How did you overcome imposter syndrome?

We’ve got some of the most incredible artists, creatives and entrepreneurs in our community and we are constantly shocked by how prevalent imposter syndrome is. So many incredibly talented folks are haunted by self-doubt by a society that often tells you not to think too highly of yourself, but in order to have the strength to take on big challenges and make meaningful change in the world you’ve got to believe in yourself and so we wanted to create a space for conversations around overcoming imposter syndrome.

Wendy Golding

Imposter syndrome is a hard mentality to overcome more most. I honestly think you never fully overcome it either. As for me, I’m always battling the thoughts that I’m not doing enough or I don’t deserve the success I’ve reached thus far. My best defense mechanism to those thoughts is to remind me that my greatest accomplishment is that I’m putting smiles on many faces through my passion for inclusive ice cream treats! I remind myself that I work very hard and I’m allowed to be proud of my work and my accomplishments. Read more>>

Katia Kianpour

What an interesting question… I honestly don’t think I’ve overcome this quite yet. I have learned to live with the knowledge that I will always question my work and question my competency. I rarely have truly loved something I have made and put out into the world first myself. Beyond a shadow of a doubt. It’s almost as if I self sabotage everything and break it apart into pieces convincing myself it’s not good enough. Or that it can be better. Or that someone else can do this better than me. No matter how hard I work on something or how well it is received. Maybe I’m a cynic at heart but It’s a really hard world to please and impress these days. Especially as a creative. But as I’ve gotten older I have learned to quiet those thoughts that always creep up in my mind each day. I’ve gotten better at accepting the fact that I do deserve to be here. That I did earn this. That the time I have spent on this project, or this relationship, or this job was well done and well within the best of my ability. You almost need to surrender to those anxious thoughts. Especially as a woman these days in male driven industries. Everyone deserves to feel accomplished for the work they put in. To feel equal and accepted. You deserve to be here and be heard and succeed just as much as everyone else when you put the time and work into something. Again, I don’t think I’ve overcome imposter syndrome in my work and life just yet. Maybe I never will, but I think I can learn to live in harmony with it more than I used to before. Read more>>

Emily George

I’m not sure if I’ve fully overcome imposter syndrome but after starting my business it was something I was consistently battling. I do not have a degree in business, have never owned a business and have never not worked a 9-5 job, so I constantly had self-doubt about whether I was smart enough or good enough to own a business. I constantly asked myself, “what do I say when someone asks me what I do for a living?”. The answer should be “I’m a small business owner”, but I never truly believed it. As of 2023, I am going into the 3rd successful year in my career of being a salon owner/lash artist and I have never felt more proud. It’s an internal, constant reminder to myself that I’m not a fraud and that I am running a successful business. I remind myself that “the proof is in the pudding”. I have a salon space that I’ve held for 2 years and contracted lash artists that have been with me from 1-2 years and counting. The fact that I have built a return on my initial investment of starting the business within the first year says a lot. It also helps that I have such supportive family, friends and clients that validate my success as a business owner. Some other things I do to overcome imposter syndrome is by making realistic, measurable goals. I also remind myself that “Rome wasn’t built in a day”. Lash + Luxury has come a long way in the last two years. I continue by taking things one day at a time. Each day is a new opportunity to tell and show that little voice in my head that I am successful and I will continue to be in the lash industry. Read more>>

The Messenger

All of my life, I’ve always wanted to be different. As I kid I was teased because I did certain things that didn’t seem to be normal to others. I always wanted to stand out from the crowd. I never wanted to look like or sound like anybody else. In high school, I would wear my dad’s suits to my basketball games because I wanted to look professional as possible. When it comes to my music, I always wanted to be remembered as The Messenger. I’m the artist that can’t be boxed in. I have my own sound and my own swag. Read more>>

Nicole Miller

I started Miller Massage in 2017, after leaving a very nice day spa inside Sun City Grand. I had no clients and no clue what I was doing but knew I something had to change in my situation. I rented a little 10×10 suite and hit the ground running, teaching myself EVERYTHING along the way. I learned from trial and many errors, learning new skills all in the name of saving money. I needed a website so I learned how to build it. I wanted to be on the first page of google so I learned SEO. I needed to manage my books, I learned how to do it. I continued building these skills totally unrelated to massage or the treatment room but just as valuable to the business. After awhile, that self doubting voice who had held my dream back for years, had reared its nasty head again. ” You’re a fraud. You don’t know what you’re doing. You’re going to mess this up and go out of business.” Some days that voice is louder than others. On those days I remind myself that I’ve built this business from nothing. I’ve accomplished more in six years than I’ve ever accomplished in my life! I now own the day spa inside Sun City Grand, the same one I left years ago. Could an imposter do all that? Read more>>

