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.
Coral Mizrachi
I didn’t really overcome it, I am just living with it. I’m also a perfectionist, so those voices telling me I am not good enough are kind of always there. But I never thought that they were true, I don’t take them personally, in a sense. I almost always question whether I can do something or not, no matter what I try to do. There’s always doubt, unfortunately, and I actually think it’s really OK to just live with imposter syndrome. I mean, if you get to overcome it that’s amazing, but it’s really OK not to. I also don’t see this doubt as necessarily a bad thing, it’s definitely difficult to handle, but it sometimes keeps me from making mistakes, you know. Read more>>
Steph Mahony
I didn’t really have Imposter syndrome until I began pivoting into a new direction I knew nothing about.
The first time I was shown I had a higher calling in my life, was when I began to see visions of myself. In my minds eye I was on stage, in front of a grand auditorium with tens of thousands of people. I was standing there confidently, with my arms wide open, speaking to this crowd with such ease, flow and joy. I was in my zone. The only thing was that none of this was real. I didn’t even have a job that would grant me this sort of opportunity, and on top of that, I was even scared of public speaking at that time. So this vision of me on stage just didn’t make any sense, but yet, it would keep coming to me when I was in this daydreamy mode. Years later I came to learn my higher calling. I was meant to be a Healer, who would one day travel the world, to help people heal, transform, and begin living a life they truly love. That I would be Speaking on stages, teaching people of a better way to live. Read more>>
Laura Imhoff
My initial response is, “Do we ever really overcome imposter syndrome?” For me, that’s a hard no. But with anything I feel like it comes in waves or cycles. When it does rear its ugly head, it’s important to realize that it’s coming from a place of insecurity or anxiety. For me, I always take a step back and evaluate where the anxiety is coming from. Is it that I didn’t put enough effort into one part of my business that month? Am I taking care of myself, mainly, am I getting enough sleep? Am I spending too much time on social media? Have I compared myself to someone else? Read more>>
Deborah Daughetee
I don’t think you ever overcome imposter syndrome. I just finished listening to Barbra Streisand’s biography, and SHE still suffers from it. The only thing you can do is push through the feeling. I suffer from it so often that my husband made me write down a list of my accomplishments and post them beside my computer. The list has all the television shows I’ve written for, as well as new stories I’ve finished, or the anthology I just was in where my story was the first story in the book, or the awards I have been nominated for. It includes the little victories along with the big ones–anything that makes you feel good about what you are doing. Pushing through these feelings is the most important skill you can develop. If you can push through, you will write, you will send out stories, and you will attend conventions or writing retreats. Pushing through the feelings is the real accomplishment. Read more>>
Abdallah Seoud
Overcoming imposter syndrome has been quite a journey for me, especially being from Brazil and now living and working in the US as a filmmaker and entrepreneur. When I first started, I often felt like I didn’t belong, constantly comparing myself to others in the industry. But I realized that my unique perspective is my biggest asset. Embracing what makes my work distinct—my background, experiences, and personal storytelling style—helped me, and still helps, to build confidence in my abilities. Read more>>
James Mckenney
Imposter syndrome hit’s home for me. I didn’t really have a traditional career. Most of my twenties were spent in various retail sales positions and I kind of fell into the tech industry accidentally in the back end of that decade. If I really think about it, those experiences outside of the tech industry are some of the reasons I think I developed some of my greatest skills, but it has also been a big source of my imposter syndrome. I don’t have a technical background, I’m mostly self-taught in everything, and I don’t have the technical knowledge that one might correlate with someone who does what I do. In moments, this has caused me to really second guess myself and even contemplate quitting on numerous occasions. Something I’ve really figured out with this, is that thoughts are just thoughts. Your brain is a thought machine and it is constantly churning out scenarios. A lot of these scenarios, you don’t even realize are being thought up, because they stay in your subconscious. However, negative intrusive thoughts are just like any other thought. They are temporary. If you put one foot in front of the other, even if you are taking baby steps, you will make it though. Once you’ve made it through many times (it’s definitely a painful process), imposter syndrome begins to affect you less and less as you just become more comfortable in your own skin. Just keep going. Read more>>
Julius Bowditch
