The Curation by Nour Hassan

You Deserve to Be in the Room: Overcoming Self-Doubt Once and For All

• Nour Hassan • Season 11 • Episode 140

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Nour Hassan dives into the universal struggle of imposter syndrome, sharing personal stories and actionable strategies to overcome self-doubt and fully own your worth.

• Understanding imposter syndrome as a sign of growth rather than inadequacy
• Normalizing these feelings by recognizing they affect even the most accomplished individuals 
• Creating a "confidence file" to document achievements and positive feedback for moments of self-doubt
• Learning to separate feelings of inadequacy from the factual evidence of your capabilities
• Taking action without waiting to feel completely ready or prepared
• Embracing your unique perspective as something no one else can bring to the table
• Recognizing that your authentic voice is your greatest asset

If not now, when? And if not you, then who? Follow @thecurationpod and @NourHassan on Instagram to stay updated on all our content and future interviews.


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Speaker 1:

Welcome to the Curation, a show for the culturally curious. This is your host, noor Hassan. Each week, I'll guide you through a curated edit of the finest in art, fashion, design, culture, luxury, wellness, tech and more. This is your go-to space for discovering trailblazing ideas, untold stories and meaningful conversations with innovators and creators who are shaping our world. There's no gatekeeping here, so sit back, tune in and let's discover only the best together, together. Hey, my loves, how are you? I feel like it's been forever since I've done an episode for you guys and I'm really, really interested in the topic, so I feel like a lot of you will be too.

Speaker 1:

I think it's kind of the age that we're at right now and by we I mean me and my audience kind of late 20s, early 30s a big, big, big era of shift and change is a very difficult one to tackle, because a lot of people feel like it's not a big deal. You know what I mean. What I'm talking about right now is imposter syndrome. What is imposter syndrome? Imposter syndrome means that, even though you have studied something, you have worked hard for it, you have really tried to earn your stripes. As they say, I learned, I studied, I understood and now I'm going to apply what I did in any situation or scenario in life and you feel that I'm out of place, I'm not worthy, I don't deserve to be in this room on this stage doing what I'm doing now. Since I got over this, not only did I completely change the way I think about work and achievements and success and all of these big topicswaverable in my intuition. I listen to my own words, I listen to what I want to do, and I do this without making anyone feel nervous or make anyone feel nervous. So, first of all, I want to welcome you back to the Curation podcast. I'm your host, noor Hassan, and today I want to talk about something so many of us silently struggle with Imposter syndrome. Okay, that feeling that maybe you're not good enough, that you're just lucky, or that one day someone will find out you're not as capable as they think you are. I felt it, you felt it, everyone has felt it, you felt it, everyone has felt it. But today we're going to break it down and walk through five powerful reminders. Okay, that will help you own your own voice, your space and your worth. So let's get into it. All right, my loves. The first point that I want to talk about is that you're not alone. I mean, imposter syndrome is universal. Okay, it's not that you're broken, you're actually growing. You are really coming to terms with the fact that you have a lot to offer, and it's scary Sometimes.

Speaker 1:

الواحد لما بيبقى عنده. So much to offer, so much to say, so much to give. الموضوع ده يخوف اكتر من انه تبقو شخص او بني ادم فعلاً ما عندوش. As much to offer. So what is there to be worried about?

Speaker 1:

But a personal story of mine that I experienced imposter syndrome is when I was asked to do a TED talk. A TEDx talk, oh my god. When I was maybe 25, I talked to students and told them a story about building my brand. At the time it was called Radical Contemporary and this was the first step, and even until now, I thought that I declined, actually refused the opportunity, which is no, I don't want to do it, because why would they want to hear what I have to say regarding building my brand, even though it was a proof of concept, with an online magazine turned into a podcast? One of the first don't get me wrong, I mean a book I recommend to everyone is Ego is the Enemy by Ryan Holiday, and the effective summary of that book is you should never think and then to Amal, to Haga, or the task is done and over and up, but at the same time you should be able to humbly acknowledge what you've done.

Speaker 1:

So at the time I wanted to decline, but instead of declining, I decided you know what. I'm going to go for it and I'm actually going to get on stage and talk to these students about what I know, even though I had already graduated from AUC with a degree in mass communication and film and creative writing, as well as UCLA public speaking and film techniques. So, essentially, not only did I do something definitely new in the market where it proved something new, but not just that, but, like honestly, there was also a lot of education and years of studying that went into this. And the thing about that is is that, had I said no, I wouldn't have had that moment on my portfolio, I wouldn't have gained so many followers and seen the light on young students' faces as they look up and think, wow, that could be my story. I can do that, I can be a first mover and change the game and pioneer if I had given into the imposter syndrome and just simply declined the invite to speak at a school or university or whatever it is, because I felt, like you know, I haven't achieved XYZ enough yet to be able to be given that opportunity. So I want to normalize the feeling to the listeners first and understand that it's not you alone. But the first step to overcoming imposter syndrome is realizing and catching in the moment that feeling and saying to yourself why am I feeling this? Why would I decline an opportunity? Unless you actually truly cannot add value, then there is a reason. You got that call or email or text or opportunity, so take it.

