This is the year to kick the pesky imposter syndrome to the curb and move forward on your journey towards reaching your full potential. We hope the stories and lessons below will help you overcome self-doubt.
Issachar Lee
Imposter syndrome is something I’ve been battling with until recently honestly, I can’t say that it doesn’t leak in from time to time on its own. In fact, I remember there was a time coming out of college I was offered an internship at CBS NEWS. A young black kid from Kansas, being offered a spot at one of the biggest news organizations in the country in the biggest city in the country being New York City. Read more>>
Nihal Bambulkar
Every week, I work on at least one design piece that I find fulfilling. It doesn’t have to be perfectly designed, or bear a lot of meaning. It can just exist. I use the feeling I experience when working on those pieces, as leverage and remind myself why I began designing in the first place. Read more>>
Katie Marshall
I chose to answer this question because imposter syndrome affects so many photographers. I have often lived in areas that have so many talented photographers, many would say an “oversaturated market”. Especially in the military community, many spouses decide to pursue photography because it’s a skill that moves with you! The ability to make your own schedule is also an enticing factor. This reason alone impacted my decision to pursue my hobby as a career! However, the very platforms I use to advertise, Facebook and Instagram, can be very intimidating for many photographers. Read more>>
Fakaira Gabriel
Honestly, I recently made a conscious decision to stop comparing my journey to others. At the heart of impostor syndrome is comparison. There will only ever be one me. So any room, platform, or position I find myself, I know I deserve to be there. Another thing that helped me overcome feeling like an impostor was realizing that we all have learning curves, and sometimes we’re just figuring things out as we go. Read more>>
Clark Lawlor
Imposter syndrome was a huge factor for me in college when I was still trying to decide if I could make a career out of composing. I felt hopelessly behind my classmates, having not grown up studying music. In composition there are so many different levels of success, but in my situation success meant making enough money, consistently, to support a family. Read more>>
Fallon LaFleur
As a young lawyer and practice owner, overcoming imposter syndrome was both a challenge and a significant learning experience for me. I tackled it by first recognizing that imposter syndrome is a common experience, particularly in high-stakes professions like law. Then I focused on bringing others in to support me. I actively sought feedback from more experienced colleagues and mentors. Their perspectives provided me with a more balanced view of my performance and helped me see the value I was bringing to my clients and practice. Read more>>
Michael Rosenzweig
This is one of my favorite topics as I deal with imposter syndrome constantly and help many of my clients overcome it as well. I heard some great advice and insights on imposter syndrome a while ago, where they painted it in a different light. Instead of feeling like a fraud, when you get that creeping imposter syndrome feeling growing, look at is as an opportunity to either grow and learn a new skill or be reassured that you are already on the right path. Read more>>
Bob Saenz
I haven’t. And I hope I don’t. It keeps me humble and keeps me on my toes. I don’t let it rule my thoughts, but I do let it linger in the background spurring me to not get complacent or to let my success allow me to coast through a job. It helps me strive to be better than the last time and to not be satisfied with a project until it’s as good as I can make it. Imposter syndrome can be something that can paralyze you if you let it control you, but if you control it, it can be an effective tool to help you always strive to be your best, Read more>>
Tateanna Foster
I haven’t completely overcome imposter syndrome; it’s an ongoing, intentional process. Early in my career in social work I began in special education, and as the program administrator of an early childhood therapeutic day school, I frequently found myself as the only African American woman in the room, advocating for the accommodations of students. In my business, at the Place of Impact, I am dedicated to modeling and teaching other employees and leaders how to create a feeling of belongingness for themselves in environments that may not naturally foster it. Read more>>
Edsha Jones
One of the most impactful things I did was INTENTIONALLY step out of my comfort zone & start putting in the work to become the person I wanted to be. I had to take a real hard look at who I was vs who I wanted to become and decided to do the things edifying to that higher version of myself. Making smaller, more digestible shifts in my habits, thoughts & ultimately actions; intentionally forcing myself to do the things I avoided or half did in previous seasons of my life. Read more>>
Tianyue Wei
I was born into a typical Asian family, where it was firmly believed that too much praise would make one proud. As a result, even as I grew up, I constantly questioned my abilities, always fearing that others would eventually discover I wasn’t as competent as they perceived me to be. Read more>>
Julianna Writing as Lalalalawriting
I don’t think anyone overcomes imposter syndrome rather we all wake up every day and choose to ignore it. In other words, don’t let it stop you. For me, it’s pursuing writing no matter what. No matter how many people tell me I’ll never make money from it. No matter how many times I’ve had people look me dead in the eyes and laugh about my English degree and scoff now that I’ve decided to pursue a Master’s in Sociology. Read more>>
Jerad Atherton
Don’t think, just do. That’s kind of a modo in our family. It just means, keep moving forward and doing the things you know you need to do without the baggage of second guessing or overthinking. I think that’s the key to imposter syndrome. Everything will work out if you keep forward momentum and working toward your personal best. Read more>>
Olamide Giwa
To be honest, imposter syndrome is something I still struggle with. However, after meeting a lot of successful people, I realized that they also struggle with imposter syndrome even after achieving huge success and wealth. This knowledge comforts me whenever the imposter feeling starts creeping in. Because at the end of the day, everyone in the room feels like they do not belong there, and so in a weird way, we are all the same. Read more>>
Jeny Contreras
By showing up and doing the work. The only way to overcome this feeling is by truly staying committed to your vision. Breaking down the very skills needed to excel at that thing and putting the knowledge to work. Facing the challenges that come and seeing the opportunity to better yourself. Read more>>
Maryanne Wayland
Imposter syndrome is something I struggled a lot with when I first got into the health and wellness space, especially trying to build a business online. Being on social media, you’re surrounded by people that are doing the same thing as you so it’s easy to get wrapped up in what they’re doing and how they are doing it. Read more>>
Hannah Staddon
I believe imposter syndrome is something we all experience, especially when we venture into new territory. The real question is, do we ever completely overcome it? Whenever I try something new, I often feel like an imposter. However, I’ve come to understand that this feeling is a natural part of growth. Without pushing beyond our comfort zones, we miss out on valuable opportunities for learning. Read more>>
Jessica Sanborn
Dealing with imposter syndrome is a challenge I regularly encounter. As a photographer, I often find myself obsessively scrutinizing my work, sometimes spending hours reviewing every detail to ensure each photo gallery I send to clients meets my high standards. Despite nearly two years in the field, it is still something I deal with on a regular basis. Read more>>
Katrien Van der Schueren
I don’t think you ever overcome truly- you learn to live with it. Read more>>
Dashana Sabal
Truthfully I haven’t fully overcome imposter syndrome I still ask myself “why me” because you can’t help but to look around you and compare. But how I get through it is remind myself that I deserve to be here and I work hard to be here in this space. Read more>>