Not everyone likes everything! For me, overcoming imposter syndrome was all about coming to terms with creating what I like rather than trying to appeal to someone else’s sensibilities. I have friends who hate music that I love dearly, and I don’t like music that friends of mine love. That’s just how it is when it comes to art. Once I accepted this, I felt like I wasn’t an imposter and I was just someone doing my thing. Read more>>
Heartland Gatherings
When we launched Heartland Gatherings, we were just two friends who loved hosting parties so much that we turned it into a business. But, like anyone stepping into something new, we had those “Are we really doing this?” moments. Imposter syndrome definitely tried to sneak in! Read more>>
Jessica Hsu
I think overcoming imposter syndrome as a necessity of growth once we can discipline the mind in a healthy manner. I can’t say that I do not have imposter syndrome. I use it as positive stress to motivate me to strive further and desire for more than what I already have. Everyone has their own way of struggles and feels fear and pain. We often like to share our successes but not many would go into detail and be outspoken of what they had to do to get there. Read more>>
Coltyn Vondeylen
Surprisingly enough it was pretty easy. Since I went to college for music and work full time in music I initially had a lot of trouble with this. I was always average compared to those around me and had to work hard to reach the same level as them. Eventually I felt that I was on par with those around me and then suddenly I was out working full time in the real world. In the real world, however, very few people are as skilled as the people I worked with. In fact, only the others working full time had that skill level. Its hard to feel like an imposter when the only people you see being on par with yourself or better are a small percentage of the population. I by no means think I’m the best, but there are just so few musicians who stick with it for years without giving up that I only know of a handful in my entire city. Read more>>
Sophie Delcoure
Imposter syndrome is almost impossible to “get over”, but the key to keeping it at bay is purely confidence. You must know yourself and trust yourself in order to trust what you do and what you’re marketing and providing. For me, it was evolving my confidence from being an “excellent student” to a “capable teacher and practitioner”. This takes patience, understanding, loving self-talk, and working through any negative self-talk. Working through negative self-talk takes compassion and grace, first and foremost, just as you would give to a loving friend who’s experiencing self-doubt. You must honor those negative thoughts and doubts that surfaced and be grateful! Yes, that sounds crazy at first glance. But the truth is surfacing negativity exposes what you need to internally work on, which means it’s giving you the opportunity to heal more of your insecurities and negativities and at a deeper level. Heal those insecurities, heal those fears! But the only way to do that is to recognize them and honor that they exist in the first place. Only then can you work through and accept imposter syndrome is nothing more than a moment of human fear that can simply be overcome by reminding yourself of who you are and holding a strong belief in your capabilities and what you offer. Read more>>
Kimberly Clark
I overcame imposter syndrome by realizing that my story was mine to tell. Noone could tell my story the way that I could and there were people that needed to hear my story only the way that I tell it. I had to realize that I overcame for a reason and that reason, in part, was to prevent others who were still suffering from having to experience all the sacrifices it took just to learn one lesson. Read more>>
Chris Janssen
When I was in school to become a life coach, we did peer coaching to practice our new skills. I was nervous. My program was specific to those of us who had already completed a graduate degree in psychology, so I was in classes with counselors, psychologists, and psychiatrists. The PhD’s in the classes especially intimidated me. Read more>>
L. “zo” Ruíz
Oh gosh, what a challenging question to begin with. I don’t know that I will ever completely overcome my imposter syndrome. Some days it is crippling. But without a doubt the most effective strategies I’ve employed are
1) I share my feelings of inadequacy even though others see my potential (like my bosses and my students). Read more>>
Ayana Major Bey
I still have moments of imposter syndrome but thankfully because of therapy I can now identify them and stop the spiral in its tracks. I am overcoming imposter syndrome with mantras, like “I am enough”, “I am worthy” and “I am capable”, as well asking myself is this really imposter syndrome or just a moment in the vulnerability hangover state? I’ve also come to the true understanding that no one else on the planet is living my life. No one else is on my journey or has my God given assignment. So, if no one else has my life how can I be an imposter? My life, my lived experience, my essence is mine and no one else’s, so thinking about being an imposter no longer makes sense to me. I am a firm believer that I belong were I am and if I wasn’t meant to be there the opportunity would’ve never presented itself. I also think as an actor I had the limiting belief or thought that I only had “permission” to do other people’s work and not create my own. Once I discovered that no one has to give me permission but me I started to dismantle that limiting belief and expand my own creativity, including the launch of my podcast The Artist Pivot. Read more>>
