From Self-Doubt to Self-Assurance: Saying Goodbye to Imposter Syndrome

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.

Nadia Hagen

I didn’t. I read through all the questions and they all assume a certain finality of accomplishment that I don’t think I have in any of these areas. Read more>>

Piper Olivas

Imposter syndrome happens to me all the time, in my own practice as an artist and within the Gallery world. I think the best way to overcome it is to remember that everyone started somewhere. Read more>>

Justin Kaleb

I always try to surround myself with better musicians than me, and as long as I keep doing that I’m not sure that I’ll ever quite overcome imposter syndrome. Read more>>

Jamie Campbell

Imposter syndrome is something that plagues a lot of us at one time or another. I think the reason is that society tends to make people defend their right to exist within their chosen space. Read more>>

Justin Dominguez

Overcoming imposter syndrome was tough. I’m a completely self-taught cake artist. I didn’t attend culinary school. My journey into cakes was through art and not baking originally. I was often intimated by other cake artists because I never had their training, But I was lucky enough to compete on a show on the Food Network last year, which is a wild thing to say.. I met the most intimidating group of bakers I’ve ever met in my entire life. They were (still are) a very impressive group of humans. Read more>>

Jessica Ozoude

I overcame imposter syndrome by reminding myself of my journey, of getting to where I’m currently at careerwise; due to my work ethic, networking and trial and error. I see my counterparts as equals, I try my best to place no one higher or lower than me in status. We are all humans with unique or similar callings, skills, purposes and gifts meant to be aware of and lived out at its own timing. I accept myself and my path and have gratitude for the doors that open up for me. Read more>>

Heather Rae Miller

Ah, imposter syndrome. I can not pinpoint the exact moment I overcame imposter syndrome. I definitely had it for a long. I have been doing this so long I think over time I just stopped thinking of it as imposter syndrome and more like I’m just having a bad day or I am off my game for some reason not that I’m not good enough. I try to remind myself that I am doing really well although there are days where maybe I just need to learn more because there is always more to learn. I just try to switch my way of thinking about it when it creeps up. Read more>>

Jazeera Aitzhanova

My entrepreneurial journey began almost a decade ago. The prospect of owning my own business and helping others to realize their potential was enticing. I had a strong passion for marketing and knew that it could make a huge difference for small business owners. But, little did I know that it wasn’t just the entrepreneurial rollercoaster that I was about to embark upon, but also a personal journey of self-discovery and overcoming imposter syndrome. Read more>>

Heidi Ledger

I don’t think I have! I own and operate a retail store, but I was fired from the one and only retail job I ever had at Urban Outfitters. I have always been a very humble person, I think it’s because of values that my parents instilled in me. I think there is a lot of value in being humble, but I am working on having healthy pride in the things that I accomplish, and in celebrating myself and my achievements. Read more>>

Dominique

Imposter Syndrome is real, and I never realized how much it affected me until I started doing my shadow work. If you’re wondering what shadow work is It is simply Taking the time and energy to work with your unconscious mind to uncover the parts of yourself that you repress and hide from yourself. Read more>>

Gabriella Woodson Terry

Many of times I am the only one in the room that looks like me. I am 32, bi-racial and a female business owner. I started my company at 25 years old, so I am use to being the youngest one in the room. Then add in a women and a minority and people look! With that being said, I use to always wonder if I was good enough? Did I deserve to be here? Could someone else do this better then me? Then I stopped and took a good look at my life, what I was doing for others, how I was impacting the community and how my company was helping others! How could I be an imposter? Read more>>

Kelly Mabee

Imposter syndrome is sneaky. Even though I struggled off and on the first year of my business, I didn’t realize the fullness until I was in the middle of an order that I took no joy in completing. Social media and various sources of influence are extremely helpful as you learn a craft, however it can be a pipeline to copying someone else’s work that you find respectable. Each specialty has a myriad of experts and it is tempting to evolve with them rather than creating original ideas. Read more>>

D.Lisa West

I’m not sure how I overcame imposter syndrome, with each new role I take on in life, it comes up again.? Read more>>

Jack The Underdog

Imposter syndrome is something I’ve dealt with throughout my music career. In working to overcome it, I have 2 main tidbits of knowledge I try to keep in mind. 1) you are your own worst critic, and 2) you are the only person that can do what you’re doing. Even if you’re not the best singer, painter, artist, etc., you are the only you, and no one can replicate your creativity, your brain, your personality, your motivations, and your feelings. I am a huge fan of diversity in art, so I appreciate seeing or hearing something that feels unique, individual, or different. Read more>>