 Julie Schumer

I have always had a bit of imposter syndrome. It comes from growing up in a family that valued achievement highly. I am also a perfectionist by nature. As a way of overcoming this I have faked confidence until I really felt it, celebrated all successes and worked hard at developing self-compassion. But the most important thing is I always tried to take on challenges that scared me and have never let fear hold me back. For example, I taught workshops before I thought I was really ready, eliminating the self-talk about why anyone would want to take a painting class from me. When the pandemic first started I realized I would have to take my live workshops online, which I knew nothing about in terms of the process of creating an online course, marketing it and the technology involved. So I took an online course in how to create an online course and developed my own course while learning from the course I was taking. And never looked back. I also launched my course knowing it wasn’t perfect, there was more I could do but I thought I could wait forever tinkering with it so I had best just put it out there. That experience went a long way in helping me overcome my imposter syndrome. Read more>>

Hanako M Ricks

You know, I’m not really sure that I *have* overcome it – yet. When that little voice inside of your head has whispered for so long it can be hard to hear over the noise. Thankfully, I do have a really great support system of cheerleaders who have pushed me, inspired me, and encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone and ignore the negative thoughts to do what I love – which is to talk about nerdy things. Also, as I get older and I see these younger generations pushing away from societal “norms” and embracing their voices fully, it is getting easier to stop looking at myself as one voice lost in the crowd and to start thinking of myself as someone with a unique voice, and with something valuable to offer. Read more>>

Jiamin Kino Wu

I don’t think I have completely overcome imposter syndrome yet, but it has improved over time. It’s important to understand that everyone starts from somewhere and no one expects you to know everything immediately. It takes time to get accustomed to a new environment and workflow. To help combat imposter syndrome, try to surround yourself with supportive individuals and practice self-compassion. Treat yourself with the same kindness and understanding that you would offer to a friend. Read more>>

 

Kristina Johnson

I think that I overcame my imposter syndrome by finally believing in myself. It took quite a long time, but after doing social media management for 10 years+ I realized my worth, my education on the subject and my confidence. Read more>>

Laura Lee Townsend

Imposter syndrome can be common whenever you’re starting a new endeavor. However, mental health professionals like myself are especially prone to it because the pressure to conquer all your own problems before you can help others with theirs feels palpable and necessary. Read more>>

Katy Girlinghouse

As a Physical Therapy clinic owner, I struggled with imposter syndrome for a significant period of my career. The feeling of not being good enough or knowledgeable enough to run a successful business was overwhelming at times. However, with time and experience, I learned to overcome this and emerge as a confident business owner. Read more>>

Robyn Newmark

imposter syndrome is one of the things that I think people struggle with the most, including myself. Until I realized that it is the passing of information from one person to another that makes this world go around. We continue to build and innovate on the information that comes before us, making improvements along the way, and taking a new information. The truth is, we are all different, and we can never do anything exactly the same as another person even school teachers who are given the exact same curriculum to teach others, will do it better or differently I think the biggest part of overcoming the imposter syndrome is surrendering the idea that you were trying to take or be some thing versus be part of the flow of giving . Read more>>

Rylton Thomas

This is a very interesting question being that I personally am in the process of overcoming imposter syndrome and fully believing in my skills and talent. I takes a lot in this society to be able to fully express yourself without hate, jealousy, or backlash which causes one to doubt themselves and/or creativity. The first step in overcoming imposter syndrome would be understanding the fact that you wouldn’t be where you are in the current moment if it weren’t for your talent, skills, etc. Once grasping that concept its then about putting your best foot forward each day regardless of what you may think comes after that. Read more>>

Jennifer Decker

I was so relieved when I learned that ‘imposter syndrome’ was a real thing, and that it wasn’t just me who worried I wasn’t good enough. When I started my company, I had acting experience, but everything it took to run a theater company I had to learn on my own as issues came up. I really had no help or mentor in the process of this. Because of this, I was often very insecure about whether I should be doing what I was doing. As my company became more well-known, we began to attract some really amazing artists, and that’s when I started realizing that I was only just an ‘okay’ actor, not great like some of the people I then had access to. So I spent a LOT of time struggling with imposter syndrome, wondering if I should quit before everyone found out I shouldn’t be among them. Read more>>

Mae Renee

I honestly had never heard of “Imposter Syndrome” when I first started out, and I wish so much that I had. I had no idea why I felt the way I did when creating my art, wondering if what I had made was even worthy enough to be viewed amongst all the amazing and talented people that I admire in my industry, obsessing literally over every detail of what I was making to ensure perfection, and then feeling crappy when I eventually didn’t post because I had convinced myself that I didn’t like what I had made or have a project not hit the way I thought it would and then feel like what I had made was mediocre at best. Like was I even really a Model? What was I doing? Read more>>

