We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Cassie Schmidt a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Cassie, thank you so much for opening up with us about some important, but sometimes personal topics. One that really matters to us is overcoming Imposter Syndrome because we’ve seen how so many people are held back in life because of this and so we’d really appreciate hearing about how you overcame Imposter Syndrome.
Short answer? I didn’t. In fact, I did a podcast episode about imposter syndrome with a therapist friend of mine recently. In preparation for that show, I did some research and found that many billionaire entrepreneurs admitted still feeling imposter syndrome every once in a while… and one could argue they’re crushing it!
To kind of pull from the conversation in that episode, I don’t think imposter syndrome is something you overcome. I think it’s something you learn to live with. You recognize it’s there to protect you in a way and keep you safe in your comfort zone, but that you can also ignore it.
But I also think one of the best things (maybe naive or bad business advice here) you can do to minimize how often you feel imposter syndrome is ignoring your competitors. Put your blinders on. On social media, this looks like me not following people I would consider similar to me in business. Or at the very least muting their accounts.
We often feel imposter syndrome when we feel under-qualified. We feel under-qualified because we are comparing ourselves to others who are seemingly more qualified. But if we eliminate that comparison, stay in our lane, and focus on how we want to serve OUR people (who are typically a few steps behind us in terms of knowledge or experience), we can do so confidently and authentically.
So, I know this isn’t massively helpful and might be frustrating to hear, but I don’t think imposter syndrome ever goes away. With practice, however, it can get quieter. The key is recognizing its there and pressing on anyways.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
When it comes down to it, I help creative service providers reclaim their time. Many of us set out to start a business for time freedom, but end up becoming our own worst boss. We work constantly, giving up time with family and friends. And we don’t want to be. We don’t want to burnout, but we get sucked into blind ambition and keeping up with the Joneses.
Before we know it, we’re exhausted and wondering how much longer we can keep doing this. That’s where I come in. I help talented businesses owners bring strategy and intention back into their business. We set up systems and diagnose inefficiencies to help them get the results they want with less work.
For example, for 4 years, I helped photographers, interior designers, and copywriters create their client experience workflow from scratch. They always struggled to find the mix of efficiency, efficacy, and personality. Often times, they’d use templates from bigger name entrepreneurs, hoping they’d be the ticket to success, only to be let down when it didn’t work for them.
So, out of those years of experience, I created a course, Systems That Sell, that helps service based business owners create a workflow that helps them book more ideal clients, serve them well through a pre-written experience, and get more referrals / reviews. They craft every email to sound like themselves, but with the underlying strategy I learned with over 14 years in business.
I truly believe you can’t grow a business you love around a lifestyle you hate, so that’s what I do for entrepreneurs. I help them tweak their business to support their health & lifestyle again.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
TENACITY: (You could also call this stubbornness.) I don’t give up. If what I’m doing isn’t working, I pivot to find something that does. My business does not look the same as it did years ago because I had to keep learning and changing until I found my niche…. where the problem that hurts my heart most (people missing out on life for their business) intersects with my unique skill sets (helping craft custom solutions for them).
EMPATHY: My clients have told me I have a really amazing ability to “get them,” which helps me support them better. I’m an incredible listener, sometimes hearing breakthroughs before my clients even realize they’ve said them. I don’t just push my one-size-fits-all solution on them. I listen to them, try to relate to where they’re at, and help them make a plan that truly works for THEM. But all the while, my empathy helps me create real relationships with them that often form into friendships.
WILLINGNESS TO PUT MYSELF OUT THERE: Look, if we all waited until we were perfect to start, we’d never start. You’re going to have a crappy first draft. We all do. But we have to be willing to look unpolished or a little silly to get better. Whether that’s creating your first reel, recording a podcast, taking your first photo, or whatever… you have to put yourself out there!
I truly think most businesses fail because people give up or get in their own heads. Entrepreneurship is hard and there are days where I want to go off the grid and grow my own food, but I keep coming back to the impact I’m making.
If you want to succeed in the long term, not just burnout fast in a flash, you have to have a strong concept of two things: 1) How much is enough? Because once you get there, the world will tell you to move the goal post & keep pushing. Decide now how much is enough and stick to it. 2) What’s your why? If you don’t know WHY you’re running this business or doing this thing, the first time it gets tough, you’re going to bail. But if you have purpose and a strong deep in your heart reason for what you’re doing, you’ll be much more likely to push through.
If you know WHY you’re doing what you’re doing (and REALLY believe in it), tenacity and the willingness to put yourself out there will come naturally.
Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?
One of the first things I tell my clients is to create more margin than they think they need into their schedule. Getting behind feels super defeating, but staying ahead (with room for life to happen) will have you walking on air.
That said, if you’re already overwhelmed, this is what I do… I write down everything in my brain. What’s occupying my mental space? Get it on paper. What needs to get done? Go through the list and ask yourself… “does this actually need to get done or do I just feel like it should?”
Solo entrepreneurs especially have a tendency to think they have to do everything to succeed. They have to market on Pinterest, Instagram, LinkedIn, blog, etc. It’s a lot. To just use that as an example, if they had all of these on their list, I’d ask them where most of their current results are coming from. If they’re getting zero results from Pinterest, for example, we’re going to cut that out of their strategy for now. It’s not that they can’t return to it, but it’s an easy cut. We’re going to focus on doing the things that will get them results.
Pretty soon, if you approach the list like that (what gets you results or what is necessary to maintain your integrity — like getting a client something you promised), you’ll see how much you can eliminate from your list. Your overwhelm will slow and you’ll be able to focus.
The Pareto Principle tells us that 80% of our results come from 20% of our actions, so get clear on what that 20% is for you. When you’re overwhelmed, slow down first. Get your bearings, then take INTENTIONAL action based on data, not feelings.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://cassieschmidt.com/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/creativebusinesscoach
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cassieschmidtcoaching
- Other: The Creative Cantina Podcast: https://cassieschmidt.com/the-creative-cantina-podcast
Image Credits
Photo & Film by Sarah Elizabeth Amy Lynn Creative EP Studios
