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.
Chrissy Ras
I don’t overcome imposter syndrome. I use it to drive me to be better, do better. There will always be competition in any marketplace, and influences that force us to level up. I embrace these opportunities for growth. There are moments of self doubt, for everyone, including myself. When I feel unsure of my performance or my value or my worth, I try to get a grip on that feeling quickly and deal with what is really going on. Read more>>
Anna Svetlik De La Rosa
It took me years to conquer this, but a key factor in me overcoming imposter syndrome was journaling through all of my disbeliefs. Then I reprogrammed my mindset so I could shift into accepting myself exactly as I am, know that I am important and offer something special even if it’s similar to others! Once I did that, then I started taking steps daily to owning my value and the things I did to add value to the lives around me, even if it’s not totally original or new. Read more>>
Joshua Leomiti
A good friend and I talked about this the other day but the term we were using was, ‘oversaturate.’ Meaning, how does one celebrate their wins without the fear of being to excess or to showboat-E, if that makes sense? It’s definitely imposter syndrome that we creatives can be held down with. Read more>>
Sarah Aprea
I started Aprea Media in 2016 (back then it was Sarah Aprea Photography) as a side hustle while I had an office job. I’ve always loved photography, as a child I was always begging my parents to buy me more film and let me get the rolls developed. I would store the ones we couldn’t afford to develop quickly in the refrigerator! Read more>>
Ricky RJ Williams
In regards to imposter syndrome, I don’t believe a self aware person ever fully over comes it, but learns how to acknowledge it, accept it, and use it as motivation. In my opinion imposter syndrome simply highlights that you’ve put in the needed work to be mature and self aware of yourself, the moment and obstacles. It serves as a needed warning sign that says ‘Are you sure about this?”; which is a needed question to sit with when navigating through different chapters of life. Read more>>
Dr. Estenia Goodridge
Overcoming imposter syndrome has been quite the journey for me. Initially, it wasn’t easy, especially as I juggled my full-time job as an educator at Morgan State University and the growth of my burgeoning side hustle. There were times when I questioned whether I was truly capable of turning my side gig into a full-fledged career. Read more>>
Jasmine Hunt
Overcoming Imposter Syndrome has been my life’s journey and path to becoming the practitioner and educator that I’ve always wanted to be. Growing up as a multiethnic woman of color, I was always searching for inclusive spaces where I could thrive and be the light for others. I experienced many challenges growing up. I had no place to turn to when I experienced identity shaming, bullying, trauma, discrimination, and mental health challenges. Read more>>
Kate Cozart
I have struggled with impostor syndrome for almost as long as I can remember. One experience in particular prompted most of my impostor thoughts. When I was 8 years old, I was invited to read a story I had written to a large group of writers, children and adults alike. When it was my turn, I froze. The doubt that I would never be a writer crept in that day, and I believed it for over 25 years. Read more>>
Ashley Lucas, LCSW
I like to say that I’m still overcoming it, haha! If you know anything about imposter syndrome, it’s a feeling of inadequacy or doubt about acquired skills and education. I had to ask myself where was MY self-doubt coming from. I’m intelligent, I’m driven, I’m qualified, and I give myself grace when I fail. Read more>>
RANE
I think imposter syndrome is only truly affective in cases where and individual has some way convinced themselves that they can only be one thing. Once i really stepped into my divine power and understood the gravity of evolution as it pertains to HUMAN BEINGS and women specifically? It was a very open and shut case for me. Read more>>
David Robkin
I didn’t.I am an imposter. I am playing in a field of highly trained experts with years of hard-won knowledge whereas I am learning as I go along using extrapolation, adaptability and general knowledge to infer expertise where little exists. Read more>>
Dr Nancy Irwin
I never overcame it…I learned to use it. Read more>>
Bronwyn LeAnne
Do we ever really overcome imposter syndrome? This is something I still struggle with to this day, no matter how long I have been in the business or who I have worked with. When I started doing makeup at the age of 19 I landed a job at the Christian Dior counter, which was not easy to do. Read more>>
Stefano Ashbridge
Imposter Syndrome is a common issue. I try to be honest with myself about where my strengths and weaknesses are at the moment. That way when those feelings of not being good enough come up, I can put them in their proper place. I can acknowledge that I am not perfect but that I have something to offer. Read more>>
Kendall Stowell
This is such a common entrepreneur / small business owner issue I think for a lot of people. It still isn’t completely gone, but after almost 10 years of making mistakes and learning from them, partnered with continually educating myself, all that combined has helped! Also, surrounding yourself with more experienced, knowledgable people than yourself in your industry and learning from them is always helpful. Read more>>
Zakiya Brown
Overcoming imposter syndrome as a proposal planner has been a journey of self-discovery and growth. Here are some strategies I’ve found effective: Read more>>