Emily Rener

The easiest way to overcome imposter syndrome is to realize everyone, even at the highest level, feels and experiences doubts and concerns, and oftentimes feels like an imposter. I think there is a misconception in the entrepreneurial community, that people know exactly what they are doing, no matter where they started or where they come from, which I have found is pretty much not true 99% of the time. Read more>>

Megan Gersch

I don’t think there’s any “overcoming” imposter syndrome, to be honest. You can acknowledge it. You can choose to push past it… but I don’t think it ever really goes away completely. Read more>>

Riya Rose

When I started holding space I was so nervous. I would spend hours reading all the information I could get my hands on and meticulously planning what I would do. I didn’t think my energy was enough, I didn’t think I was enough to hold the space without having all the information there was to have. Fast forward years of studying, so many teachers, certifications and spaces held and that feeling of “not enough” was still there. I was still a victim to imposter syndrome. Read more>>

Kalyn Bell

Imposter syndrome has become well known in the business world and almost everyone has it. Lots of people miss opportunities because of it. I was in a class with a group of women from all over the world when I first realized what it was. One of the first questions we were asked when we started was: Do you think you have imposter syndrome? Everyone but ONE person said yes. Read more>>

Jaimee Davis

As a young child I remember feeling that I did not belong, was not worthy enough, and should everyone else really know what situation I can from see it too and judge my place. Through a series of harsh upbringings, my mother dying, father remarrying into yet another unstable environment, and people who were free with comments but not helpful only exacerbated the situation within me. Read more>>

Mercedes Meranda

Taking the leap and putting your work out there can be really scary. Something that inspired me to start was watching other photographers videos and stories. I loved learning where they came from and the steps they took to build their business. It was extremely inspiring to see the photos they took in their early career/their lifestyle/etc – vs now. Some of my favorite celebrities (Britney, Taylor, Lady Gaga) inspire me too because they also started out small with big dreams. Read more>>

Ebonee Hammonds-Copeland

I became aware of the fact that I had imposter syndrome just a few years ago. I was at an event where they were speaking about it, and it dawned on me that I definitely had it! Shortly after that I started talking to other successful people that I knew who also have experienced imposter syndrome. It was through conversations and some reading of my own that I learned some ways to overcome it. Read more>>

Hailie Tebo

Imposter syndrome seems to be a thing that a lot of people can relate to, especially those just getting started in their careers. With photography, I don’t think imposter syndrome ever fully goes away, but it definitely gets better. I got through the initial imposter syndrome by just simply continuing on. Obviously when you’re just getting started in some thing, most people are going to be better than you, but you can’t get discouraged. Read more>>

Lataysha Harley

To be honest it’s still a work in progress. When you start celebrating every single win you have big or small you’ll start appreciate everything 10x more. I just feel like maybe it started when we were younger when others down played or treated your wins as minor or didn’t acknowledge them at all. I started doing a gratitude list every morning by naming 10 things I am grateful for starting with the minor things first. Because if we don’t appreciate the small things we’ll never appreciate things when they get maximum size that includes wins. Read more>>

Lauren Kovacik

Like every creative, I have struggled with imposter syndrome and thinking my work isn’t good enough to be serving my clients. I run into not wanting to work on galleries or re-editing photos because I can’t get my images to look like X photographer on Instagram. Social media, while being an amazing tool to share work and market to your clients, can also be your worst enemy. Comparison is the thief of all joy, and spending hours scrolling through social media comparing yourself to others just makes that imposter syndrome worse. Read more>>

Loveli Brown

How did you overcome imposter syndrome? Read more>>

Diana Cordoba

Imposter syndrome is so funny because it is something that so many of us struggle with but it is not spoken about often. Overcoming imposter syndrome was a transformative journey that required a profound shift in my mindset and self-perception. As I gradually recognized that my doubts and insecurities were merely unfounded self-criticisms, I learned to embrace my accomplishments and acknowledge my unique strengths. Read more>>

Cristabel Clack

I think it’s important to know who you are and have confidence in yourself and your abilities, so that when you see what others are doing or posting on social media, you aren’t tempted to try something that isn’t you. You will be the influencer and the trailblazer when you know who you are. You won’t ever feel the need to impersonate or copy anyone else. Read more>>