Ian L. Haddock

I don’t know if you ever truly get over imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is built into the very fabric of how society is structured where people who aren’t afforded particular capabilities and capacities are made to feel substandard to the rest of the population. All the way back to grade school where standardized tests were used to equate intelligence to adulthood where class, gender, weight, and race play a part of the societal elite, we find that it is engrained into our psyche to believe we must judge our worthiness on the next individual. In this way, overcoming imposter syndrome is a continuous cycle of re-languaging, reframing, and recentering on purpose. For me, the journey is in getting clear that even if we all define success within the same parameters, i.e. wealth, influence, and societal acceptance, the journey will be different. And the journey is where you find the value; the outcomes of success are but a response to the inputs of the journey. My journey won’t look like reality television stars, politicians, and other business owners– and that is not devaluing anyone’s experience. This is simply the context in which I can celebrate the accomplishments where they are while feeling ‘comfortable in my skin, cozy with who I am’. Read more>>

Shay Katebe

When I first started my business, Shay K Events, I went through some serious imposter syndrome. I questioned why I felt I could run a business when I had never done it before. I questioned my wedding and event planning skills even though I had planned numerous events at that point in my life. I questioned why I felt I could even make it in this industry when there are so many other talented planners in the area. Eventually, I had a come-to-Jesus moment with myself. I had to stop myself from playing the comparison game. I had to remind myself that there is only one me. No one can do me better than myself. I had to get over my fear of failing. I had to speak the truth to myself. I am not a fraud. I am really good at planning fun events. I handle stress well, which makes me good at taking on other people’s stress. That’s a huge part of wedding and event planning. I may have never run an official business before, but I knew people who had and by surrounding myself with them, I could learn more about how to run a successful business. Read more>>

Kanithea Powell

Imposter syndrome….What an interesting idea… Here is what I know…I show up as me in every room I walk in to. There is no place that I am invited to that I do not feel like I belong. I am confident In me and the magical ideas I bring to the table. If I’m in the room, Im suppose to be there. They need me and my ideas at the table. Period. Read more>>

 

Private: How did you overcome imposter syndrome?

Wendy Golding

Imposter syndrome is a hard mentality to overcome more most. I honestly think you never fully overcome it either. As for me, I’m always battling the thoughts that I’m not doing enough or I don’t deserve the success I’ve reached thus far. My best defense mechanism to those thoughts is to remind me that my greatest accomplishment is that I’m putting smiles on many faces through my passion for inclusive ice cream treats! I remind myself that I work very hard and I’m allowed to be proud of my work and my accomplishments. Read more>>

Katia Kianpour

What an interesting question… I honestly don’t think I’ve overcome this quite yet. I have learned to live with the knowledge that I will always question my work and question my competency. I rarely have truly loved something I have made and put out into the world first myself. Beyond a shadow of a doubt. It’s almost as if I self sabotage everything and break it apart into pieces convincing myself it’s not good enough. Or that it can be better. Or that someone else can do this better than me. No matter how hard I work on something or how well it is received. Maybe I’m a cynic at heart but It’s a really hard world to please and impress these days. Especially as a creative. But as I’ve gotten older I have learned to quiet those thoughts that always creep up in my mind each day. I’ve gotten better at accepting the fact that I do deserve to be here. That I did earn this. That the time I have spent on this project, or this relationship, or this job was well done and well within the best of my ability. You almost need to surrender to those anxious thoughts. Especially as a woman these days in male driven industries. Everyone deserves to feel accomplished for the work they put in. To feel equal and accepted. You deserve to be here and be heard and succeed just as much as everyone else when you put the time and work into something. Again, I don’t think I’ve overcome imposter syndrome in my work and life just yet. Maybe I never will, but I think I can learn to live in harmony with it more than I used to before. Read more>>

Emily George

I’m not sure if I’ve fully overcome imposter syndrome but after starting my business it was something I was consistently battling. I do not have a degree in business, have never owned a business and have never not worked a 9-5 job, so I constantly had self-doubt about whether I was smart enough or good enough to own a business. I constantly asked myself, “what do I say when someone asks me what I do for a living?”. The answer should be “I’m a small business owner”, but I never truly believed it. As of 2023, I am going into the 3rd successful year in my career of being a salon owner/lash artist and I have never felt more proud. It’s an internal, constant reminder to myself that I’m not a fraud and that I am running a successful business. I remind myself that “the proof is in the pudding”. I have a salon space that I’ve held for 2 years and contracted lash artists that have been with me from 1-2 years and counting. The fact that I have built a return on my initial investment of starting the business within the first year says a lot. It also helps that I have such supportive family, friends and clients that validate my success as a business owner. Some other things I do to overcome imposter syndrome is by making realistic, measurable goals. I also remind myself that “Rome wasn’t built in a day”. Lash + Luxury has come a long way in the last two years. I continue by taking things one day at a time. Each day is a new opportunity to tell and show that little voice in my head that I am successful and I will continue to be in the lash industry. Read more>>