Speaker 1:

The second point that I want to talk about is keep a confidence file yeah, any confidence file. This is one of my favorite things to do, you guys, and I recommend it so much and it changed my life when I did it which is create a digital file or a space or a mood board that kind of shows you or collages or puts together all of your accomplishments and things that you are proud of, and they can be anything but god, like a tag from a press conference or a snippet from an article or a picture from a shoot or a signature from a book, whatever. Put it all in one place, even if it's quotes from people. Your mom said something, your best friend, your partner, whatever. Keep it in your notes app. Write this thing Keep it in your notes app. Write this thing Document your successful moments in albums, in notes, in physical form, and leave them there for the self-doubt that creeps in inevitably, even in the best of us, even in the most confident of us.

Speaker 1:

Okay, and pull out that archive and look at it and take it in and understand that you are worth it. Understand that, yes, you can. Okay, you did it before and you will do it again. And there is a reason you're here. Okay, and this is exactly what a confidence file is, and I call it that. But I mean it can be anything, anything but God.

Speaker 1:

Reflect on your past growth to quieten the noise. Okay, I mean, there is nothing wrong with that. People will think like, why would I, you know, gather up all of my successes? But like, what else are they for? Then? To remind you. And Instagram can be a place for this taban in highlights and posts with kalemda kodlo. But ultimately, sometimes, when you're in that headspace of imposter syndrome, the last thing you're going to do is go to Instagram to try and get any sort of reminder or validation. So this is a really, really incredible tool. You know, we forget how far we've come when we're too focused on where we think we should be. Okay, this is a trap and I really recommend this tip.

Speaker 1:

All right, third tip, you guys. Third tip is a really, really important one, and it's to separate your feelings from the facts. Okay, what are the facts? The facts are you have a degree in XYZ subject. You did accomplish whatever it is, you are capable of giving that talk, speech, seminar, whatever. It is the feeling of imposter syndrome that creeps in and tells you no, you're not. Why would they pick you? There's someone more qualified, etc. Etc. Okay, the feeling of not belonging. Okay, it's not the same as I don't belong because you do so. Reframe those thoughts and remind yourself that they're valid, but they're not the truth, and I think the best way to do this is not only to look back at your confidence file and acknowledge that this is normal, but catch it in the moment and really check yourself and tell yourself that, honestly, I didn't work this hard to stand in my own way.

Speaker 1:

One of the most amazing episodes that went viral is an interview I did with model Mai Yakut, and she really said it best. She said I didn't come this far to stop Keep going. Okay, tip number four, this is my favorite one Don't wait to feel ready. Okay, I wanted to become a Pilates instructor, with full awareness that I have a full spinal fixation, a metal spine and this is something that I will talk more about on the Pilates account and I went and I did the certifications, even though I was the only one there with that problem I'm potentially one of the only ones that has done a certification. You know, with this major quote-unquote obstacle, right, I cannot move my mid-spine but I decided you know what, there's a first time for everything and I did it.

Speaker 1:

And what I want to say here is that the same thing happened with the podcast. I decided I have a network in the region that is strong enough to carry a podcast, one that will be unique, niche, luxury, art, culture focused and a Middle East and North Africa focused podcast. And so I kind of reached out to everyone, started the podcast and had no clue how to edit audio or record or post this type of content or share. But I think the point here is that if you don't start, you're not going to know what you are capable of doing until you actually get it done. So I encourage you guys to take the messy route, the scary one, the one where you actually do not do a dress rehearsal, because not only is ignorance bliss, but it allows you to dive in and, I think, training this muscle that we have when we're younger, where you think anything is possible and you can do whatever without any experience or any prior knowledge. It's something that keeps you young, keeps you alive, keeps you inspired. So that's my fourth tip.

Speaker 1:

My last and final tip is to own your space. You bring something to the table. No one else can. Your story, your vision, your energy, listen.

Speaker 1:

Imposter syndrome is a thing of the past for me, because once I locked in and realized this point, nothing can change my mind, nothing can waver what I believe, which is everyone is unique. Everyone has their own perspective, their own point of view, their own energy, their own light that they bring to everything that they do. So, even though, for example and I will give another example from my own experience podcasting is a very, very saturated market now, it wasn't four years ago. But what doesn't make me feel, you know, intimidated by the competition or whatever, is because I know that nobody can be me on the mic, nobody can bring the guests that I have or give the advice that I give, and it's the same for anyone else.

Speaker 1:

So I think, just harnessing that I am meant to be here, affirmation, and stop playing small. Show up, fully, understand that the value that you bring is in who you are, and it's the biggest and ultimate cliche, but also, paradoxically, the only life hack that matters, which is be yourself, you know. Show up as yourself, speak as yourself and do not apologize for it, and this will kill any imposter syndrome you ever had, because, at the end of the day, the reason people are listening and I always say this to you or watching your content or engaging in any way with any creative output that you put out there is because of who you are and not necessarily because of the quality, the medium, the technique or even the message. The technique or even the message. Okay, so those are my five tips to overcoming imposter syndrome once and for all.

Speaker 1:

2025 is the year where we are absolutely throwing that concept in the past and moving swiftly along and never looking back at it. And the points where you're not alone and the points where you're not alone. Keep a confidence file, separate feelings from facts, don't wait to feel ready and own your own space. Ultimately, I hope this episode gave you guys a little inspiration. We are officially in spring, summer is coming, everything is in full swing and I think it's time. If not now, when? And if not you, then who? And that is one of my favorite quotes ever. All right, my loves, I'll speak to you on the next solo. Bye, guys. Thank you for listening. Make sure to follow at the curation pod on Instagram, as well as at Noor Hassan, in order to stay updated on all of our content and future interviews.