Kaitlyn Unger
Imposter syndrome is something I’ve wrestled with throughout my journey as a designer and business owner. I would even venture to say that imposter syndrome isn’t really something you overcome, but rather, you learn to face it head-on. Read more>>
Leo Romero
Honestly, I’m still on a journey to fully overcoming imposter syndrome. One of the key steps I’ve taken is to stop comparing myself to other artists. It’s easy to get caught up in the success and talents of those around me, but I’ve realized that I need to focus on my own path. Embracing the idea that I’m in my own lane has been crucial. Recognizing and valuing my unique contributions helps me stay grounded and more confident in my work. Read more>>
Sarah Peterson
I don’t think anyone in a career like photography ever fully overcomes imposter syndrome. It’s all a game of confidence, really. Some days are easier than others. I always like to remind myself (and my team) that photography is fully subjective just like any art form. It’s very easy to take things personal when your brand is a one man show. There will be people that are obsessed with your work and what you bring to the table who make you feel like you’re a superstar, and there will be people who don’t totally vibe with your style, and that’s more than okay! The other tricky part about photography is that it’s often viewed as a hobby instead of a career which can easily downplay your credibility. When you’re going to school to become a doctor, lawyer, accountant, etc – there’s usually a test or certificate at the end that tells people you’re a professional. That doesn’t exist with photography, you just have to have the confidence in your own abilities and skillsets to start telling people you’re a professional. I see so many talented people that definitely have the skillset, but lack the confidence to go all in and represent themselves. If I had one piece of advice for anyone starting out it would be that delusional confidence can get you extremely far! Work on your confidence just as much as you do your skills and marketing efforts and you’ll go far. Read more>>
Kathryn Sauser
Overcoming imposter syndrome was a really really tough journey for me, and the biggest turning point was getting sober. Sobriety allowed me to rebuild my self-esteem and focus on small, achievable goals, one day at a time. Instead of getting caught up in future anxieties or dwelling on past mistakes, I learned to stay present and focus on what I could do today. This mindset shift with sobriety gave me the clarity and mental space I needed to create new opportunities and dedicate more time to my goals. I finally started to believe in myself. Read more>>
Spyder Dobrofsky
I wanted to chat imposter syndrome today. It’s a term that’s thrown out a lot. Especially in the arts. And in the movie industry. Often your role models, and the people who got you into making movies, or acting, or whatever pursuit, seem to be so naturally talented. Effortless. But I’ve found that, if you’re lucky enough to meet them, there’s been a lot of lessons, ten thousand hours of hard work, and craft developed that has given them their confidence. Read more>>
Katy Allen
Imposter Syndrome is something so common and I think this is something everyone wishes we could overcome while unfortunately I do not think that there really is a way to fully overcome it. Ways that help me with imposter syndrome is to simply tell myself “it happens to everyone, even some of the most successful people.” While that was not the only way I try to overcome imposter syndrome I have to really focus on myself, focus on my work, and focus on making my work better than it was yesterday. One of the biggest obstacles is jumping over the thought of comparing your work to others, I definitely had to refrain from going on social media and going on some of my biggest influencers profiles and comparing myself to them and I really had to stop asking myself why I could not be as good as them. (hint: that is the WORST way to do things, don’t ever compare your work to who influences you most, you will just beat yourself down and feel so discouraged, tell yourself “I will be as good as them one day”.). Something I notice myself doing a lot is Reflecting back on my achievements and seeing how far I have come since I started my business, the amount of growth that I had made in 12 months would just honestly make me say “wow”. Looking back like this made me realize that it takes time and lots of learning and so many experiences experience!!! Lastly not being afraid to ask for help, this was so big for me, being a photographer your scared to ask for help from other photographers, thinking they might think you just want to copy them, I learned quick that most photographers are beyond happy when you ask for help and it makes them feel that much better knowing you look up to them for advice. Read more>>
