You can't think your way to success

You can’t think your way to success. You can’t think your way to resolution. You can’t think your way to fitness, You can’t think your way to potential.

Nov 08, 2024

At my last soccer game, I realized that I don’t travel with the ball because I’m afraid of losing possession. So when I get the ball, I pass it off as soon as possible. Sometimes successfully, but other times, in a panic, leading to mistakes. This fear prevents me from advancing with the ball.

As I thought further, I realized that I was reducing my risk of failure—but at the team’s expense. My focus should always be scoring a goal or at least moving the ball closer to the goal.

Ironically, I was doing exactly what I advise women, people of color, junior employees—and anyone else feeling imposter syndrome—not to do. I did it so often that it became second nature.

Too often, I see people experiencing imposter syndrome held back by fear—whether fear of performance or fear of others’ opinions. This fear distracts from growth and results. Instead of focusing on the goal, they focus on self-preservation and managing emotions. On the field or in the office, negative thoughts become distractions from the end goal.

Focusing on your insecurities comes at the cost of the goal.

At that moment, I changed my approach. When I gained possession, I pretended no one else was there. I decided to ignore the fear that someone might take the ball from me and actually maneuvered past someone far more skilled than I am—though I eventually lost possession. I didn’t score.

But I almost scored. Three times. And progress isn’t instant. You can’t think your way to success; you can only try until you get there.