Mia Dunn
Impostor syndrome is something I’ve grappled with since starting college. I enrolled at Johns Hopkins University as an engineering major while always harboring a strong creative side. Throughout my college experience, I suppressed my inner artist because it seemed that everyone around me was pursuing more “important” or “serious” fields. Read more>>
Clément Pavageau
I have yet to fully overcome imposter syndrome, and surprisingly, I’ve come to appreciate it that way. My journey with imposter syndrome likely began when I got in as a visual designer at the Gobelins school, in Paris (though it took me two attempts to get in!). It felt like a world beyond my league, a feeling that persisted throughout my career while getting jobs and working at various renowned digital advertising agencies as well as taking on projects for major brands and clients. Read more>>
Alli Clayton
Truth be told, it still sneaks in! However, it’s (mostly) well-managed. In part, I’ve had a form of it my whole life. I’ve always looked younger than I am, which has made me feel less confident at times. With my own business and being the sole therapist at Shine the Light Counseling, I’ve had to challenge my assumptions about myself. Through training, my own therapy, and gaining trust in myself, I’ve found the confidence to know that I am a good therapist. Read more>>
SAFIYA AZAUNCE
The funny thing about imposter syndrome is that it will have us believing we don’t belong at a table even if we built it ourselves. Somehow we believe that a mistake has been made. It has definitely been a struggle of mine in the past and sometimes I can still hear a voice in my head saying that I haven’t done enough to deserve the spot i’m in. Read more>>
Allen and Jodi Troutt
Imposter syndrome is real. Most people who lead or teach probably have dealt with it at some point. When we each first started teaching we both felt like we weren’t qualified to do it. There was a lot of questioning from ourselves about our abilities and a pretty big learning curve when it came to leading classes. Neither one of us set out on this journey to teach self-defense. Read more>>
Julie Martin
I’ve not totally overcome imposter syndrome, but one thing that’s helped is to enter juried art shows. I haven’t always gotten into these, but when I do I’m just like the other artists that got in. I was chosen too even if they have a style that I admire, or seems special or popular. There are so many types of art being created that isn’t all the same. That’s what makes it interesting. Read more>>
Estela Guajardo
I don’t think we truly overcome imposter syndrome. Instead we find ways to cope or ignore and continue day to day life. I think today I can’t confidently say i’ve overcome imposter syndrome. Most days I still deal with anxiety and depression and tend to put myself last and as a mother and business owner I feel guilty and selfish putting myself as a priority when I have millions of things that need my attention and it consumes me at night. Read more>>
Tolan Shaw
Ah imposter syndrome. I don’t think it’s possible to exist in a creative job without it. So first and foremost, I have certainly NOT overcome imposter syndrome. It still creeps into my thoughts like a little nagging shadow tugging at my sleeves. It’s something I’ve done a lot of work on and come to terms with. Read more>>
Ris Hovis
In all honesty, I feel like I haven’t fully overcome my imposter syndrome yet. There are still days that I don’t meet my expectations and I beat myself up for it. Days where I don’t feel like I have what it takes. But I have to constantly remind myself that growth isn’t linear, there are going to be so many victories and twice as many fails. I know that I need to continue to motivate myself to keep creating, (the good and the not so good). Read more>>
Tiffiny Rose Allen
Well, to be completely honest I’m not sure imposter syndrome is really something that ever goes away. Read more>>
D. A. Henry
One of the ways I’ve overcome my imposter syndrome was by focusing on my craft. When you first start down your creative path, you feel confident about what you do, the ideas you come up with, and how you express that. However, once you actually step foot in the industry, you find yourself constantly plagued with these thoughts: “Do I truly belong? Am I a real artist? Read more>>
Cynthia Stringham
Oooo- the imposture question! Currently, the best way I control my imposture syndrome or self-talk is thanks to age. I’m forty, and my attitude has shifted to a, “I don’t care” mentality. In all seriousness, it’s taken me 40 years to reframe my negative thoughts of focusing on my shortcomings, to acknowledging accomplishments and the skills that got me to where I am today. Read more>>
Al Comfort-Wasnewsky
I don’t think anyone really does. For me I have to say to my self, and I say this to other people when they get nervous about whatever it may be “everyone is just some guy” It took me a long time to get out and start putting myself out there and it’s still hard to do sometimes. I still wake up to an inbox of rejection letters, but I’ll still keep applying to gallery shows, art markets, and whatever little call for work with a small magazine I can find. Read more>>
Jeff Williamson
Imposter Syndrome can be challenging to navigate, involving bouts of self-doubt about one’s intellect or skillset in comparison to others. The burden of such feelings can be significant, but I’ve found solace in honing in on the reasons behind my actions. As the newly published author of “Still Marinating: Turning your Journey into your Legacy,” I’ve crafted a book in parable format, weaving stories that connect people to leadership principles often overlooked in traditional leadership discussions. Read more>>
