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.
Sarah Leslie
When I pivoted from being a therapist with 20 years of experience to starting my coaching business, I felt a wave of imposter syndrome. Despite my background, I questioned whether I was truly equipped to guide people in this new way. Entrepreneurship felt like an entirely different world—suddenly, I wasn’t just helping people; I was also marketing my services, defining my brand, and learning how to create a business from the ground up. Read more>>
Rigo Pinto Jr
In every art job I’ve had, I often felt like I didn’t belong—like I wasn’t truly part of the team. Every project I turned in made me worry it wasn’t good enough, and I constantly second-guessed myself. Even when I was an art director at Google, I didn’t think it was a mistake that I was there—I knew I had earned it—but I couldn’t shake the feeling that I didn’t fit in. Read more>>
Adam Levy
Like any unhelpful feeling that comes up when I’m making music, I find the best way to combat it is to focus on the best parts of what’s happening in the moment. For example, if I’m onstage performing my music and I start to doubt my authority as an artist, I may turn my attention to what the drummer is playing and let myself enjoy their musicality for a while. I may focus on an audience member who seems to have an elevated fashion sense. Anything that gets me out of my own way is good. It’s hard to feel like an imposter when you’re busy admiring someone else. Read more>>
Kiana Renee
Imposter syndrome often manifests as a fear of being exposed as unqualified, and for many, this stems from a perceived lack of experience or expertise. This feeling can be daunting, but there are ways to overcome it.
For me, the sensation of being “exposed” was linked to doubting my own qualifications and feeling out of place in certain settings. To combat this, I began by envisioning how someone with the necessary experience might act. By emulating those behaviors and embodying the traits I admired, I tapped into the confidence and abilities I had within me all along.
This approach allowed me to gradually realize that I truly belonged in those spaces. As I continued to practice these attributes, my initial fears of being a fraud diminished, and I embraced my rightful place in my professional environment. By acknowledging and harnessing my inner strengths, I was able to quiet the doubts and fully participate in my own success. Read more>>
Kyle Loftus
I’ve overcome imposter syndrome by showing up and putting in the reps every single day. Imposter syndrome is something we all face, especially when we’re ambitious and set big goals for ourselves. The higher the stakes, the more competition we face, and the more critically we tend to evaluate ourselves. That often leads to feeling inadequate. But I’ve found that by committing to constant growth—just getting a little better each day—I can push through those doubts. It’s a mindset rooted in the Japanese philosophy of kaizen: striving for continuous improvement, even if it’s just one percent at a time. Read more>>
Joey Rodriguez
Like a lot of people who provide a service for others the idea of “Am I good enough to even provide this service let alone charge for it?” came up a lot. I spent a good 10 years doing tarot readings for friends, family and strangers online. I think starting at such a young age (13) also played a part in it. Finally my friend Leah told me that there was a shop looking for a tarot reader and she really pushed me to apply for the job. The interview included a tarot reading for my future employer. I’ll be honest in my opinion the reading felt clunky. Definitely not my best work but the woman I’d later come to work for (Tsuna) expressed her satisfaction and hired me on the spot. That first month of reading for clients taught me so many things about how I should conduct my practice. All the anxieties that come with divining for a client showed themselves to be my own insecurities and nothing else. All of my clients were happy, no one came back with complaints or accosted me. My boss was happy and so was I. In short in order to overcome the imposter syndrome you have to shut out all the noise in your head and just go for it with everything you’ve got. Read more>>
Elizabeth Kresojevich
Imposter syndrome is more of a journey than something you overcome. My view of imposter syndrome feels more like it is active and conscious choice to care for and support rather than avoid. It’s such a common feeling in the world of therapy to feel and experience imposter syndrome, and can often come up in spaces for folks that experience difficulty with perfectionism. For myself personally, I attempt to care for my own feelings and experiences with imposter syndrome by engaging in coping skills and strategies that I can rely on. An important part of fighting imposter syndrome is being able to connect with your achievements and reduce comparing yourself to others. I also find it helpful to create goals and connect with some specifically that are measurable so you can track your success and begin to boos confidence. Read more>>
Betsy Ronel
Imposter syndrome is self imposed. I don’t know anyone who hasn’t felt it if only for a minute.
I overcame it in two ways: one, when I listened to people I respect talk about their anxieties as they rose through the ranks. And two: once I’d had enough of feeling less than when I knew without a doubt I was THE best for certain things.