The Messenger

All of my life, I’ve always wanted to be different. As I kid I was teased because I did certain things that didn’t seem to be normal to others. I always wanted to stand out from the crowd. I never wanted to look like or sound like anybody else. In high school, I would wear my dad’s suits to my basketball games because I wanted to look professional as possible. When it comes to my music, I always wanted to be remembered as The Messenger. I’m the artist that can’t be boxed in. I have my own sound and my own swag. Read more>>

Nicole Miller

I started Miller Massage in 2017, after leaving a very nice day spa inside Sun City Grand. I had no clients and no clue what I was doing but knew I something had to change in my situation. I rented a little 10×10 suite and hit the ground running, teaching myself EVERYTHING along the way. I learned from trial and many errors, learning new skills all in the name of saving money. I needed a website so I learned how to build it. I wanted to be on the first page of google so I learned SEO. I needed to manage my books, I learned how to do it. I continued building these skills totally unrelated to massage or the treatment room but just as valuable to the business. After awhile, that self doubting voice who had held my dream back for years, had reared its nasty head again. ” You’re a fraud. You don’t know what you’re doing. You’re going to mess this up and go out of business.” Some days that voice is louder than others. On those days I remind myself that I’ve built this business from nothing. I’ve accomplished more in six years than I’ve ever accomplished in my life! I now own the day spa inside Sun City Grand, the same one I left years ago. Could an imposter do all that? Read more>>

 Julie Schumer

I have always had a bit of imposter syndrome. It comes from growing up in a family that valued achievement highly. I am also a perfectionist by nature. As a way of overcoming this I have faked confidence until I really felt it, celebrated all successes and worked hard at developing self-compassion. But the most important thing is I always tried to take on challenges that scared me and have never let fear hold me back. For example, I taught workshops before I thought I was really ready, eliminating the self-talk about why anyone would want to take a painting class from me. When the pandemic first started I realized I would have to take my live workshops online, which I knew nothing about in terms of the process of creating an online course, marketing it and the technology involved. So I took an online course in how to create an online course and developed my own course while learning from the course I was taking. And never looked back. I also launched my course knowing it wasn’t perfect, there was more I could do but I thought I could wait forever tinkering with it so I had best just put it out there. That experience went a long way in helping me overcome my imposter syndrome. Read more>>

Hanako M Ricks

You know, I’m not really sure that I *have* overcome it – yet. When that little voice inside of your head has whispered for so long it can be hard to hear over the noise. Thankfully, I do have a really great support system of cheerleaders who have pushed me, inspired me, and encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone and ignore the negative thoughts to do what I love – which is to talk about nerdy things. Also, as I get older and I see these younger generations pushing away from societal “norms” and embracing their voices fully, it is getting easier to stop looking at myself as one voice lost in the crowd and to start thinking of myself as someone with a unique voice, and with something valuable to offer. Read more>>

Jiamin Kino Wu

I don’t think I have completely overcome imposter syndrome yet, but it has improved over time. It’s important to understand that everyone starts from somewhere and no one expects you to know everything immediately. It takes time to get accustomed to a new environment and workflow. To help combat imposter syndrome, try to surround yourself with supportive individuals and practice self-compassion. Treat yourself with the same kindness and understanding that you would offer to a friend. Read more>>

 

Kristina Johnson

I think that I overcame my imposter syndrome by finally believing in myself. It took quite a long time, but after doing social media management for 10 years+ I realized my worth, my education on the subject and my confidence. Read more>>

Laura Lee Townsend

Imposter syndrome can be common whenever you’re starting a new endeavor. However, mental health professionals like myself are especially prone to it because the pressure to conquer all your own problems before you can help others with theirs feels palpable and necessary. Read more>>

Katy Girlinghouse

As a Physical Therapy clinic owner, I struggled with imposter syndrome for a significant period of my career. The feeling of not being good enough or knowledgeable enough to run a successful business was overwhelming at times. However, with time and experience, I learned to overcome this and emerge as a confident business owner. Read more>>

