"It's a great gig," said the freelancer. "I mean, I have a master's in social work, not management. So I wonder if he'd be better off with someone else. But I'm happy to run this guy's office."

This social-worker-turned-office-manager was expressing a common belief: "I'm a stand-in for someone who could do the job better." It's one of the hallmarks of so-called imposter syndrome.

Here's the thing, though: That hypothetical person they could have hired who is better than you does not exist. If that person did exist, they would have the job. Instead, you have the job. Your boss, client, or partner picked you: the right person at the right time.

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Lately, everyone I talk to feels like they should be doing more.

There’s a sense of guilt over who we could be vs. who we are.

But all we really are obligated to do is stay alive. We’ve got to eat and sleep and bathe.

Then we have responsibilities to the people depending on us: our pets and minor children. And we need to hold up our end of the bargain in our committed relationships.

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When I was in my early twenties, I loved a succession of musical artists that I had only discovered through nerdy magazines.

I loved music that I had heard about from friends, too. And music I found about from the hipsters who worked at the record stores I frequented. But my appetite for new music could never be sated. I was always looking for more. Whenever I traveled, I was on a quest. Then, the expanding Internet made my job easier, but endless.

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Out on the water, our small rowing team is waiting for a command from the coxswain.

“Gimme a minute to think,” she says. We patiently sit at oars. “Okay, port side, hold water, starboard side, give way together.” The boat begins to move.

Dealing with a large group of children is a little more challenging than a handful of adults, but an experienced teacher can quickly bring a raucous group to order using teacher vibes.

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There is a phrase that brings joy to my teacher heart — three little words that make me feel like all my effort is worth it and my time on earth will leave some legacy.

When a student is willing to say these words after days, weeks, or months of working together, I know that they trust me and we can make rapid progress moving forward.

No, not “I love you.”

The three little words are, “I don’t know.”

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