Jessica Snyder
I remember when I first felt the push to start my women’s coaching platform. I was so excited and inspired, my brain was filled with ideas, but I wasn’t quite sure where to start. My husband had gone to school for business and gave me some tips to look at the market, see what else was out there, what was similar, successful, and how it was being done. Believing someone with a degree had the answers, I set off to research only to find myself lost, confused, defeated, and uninspired. I felt like the market was saturated, it was already being done by experts, and I thought “who was I to coach women in all these things.” It felt out of alignment trying to be someone else or do something like someone else. I paused and took a little break, but the push felt stronger and I knew in my heart that I had to continue, that there was still a need for what I had to offer, and that giving up would be a disservice to my future clients. I followed this message. Instead of doing what I “thought” I should do, I leaned in to what I “felt” I should do. That was the biggest shift for me. Out of my mind and into my heart – my intuition. I began to realize that my offerings were special and different from someone else’s because they come from me, they come from my own expertise, my own set of experiences, my own gifts, and nobody else can provide that because nobody else is me. I realized the power in my gifts and what sets me apart. I wrote down all the ways I could help women, what I felt passionate about, and why my offerings would sell, why women would want to hire me, and I began to believe. Believing in your path is where the magic lies and it’s learning how to break molds in a world that has taught us to stay within the box created for us. Now, I have the beautiful opportunity to guide women and teach them how to do the same. Working with female entrepreneurs in this capacity is such a transformative experience to witness them step into their power, embrace their gifts, and believe in their offerings & it sells. We feel when we’re being sold to and we feel ingenuity. People care more about who you are, your authenticity and love for your work, they feel the energy you carry, and recognize the journey of how you got to where you are, and they choose to work with you because of who YOU are. Read more>>
Karley Shaner
I feel as though imposter syndrome and the fear of being seen or heard runs deep for so many. Lack of confidence or a huge ego is often how it appears as a manifestation of such energy in my line of work. I grew up highly motivated, but also highly criticized. My ties to imposter syndrome lead back to some of my most formative years. The years that formed my initial internal monologue. I have had to create most of my success in the faces of those who weren’t necessarily supportive or nurturing. It was never about the pressure to fit in, for me; it was the ability to stand out in the face of adversity. Everyday I make the choice to stand tall in what I have created and envisioned for what I want my life to look like – despite what the old memories past may whisper to me. At the end of the day, it is me vs. me in this game called life. The only person who can stand in the way of my success, ultimately, is me. Read more>>
Ross H. Martin
I don’t believe an artist of any kind or writer completely overcomes imposter syndrome. Artists and writers are often their own worst critics. Even when a work is praised or wins an award we still find something that could be improved. I’ve been writing for over three decades now. My writing has vastly improved. The more knowledgeable I am about screenwriting the more confident I am when tackling a new idea. It’s been easy to become jaded with writing and the whole entertainment business, but when you take on a career in entertainment you have to acknowledge that you’re in for the long game. It’s about the journey. My career has gone in various directions because I was not breaking through as a screenwriter and director. I took up video editing as a backup career. My editing career has stalled out like my screenwriting career before because of not having the right connections. Additionally, I was the founder and festival director of a film festival in Las Vegas, NV. I’m thankful to have had these experiences, but they’re distractions to my main goal, being a professional screenwriter. In the last few years, I’ve been improving my craft. I’ve joined various writers’ groups. Recently, I took a story analysis course. This year I’m reading scripts for the Austin Film Festival. Often I get through a bout of imposter syndrome by getting a fresh new screenplay idea. When the pandemic started I had been re-writing some dark horror and science fiction stories. I wanted to work on something lighter, a comedy. It’s a constant battle to overcome imposter syndrome. I even wrote a short film about my imposter syndrome called “Waiting For Godzilla.” Even well-known writers still suffer from it, but find ways to get past it. It comes down to believing in yourself. I believe that one day one of my screenplays will resonate with a manager or producer and my career will take flight. Read more>>