Robyn Newmark

imposter syndrome is one of the things that I think people struggle with the most, including myself. Until I realized that it is the passing of information from one person to another that makes this world go around. We continue to build and innovate on the information that comes before us, making improvements along the way, and taking a new information. The truth is, we are all different, and we can never do anything exactly the same as another person even school teachers who are given the exact same curriculum to teach others, will do it better or differently I think the biggest part of overcoming the imposter syndrome is surrendering the idea that you were trying to take or be some thing versus be part of the flow of giving . Read more>>

Rylton Thomas

This is a very interesting question being that I personally am in the process of overcoming imposter syndrome and fully believing in my skills and talent. I takes a lot in this society to be able to fully express yourself without hate, jealousy, or backlash which causes one to doubt themselves and/or creativity. The first step in overcoming imposter syndrome would be understanding the fact that you wouldn’t be where you are in the current moment if it weren’t for your talent, skills, etc. Once grasping that concept its then about putting your best foot forward each day regardless of what you may think comes after that. Read more>>

Jennifer Decker

I was so relieved when I learned that ‘imposter syndrome’ was a real thing, and that it wasn’t just me who worried I wasn’t good enough. When I started my company, I had acting experience, but everything it took to run a theater company I had to learn on my own as issues came up. I really had no help or mentor in the process of this. Because of this, I was often very insecure about whether I should be doing what I was doing. As my company became more well-known, we began to attract some really amazing artists, and that’s when I started realizing that I was only just an ‘okay’ actor, not great like some of the people I then had access to. So I spent a LOT of time struggling with imposter syndrome, wondering if I should quit before everyone found out I shouldn’t be among them. Read more>>

Mae Renee

I honestly had never heard of “Imposter Syndrome” when I first started out, and I wish so much that I had. I had no idea why I felt the way I did when creating my art, wondering if what I had made was even worthy enough to be viewed amongst all the amazing and talented people that I admire in my industry, obsessing literally over every detail of what I was making to ensure perfection, and then feeling crappy when I eventually didn’t post because I had convinced myself that I didn’t like what I had made or have a project not hit the way I thought it would and then feel like what I had made was mediocre at best. Like was I even really a Model? What was I doing? Read more>>

Ian L. Haddock

I don’t know if you ever truly get over imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is built into the very fabric of how society is structured where people who aren’t afforded particular capabilities and capacities are made to feel substandard to the rest of the population. All the way back to grade school where standardized tests were used to equate intelligence to adulthood where class, gender, weight, and race play a part of the societal elite, we find that it is engrained into our psyche to believe we must judge our worthiness on the next individual. In this way, overcoming imposter syndrome is a continuous cycle of re-languaging, reframing, and recentering on purpose. For me, the journey is in getting clear that even if we all define success within the same parameters, i.e. wealth, influence, and societal acceptance, the journey will be different. And the journey is where you find the value; the outcomes of success are but a response to the inputs of the journey. My journey won’t look like reality television stars, politicians, and other business owners– and that is not devaluing anyone’s experience. This is simply the context in which I can celebrate the accomplishments where they are while feeling ‘comfortable in my skin, cozy with who I am’. Read more>>

Shay Katebe

When I first started my business, Shay K Events, I went through some serious imposter syndrome. I questioned why I felt I could run a business when I had never done it before. I questioned my wedding and event planning skills even though I had planned numerous events at that point in my life. I questioned why I felt I could even make it in this industry when there are so many other talented planners in the area. Eventually, I had a come-to-Jesus moment with myself. I had to stop myself from playing the comparison game. I had to remind myself that there is only one me. No one can do me better than myself. I had to get over my fear of failing. I had to speak the truth to myself. I am not a fraud. I am really good at planning fun events. I handle stress well, which makes me good at taking on other people’s stress. That’s a huge part of wedding and event planning. I may have never run an official business before, but I knew people who had and by surrounding myself with them, I could learn more about how to run a successful business. Read more>>

Kanithea Powell

Imposter syndrome….What an interesting idea… Here is what I know…I show up as me in every room I walk in to. There is no place that I am invited to that I do not feel like I belong. I am confident In me and the magical ideas I bring to the table. If I’m in the room, Im suppose to be there. They need me and my ideas at the table. Period. Read more>>

Fernanda Martinez

I believe we all struggle with imposter syndrome at some point in our life, for some of us it is a persisting feeling, invariably present in our daily life. I wouldn’t say I have overcome it, instead I have learned how to dominate that spiral and harmful mindset of self doubt and trust my abilities to achieve higher results. Read more>>

Denise Carmichael

Oh the forsaken imposter syndrome; I can’t say I never experienced it because it wouldn’t be true. I truly don’t know anyone who hasn’t experienced it even once. My biggest motivation and reason for overcoming imposter syndrome is my daughters. I don’t want them to look back and think low of me; I want them to look back and be inspired by their mother! I want them to know that just because someone else is doing the same thing or something similar as them, it doesn’t mean that you need to quit or give up. If no two people are alike and are all born beautiful, why can’t we apply the same concept to our art. We absolutely can be done and I am making sure my girls see that in me and my work! Read more>>

