This is the year to kick the pesky imposter syndrome to the curb and move forward on your journey towards reaching your full potential. We hope the stories and lessons below will help you overcome self-doubt.
Shinika Brittany
“I’m one of one, Im #1, I’m the only” Beyonce We had to go there first! But it wasn’t always that level of confidence when we started and even to this day Imposter syndrome likes to pop up but now we know how to shut her down quickly. Read more>>
LadyPerez
The truth is, I haven’t. It’s actually where I get my work ethic from because I’m constantly trying to prove to myself that I am who I say I am. That I am worth ‘this’ and I am worth ‘that’. It can most definitely drive someone insane, but for me, it becomes that drive that I need to try and top myself every single day. Read more>>
Phoenix Nic
When I was new, I would accept all types of events and over-promise. At times, I would have no idea what I was doing, which would really make me second-guess myself even when I knew what I was doing. Even on basic cocktails, I’d be afraid to mess up. Read more>>
Juan Pablo Santa Luna
What an intriguing question. When the Universe presented my first genuine opportunity to assist my fellow man, particularly my Hispanic community in Orlando, I leaped at the chance without hesitation. Suddenly, I found myself at the age of 44, serving as the cultural ambassador for my Hispanic community, representing my people through my work at The Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, The Global Peace Film Festival, Mills Gallery, and The Harold Garde Foundation. Read more>>
Vera Ross
I clearly remember, after I finished grad school and started working as a clinical health coach with real patients for the first time, explaining to my stepdad my feelings of nervousness- my sense that everyone around me would realize my inadequacy and I would be exposed as a fraud…the classic “imposter syndrome” anxiety. My stepdad, who is a Vietnam helicopter pilot-turned-commercial airline captain, related to me the story of his first commercial flight as a first officer: Read more>>
Omar Zaki
If I’m being honest, overcoming imposter syndrome is something I’m actively working to fully beating or atleast getting a better handle on. I recently began working with a personal coach which is an amazing relationship because his sole purpose in the dynamic of our relationship is to question me, find out what drives me and how to shift that so stronger motives and beliefs drive your actions. Read more>>
Bailee Kinney
Honestly, I’m still battling it often in my work. Since I’ve put all my efforts into growing my photography business, sometimes I feel like I maybe don’t have what it takes. But then I remind myself that it’s never been easy for anyone to create and grow their business. Read more>>
Sahaar Turner
As a sacred goddess, african woman and writer, overcoming imposter syndrome requires an understanding of my unique challenges and a dedication to self-affirmation. Here’s how I address this: Read more>>
Savaun
For a while I would automatically dismiss any compliment or opportunity that others would present to me. My voice is not as high as most mainstream artists, so I started to see my voice as undesirable. Read more>>
Leichen Wagner
I can’t say I have done that. Imposter syndrome comes and goes, no matter how much your skills grow. Sometimes I go between feeling like I shouldn’t be where I am, or that I should be further than where I am. It goes back and forth. I keep doing what I love and live my life. That’s all any of us can do. Read more>>
Michael Finn
Ahhh Imposter Syndrome, one of the most interesting issues and also one of the most debilitating if unrecognized. I can’t say that I have actually overcome imposter syndrome, but I do have ways that I work with it or around it. First off, I think there are simple steps one can take to try to move beyond it. For example, I have personal, specific affirmations that I use to ground myself. Read more>>
Sean Gallagher
Throughout my life, from teachers to coaches to classmates to bosses to people I considered friends, at some point I’ve asked them for help or sought advice only to be told, “Some people have it and some people don’t.” Ouch, I thought, that stings. “How does that help?” I’d ask. Read more>>
Sara Luna
Overcoming imposter syndrome has been quite a journey, one that I don’t think truly ends, but it’s definitely become more manageable. You see, imposter syndrome is like this persistent companion for many artists – a nagging voice that just won’t quit. But I’ve learned some ways to tackle it head-on and soften its grip. Read more>>
Ian Campbell
As a musician, I deal with imposter syndrome pretty regularly. It’s so easy to compare yourself to all of the others who you came before you that you admire and think that you just don’t belong. Read more>>
Kristy Weeks
