We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Michael Jade a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Michael, first a big thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights with us today. I’m sure many of our readers will benefit from your wisdom, and one of the areas where we think your insight might be most helpful is related to imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is holding so many people back from reaching their true and highest potential and so we’d love to hear about your journey and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
I overcome imposter syndrome on a regular basis – it’s a process, not a binary state.
Overcoming it is a constant realization of 2 things. First, everybody was once a clueless toddler fumbling forward, amazed when anyone actually took them seriously. The dirty little secret is that most of us are still that, well into our careers. Anyone who thinks they have a full grip on what they’re doing is either fooling themselves, or not doing anything exciting.
Second, words are just words: Entrepreneur. Writer. Doctor. Stripper. Life Coach. These are just words we use to package and broadcast to others what it is we do with our time.
If you don’t concern yourself with these words, you liberate yourself from the pressure of “living up to” what these words are supposed to mean, which is entirely subjective and arbitrary.
It helps to drop the nouns, and stick to verbs.
Don’t try to “be a writer” – just write.
Don’t “be an entrepreneur” – build a business.
Don’t “be a yoga instructor” – do yoga a lot, and then show other people how to do it.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
Most recently, I started a company called Renaissance Club.
It’s a membership service where we send you on a unique mystery experience each month. Everything from archery to pottery, blacksmithing, martial arts, cooking classes, unique art classes, live shows, kayaking, even skydiving, bunjee jumping, and over 100 other experiences.
Our mission is to reduce the friction between you and trying something new.
Everything is 100% handled for you, including the cost of each experience. All you choose is the date, then we handle the rest 🙂
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
1. Storytelling: I think storytelling and communicating is arguably the most important skill a person can have today. It doesn’t matter how much skill, knowledge, money, creativity, or ability you have. If you can’t transfer what’s on your mind to another person’s mind in high fidelity, you become your own biggest constraint.
2. Taste: Your taste is what makes you you. Some people call this “personal brand.” It’s all the same to me. Your taste is as unique and nuanced as your fingerprint is.
Without taste, all your creative decisions are guided by what’s trending, or what others are doing. The stronger your taste is, the stronger your intuition, and your ability to follow what only you know is right for you. Understanding your unique taste, and loving it, is how you navigate which ideas and advice to accept and which to reject.
3. Don’t aim to be the best, aim to be the only.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
Renaissance Club is always seeking brands to partner with who align with values of personal growth, curiosity, and exploration.
Our promise to our members is a new, unique experience each month.
Our promise to our vendors is guaranteed steady business each month with zero additional marketing or ad spend.
Our promise to our brands is access to our members, who are incredibly high-quality, adventurous self-helpers, who are often the “go to’s” of their social circles for new products and experiences.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.renaissanceclub.net
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/renaissanceclub.la/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/renaissanceclub