Kandice Dougherty

At the age of 50 I made a major life decision to start my own business staging houses for real estate agents. I had spent most of my life in the field of education working with kids of all ages throughout my career. I wasn’t feeling appreciated financially or emotionally and I began to feel a need for a change. I was burnt out! I prayed and begged God to send me a sign of what my new path could be. I had always had a passion for design and always thought about doing staging but then I thought, “but who am I? I’m just a teacher.” Read more>>

Jojo Trumbly

This is something that I talk about often with other business owners. To be candid, I am not sure that I have quite “overcame” this yet. There are some days that I think…wait a second…how did I get HERE? The best way that I combat those negative thoughts in my head is just to look around the room. Look at all the people who you brought up with you. My success is their success. They trusted me enough to support my business and I trusted them to be apart of my journey and we collectively have taken ourselves further than I could have ever gone alone. The best way to dismiss the imposter thoughts are just to remember, I deserve this. I worked so hard for it, we all have. Surrounding yourself with people who will remind you of the best version of yourself. That has really helped me develop a better sense of self and kept me going forward when the clouds of doubt creep in. Read more>>

Natalie Duque

I’m not sure if imposter syndrome is something that’s every truly overcome- I think it’s something, like any challenging emotion, you learn how to manage and understand when it starts to pop up. When I start to feel imposter syndrome creeping in, I acknowledge it, and then I try to comfort myself as I would a close friend. I turn into my greatest cheerleader and try to drown out the negative thoughts with PROOF of the opposite. When you start listing examples of why the negative thoughts are wrong, it shuts down the argument! This may sound simple, but it’s definitely easier said than done. I didn’t really grasp this process until I started consistently going to therapy over two years ago. My therapist would have to be the one to “prove my negative thoughts wrong” for a while until I started to get the hang of it and actually believe the reality of the situation over those pesky imposter syndrome voices. Read more>>

Nikisha Reagan

First, I prayed because I needed to know that whatever God was doing in my life it wasn’t by mistake. I had to come to understand that my life was changing rapidly and for my greater good. I had to learn to embrace what was happening and accept that I deserved everything that was a result of me working and planning and planting and sowing. Those results were my results based off what I did. So the reward was truly my reward and I had no reason to feel as though it wasn’t suppose to be mine. I wasn’t suppose to have 6 figures in my account or multi-million dollar companies doing business with me. No! I was, I did, I am because I set the tone, the stage and I’m doing the work. Moral of the story I realized that I do deserve my upgraded life because God said so. Read more>>

Taylor Sanchez

In the hair industry imposter syndrome is so prevalent. I honestly think it stems from learning how to do things so quickly in an ever changing environment. Sometimes imposter syndrome, for me, feel like “holy cow, I didn’t know I knew how to do that,” and of course the ever common “there is no way that I deserve to be here right now.” Read more>>

Challedon Saltor

This is something I’m still working on. What I’ve come to realize is that we are all where we are supposed to be. Imposter syndrome is basically self-doubt. I find it important to remember I belong in any room I’ve been blessed to enter, and I’m qualified or I would not be there. It’s just ignoring the voice in your head that wants you to doubt your abilities ad remembering that piece. Read more>>

Keisha Gaines

It would be a lie to say that I overcame imposter syndrome, but I am actively working on getting better with that issue. I think this is something that a lot of entrepreneurs deal with it especially black women. We tend to feel like we don’t measure up because we are comparing ourselves to someone else’s journey and just not feeling like we belong in some spaces. A big catalyst with me dealing with imposter syndrome was getting accepted into the prestigious Goldman Sachs One Million Black Women: Black In Business program. Read more>>

Erica Boozer

To be 100% honest, I’m not sure anyone fully overcomes imposter syndrome…or even if they should. I think a little bit of it is necessary to keep you humble and self-aware. That being said – in the moments that I experience imposter syndrome, I remove myself from the task at hand…literally step away from the trigger. Go on a walk, get a glass of water, breathe. Then I remind myself that past versions of myself had dreamed of opportunities like this….and what is the worst thing that could happen? I play that scenario out and when I realize that no potential negative outcome is THAT drastic or life-changing, I am able to refocus. Read more>>