One of the biggest areas that I want to look at when dealing with imposter syndrome is how experiencing that serves me. Because if we can find the benefit of having imposter syndrome, that helps to be able to relieve the feelings. Usually, at least in my life, the root of the imposter syndrome is tied to safety. By that, I mean emotional safety. Read more>>
Galina Marcus
Does anyone ever overcome imposter syndrome? Read more>>
Jevon Jerzey” Goldson”
Imposter syndrome is complex, you go through phases but you realize that having a business requires you to go through a process. The goal at first was to be perfect and then you realize nothing ever is. Mistakes made; are just lessons learned. I had to surround myself with people who would continuously motivate and pour wise words into me to keep going. Someone once told me comparison is the thief of all joy and that stuck with me. Read more>>
Liska Yamada
As a performer, imposter syndrome is something I constantly struggle with. I wouldn’t say I’ve overcome it, but I have minimized how it affects me. When I was first starting to get calls for some higher-level gigs, I found myself questioning my skills and whether I was deserving of a job. Read more>>
Jinous Khadivian
I’ve always believed in my core that all human beings are created equal. That fundamentally, despite our titles, jobs, or even aspirations in life, it is our humanity that connects us all. My close circle of friends includes everyone from aspiring artists to CEOs of major corporations, but titles have never really mattered to me. Read more>>
Kevin Krieger
I didn’t! Instead, I’m learning to embrace being an imposter, because WE ARE ALL IMPOSTERS. We are all walking around knowing we will one day die and be forgotten. We are all going to work knowing that in all the years of human life, we’ve learned so much and built so much, and consumed so much but we’re no closer to any semblance of an answer. Read more>>
Alyssa Hoffman
Imposter Syndrome was very real for me and overcoming it required me to know that it was not real. Read more>>
Sara Gougeon
I love this question. Imposter syndrome is so hard. It used to completely freeze me up. But then I realized that nobody really knows what they are doing until they do it. Discomfort is crucial to growth. It’s a lot about perception and fear of failure. I’ve spent these past three years normalizing failure and the unknown. Read more>>
Annika Van Nest
This question made me smile because I haven’t overcome it and don’t know that I ever really will! Read more>>
Beth Marie
Imposter syndrome is defined as “the persistent inability to believe that one’s success is deserved or has been legitimately achieved as a result of one’s own efforts or skills.” This is something I’ve always struggled with, from childhood well into my adulthood. Learning that you are enough and that your achievements matter is not something that is taught in school. It is one of those things that you get from your environment and the people that surround you. Read more>>
Rachel Elberts
Oh man, tackling this issue has been quite the journey for me. Imposter syndrome still creeps in occasionally, but I’ve found a way to deal with it. Embracing the role of a personal trainer and redefining what it means to me has been a game-changer. By making it uniquely my own, I’ve shed the feeling of being an imposter and crafted my ideal version of a personal trainer and wellness coach. Read more>>
Rebecca Maidansky
Is this something people overcome? Just kidding… kind of. Read more>>
Joanne Morton
Imposter Syndrome! Eeek! There are some days that I am confident and relaxed in my daily actions. Then there are some days when I feel like I’m so out of my league that everyone is going to see that I am a giant fraud! However, I am grateful that I’m having more and more confident days. I have also come to accept that there are going to be days that I have less confidence. Read more>>
Audra Thompson
This has been a difficult one! I feel like every artist at some point struggles with imposter syndrome. To be honest, I just had to keep creating. Trying different ideas, different styles…. And one day it just clicked! “This is me! This is my style, my designs! I’m good enough!!” I have had great people rally around me, but ultimately I had to trust myself!! Read more>>
Quinn mcilhargey
Let’s just say I have not overcome imposter syndrome, however fighting against imposter syndrome isa daily action in my life. It is way too easy to compare your business, talent, progress, growth, etc. these days with the wide availability of watching other brands succeed on social media. I like to re-focus when I’m feeling imposter syndrome by thinking about how everyone starts. Read more>>
Amy Wong Hope
As a Chinese-American woman who was acculturated to be the hard-working productive worker, I know well what it is to perform rather than “be.” Luckily I have had the opportunity and privilege in my life to learn more about how to “be” and undo the expectations and conditions that made me feel I had to perform as an efficient, productive, useful, unreachable perfect ideal (which doesn’t exist). Read more>>
