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.
Barbara Gerdeman
This is an issue for many artists…we are our own toughest critics and we often don’t feel like “real artists”. Do I dress like an artist? Do I speak like an artist? Do I actually have any artistic ability? To be honest, I’m not sure that I’ve ever completely overcome this, or ever will, but I have made peace with it. I’ve done that by forging meaningful relationships with other creatives and using that support as a foundation. One of our priorities at Creative Liberties is inclusion and I’ve had the epiphany that I am also included. Read More>>
Syd Linkletter
I’ve seen a lot of people who are supposed to be professionals or experts actually suck at their jobs because they don’t care or are really just bad in their field, so I figure if I can care more than them and do better than that, I’m the real deal. Read More>>
Candace Duplessis
When I saw this question, I instantly felt the need to speak on it because this is something that was so persistent in the building of my career. For me, overcoming this was more than hard work. I needed to continue to show up for myself, even in days when I didn’t feel like it. I had a dream of what I wanted to do with my plat form and business, and once I have something set on my heart, I want to accomplish it.. badly. Doing the research, growing in your knowledge, sourcing materials and equipment, that is the easy part. Read More>>
Shawnda Williams
Naturally, my mind immediately jumps to a phrase I have been told repeatedly: “Fake it till you make it.” I think that’s reasonable advice, and if you had asked me this question a few years ago, it would have been just that. Because eventually, the hope is to develop the right amount of confidence that it becomes a reality. However, this is real life, and I don’t want to be a character performing a part and hoping for acceptance or authority. Read More>>
Kira Goff
I think all entrepreneurs, especially ones in creative industries, feel imposter syndrome at some point in their careers, if not often! The online world allows us to see everyone else’s journeys (or what they choose to share of them) on display and it’s made the comparison game increasingly more intense. I still have moments here and there where I doubt myself, but in general I don’t find myself feeling like an imposter anymore and I’d love to share why. Read More>>
Brandon Kaiser
Overcoming imposter syndrome has been an ongoing journey for me as the CEO of Biggest Fan. In a role where I’m constantly driving innovation and challenging the status quo, self-doubt can occasionally creep in. Read More>>
Steve Griggs
This question assumes I HAVE overcome imposter syndrome. Ha! I am, by nature, fairly shy and quiet. When I first started submitting my paintings to juried exhibitions it was intimidating and even though I started winning awards right away I always thought someone would figure out I wasn’t a ‘real artist.’ Eventually I stopped entering shows as an Emerging Artist, if they had that category, and entered as a Professional Artist. I also made the conscious decision to call myself an artist. It felt odd at first but I kept at it. Read More>>
Ryan Woldt
I don’t think that I have. I struggle with it on a daily basis. Most days, I’m grinding forward out of fear of failure or because I don’t know another way to go about my working life. I’m given brief interludes, flashes really, of reprieve during which I surge my efforts forward or take more risks with the brashness and confidence of a young John McEnroe—a younger reader might not get that reference. Think Harry Styles in tennis shorts. Read More>>
Darrell Hester
This is an interesting question because I struggled with imposter syndrome for so long. Imposter syndrome is defined by the feeling that I don’t deserve what I have, and I definitely felt that for such a long time. Read More>>
Christina Collins
Overcoming imposter syndrome has been a personal journey for me. As I faced moments of self-doubt and questioned my own abilities, despite my experience and expertise.
To overcome imposter syndrome, I adopted several strategies. Firstly, I reminded myself of my accomplishments and the positive feedback I received from clients and peers. Reflecting on these achievements helped me recognize my value and capabilities. Read More>>
Sascha Illyvich
Warning, darling reader. I’m adjusting to my new graveyard shift, and it’s been a learning experience.. What this means to you, darling reader, is I have no filter. Be thankful this isn’t a day I choose to drink first thing after work, at 8 AM! Read More>>
Olivia Stafne
I think every artist deals with imposter syndrome at some point. It is pretty scary when you start to land bigger projects that pay a lot more than what you’re used to, and it’s easy to feel like you’re going to do something to disappoint your client. I have a very complex and intelligent mantra that I’ve started to tell myself, and it’s this: be delusional! Just believe that there are no rules in life, because there aren’t- especially in the art world. Believe that you can be successful and that you can land these huge deals, because who says you can’t? You are just as qualified as anyone else, honey! Be silly. Be delusional. Roll with the opportunities that come. Read More>>
Kissa Webb
mposter syndrome can be quite daunting, but as a 38-year-old maternity photographer living in Atlanta, Georgia, and a proud graduate of the illustrious Clark Atlanta University, I know that I have the strength to conquer it. I remind myself of our motto, “find a way or make one,” and realize that success doesn’t mean never feeling doubt or fear, but rather persisting in spite of those emotions. I’ve learned that seeking help and support from my loved ones, friends, and mentors is essential. Shout out to Tomayia Colvin Education for pushing me in the direction I needed. Read More>>
Rachel Simon
I am not sure there is anyone that doesn’t feel like a fraud at some point in their life/ career. When I started my business, Connect the Dots Digital, I had massive imposter syndrome. I was putting myself out there as an “expert” on LinkedIn and was constantly comparing myself to the bigger names in my field. I would think to myself, “why would anyone want to work with me?” or wondering if they would see through the facade. But over time, as I started seeing results for my clients, my confidence grew. And I was lucky to be invited on some podcasts early on where I practiced talking about myself, my business and the value I offered. I also built relationships with many of those LinkedIn “experts” many of whom have become friends and collaborators. Read More>>
Prof. Phelyx Hopkins