Trystin Kier Francis

It’s interesting because success oftentimes leads people to believe it will be consistent. Success has not been consistent for me but I was able to make it look that way. I found myself struggling to deal with the demands of being a successful designer and I became afraid of my success. So much to the point where I was often never present in most situations where I had to interact and engage with people. I found it hard to present my most authentic self to the world so I sent a well-dressed representative often a characterization of who I thought people wanted me to be. I was afraid that if I was myself folks wouldn’t like the real me. I lived in pain as an imposter for years. I felt trapped like a caged bird yearning to fly. I remember reading Dr. Maya Angelou’s novel “I know why the Caged Bird sings” in High School and realizing as an adult that caged bird was me. Animals in captivity as forced to be something else. They will never find the happiness they deserve unless they’re truly free. I was able to overcome imposter syndrome by loving myself and not seeking validation from others. I found myself seeking the approval of others because I genuinely wanted folks to like me. I wanted people to see me which is all forms of seeking validation. I spent some time in therapy and realized my imposter syndrome stemmed from my childhood. My family never saw me. They weren’t interested in me. While the same issues from my childhood apply today, the difference is I see myself. Dorothy Dandridge said ” have you ever caught sight of yourself in the mirror? That’s who you really are” I never realized what that meant until I did the work to heal the pain in my heart. Read more>>

Gina Suggs

Staying true to myself is the best way to overcome imposter syndrome. My daily routines keep me grounded. I stretch to clear my mind and get my blood flowing. I limit my screen time to understand that everything we see on social media is not reality. I also make sure I look and feel my best at all times. when your self confidence is high, you don’t need to be anyone else but yourself. I’m proud of myself. Read more>>

Sarah Turner

I think it’s important to know that imposter syndrome doesn’t just go away. As you move forward and reach your next levels, it comes back in new and unexpected ways. So instead I like to think of imposter syndrome as a sign of growth. Because he always appears when I’m about to level up. Read more>>

Jennifer Rhode

When I started my interior design business I was largely self-taught. I had worked for an architect for a few years, but I had never worked in an interior design firm and I had not been to design school. I had redone several houses and apartments for myself and my family and advised countless friends on their homes but not in an official capacity. I relied on my intuition for when things felt “right” and balanced. And I knew that my “eye” was unique because what seemed like clear, simple choices to me were often appreciated but surprising to others. So starting my business felt like a big, scary leap. Read more>>

Lavanya Challa

Having become a full time artist after being a stay at home mom for 10 years, with an architect’s degree, it’s safe to say I’ve battled my fair share with the imposter syndrome !! I had all essential conditions to invoke deep seated fears and doubts about what I wanted to do and accomplish. It’s not been an overnight victory over that fear, it’s an ongoing journey keeping that fear at bay. In the beginning, I had to overcome my own fears of painting and then wanting to get validation from others to eventually feeling like an imposter all the time. I was constantly comparing myself to other accomplished artists and people on the internet, in addition to that, I was trying to hide my struggles of being a parent to an autistic child. I always felt I didn’t have the right home to display or invite collectors, or I didn’t have the perfect wardrobe to feel confident at shows , or I didn’t have the courage to talk to new people at these shows, or the right Degree to be an artist, and so on so forth. Read more>>

Marlize Joubert

I walked into a classroom one day, meeting my mentor and breathwork teacher. Little did I know then, that this meeting would change the course of my life. Till then I have always believed there is something wrong with me. I am broken, or weird, or worth rejecting. I assumed I am wrong, and everyone else is right, judged from my limited ego view. Read more>>

Ariel Strickler

Imposter Syndrome is definitely something I have battled in my work setting. I hold myself to a high standard and always push to achieve my goals. I have to remind myself of how much work I have put in to be at the place I am now. Countless hours of school, multiple advanced courses and trainings has allowed me to do the jobs I LOVE! But sometimes the pressure I put on myself can be a hinderance. Read more>>

Mariel Pomeroy

I don’t know if Imposter syndrome is something you ever completely overcome. A lucky select few might, but i know that my readers could be screaming my praises from the rooftops, and i would still question if what I’m doing is right, or good. Read more>>

McKenna Shano

This is something I think most business owners struggle with. There are so many ways to play the comparison game with with people in your industry and it can be a big punch to your self esteem if you let yourself go down that hole of comparing yourself and your company to others in field. Some things I have done to overcome imposter syndrome throughout my years as a planner is I dont follow many other wedding planners on social media. If I follow any, it is people who are not in the same region as me, therefore we dont go for the same targeted clients and they aren’t a “competitor” or someone I really could compare myself to. Another thing that has helped me is switching my mindset. Every single one of my client find me, I dont go out and search for clients. They find me and book me because they simply love my work and they see my value and potential. I think imposter syndrome creeps up on me still from time to time, but I think it is normal in a world full of social media and it is very easy to compare yourself to others. My advice is to not go down the rabbit hole of looking up your competitors and to just put your very best work out there. Your clients are your clients for a reason and they see your value and talent and that in itself is more than enough. Read more>>

