What’s the one thing holding you back?

If you could identify it, see clearly how it was restricting your potential, and take focused action to resolve it, your life and career would soar to unrecognisable heights.

Michael Parkinson is perhaps the most well-known talk show host in the UK. He was affectionately known as “the king of chat,” and is known by both younger and older generations.

He had a long ruining self-titled talk show on the BBC and ITV that ran from 1971 to 2007. He passed away a few weeks ago at the age of 88.

Parkinson (or Parky) was known for his direct, straight talking that allowed his guests to feel safe and comfortable. It made for some combative and highly articulate conversations. Perhaps the most renowned interviews are the four separate tête-à-têtes he had with Mohammad Ali during the 70’s & 80’s.

He was born in South Yorkshire into a working-class family. His childhood ambition was to play cricket for Yorkshire. As the realisation dawned that he wasn’t quote good enough, he turned his attention to journalism.

His career began to evolve during the 60’s, and he landed a high-profile reporting role for the BBC. His dream though was to be the ‘British Carson,’ following in the footsteps of NBC’s Johnny Carson.

Driven by his love for American culture, Parky was enthralled by Hollywood stars of the era. He eventually convinced the BBC bosses to launch a late-night chat show, every Saturday at 10:30pm.

It wasn’t long before stars from both sides of the Atlantic began line up, with names including Bing Crosby, Michael Caine, Peter Sellers, Lauren Bacall, Richard Burton, & John Lennon sitting to talk with Parky. The reputation of the show spread through word of mouth; with the guests lured by the knowledge they would get a serious hearing from someone deeply familiar with their work.

Parkinson would go on to receive a Knighthood from the Queen in 2008 for services to broadcasting. He became Sir Michael Parkinson. He remarked at the time that he was “not the type to get a knighthood” due to his working-class roots.

Imposter Syndrome

After his recent death, Parky’s son ” Mike Parkinson ” was interviewed by the BBC. He spoke openly of how his father suffered immensely with imposter syndrome and that he “didn’t have as much self-confidence as he appears.“

Mike went on to say that “he was acutely aware that he was working with people that he felt were brighter than him, and more educated than him.”

And then came the magic….

Parky made a comeback to television in 1998. His son Mike noted, “There’s a different man there. He’s a much more confident man: much more:. but then that’s because he’s earned his stripes.”

Does that sound familiar to you?

How often do you hold back from doing something because you don’t feel confident, or you’re not quite sure if you’ve earned your stripes yet?

Do you feel like your colleagues, peers or clients are more intelligent and more successful than you?

Confidence is not a requirement. It’s a result.

Confidence will arrive if you do something every single day for long enough. But you don’t need confidence.

Imposter Syndrome is not a bug. It’s a feature.

If you don’t feel like an imposter every single day, then you’re not playing a big enough game.

Want to know the #1 barrier to your true potential? Take the Elite Performance Scorecard to find out now. It takes three minutes. It might change your life. No joke.