We were lucky to catch up with Maisie Ruttan recently and have shared our conversation below.
Maisie, 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.
Starting a business as a solo entrepreneur is like riding a massive roller coaster of emotions. You put in so much effort to get yourself all set up; getting certified, obtaining a business license, building a website etc. There can be so much excitement and hope for the future, but that final step, of actually marketing your services, that’s the hardest part. Or at least, it was for me.
I can remember landing my first paying client as a sleep coach. It was equal parts exciting and terrifying. I felt so much pressure to get it all right, to not to let them down. I read all the books, and took all sorts of certification programs trying to learn all the industry secrets. I was convinced that my competitors knew something that I didn’t. Only later did I realize that this was a form of procrastination that stemmed from a bad case of comparison-itis and impostor syndrome.
It took a long time, and a lot of happy client testimonials to trust in myself, and believe that I actually can help people. But I wouldn’t say that I’ve overcome my imposter syndrome – or that I ever will! It’s just one of many mindset blocks that pop up, like procrastination or perfectionism.
What I find helpful in managing my mindset monsters, is just knowing that the warning signs, so that you can take action when you recognize signs popping up. When I’m feeling self-doubt, or like an impostor I like to read through client reviews, or list out all the hard things in life that I’ve accomplished.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I never planned to start a business, it just sort of happened. I worked as a nurse and loved my job, but I was looking for alternatives because I wanted to stay at home with my twins. Thankfully, a friend suggested becoming a sleep coach.
It wasn’t until we hit the toddler years that I realized how HUGE the gap in support is for kids. Shortly after my twins’ second birthday, sleep spiraled. They started waking up more, taking forever to fall asleep, and fighting every step of their bedtime routine – which just added to my impostor syndrome (I mean what kind of sleep coach can’t even get her own kids to sleep?)
The more I searched for answers the more I felt drawn by the need to fill this gap. Not a lot of people talk about sleep beyond the baby years. What does exist is often terrible advice and leads to a lot of guilt, shame and unrealistic expectations.
Which is how I came to specialize in working with toddlers, preschoolers and school-aged children. I have developed a signature group program where I help parents navigate challenging bedtimes, and to improve sleep holistically (without sleep training) using a combo of sleep science and gentle parenting strategies.
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) Having compassion/empathy
2) Being curious (problem solving)
3) An awareness of developmental/cognitive neuroscience
” Do the best you can until you know better. Then, when you know better, do better”
Maya Angelou
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
Yes, always. Community over competition! They say it takes a village to raise a child, but not every parent has a village to lean on and so many parents look for answers online. Networking, collaboration and cooperation are key.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.maisieruttan.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maisie.ruttan/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maisieruttansleep
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