Kincaid Walker

I suppose it speaks volumes that I feel a little bit like an imposter alleging that I’ve “overcome imposter syndrome”! It’s an insidious feeling with which I have certainly struggled — not putting myself out there; perfectionism; fear that I have nothing to say; certain someone else is more “special” or qualified; on and on. A couple of things have helped me to push through, be seen and feel worthy to put my work boldly out into the world. Read more>>

Shay Mechelle

I overcame imposter syndrome by conquering my self self doubt. Knowing I already possess the skills to be in the position I am in as a Professional Makeup Artist. I also started believing in myself more. It was a time, even though I knew I was great at my artistry, I would always feel it wasn’t good enough. I had to start believing in ME more. I feel I stand out from others with the skills I have because of my customer service, engaging with my clients and their needs and concerns. I also feel I conquered my self doubt by enhancing my skills and being able to educate myself, as well as do my own research in my profession, which has allowed me to LEVEL UP to where I want to be. Read more>>

Ellen Ma

One of the main ways I overcame imposter syndrome is to just own it – own my creativity, my passion, the art that I produce, and just really believe in myself. I came to this point when I decided to take risks by vending at a number of different events this past year. I didn’t know where my art actually fit so I thought the best way was to just to put myself out there and gain as much exposure as possible. At times it was intimidating as I was surrounded by other vendors and a community that had all attended a specific event for years and I was the newcomer but the amount of support and “I’ve never seen this kind of art before” was so encouraging. This really helped shape my perspective as to who I am as an artist and how I can continue my growth within my art journey. Read more>>

Sona Gevorkyan

The most challenging aspect for me is identifying the root cause these feelings of uncertainty or lack of confidence. When I’m not sure about something, I often ask myself if it’s because I’m lacking knowledge or qualifications, or if it’s simply a vague sense of insecurity. I believe it’s crucial to distinguish between these two reasons because if it’s due to a lack of knowledge or qualifications, I find this healthy to recognize, it means I’m motivated to learn and improve. However, there are times when I doubt my abilities even though my qualifications are comparable to those of my peers. To bolster my confidence, I try to give myself positive affirmations and remind myself of my hard work and passion. Additionally, being a member of the Association for Women in Architecture and Design has been extremely helpful in building my confidence for several reasons. Firstly, seeing accomplished and powerful women who are also humble and willing to share their experiences and knowledge has been empowering. Secondly, the support and motivation provided by the community has been invaluable. It’s important for all of us to find a supportive network that encourages and celebrates us. Read more>>

Jordan R Coleman

Imposter Syndrome isn’t something that I battle with much frequency. But, it has popped up in my life here and there. Which, for me, has made it a bit more difficult to plan for, because I don’t know exactly when the feeling is going to come. I remember specifically, I booked the biggest role of my career(so far), recurring guest star, on a really popular show, that I watched and very much enjoyed. I was extremely excited about the opportunity! I did great in my audition, fantastic at the callback, my agent calls me about a week later, “you booked the role!”! I was so happy and proud of my accomplishment. I road that wave all the way to my first table read, where it hit me like a ton of Self-Doubting bricks. “Can I do this?”, “Am I the right person for this role?”, “Can I do whatever it was I did in my audition and callback again?” “Maybe I was just having a good day those days…”, and so on and so-emotional forth. It felt like I’d reached my threshold for happiness, so my brain had to do something to knock me back down, before I got too high and that did the trick. I went down this hole of doubt, until I realized what got me to that point. Me. I got that audition, callback and ultimately the booking, solely from being myself and showcasing the abilities God(for me, but also whoever you personally believe in) put inside of me. Once I remembered that and began to carry myself with that energy and confidence again, I was good to go. Because not only had I gotten a seat at that table, I earned it. Read more>>

Curt Barlage

It’s an ongoing process, but I feel it comes from peeling back the layers. If we can learn to silently reflect upon ourselves, silently meaning without emotional reaction, I feel you can reach into those early traumatic events and the young age, social conditioning that pretty much affects every human being. In those elements are the roots of the imposter syndrome (along with many other psychological conditions). The self-judgement, the comparisons, etc. It’s all there. We can then begin to understand it, to dissect it and confront it. There’s such a climate of competition and standards set in modern day society. It really isn’t healthy for creativity and the arts. Or for life in general. Then you put a price tag on everything and ‘boom!’. Takes the enjoyment right out of it. I’m not saying that I don’t consider making a living with music and writing. I welcome the opportunities with wide open arms when they come, but that concept doesn’t rule over the love and excitement for it. Read more>>

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