Self-doubt and imposter syndrome have stopped far too many talented folks from going for their goals and reaching their true potential. Our hope is to host conversations that inspire folks to overcome imposter syndrome and help others as well.
Valerie Morris Marketing Strategist & Book Launch Expert
You have to overcome imposter syndrome in order to move forward in business. For me, it’s a continual process, but it’s one where I can see how far I’ve come already. I noticed instance where I was deeply impressed with someone else, a speaker or a peer at an event. Read more>>
Chanel Berumen
To overcome imposter syndrome, I’ve learned to halt the cycle of comparison. By embracing the diversity of life stories—I surround myself with people from varied backgrounds, cultures, and generations—I remind myself that each journey is unique, making comparisons not only unproductive but also irrelevant. Read more>>
Casey McQuillen
Ironically, I remind myself that I am not that important. That my job doesn’t influence whether people live or die, and mostly, the world will be just fine regardless of how my performance, or songwriting session, or song release goes. I’m just a person with a passion, and I am lucky enough to be able to spend my time and energy sharing that passion with the world. Read more>>
Ginette Lospinoso Dean
I started my business after being laid off from an industry and company where I had spent almost 20 years. I was fully confident in my understanding of the landscape of that company in every way. When I decided to start my own interior design business, I made a pact with myself that I would tell myself each day that I while I did not learn the trade in interior design school, that my education and work experience gave me the tools to be successful in this field. Read more>>
Victoria Freeman
I think this is an interesting question, because I don’t believe that a person ever really ‘overcomes’ imposter syndrome – at least not for good. I think it’s perfectly natural to have peaks and valleys in your life when it comes to self confidence and the feeling of self doubt, since we’re pretty much constantly adapting to changing environments and inputs as we go through our day to day lives. Read more>>
Akash Wadhwani
Imposter syndrome is something I think all photographers face at some point in their career. There have been many times when I doubted my abilities, wondering if I was truly cut out for this. Thankfully, those moments are becoming less frequent. What’s made a difference for me is thorough preparation. Read more>>
Zach Hoerth
So, back in the early days of Werkaholix, I battled a real beast – imposter syndrome. That nagging feeling that maybe, just maybe, I wasn’t cut out for this whole web design and digital marketing gig. But, fast forward 18 years, and let me tell you, it’s been one heck of a ride that gradually kicked imposter syndrome to the curb. Read more>>
Oscar Haney Jr.
I would honestly say that the way I got over it was to really do some deep introspection and tell myself that I am worthy. I grew up as a young black man in the south so anything involving the creative arts was not heavily supported in my community. Once, I realized I had a passion for it, I started to do everything I could so that I could fully indulge. Read more>>
Alyx Hawkins
When I felt my most insecure in the beauty industry I did not even know the term imposter syndrome. Learning this term was the first step in gaining my confidence. Years ago, I made the scary decision not to finish my Biology degree. I left college to attend a trade school and study esthetics. I had no idea what an esthetician was, but I was so excited I found something I was passionate about. Read more>>
Jah-Isha Moise
As a content creator and overall digital artist, imposter syndrome is something that I find myself battling quite often. First, I had to identify why I was struggling so badly. Offering vulnerability and allowing the world into the romanticized version of your most precious moments is a huge mental and emotional burden. Read more>>
Kaitlyn Meslin
Everyone starts at the same place. What everyone doesn’t do is give 100% of their effort to whatever they’re working on. I think imposter syndrome is an ongoing feeling, because honestly – if you’re not a little uncomfortable, you’re not growing. When I started my Instagram account, I had 0 followers, just like everyone else. Read more>>
Jaclyn Altieri
Imposter Syndrome is something I have been fighting against my entire life. Even as I write this answer I started to feel uneasy, which is why I chose to address it. I have always felt that I have been a jack of all trades … master of none my entire life. I have been a full time entrepreneur since 2012 and I have never truly felt like I belonged, or worse… that I would be “found out”. Read more>>
Lil Bandít
As young child I always was creative in ways I didn’t understand. From writing, painting, graphic design..but I never knew it was something to be highlighted as “I was good at it”. But it wasn’t until I was about to graduate high school that I realized I could go to school for art. Read more>>
Allison Walsh
Overcoming imposter syndrome as a female physician and entrepreneur with multiple business ventures was a journey that started in residency and evolved during my early years in practice. As a newly minted physicians in residency, one often found yourself in a position where a patient viewed you as expert even though you felt far from expert. Read more>>
Sophia Vega
