Jay Shetty<\/a>, I was completely surprised. I remember thinking, \u201cWhy would they ask me? I\u2019m not an interviewer. I don\u2019t do this for a living. I don\u2019t have the interview experience I\u2019m sure he\u2019s used to.\u201d<\/p>\nWhat I realized is this: Effort is often the only qualification opportunity requires.<\/p>\n
It was objectively an incredible opportunity. I should\u2019ve been excited by the situation and in some ways I was. But I was also terrified. I knew his work, had read his books and seen interviews with him in the past. But knowing the material didn\u2019t take away from the fact that I felt like I didn\u2019t measure up. \u201cWhat makes me qualified to interview Jay Shetty?\u201d<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve noticed this feeling come up throughout moments in my life that feel like a big leap. I recently announced that I\u2019m in the process of writing a book and simply getting to the point where I can say that out loud without needing to caveat it took me years. Not because I doubt my ability to write, but because again I felt the need to qualify for the opportunity.<\/p>\n
Some opportunities trigger your insecurities more than others. They tap into your identity instead of your past professional achievements or efforts, giving fear easy access.<\/p>\n
Fear isn\u2019t proof you\u2019re unqualified. It\u2019s proof you\u2019re stretching. Even through my anxiety, I knew I couldn\u2019t let self-doubt stop me from participating in the interview.<\/p>\n
2. Do it scared<\/h2>\n
The real growth didn\u2019t happen during the interview. It happened after. I was proud that I showed up, and I was proud of how I was able to learn from the experience.<\/p>\n
The interview was straightforward, and I relied on the structure that was set up for the conversation. Looking back, I know I could\u2019ve brought more of my own personality and my own strengths into the moment, but I did the best I could. The things I wanted to change stayed with me and helped me evolve my skillset.<\/p>\n
The experience showed me blind spots. It shed light on how I respond to this kind of stress and where I could lean into my strengths next time. I learned how I could improve and how little there was to be afraid of when approaching future situations. It made me hungry for more opportunities. It didn\u2019t have to be perfect to be powerful or valuable. In fact, I\u2019ve found that growth often lives in the mess.<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve learned to look at high-pressure experiences as spaces full of data rather than as something with high potential for failure. We forget sometimes, after a certain point in our lives, that hands-on experience is a sort of alchemy, turning nerves into confidence.<\/p>\n
3. Reflection is where confidence is built<\/h2>\n
If I were given the opportunity to interview someone like Shetty again, the conversation would be different. Not because I suddenly became more capable, but because I\u2019m more experienced.<\/p>\n
Confidence didn\u2019t come from doing it once. It came from reflecting on it afterward \u2014 turning experience into insight, and insight into better decisions. The more honest you are in reflection, the less you hesitate the next time.<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve had moments, especially while working on personal projects like my book, where progress feels slow and insecurity feels loud again. When that happens, it\u2019s easy to question whether this is the right time to push or if I really need another challenge. It\u2019s important to remind myself that questioning what\u2019s working does not equal disaster.<\/p>\n
Reflection builds discernment, and discernment builds confidence. Refocusing on what is important, what you want, and what\u2019s worked in the past is a skill that will help you succeed in every opportunity.<\/p>\n
Looking back at experiences, especially the uncomfortable ones, helps refine that discernment. It breeds intuition and makes future decisions more intentional, more informed.<\/p>\n
As I was getting mic\u2019ed up to record with Shetty, I caught myself spiraling. Who was I to conduct this interview? Then I asked a better question. Who was I to turn down this opportunity?<\/p>\n
Entrepreneurship guarantees discomfort. If you are building something meaningful, you will regularly be invited into rooms before you feel ready.<\/p>\n
You can wait for confidence, or you can let courage build it. The opportunity won\u2019t always feel perfectly timed. But if it stretches you, that may be the point.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n