So I just went for it and never looked back. I don’t let those negative fleeting thoughts take hold anymore. I know I’m at the table for a reason that I earned! Read more>>
Marisa Lee
You literally have to catch yourself doing it every time. Imposter syndrome is your mind playing tricks on you. It may never go away, but you learn to handle it when you notice it. Your past self probably never was creative enough to see this new self you have become without imposter syndrome. When you create work you are proud of there’s no room for imposter syndrome. If you’re not making work that you’re proud of, then you have to keep on creating. Keep creating and see the pattern in your work that feels like home.You’ll feel safe.You’ve created a safe place where your authentic self can come out. The imposter is gone.That’s why it’s good to focus on projects. What passion of yours can you document your journey? So you can remember the steps you’ve taken. The decisions you have made. Seeing what triggers you where the imposter gets in the way. You need to be aware, that’s the first step. Read more>>
Jodi Katzin
To be honest, I believe that I am constantly a work in progress where imposter syndrome is concerned. When I was completing my certification to become a Mind Body Eating Coach, the program director would remind us that we only had to be one step ahead of our clients. I constantly remind myself that my lived experience, coupled with my training has led me to become an expert in the work that I do. No one understands disordered eating and negative body image more than someone who has lived it as I have. Read more>>
Cathy Pierce
I have been working on overcoming imposter syndrome for over 20 years. As a Personal Trainer I give advice every day on making healthy choices such as moving your body every day or strive for 6-8 hours of sleep each night. As a 50 year old ex-athlete with many nagging injuries I do not move my body every day. I give advice but often struggle to take it for myself. Moving my body every day is a challenge as sometimes my injuries will not allow me to move my body for exercise for weeks or even months. This makes me feel like an imposter. Getting a good night’s sleep is often difficult too as my older teens stay up late. I strive to go to bed but then find myself involved in a television show with my husband or engaged in something with a child. I try to give myself grace as I am only human. I feel as if my clients sometimes view me as a “machine” who has it all figured out. I do not. I feel like an imposter. Read more>>
Megan & Josh Stump
You are usually your own worst critic and that couldn’t be more true with us. When you flip on YouTube and type in Disney Tips, you’re going to find hundreds of other vlogers videos giving you their best tips. We’ve definitely had the thought “there’s so many out there doing this, why would anyone want to watch us?” We have our few theme park creators we’ve listened to for years. The reason we tune in video after video or podcast after podcast is because we relate to them in some way. Imposter Syndrome is tough to push past. There are some days that we still feel it. It really is a mindset shift and realizing that not everyone is going to like your content and that really is ok. There are going to be the people that feel a connection to your content, values or personality and those are the people that will tune in week after week. The feelings of Imposter Syndrome can ebb and flow depending on the season but staying grounded in who you are and your why behind what you’re doing can help you mentally push past it. Read more>>
Maddie Kelly
I overcame imposter syndrome by focusing on improving my photography skills every day and always giving my best effort for each client. I truly love my job, and it’s rewarding to hear clients say they can see my passion through my work. I have also had people start asking me to mentor them in photography, which is so exciting! Read more>>
Gilbert Guzman Garcia
Reflection is the key to success as we learn from our mistakes and fears. As I reflect on my journey with starting Gilbert’s Dance Studio now known as Gilbert Guzman Choreography’s, overcoming imposter syndrome is no easy task. Growing up I always knew that I was meant for greatness, not knowing exactly what my purpose was in life. I just knew that I wanted to entertain the world by bringing joy with performing arts. The more no’s I got, the more I wanted to succeed. The fire of being shut down or rejected fueled me to prove all the naysayers wrong. The best way to overcome imposter syndrome in my opinion is to believe in yourself, but you must have the strength to push forward when others don’t believe in you. I have learned over the years that there is room for everyone and when we trust ourselves, anything is possible. Read more>>
Sasha Richardson
When I was first asked to write and host trivia games, I had no idea what I was doing, so I quickly started calling myself the Trivia God, with a “fake it ‘til you make it” attitude. Who could argue about wrong answers with a god?! Read more>>
Emily Netti
Overcoming imposter syndrome started with flipping the script on how I thought about imposter syndrome. While I could argue it’s still a struggle, I am no where near where I used to be. With the ever growing social media platforms I would find myself stuck in the cycle of viewing everyone in my industry and idolizing how much better they were. It wasn’t until I read the words of Jon Acuff that changed my thoughts on it. He wrote about how Imposter Syndrome is a superpower. It allows you to be introspective, challenge yourself, and grow in your business. And lastly, throw out the words “little” and “just” from your vocabulary. You have a business. You are a _____ (photographer, writer, graphic designer). Read more>>
Lauren Dubé