Daniel Minard
Overcoming imposter syndrome is a constant battle. It will disappear, you’ll think you’ve conquered it, and then it will rear its ugly head again. I think they key is to remember that most everyone struggles with imposter syndrome. Most people experience that feeling their whole life. Read more>>
Brion Dillard
Imposter syndrome for me is something I recently realized that I’ve been experiencing. I can’t say that I have overcome it yet but I’m working towards accepting that my hard work and success is what i deserve. I’m always my own worst critic and hold myself to such high standards when in reality my work is recognized and appreciated by others more then I realize. Read more>>
David Forster
Imposter syndrome is a constant struggle met by constant reassurances. Overcoming it (case-by-case) is done by observing the real imposters; the talkers that aren’t walkers. The people with no follow-through. The promise breakers. They’re everywhere. Observe them to build confidence in what you’re doing and to learn the what-not-to-dos, or better yet, the things you should be doing that others aren’t. Read more>>
Priya Tahim
Imposter syndrome is something i think I’m still trying to navigate and i think it’s a constant reminder that living out your dreams can be real. I often sit back and process how far I’ve come in my professional and personal life. I think about how lucky i am to be in the small percentage of people that actually love what i do. Sometimes it doesn’t feel real. Read more>>
Dylan Dunlap
I don’t think I fully have. It’s something that I wrestle with constantly and I actually think it contributes to keeping my work as authentic as it can be; because I’m honest with myself about feeling like I’m not worthy of being where I’m at. Read more>>
Fred Willis
This is a current journey that I’m on. I am continuously overcoming imposter syndrome and I’ll confess, “there are levels to this!” The greatest challenge for me is sharing the story of my successes. Over the years, my greatest challenge was breaking through to achieve success. Read more>>
Phelize Bristol
This is something that I’ve struggled with a lot in my life and when starting my online business. I’m not going to lie, it’s hard and there are some days where I feel like I haven’t overcome it. However, I know that’s part of the journey. During the pandemic, I lost my job twice. It was an awful feeling, but I was always able to bounce back. I felt like I was stuck in a cycle I couldn’t get out of. Read more>>
Natalie Cammaratta
Is overcoming imposter syndrome something people actually do? Hmm. I’ll add that to my to do list. Read more>>
Ritu Nanos
Years ago, I was testing for my fifth degree black belt. At that time, I also had also taken ownership of the dojo I had studied in for almost 20 years. I remember feeling so much doubt in myself- “Who am I?”, I thought ” To be considered a Master, to be qualified to teach this beautiful art form, to take ownership of this dojo that had been a staple of martial arts study in KC for 50 years?” Read more>>
Lydia Mong-Yi Wu
I think this is a constant struggle as a performing artist. There is a delicate balance between the “I’m not good enough” self-talk with the “This is what I’m meant to do.” All I can really do is face what I have in front of me and do the best I can in every moment. Then the reality of being in the moment renders imposter syndrome ineffective. Read more>>
Nick Sledge
Overcoming imposter syndrome feels like a necessary evil to ascend in any artist career. I would like to think I overcome constant waves of imposter syndrome with each new project. It’s that voice in your head telling you that your not who you are or that you are about to be “brought back down to reality”. Read more>>
Zach Webber
If you meet somebody who tells you that they never feel imposter syndrome or that they have 100% overcome imposter syndrome…. then I want to meet them. Read more>>
Tyler Parker
I’m still working on it, actually. It’s hard not to feel that way with the passage of time. There’s a lot of times it feels like you’re knocking on the door and a lot more times when you want to hang it up For me, there isn’t really a choice to hang it up. I’ve put so much into what I do. It would hurt more to give it up without achieving my goals. So, I like to focus on that. Read more>>
Angela Prior
Honestly, it still shows up. Not in the same way that it used to. It used to be a daily occurrence in my life. Questioning and doubting my self, my skills, and my abilities. Now when it shows up usually during new opportunities that feel unfamiliar and challenging and I’ll find myself with this little question in the back of my mine “why on earth would they want to hear from me” or “do I really have anything to offer here?” or “what in the hell am I doing I don’t have a clue”. Read more>>
Kate Tilton
Imposter syndrome to me is the doubt that I am not good enough, that I cannot live up to expectations, and that my skills are not advanced enough. The feeling of not being enough. Read more>>
Fred Becker
There is no one answer to this question. It requires a multiple phase approach. Here are my top three techniques to overcome that nagging sensation that you might not live up to expectations. Read more>>
Eli Mabli
Imposter syndrome is a very interesting concept. The thought that you have not earned the right to be where you are. It is self doubt with a subtle hint of humility. It isn’t something I have had to overcome however it is helpful to understand the mindset and recognize that it doesn’t serve you. Read more>>
