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.
Renee Goodwin
I honestly just found out a month ago that I even had imposter syndrome! Once I started to read up on it I was like “wow this is me” I will be honest and say I have not overcome this just yet. Everyday I am learning more on how to heal from this and what measures I should take but we are not there… but I will be! Read more>>
bernice chao
Overcoming imposter syndrome has been a challenging journey in my life, and it’s essential to acknowledge that many individuals in this room have encountered similar feelings at some point. Even well-known figures like Michelle Obama have candidly shared their battles with imposter syndrome. Read more>>
Alon Goldsmith
I would have to say I didn’t. It’s a monstrous beast that rears it’s ugly head every now and again when I let my guard down. For me the most effective weapon in this battle, is to simply visit my own photography website, browse the galleries as if I’m seeing the photos as a stranger for the first time, and say to myself, “These are compelling images that make me think, smile, and want to see more.” Basically I let the work help me self affirm and blow away the imposter syndrome. Read more>>
Ixchel Valiente
I don’t think imposter syndrome is something that permanently vanishes when you manage to overcome it once. Maybe it’s part of oscillating between confidence and insecurity, an element that flares up when you’re having doubts about what you can do. That comes and goes for me. Something that works for me is to look at the thing I’m doing and think about it as something I’m doing because I like to do it, not so much because I want it to be out there. Read more>>
Maggie Reid
I remember when I had my first internship at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles as an Art Therapist Intern I was so nervous. I was told to knock on the hospital room door, and through the crack say “hi! I’m Maggie the Art Therapist, can I come in?” This moment terrified me. I wasn’t an Art Therapist! I was just a grad student. It was all a lie. Read more>>
Silas Hite
I don’t think anyone ever fully overcomes imposter syndrome, even the most successful composers still feel it from time to time. I think imposter syndrome applies to many different careers, including non-musical ones. I deal with it by paying attention to when that feeling is most acute. Read more>>
Christi Lao
I don’t think I’ve fully overcome imposter syndrome. I’ll still whine and mope around occasionally. If there’s any silver lining, I’d say it has helped me reflect on different aspects of my life and has pushed me closer to becoming the person I aspire to be. Read more>>
David Lawson
The more rooms that I am in during my journey in Hollywood, the more I am learn that EVERYONE has imposter syndrome. I’m always shocked (though at this point I shouldn’t be – as it has happened so often) with people who I admire admitting that they too feel like they don’t belong or are just faking it till they make it. Read more>>
Naomi Zwelling
This is something I will forever work on because Imposter Syndrome is so real… but I find I am able to begin to overcome it through looking at old photos of myself and my work compared to now and truly seeing how far I have come. It is when I don’t get the chance to reflect on my skills and years of experience that cause me to have more imposter syndrome, reflecting and gratitude help me believe in myself more and more which rid me of the imposter syndrome. Read more>>
Stacie Martinez
I love this question, because the answer is that overcoming imposter syndrome is a process, not a destination. I notice it most when I become overly attached to other’s opinions of me or my work. As a creative, it can be difficult to separate your “self” from what you make, because we put our heart into what we do and in doing so, we become vulnerable. Read more>>
Karen Hill
During my journey, I found immense support and encouragement from various sources. My church community played a significant role, providing me with spiritual guidance, prayers, and a sense of belonging. My husband and close friends stood by my side, offering unwavering support and reminding me of my worth and capabilities. Read more>>
Diego Alonso Reyes Mondragon
I haven’t really figured this one out yet but I’d say it is always important to look back. I think every artist out there experiences imposter syndrome at some time in their path. We all feel like everything good that has ever happened to us has been a combination of luck and inspiration. Read more>>
Bill Oberst Jr.
