Just days before the scheduled launch of my new business, Your Point Of Pride (YPP), LLC, and I’m a hot mess! YPP is a community for women to experience a transformation that is uniquely theirs, so they can become the best version of themselves – personally and professionally – and live to their fullest potential.

I have told myself time and again that I am not ready. I used excuses about my choice of clothes, shoes, hairstyle, the failure of my first photo shoot, the moodiness of those working with me, my moodiness, concerns about my current job, other professional dreams I have, and the like, as indicators of my lack of readiness. Not to mention the “Quarantine 15” I gained during this endless isolation. At the same time, my quiet voice reminded me that over the past few months, I’ve actually been thinking, “Geesh, Nicole, what in the world are you doing?!”

Do I really know enough about helping women live their lives to the fullest potential? What makes me the expert? Who am I to invite women to set out on a journey where they will undergo a transformation to become the best version of themselves personally and professionally? Who am I to help them build, package and communicate a brand that is uniquely theirs? Am I good enough? I’m all in my feelings. No, wait … I’m suffering from Imposter Syndrome.

For those new to this, Imposter Syndrome is a psychological pattern where you doubt your accomplishments and there is a persistent, internalized fear of being exposed as a fraud. Well, say it isn’t so! But it is. I need to know I am making the right decision. That this is the right time. That I am really qualified. I need someone to assure me that I will be successful. Guarantee me that women’s lives will be changed for the better because I am doing this. Someone to hold my hand, right now, so I don’t fall.

As you already know, in life there are no guarantees. So, I dug in my toolbox and chose faith over fear. I talked to my friends and family, laughed at myself and wrote this post (and everyone who knows me can tell you this is not my thing). I reminded myself that there is pain in progress; vulnerability is where courage and fear meet, and; as one author says, you should never fear failure, but be terrified of regret. And I don’t have any regrets. Not. A. One.

I did it my way – I’m doing it my way. I raised my sons, earned degrees, set out to do all the things I enjoyed and thought I should be doing, when in reality, I was running from what God was telling me to do. I was running from my purpose! Make no mistake about it, there are consequences to doing things my way that I can hardly wait to share with you. I have always joked with my girlfriends that I’m one of God’s 2×4 children. It actually took a global pandemic to make me answer Him.

Of course, I’m ready. Yes, I can help women live their lives in a genuine and fulfilling way because that’s the way I live my life – even through my mess. And, there are many women who I’ve already helped along the way. Through those consequences and successes of doing it my way, along with professional training, I have the necessary tools to help them. Guess what?! I’m launching afraid and with things imperfect. And I’m oh so glad about it.

I have been running from my purpose for too long, and I have the Great I AM holding my hand. The story of my life aligns with something I heard T.D. Jakes say, “You have to be comfortable to live in the controversy of someone who is taking a polaroid shot of your life when you’re having an ultrasound experience.”

I invite you to seek the change in your life that is available to us all. Embrace your fear and learn how to use it to live to your fullest potential. Visit www.yourpointofpride.com, book me, and I’ll help you.