Great news! The most important thing one should absorb about impostor syndrome is that it affects most of us. Truly. In fact, while psychology is a major element in my work, I am not a psychologist. However, it is my firm belief that those who do not experience impostor syndrome are folks who are on a neurodivergent spectrum that I believe is still being properly identified (I actually believe we are all “on the spectrum”). You see?! I am running off track already! Read More>>
Joshua Ingram
I overcome imposter syndrome by shear force of will. No, not really. I can be caught up with two types of imposter syndrome and I’ll explain how I deal with both. The first is more obvious in that I know I’m not the best musician around, wasn’t a great student of music, didn’t finish my music degree, and am not world famous. That makes it feel like I shouldn’t be audacious enough to believe I can make a living at it. Read More>>
Ashlyn Baker
If I’m being honest. This is still something I struggle with on a daily. The feeling of inadequacy seems to be at the forefront of most opportunities that are presented to me. It’s just so important to remember “it wouldn’t be given to you if you weren’t capable”. This is what pushes me forward. Read More>>
Malik Sails
I love this question. It truly challenges me to look within and ask myself if I had overcame imposter syndrome. I quickly asserted myself, I have because I said I had. At that moment it also answered the question, I overcame imposter syndrome because I declared to myself without a shadow of a doubt I am what I say I am, needing no outside validation and letting no outside factor alter my sense of confidence; and actions of the person I said I was kept following, almost automatically. If I am so strong to believe it, I am who I say I am. Read More>>
Alisha Belton
First off by praying and believing that I am enough. God made me special in his image so there is no need alter that in order to please others.I celebrate every win whether it’s big or small. So many times social media plays this big role in our lives making us believe that you’re only a Winner if you have that nice car or big house which is not true. If you believe you are a winner then you are no matter what anyone says. Read More>>
Morgan Leigh
Low self esteem, self consciousness, anxiety are all results of comparison. Social media creates a sense of false reality. It’s hard to tell the difference between what’s real, and what’s fake. Comparing your abilities with people on social media can result in Imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome makes you doubt your abilities, and question whether you are deserving of accolades. Imposter syndrome affects high achieving people who find it difficult to accept their accomplishments. When experiencing imposter syndrome I found myself taking frequent breaks from social media to really focus on what I had going on. Read More>>
Tyler Goliday
I am big distancing myself from people. I really like my solitude and I think most of the time people conform to what the people they are around are doing thats not even apart of their own interest or purpose and fall into highlights people post of themselves on social media. The best way I overcome it is just ghosting the world and staying myself and a genuine circle of friends. Read More>>
Antinese Stinson
I overcome imposter syndrome with slot of prayer. By always working on my mindset, I speak positivity in my life and surround myself with people that speak life over me. I always have people that encourage me to strive to be a better woman. Read More>>
Haley Ingram
For me, dealing with imposter syndrome is more of a continuous process than a one-time victory.
The first thing I’ve learned is to stop comparing myself to others. Everyone’s on their own unique journey, right? So, comparing my progress or where I am in my career with someone else’s just doesn’t make any sense. Read More>>
Christine Ott
This has always been such a struggle for me. I still give others credit for what I do. I’m worried that maybe an idea really did come from another person. Or that I will sound conceited if I praise myself; that I need to defer to another person to take the credit instead of just saying “thank you” for a compliment. I want to give credit where credit is due but have a tendency to err on the side of not taking any credit for myself. I always assume the other person will pay it back but that doesn’t always happen. Read More>>
Melissa Mercilliott
It’s a work in progress. The more you work on something, the more comfortable you get and then you realize that everyone else also feels like that at some point too. Time and experience helped me feel more confident, but I never want to come off that I know everything because I don’t, and no one does. I can only share what I know and try help others along the way. I just tell myself- I’m here and I’m doing the thing, so I must not be an imposter. Read More>>
Amy Watt
This is going to sound absolutely silly and ironic, but I feel like I’ve overcome imposter syndrome while telling myself that I don’t have to overcome it. With that, I just continually push myself to keep creating. There will be moments with every art piece I create where I tell myself “this isn’t going to be good, or “this isn’t good enough” but I push past it until I get to the finished result. My process can include a lot of anger, sadness, frustration, and really low-self worth. This stems from an abusive childhood in which I never knew I was worthy of love. So now, as an artist, there are moments when I falter. But when I finish a piece and I see how it changes someone else’s world, something I created, I feel like a worthy, magical being. Not an imposter at all. Read More>>
Isaiah Green
I remember the first group fitness class I taught, it had about 60-70 people in the gym. It was destined after that point. Imposter syndrome comes from not putting in the work. I put in the work day in and day out, I spent thousands and thousands of dollars on my continuing education, I spent countless hours trying to understanding anatomy, biomechanics of human movement, boxing trying to be the best trainer out there. When you put in the work confidence comes and whatever syndrome you think or thought you have has now been cured with doing the work. Read More>>
Shelby Wilburn
In a world of double taps, reactions, and saves, we continue to search for contentment in our own skin. The problem? A digital heart doesn’t nearly encompass the one beating inside our chest, yet we often prioritize it. Rather than trusting who we are, we look to the outside world to tell us just how great we are. Read More>>
Abria Anderson
I had to get to a point where I truly believed that I belonged in every room I was blessed to be in. Even when I wasn’t the “best” in the room, I knew the favor over my life would take me places no skill could. Now, I walk into every room and sit at every table like I know I’m suppose to be there. What’s for me is for me. Read More>>