The only way to feel more loved is to love more. And I mean to love others more – not to love one’s self more. Imposter syndrome, as I’ve experienced it, is what our grandparents’ generation called “humility” crying out for fresh air, smothered as it is beneath the weight of self-absorption. Read more>>
Caleb Folkerts
Imposter syndrome ends where true perspective begins. I vividly remember a moment early in my career when it felt particularly overwhelming. I had just started working at an internationally recognized hospital system. Read more>>
Maria Leggett
Oh Gosh, this is such a good question with a complex answer. Read more>>
Massimo Cibelli Bianco
The key for me has always been my relentless commitment to knowledge and continuous improvement in our niche field. I take immense pride in diving deep into studying and researching the nuances of home exterior contractor/construction marketing. This isn’t a superficial or fleeting interest for me; I’m always updating myself with the latest trends, tools, and techniques. Read more>>
Vanessa Garza
I first experienced imposter syndrome in my private, Catholic all-girls high school. My mother was recently divorced from my dad and we could not continue to afford the monthly tuition because my father chose not to pay child support. We begged for a tuition assistance grant and I was awarded a discounted tuition rate in exchange for cleaning cafeteria tables daily with other students on financial aid. Read more>>
Jalyn Parks
I remember it like it was yesterday; it was my very first day of full time entrepreneurship. After 3 years in a corporate compliance role, I decided to bet on myself and start my own law firm. I had a full calendar with meetings and court dates and woke up feeling excited for the next journey. Read more>>
MarLan Parker
Overcoming imposter syndrome became a transformative journey for me, rooted in the profound realizations that reshaped my self-belief. I came to understand that I am right where I needed to be, a product of the life experiences, challenges, and dedication that led me to this point. This profound understanding empowered me to shed the self-doubt that often accompanied imposter syndrome, replacing it with a strong sense of belonging and purpose. Read more>>
Lyndon Laveaux
I don’t think you truly get over it, like anything else in the healing process, it isn’t linear and it’s a muscle that you constantly keep working at. I had a panic attack earlier this year, and I think one of the catalyst for it was the thinking that I don’t belong in this industry, but once I got passed the intrusive thoughts I took some time off social media, and began creating for the sake of creating, it lead to my EP Alchemy (which is being received extremely well). Read more>>
Jonny Miller
When you are always pushing yourself to be better and learn and grow like I do, the next job is always going to be outside of your comfort zone because that’s how we challenge ourselves and grow as creatives. That is where the magic happens. If we stick to what is comfortable we lose that inspiration and that passion and nothing evolves. In those moments of pushing beyond what I have created before, there is a fear that I am not enough for what I am meant to do. Read more>>
Lasse Elkjaer
I like to say that I ‘wrote’ it out of my system during my ‘demo’ years. The more music I write, the more I tend to be able to find myself inside of the individual notes. It’s also important for me to underline that I have no interest in sounding like something that’s completely foreign to the human ears. Read more>>
Danielle Ellis
Overcoming imposter syndrome is a daily practice. One of the ways that I combat imposter syndrome is to document everything that I do-every art piece, every event, everything. So when I’m feeling down or question my ability, I look at my file to remind myself what I have accomplished, and that I do have a seat at the table. Read more>>
Lauren Salvo
I struggled, and sometimes still do struggle, with imposter syndrome. I think every creative does and those of us in electronic music are definitely not missed by it! I define it as the irrational thought that once you reach a goal you don’t deserve it, or looking back and convincing yourself wasn’t that hard to get there and that anyone could have done it, or not giving yourself enough credit. Read more>>
Raven Whitener
Overcoming imposter syndrome was always a challenge for me because since the start of my first full time position as the Promotions and Marketing Coordinator for Radio One St. Louis, I was the youngest in the room and in some cases younger than some of the employees reporting to me. Read more>>
LaTonia Taylor
One of the ways I credit to overcoming imposter syndrome is a process of Religious Recovery and reformation from The Good Girl Syndrome. The Good Girl always attempts to please and perform because she’s been taught to conform and meet all of the measurements of the systems of her culture. In addition to being set free from religious shame, guilt and fear messages, I am reformed “good girl”. Read more>>
Kacee Anderson
I think imposter syndrome is natural when you’re first starting out in any field, especially so with photography when you can easily get swept up with others’ images on social media. There are so many insanely talented photographers out there that it’s easy to compare yourself and your work to everyone else. Read more>>
Angela Ficorelli
Gah! I think a LOT about imposter syndrome. Two things, First, I have recently shifted my perspective on it, from it being a personal struggle to a cultural one. Read more>>
Justin TheMillennial
Imposter syndrome often creeps in when we start doubting our abilities, feeling like we don’t measure up to others, or thinking that we don’t belong. To counter these feelings, I decided to focus on being authentic and embracing my individuality. I understood that trying to be like someone else would only exacerbate those feelings of inadequacy. Read more>>
Albert Suarez
Overcoming imposter syndrome has truly been a personal journey, one where I’ve really had to ultimately learn how to prioritize progress over perfection. It took some time and a lot of rock botttoms, but I’m at a point in my life where I feel like I bid farewell to the relentless pursuit of perfection, choosing instead to unveil the essence of “me” in the spaces I get to create and take ownership of all the parts that feel truest to self. Read more>>
Amanda Marsh-Damian
When I considered starting my business Supported Steps, I had reservations. Many people around me with more education and accolades than myself encouraged me, folks I admired, people who I considered my mentors. Their belief in me gave me the courage I needed to take the first step and the next. Read more>>
Vaughn Ramirez
Ya know this one really, you have to ignore the whole imposter syndrome thing and push forward into your new era of success. Do I say this just because I tell every job I apply to that I have a bachelor’s degree, perhaps. Even if you don’t have a or imaginary degree or self confidence or any courage you have to trust yourself and rely on your skills to do the talking and really when you rely on your skills and your pedigree and trust yourself, the diagnosis of your imposter syndrome will seem to eventually alleviate. Read more>>
