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.
Greg Newbold
Art isn’t a practical career choice. I can think of countless other options that would probably result in a higher financial standard of living. But for me and many other artists I know, the decision wasn’t really a choice, but rather a calling. It was something I was compelled to pursue. Read more>>
Luke Smith
When I started putting my art out there more, I compared myself to what others were doing, and I think that’s about the worst thing you can do for imposter syndrome. You look at someone else’s art and think “Look at that incredible piece. That’s so much better than anything I can make.” And this is absolutely the worst thing you can do. Read more>>
Kurt Giehl
I started painting full time seven years ago after 25 years in Investment Banking. As you can imagine, the path from Investment Banking to artist isn’t exactly the normal career path. I also have no formal degrees or training in art. So, my imposter syndrome was very real and ever present when I began my creative journey. Read more>>
Jeff Klein
With any new business, I did a lot of faking it until I made it. As a production company and shooting photography I just kept emulating the styles and people that inspired me until next thing I knew my style was inspiring other creative people. Read more>>
Julius Greene IV
I’d be lying if I said that I’ve completely overcome imposter syndrome. I believe we all suffer from it at some point in our lives. We pray, work and strive to be in specific situations and then once we get there, we feel like it was a mistake. Like our prayers couldn’t have been answered. Read more>>
Terry Ekasala
It’s been a longtime, a long path. I was very young, maybe 10 or 12 when I really started spending time drawing. As I got older it became a “thing” for me, a purpose and I didn’t really know how lucky I was to have found a focal point at such a young age. I had a genuine drive although I believe it may have started as a competitive thing, more so at becoming really good at something for attention. I also wanted to be someone like people I admired, artists. Read more>>
TJ Dumser
This is a great question – and my answer may be surprising in that I don’t think you ever truly overcome imposter syndrome. I’ve been sound designing and mixing for nearly 20 years and I’ve worked with some pretty successful + talented people on some fairly high profile jobs and I’ve come through those all with great success. Read more>>
Salomé Robert-Murphy
I let go of any imposter syndrome when I realised It doesn’t serve me. If a casting director is interested in me, I trust in them and their expertise. Likewise, I trust in them if they decide something is not meant for me. I have spent way too much time overthinking auditions and whether I think I’m good enough for new opportunities, and it only got in my way. Read more>>
Nic Mac
“Once you know what your enemy is, you can fight it” Imposter syndrome is an experience that most people relate to and unfortunately have experienced and I wish it was something I could change. It can hit you at any moment, whether you are employed for a new job position and feel out of your depth or are deep within a creative venture and suddenly experiencing doubts, imposter syndrome is there to greet you, but once you know what your enemy is, you can fight it. Read more>>
Nived Ravikumar
I claimed the domain StatementGuru.com nearly 15 years ago. I barely knew anything writing admissions essays back then, let alone be any type of personal statement guru. But the domain was available, and it was catchy. There was certainly a feeling of imposter syndrome as I tried to convince college applicants to hire me. Read more>>
Tori Lake
Imposter syndrome is an interesting beast – one that can seem to grow over time. Imposter syndrome is known to affect many high achieving individuals, as they’re often paving their own path, learning, creating, and building at rapid speeds. This can feel isolating, with constant challenge and plenty of unknowns, leading to feelings of “can I really do this?” Read more>>
Derek Samaha
I haven’t fully and probably never will. All you can do is continue working on your craft and producing the best work that you possibly can. Confidence does build, but any time you’re truly challenging yourself you’ll experience imposter syndrome creeping in… Read more>>
Ashley Bailey
This is a loaded question for most of us, isn’t it? It was recently that I was able to make the distinction between feelings of anxiety and imposter syndrome. They tend to go hand in hand, however, anxiety for me are several intruding and overwhelming thoughts all at once, and imposter syndrome is that singular damaging thought that I simply don’t belong in the space I occupy. Read more>>
Ian Bristow
Imposter syndrome is a feeling I’m not sure any artist who actively chases self improvement can (or should) ever overcome. Understanding the drive born of forever looking up at our artistic heroes and seeing our work falls short is at the core of a well maintained effort to push oneself to new heights. The problem arises when one forgets that their heroes also suffer from it, just as we do. Read more>>
Crush Rush
