Reclaiming Identity and Authority – From Imitation to Intuition
- Brainz Magazine
- Jul 22
- 5 min read
Written by Dr. Kim Dang, Transformation Coach
Dr. Kim Dang is renowned as a transformative coach in the field of personal development. She is the founder of the Art of Starting Over, a premier coaching program, and a strong advocate for unlocking individual potential.
Success is often imagined as a journey of leveling up: discovering hidden talents, refining skills, and integrating them into a life of abundance. But beneath the surface, the true work is internal – expanding your self-concept, cultivating confidence, and redefining what it means to belong among those who have achieved next-level success. For me, the vision of success is not just about external achievements but about embodying a sense of authority and intuition, especially as an Asian woman who has reinvented her career multiple times.
The confidence question
Elevating your life goes beyond acquiring new skills or accolades. It's about expanding your "energy container," as Regan Hillyer describes it, holding a bigger vision for yourself without collapsing under its weight, as David Bayer teaches. This means embodying qualities like:
Expansiveness
Elegance
Confidence
Sovereignty
Freedom
Abundance
Magic
Sustainability
Trust
Flow
Connection
Feeling supported
These are not just aspirational words they are lived experiences, cultivated from within and expressed in every decision and interaction.
When I imagine success, I see myself in luxurious settings: walking through the serene paths between the bungalows of the St. Regis in Puerto Rico while hearing the ocean waves, taking a bath in my suite at the Marriott resort in Costa Rica, the gentle hum of spa music filling a beautifully appointed suite, the warmth of a massage after a long flight, the elegance of a capsule wardrobe, the excitement of first-class travel, the view from my suite over Dubai, the joy of sharing laughter and excellent food at Michelin-starred restaurants, and stepping onto Madison Ave in New York in the morning, hailing a yellow cab. These experiences are no longer distant fantasies; they are moments I have begun to claim as my own.
Yet, even as I step into these spaces, I notice a subtle tension: the desire to belong. Often, my imagination conjures the archetype of the "successful woman"-tall, blond, model-like, someone who looks like Charlize Theron. For the record: I am 5'4", Asian, and more athletic-looking. The contrast can trigger a spiral of self-doubt: "How can I ever be truly successful when I don't fit that mold?"
The desire to belong and the impostor feeling
There's a deep longing to belong, to feel at home in spaces that once seemed reserved for someone else. This longing can ignite the familiar spark of impostor syndrome:
"Do I really deserve to be here?"
"Will anyone see me as out of place?"
"Did I say the right thing?"
"Do I look the part?"
"Am I just pretending to be calm and collected when I'm not?"
These questions are probably not unique to me, although they are mine. My guess is that they echo in the hearts of many who dare to step outside the boundaries of what's expected.
It's tempting to believe that the answer is to imitate to "fake it till you make it." To wear confidence like a mask, to project calm even when you feel anything but. We look to external models of success, trying to mimic their style, their demeanor, their path. But imitation is ultimately unsatisfying. It keeps us striving for someone else's version of success, never quite feeling at home in our own skin. So, what is the solution?
Dropping into intuition
The real liberation comes not from imitation, but from intuition. Here, I said it. It's the moment you stop asking, "How can I become her?" and start asking, "How is she doing what she's doing?" The shift is from copying to learning, from external validation to internal knowing.
Intuition is the quiet voice that says:
"This is who I am."
"This is what I do."
"I own my authority."
"I own this next decision, come whatever may, this is me."
It's the guidance that comes from within, rooted in your unique experiences, values, and desires, the subtle pull toward what you know is right.
My lived experience is my authority. Say that a couple of times! In my case, it includes:
I have a PhD in mathematics.
I was an assistant professor at Yale.
I've reinvented my career seven times.
I grew up in rural Switzerland, but ended up buying my own apartment in Manhattan, New York.
I have already experienced many of the luxuries and freedoms I once only dreamed of.
My Asian heritage shapes my perspective and presence.
I have the resilience to show up, again and again, in rooms where I might be the only one who looks like me.
These are not just accomplishments; they are evidence of my ability to create, adapt, and lead. And if you think you're not like me, that you don't have authority, go read the line above again: "My lived experience is my authority." You've lived on this Earth, which means you do have authority over your lived experiences. Again, I also started off by saying that I'm not blond, tall, or look like Charlize Theron!
Belonging as an act of authority
Belonging isn't granted by others, it's claimed by you. Each time I walk through the doors of a luxury hotel, settle into a suite, make a bold career move, or enter a room to network, I am not asking for approval anymore. I am declaring, with every step, that I am right where I'm meant to be. I am in the right room. This is where I belong. And that feels liberating.
Liberation arrives in a single, powerful moment: when you stop seeking permission to belong and simply decide that you do. It's the instant you realize you don't have to fake calm or confidence, you can embody it, flaws and all.
"This is who I am. This is what I do. I own my story, my authority, and my place in the world. This is me."
And with that, success is suddenly so close, just around the corner. Because success is not about fitting into a pre-existing template. It's about expanding your own definition of what's possible and embodying it unapologetically.
When you see someone achieving what you desire, let it be an invitation to inspiration, not imitation. I strongly believe that comparison can be a beautiful ignition toward inspiration if you drop the part of "not feeling good enough." Ask your intuition for the way forward, trust your inner guidance, and let your unique presence lead the way.
Conclusion
Identity is not a destination, but a continuous process of self-acceptance and self-creation. The more you own your story, your authority, and your intuition, the more magnetic and impactful you become. Your vision is valid, your dreams are possible, and your way of being is enough.
This is who you are. This is what you do.
Read more from Dr. Kim Dang
Dr. Kim Dang, Transformation Coach
Dr. Kim Dang is a notable figure in the realm of transformative coaching and personal development. As the founder of the Art of Starting Over, a premier coaching program, she stands as a strong advocate for unlocking individual potential. Her diverse journey across various disciplines, from academia to the creative arts, enriches her unique approach to guiding others toward fulfilling futures. With her company, Dark Runner, she is dedicated to celebrating unique human stories and fostering authentic connections.