Nicholas Maio-Aether
Does one ever truly overcome this? I jest. On a more serious note, I will state that going into the mental health arena with a focus on s*xual and socios*xual behavior, I was very nervous. Initially, I also felt very alone; I was surrounded by peers who wanted to work with kids, or help adults learn budgeting skills, etc., and it seemed like no one else was focusing on s*x, particularly in the field of Behavior Analysis. Read more>>
Sarah Jones
Ah yes, imposter syndrome, that voice inside telling you that your not good enough, that feeling that you are a fraud; that your pretending to be an artist, business owner ect, and that sooner or later you will be exposed. Read more>>
Mikolaj Wlodarczyk
I didn’t, it’s something I still struggle with today. I just learned to recognize it and live with it. Imposter syndrome is similar to procrastination. Both are showing me the weak points of myself I need to improve, and the importance of the task at hand. Some things need to be done and it doesn’t matter how I feel about that. So you just do it and learn from the experience so next time you will be better prepared. Read more>>
Dr. Lauren Hughes
I think my confidence started in my childhood. I was never raised to think I couldn’t do something because I’m a woman. My Dad always told me that if you sound confident and act confident, then others will believe you and eventually you believe yourself. This mentality helped with all the hurdles in my life and gave me a “why not me?” attitude. Read more>>
Jenny Chicoye
I can truly say overcoming imposter syndrome is a something I work at everyday. It’s easy to feel like you don’t belong in certain spaces but I constantly remind myself that I am allowed to take up space just like everyone else (as we all should). I worked extremely hard to hone my craft and get to the point where I can say I know what I’m doing; although, it didn’t happen overnight. Read more>>
Mackenzie Lyons
When I first became a massage therapist I felt like I didn’t fit in. Read more>>
Ann Sloan
Imposter syndrome can be a powerful and paralyzing feeling, making you doubt your abilities and accomplishments. Overcoming it is an on-going process for me, but it begins with acknowledging and normalizing it. The truth is it’s very common. Many people, even extremely successful people, on occasion experience imposter syndrome. Read more>>
AsyrRia Ejanna
Overcoming Imposter Syndrome and finding self-worth has been a journey close to my heart, especially due to my sheltered upbringing. In a world where my family’s support was my main source of celebration, I often felt like an outsider among various social circles at school. It’s important to note that my friends were amazing, but I struggled to find my place. Read more>>
Rolando Chang Barrero
Am I who people really think I am, or just a fraud? Read more>>
Chloe Thomas
Coming from an incredibly strong entrepreneurial family, it has always been ingrained in my brain to “never give up”. I remember from a very young age – whether it was about school or sports – that once you feel like you’ve hit a wall, there’s always a left and a right direction to go. Read more>>
Matt Dulaney
In my experience, artists typically are some of the biggest self critics. It is incredibly easy to look at your own work and find every single flaw you can while simultaneously criticizing yourself and your mistakes. I feel that it is something that all artists struggle with, no matter how successful. Read more>>
Colin King
Fear can be both friend and foe. As humans we developed fear as a survival mechanism. It alerts us to just about every possible risk there is. So much so in fact that often times it is completely irrational from a logical perspective but yet can feel so incredibly real. I think fear is one of the biggest contributing factors when it comes to imposter syndrome. Read more>>
Paige Braley
After spending 15+ years in the entertainment industry, where you were trained to constantly “show up” and “be on”, it was definitely a shock to come home to Cincinnati and allow those facades to come down. What was even scarier, was stepping out into the world, as my true, authentic self, and trying to actually build something from THAT place. Read more>>
Catherine Neff
I think this is something that a lot of us are always working on overcoming to some degree or have dealt with before. I experienced a 4 year period of time where I constantly felt like I was an awful coach and teacher and nearly closed down both teaching mountain bike lessons and piano lessons. Read more>>
Baylie Ranae
I don’t know if you ever really overcome imposter syndrome completely, but I do think one thing that has helped me really cope with it is just talking about it. A lot of imposter syndrome comes from within but two major things that helped me was, One, saying the things I was feeling out loud, am I really worthless? Can I really not do this? Etc. Read more>>