Imposter Syndrome is a very real thing, like anxiety and I don’t think that anyone ever “overcomes” it. You simply learn how to co-exist with it. You learn what your triggers look and feel like, you learn what your negative self-dialogue sounds like and then you do your absolute best to stop feeding the Imposter Syndrome Monster. Imposter Syndrome is a curse and a blessing, at its worse it tricks you into thinking that you are not worthy of the celebration. It makes you feel as if you aren’t really the person your work presents you as. Read more>>
Bibby Gignilliat
When I first took a painting class, I was the worst one in the room. But I had determination. I decided to keep working on it and got an art studio at ICB Art in Sausalito. At first, I did not feel like leaving my studio because I did not want to claim i was and artist. I keep showing up almost every day and keep taking classes and finally, one day i started getting it and making good work. It took time and lots of practice. Now i fully claim that i am an artist. Read more>>
Shunkecia Lewis
Honestly, imposter syndrome is a part of me every single day. Is there someone whose product is better/more efficient than mine? But then I am reminded that many brands of breads, lotions, and even cars may look the same, but have a special touch to them that only their brand has. For me, I know that there are many candle, wax melt, room spray, and carpet freshener brands. Read more>>
Kirsten C. Kunkle
I don’t believe in imposter syndrome. Or rather, I believe it exists, but I refuse to allow it to be an option. I have been in the field of classical music, in some capacity, since I was twelve years old. I have seen singers of incredible talent be told that they were not good enough to the point of believing that they could not succeed and eventually quitting music. On the opposite side of the spectrum, I have seen people who are not particularly talented get offered opportunities, and even fame, through connections or other ways that have served them. Read more>>
Karie Engels
Impostor syndrome is a tricky thing, and I’m not sure anyone ever completely gets over it. It’s not that I doubt my decisions in my professional life; it’s more about questioning my own skills from time to time. Even though I’m confident in my abilities and know I’m good at my job, there’s this little voice of doubt that pops up every now and then, and I can’t quite pin down where it comes from. It’s like it sneaks up on me when I least expect it. Read more>>
Korrin Wheeler
Does anyone ever truly overcome the intense urge to question their worthiness or ability to succeed in any space? I started Bad and Blooming with little flower knowledge and no entrepreneurial experience. Imposter syndrome was almost inevitable. I was able to silence those feelings of self-doubt once I allowed myself to feel confident as a floral designer- no matter what room I was in. Read more>>
Jenna Carlson
This was very challenging for me. When I started making candles it was for my personal use. My husband and I did it together as a hobby to have cleaner burning candles. When I started working solo and turning into a business I struggled with putting myself out there and thinking I could actual make a product people would want to buy. Read more>>
Bob Eckstein
I have to admit this is something that is a new terminology but I suppose everyone, no matter what level of success can experience levels of self-doubt. I can only speak for myself as to how to overcome this emotion that you are awake or not worthy, but just doing good work will earn accolades from your peers and that encouragement and support can be used as validation. Read more>>
Amy Lafnear
When I first discovered Human Design, it was a personal development tool I used to better understand and accept myself. The more I applied it to my life and saw improvements, the more I realized how valuable it could be for others to also experience it. In my pursuits, I had consumed an incredible amount of information and felt I knew the modality well but as someone who had gone to college for communications, the fact that I didn’t have a degree or certification in Human Design (which honestly didn’t even exist when I got started), I continually stopped myself from sharing beyond my core group of loved ones. Read more>>
Marie Fiorin
I’m still working on it! Anytime I feel that the imposter syndrome is creeping its head back up, it’s usually when I have an impulse to be better and do better – when I have that knowing that I’m meant for something greater. Through time I came to realize that imposter syndrome is just fear to succeed. And as long as I keep working on myself, and working on my body, and that I keep in check with my spiritual practice, the better I overcome imposter syndrome. Read more>>
Sarah Sneesby
In some ways, in a lot of ways, I do not think it is possible for my generation to fully overcome imposter syndrome. Societally we define success in a very narrow fashion – does our work provide full time employment/income? Do we own a home, take nice vacations, save for retirement? Our culture values certain types of intelligence in the education system and calls others “hobbies” or things to do to relax or have fun. Read more>>
