrome.

The session focused on building confidence and replacing unhealthy, toxic understandings of ‘success’, ‘knowledge’, ‘growth’, or ‘motivation’.

The space we created was safe, confidential, and fair. Everyone could share however much they wished, and whatever personal stories were shared stayed in the group.

"What do you want to do with your life?"

It’s the question that haunted me. I never fit in the box. I was the round peg in a square hole—refusing to be pigeonholed. Creative teachers told me “you can’t do it that way” one too many times. Eventually, I stepped away from formal art education, reshaped myself to fit into a materialistic, conventional world—and lost parts of myself along the way.

But it never really worked. I’ve always been more than one thing.

That moment.

When you realise…
• That feeling I should be working or doing something
• Something unknown and genuinely awful was going to happen
• That lurking, invasive feeling that something terrible is about to happen
• I should of said 'xwz' and now everything is going to crumble

… it doesn't have to be this way.

How can I put this understanding into practice?

It's helpful to be aware of these effects, so we are more conscious and able to manage them in our lives.

What this means is that you can manage your schedule and energy levels effectively

What an unusual statement from John Cleese about creativity, I thought. I am used to more flowery and intangible statements about creativity, but this sums it up so primally for me and how I like to operate. But I’ve found it is underestimated and misunderstood…

If we don't take the time to sit down and consider what is best for us, for our careers and businesses, this will be decided for you. This lack of control has detrimental effects on our efficiency, productivity and mental health.