Do you remember when you were a child, you would look at an adult and think “I want to be like them when I grow up?” Have you ever thought “when I am in my (insert an age) I will have it all figured out.” People who are older or more experienced than us seem more confident, successful, and smart. They know everything. They have it all figured out. Age equals experience and wisdom. Read more>>
Link West
That’s a great question! Does anyone ever really get past imposter syndrome? I think every creative type feels it at some point. Even the biggest stars often admit to it. There are times and places where I feel like I’ve got it beat — when a gig goes great and the calendar is stacked. Then, of course, there are the lulls, those in-between times when it’s back to the grind of rehearsing material and booking new shows. Read more>>
Don Starnes
I try to avoid pretense: it’s hard to be an imposter if you’re not pretending. Be yourself and lean into your strengths. I try to focus on the task at hand: to do the simple job I’ve been given to the best of my abilities. I stay open to learning, try to be honest, and focus on creativity and service. Fine, you may say, but what if it’s not a simple job? Every job is made up of simple (if sometimes difficult), discrete tasks. Read more>>
Lindsay Droege
As a high schooler, I was always in the art room. My high school art teacher was (and is) a gifted artist with an incredibly open heart. Her presence made the art room a place where I could be however I needed to be, so I belonged no matter what. Over the years, I noticed that feeling of belonging followed and found me in most studio spaces that I entered. Read more>>
Dorothy Strouhal
“Imposter Syndrome” is such an interesting term. It alludes to the feeling that you don’t think or feel like you should be doing what you are doing, that you are “faking it until you make it”, or you are out of your element. This really is simple. It comes down to confidence. Read more>>
Crew Kinser
I don’t think anyone ever truly gets over imposter syndrome. But I like to view imposter syndrome as a good thing. It means you’re growing and pushing yourself to be better. I still think you need the confidence to go and do what you want and share your work with the world, but feeling inadequate or like an imposter can either cripple you, or drive you to continue getting better. Read more>>
Soleil Camara
This is a tough one. I don’t think I’ve really gone over it and probably never really will, even though I know I learn to jump over one hurdle that makes me stronger, right after its on to the next. And that is how life is. and thats what we call growth. But I know it’s also very important to try to analyse yourself and see where you are actually killing it and doing really good despite your doubts and anxiety. It all comes with the process. Read more>>
Kate Pozeznik
Imposter syndrome is something I continue to grapple with despite realizing consistent improvements in my life and work. As a business owner and career coach to ambitious women executives, I’ve learned that many others struggle with it, too, despite their successes. While imposter syndrome can sometimes cause me to doubt my abilities, I’ve found a few methods for keeping it to a minimum. Read more>>
Joseph Langdon
The coffee world can be a bit overwhelming: cuppings and tastings and roasting and varieties and pH balance and water quality and so on. For me, it isn’t a matter of overcoming imposter syndrome, but moving forward despite it and being honest with myself and others about my own limitations. I’m not a coffee “expert” and I don’t claim to be one; however, I have learned a lot during my years running a cafe, and I’m as happy to share those insights as I am to learn new things. Read more>>
Hannah Martin
This is a huge one & one sometimes I still struggle with. I think a lot of business owners & women do. We have adapted that I wish I could do what she does or must be nice to be were you are comments. Instead we should say I can do what she’s doing & it is nice to be here but here is the work you have to put in. Read more>>
Hendrick Hernandez-Resto
This is one of my most recent battles. I took a job with the New Bedford Economic Development Council as the Creative Specialist for their New Bedford Creative department. I had spent the last 15 years working in healthcare and had never worked in the arts and culture sector. The pressure was heavy and I had a WTF moment about 5 months into the job. Read more>>
Madeleine Amie
When I first started as a psychologist I felt like a complete imposter. I’d had jobs in the past that didn’t require as much training or study and had felt confident in those even if I didn’t always know what I was doing. I would wonder how come I felt like such an imposter with the job that I had studied and trained the most for? Read more>>
Dylan Heidt
This is a funny question, to me personally, and I say that because up until last year I didn’t really understand what imposter syndrome meant when it was said out loud, or brought up in conversation around me. Read more>>
Kristin Rapert
The very short answer is that I am not the one who overcame it. When I started looking at ways to be more missional in my daily life and in my career, there was a nagging voice that said “nah, not you” – you don’t have a network, you don’t have tons of accolades, you’re not well known. You’re not a leader. Read more>>
Lauryn Hock
I once heard that the brain responds to self-talk the same way it responds to hearing positive or negative feedback from others. Personally, I love to find the best in people and cheer them on. Everyone has something they are amazing at when it comes to their career, and it’s so easy to see that in them. With that in mind, I practice positive self-talk! Read more>>
