DOING IT SCARED, OME STEP AT A TIME!

Do you ever feel like you don’t know enough about something? It could be within your niche or an area where you have extensive knowledge — not necessarily because you learned it from someone else, but because you’ve applied yourself so much that you can confidently say you understand it well. Yet, at the same time, you doubt yourself, feeling as though you don’t know enough.

This feeling could stem from various reasons: maybe you don’t see yourself as good enough, or perhaps you’re comparing yourself to others. This is imposter syndrome. But sometimes, it takes an external experience to make you realize just how much you truly know.

I had one such experience recently. I was asked to review some work, and in doing so, I provided constructive feedback, suggested improvements, and pointed out better approaches. My insights were so detailed that my boss was impressed, noting that he wouldn’t have gone into such depth himself. That moment made me question why I had been holding back my knowledge and ideas. Was I afraid of attention? Had I made myself too small in my own mind? Or was I comparing myself to those ahead of me, convincing myself that I wasn’t knowledgeable enough? Was it a personal habit, or something ingrained culturally—especially as a woman?

At the end of that meeting, I made a promise to myself: enough of making myself small. Enough of hoarding knowledge. Enough of fearing mistakes or judgment. It’s time to share what I know. Those who find value in it will benefit, and those who won’t wouldn’t, regardless of what I do.

One of my first steps in overcoming this fear is teaching on a larger scale than ever before. Not just sharing knowledge with close friends or on WhatsApp statuses, but organizing a free, live class: The ChatGPT Advantage: Work Smarter in 2025. I had previously mentioned on WhatsApp that many people criticize AI simply because they don’t understand how to use it. When I asked if anyone would be interested in a class, the response was overwhelmingly positive. Encouraged by this, I reached out to two of my good friends who agreed to join as guest speakers.

This is a huge step for me, and trust me, I am scared. Thoughts keep running through my mind: What if it doesn’t go well? What if the network fails? What if my laptop has issues? What if no one joins? But deep down, I know I am a good teacher. I have taught people of different ages and backgrounds, and the feedback has always been positive. So, despite my fears, I am moving forward. I designed the flyer and asked my friend Ovoke to review it—she even created a better version. I set up the course on Mainstack and created a Telegram group for participants.

The class goes live on March 1st, 2025, and I can’t wait! I have mixed emotions—excitement about sharing knowledge and fear of stepping into the unknown—but I am doing it anyway. The link is still open for a few more days for anyone who wants to join here.

Another great achievement this month is earning a certificate in my virtual assistant course, which I started in January. This isn’t my first virtual assistant course, but it is the first one that comes with a certification, officially recognizing my skills. However, I’ve reminded myself that certificates are secondary to actual knowledge and application. I have also enrolled in other training programs, two of which I’m still completing. For now, I’m pausing any new courses to focus on mastering and applying what I’ve already learned.

One area where I know I need improvement is financial literacy. I planned for 2025 to be the year I take control of my finances, and while I have started the journey, I know I can do better—and I will.

Regarding my French scholarship, I have progressed beyond the basic and intermediate levels and even earned a certificate. However, I have yet to move to the advanced level due to financial constraints. Although the scholarship covers a significant portion of the fees (about 70-75%), I am still unable to pay the remaining balance. Initially, I thought this would be the end of my program. However, I decided to communicate my situation to the organizers. To my surprise, they were understanding and told me that whenever I was ready, they would still offer me the same discount. I was overjoyed! This program has significantly improved my French skills, allowing me to construct sentences without relying on a dictionary or Google Translate. I am determined to raise the money before the deadline so I can continue.

As for fitness, I have been inconsistent. I fell ill frequently this month, so exercising was not a priority. However, I have been mindful of my eating habits and maintaining my weight. I need to resume my workouts to build strength and endurance.

Finally, I had planned to read a book this month, but I didn’t. The reason? Simply put, I didn’t prioritize it. I intend to change that in the coming month.

In all, I am proud of my progress. 2025 is about applying myself, gaining knowledge, and making a real impact. While I still have areas to improve, I am actively working toward my goals—and that is what truly matters.

So, tell me, how has the month of February been for you? Share with me below.