Welcome to Issue #46 of Dave’s Productivity Newsletter (soon to be The WorkCraft Newsletter!) where I share 1 Big Idea & 3 Little Updates to help you work with more focus and intention.
If you’re like roughly 80% of the workforce, chances are you’ve felt like a fraud at some point.
That nagging voice that tells you, "You don't really belong here," is a hallmark of imposter syndrome. Here’s my take: technically, we're all imposters.
Let me explain…
Transitioning from one career to another has been a significant part of my professional life. I left architecture to start a creative agency with my brother. Four years in, and with the burnout from constantly chasing new projects setting in, I moved into teaching. Finally, I started creating Notion content, which then turned into full-time consulting. At each stage, the voice in my head never left, just changed the topics of conversation.
Industry Changes and Career Pivots
Industries and job roles are constantly evolving, and that evolution is only accelerating.
With the rapid scale of change, It’s natural to feel like an imposter when learning, especially when more of us are making big work transitions, several times throughout our careers.
But there’s good news: there’s a general growing acceptance of the reality that the needs of an organization rarely overlap with college degrees or apprenticeships. In two+ years of Notion consulting, no one’s every asked me for a resume.
Instead, your most valuable skill is the ability to adapt, quickly learning and applying new skills. This is equally important whether you’re a full time employee, freelancer, or founder.
Even within the microcosm of Notion consulting, a ton has changed just in the past two years. Millions more people are using Notion, the Consultant Directory has grown steadily, and AI features have unlocked entirely new workflows.
I recall my first Notion projects vividly. I was helping teams with everything from setting up OKRs to improving project management, with no formal training other than reading, studying, and putting into action methodologies I learned on my own. The initial self-doubt was intense, but it was through these projects that I grew more confident in the effect I was having on teams.
Tools evolve, client needs shift, and what worked yesterday might not work today. This dynamic environment means that everyone is continually learning and adjusting, which naturally fuels feelings of imposter syndrome.
Change is the Only Constant
In a world where change is the only constant, we need to be perpetual learners.
Embrace your imposter syndrome as a sign of growth and curiosity. It’s a reminder that you are stepping out of your comfort zone, evolving, and staying relevant in an ever-changing work environment.
Every expert was once a beginner, and every career pivot is an opportunity to reinvent yourself.
I’d love to hear your experiences with imposter syndrome. Are you feeling it now? How are you getting past it? If you want to share, just reply or send me a dm!
PERSONAL UPDATES
🎉 Notion Consulting Bootcamp 2.0 is a Wrap!
We just wrapped an amazing four weeks, covering everything from business positioning to project management best practices.
I say it all the time, but as a WFH solo-consultant, these types of conversations are gold, helping build momentum on projects that can feel like having multiple full time jobs.
I’ll be taking a little breather from course development to focus on client work, but planning to release a Self-Paced Notion Consulting Bootcamp later in the Summer.
If you’re interested, join the waitlist and get the 7-day free email course – Notion Consulting 101, free when it launches next month!
NOTION UPDATES
📌 You can now pin tabs in Notion!
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve tried to pin a Notion tab, forgetting I wasn’t in a browser…I’m most excited about pinning my home dashboard and journal.
Definitely a time-saver if you like to keep a few Notion pages in close reach!
AMAZING RESOURCES
🧑🎨 The Notioly Illustration Pack
This is hands-down, the best collection of illustrations that embody that Notion-y vibe. I’ve used these illustrations for everything from social media posts, to course slides, and everything in-between.
If you’re creating content, templates, or Notion-related materials, this collection has hundreds (literally hundreds) of illustrations, and Mary is constantly updating the library. By far, the easiest $39 I’ve ever spent!
🙌🏼 That’s it for this week!
I’d love to hear what you think. What content resonates? What do you want to see more or less of? Just hit reply to let me know!
And if you’re loving this newsletter, I’d love it if you helped spread the word!