All of my best relationships, both professionally and personally, have been formed when I’m the most authentic version of myself. That means being transparent, whether it’s admitting I don’t have all the answers or sharing my feelings of self-doubt. What I’ve found is that, almost every time, others relate to those feelings, and it creates genuine connection. Read more>>
John Quinonez
During my time in Poland, I attended a church service at a Polish-American coalition post where I was employed, an invitation extended to me by the army chaplain who approached me unexpectedly one day. He encouraged me to participate in the service held every Sunday at eleven in the morning. The focus of our discussion during the March 2023 service was the tendency to revisit our past mistakes and imperfections, despite having already received forgiveness, and the notion that a new path is available for us to pursue in our journey. Imposter syndrome was the subsequent subject addressed during that particular service. The discussion focused on the feelings of unworthiness that can arise regarding the people, environments, or possessions in our lives, leading us to believe that we do not merit anything or anyone. On that day, I sensed a profound communication from the Lord, as I was striving to reconcile my shortcomings and fixating on the reasons I should have exerted more effort or approached situations differently. Read more>>
Jane Mechner
To be brutally honest, I look at the imposters. That is – the people who are sharing their art at a high level and are considered successful but making work that I don’t like. Then I think, if they can do it, so can I. Read more>>
Erin Harris
It’s something that has stuck with me for the nine years I’ve been doing this, regardless of any accomplishments. Knowing that every artist I’ve asked feels something similar reassures me that I’m not alone. We are constantly putting ourselves out there to be judged by the public, so it’s only natural to feel imposter syndrome. At the end of the day, I know that I’m following my path and what I’m doing is exactly what I’m supposed to be. I do think having a little imposter syndrome helps keep you grounded though. Read more>>
Riley Huseby
Honestly I never thought I would be the person to experience imposter syndrome. Before you become an entrepreneur and enter social media, you don’t realize how scary it is to prove yourself with little to no experience. I am still learning, but over years of doing free work, communicating with clients and creating confidence through myself I am finally building a platform I am stable on. The best advice I can give is that the most successful people I have met are standing on a mountain of L’s, and every loss brings them closer to a win. The more they try and fail, the closer they get to success. So my advice is to keep trying and failing, because passing on opportunities because you think you aren’t good enough will ensure failure. Read more>>
Yukta Yukta
Imposter syndrome didn’t arrive in my life uninvited; it built itself piece by piece, brick by brick. I wasn’t always this way. As a child, I was confident, perhaps even fearless. My parents raised me to think deeply, evaluate situations, and own my decisions. I was the kind of kid who knew where she was going. But life unfolded in unexpected ways, and somewhere along the line, I started doubting myself. Read more>>
Clara Sutton
I think that imposter syndrome is one of the hardest parts of working independently or freelance, especially in a creative field. There is this stigma against creative professions that they “aren’t a career” or you have to be very talented or very lucky to make enough money as an artist of any kind. So in addition to the everyday imposter syndrome one can face, I think it’s worse for creatives because we believe we have to try to be the Best or we won’t make it.
I by no means have found a way to fully overcome the nagging little voice in my head that says I’m not enough. I have, however, found ways to drown it out sometimes. The most important way is to surround yourself with people who actually think you can do it. I’m not talking about your supportive friends or family members, though they can help too, I am talking about people who see your potential. Read more>>
Kelly Houseman
There is no way to overcome imposter syndrome other than getting out there and doing the thing you fear the most. You can sit and prepare and discuss and research but, at the end of the day, it is proving to yourself that you can indeed “do the thing” that will give you the most confidence and reassurance. Do it scared, do it not believing in yourself, do it shaking but get out there and do it. Read more>>
Sophia Renée
Imposter syndrome has the power to convince us we’re not good enough and can cause us to diminish our accomplishments. Being a newcomer in my industry, imposter syndrome is always creeping up in the back of my mind. However, over the past couple months I’ve been doing these key things: Read more>>
Noah Mishkin
Imposter syndrome is a natural feeling, or insecurity, very common for many people. Mine was quite present early on in business since I was not coming from a traditional business background or MBA, but rather as a practicing architect. So, sitting in a room or on calls with other individuals I assumed had far greater experience and training than myself was rather intimidating. The way I eventually learned to overcome the imposter syndrome was through natural authenticity. By being transparent when I was unfamiliar with a term, concept, or discipline, it both served to break any tension that existed in the room, making me more relatable, it also demonstrated that I was listening, curious, and processing the information presented. By “playing ignorance” or even being honest with my lack of understanding, it helped me get up-to-speed quickly while being someone others recognized cared about the mission and was purely genuine and authentic. Read more>>
