We were lucky to catch up with Madi Hanaka recently and have shared our conversation below.
Madi, so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how words to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
The first time I ever heard the term “imposter syndrome” I felt a strange combination of disappointment and relief. Disappointed, because it was only then that I realized I had spent most of my life feeling not like my work was never good enough. Relieved though, because for the first time, I was able to put a name to something I had felt for so long.
In hindsight, there have been so many times where my lack of confidence impacted my success, but the biggest wake-up call for me was realizing that it wasn’t just preventing me from reaching my goals, it was preventing me from setting goals altogether. I used to say to myself that there would come a day where I would randomly wake up and feel confident enough in my skills to finish that podcast I was writing, or finally produce that EP I started, but I’ve come to realize that imposter syndrome never truly goes away. The only way to get close to overcoming that sinking feeling is to stumble your way into making progress.
Not every song you write is going to be a hit, not every podcast you produce is going to win awards, but the only way to get closer to those benchmarks is to continuously work on your craft. The minute I started stumbling into it, making mistakes, and learning new skills, was the moment I started feeling more confident in myself.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I’m a podcast producer and singer-songwriter based out of Toronto, Canada. Day-to-day I have a range of focusses, from booking and chasing guests, to writing scripts, directing recording sessions, and editing episodes. My favourite part of my job is getting to see projects come together from inception to distribution, and that I have the opportunity to be involved in every step of the process. Outside of my daytime work hours, I also write and produce my own personal projects and co-write with other artists. Currently, I’m producing a podcast musical and finishing my first EP.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Persistence, adaptability, and initiative. I know it’s cliché to say that you’re a perfectionist, but truly, I am. So much so, that I have a bad habit of feeling deeply discouraged if I don’t get something right on the first try. It took me a long time to realize that persistence is the only way to succeed, even – and especially when – you feel like you’re not good at something. Adaptability is another big one. When you’re in a collaborative environment, there are times when you’ll need to lead, and others where you’ll need to let someone else take the reins. Being able to adapt to either situation, regardless of who you’re working with is a huge asset. Initiative is most important in my view. The best piece of advice I’ve ever received is “it’s easier to act your way into thinking different, than to think your way into acting different.” Take the initiative to work on your skill, don’t wait until you “think” it’s worth the investment.
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
I hear from so many of my colleagues that choosing a creative path was an incredibly difficult decision, usually out of fear that their families would be skeptical, or worse, might outright disapprove. I was lucky enough to have had the opposite experience. Growing up, my mom was extremely outspoken about me choosing a career that would bring me joy, and stressed the importance of finding something I genuinely liked. She always encouraged me to explore all of my passions and never compare my timeline to anyone else’s. Being in a creative industry is often coupled with a lot of uncertainty, so I’m incredibly thankful to have had her support, because without it, I’m not sure I would have chosen the path that I did.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madi.hanaka/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/madi-hanaka/
Image Credits
Jamal Amaj
