Breaking Free from Unworthiness: My Journey to Being Seen and Heard

Craig Stanland
2 min readOct 5, 2024

Here’s one of, if not one of my most significant fears:

The fear of being seen and heard for who I am.

I was imprisoned (and I still struggle with it because a life well lived is a constant evolution) by this fear since childhood.

I know I’m not alone in this.

What I’ve learned in the decade of reinventing my life after prison:

The importance of having a massive goal, with a massive “Why?” that flies in the face of my biggest fear.

Publishing my 1st book and delivering my TEDX were/are the ultimate representations of conquering my fear of being seen and heard.

I cut myself open and poured it onto the pages and the stage, all to support my mission of helping one person.

These two experiences tested my resolve daily; they bashed into all the layers underneath my fear:

Crippling unworthiness, inadequacy, self-doubt, and impostor syndrome.

The projects required me to walk out of these imprisoning beliefs and unlock and unleash more of my potential.

I’m working on my second book and transforming my business; all my old “friends” are visiting me.

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Craig Stanland

From corporate success to federal prison, I share my journey to rediscover joy, meaning, and purpose. Join me in reinventing your extraordinary second act!