We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Cindy Baer a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Cindy, it’s so great to be with you. I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your life lessons and words of wisdom. Imposter Syndrome has held people back for decades, and we finally have better words to describe what is actually it. We’d be really interested to hear your story and about how you overcame it.
Wow. This question feels like kismet, since the next movie I’m making is actually titled IMPOSTOR SYNDROME!” It’s a romantic comedy about three women who ALL have Impostor Syndrome but in different ways.
In regard to my own Impostor Syndrome, I don’t know that I have completely overcome it. Lol. It’s an ongoing process. And despite my latest screenplay, it’s something I’ve never really talked much about.
It’s an underlying feeling of not belonging or being good enough, accompanied by a fear that other people might SEE it. I also tend to undervalue my accomplishments. It’s shame that stems from my childhood. As a result, I tend to work obsessively and be perfectionistic.
So how do I keep Impostor Syndrome at bay? I have to say that I really DO enjoy working hard. My creative projects are my passion. It’s only when anxiety strikes about something specific that I’ll need to breathe and remind myself “it’s OKAY.” Once I can figure out what the trigger is, then it’s easy to deal with the actual issue and move forward from a healthy center. Feelings are clues. I try to find the root cause by writing about it, or talking to a trusted friend. A magical thing happens when we TALK about the uncomfortable things we’d rather hide; they lose their power.
One of the greatest benefits of starting to get older is that you learn to know yourself. I do KNOW that everything I’ve ever accomplished in my life is indeed a direct result of my own efforts, my learning, and the huge amount of work and dedication I’ve put in. Also, I am a kind person with the highest integrity who does the very best she can. When you are in sync with who you are, Imposter syndrome really can’t exist!
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I’m a filmmaker. More specifically I’m a writer, director and producer who’s had a hand in every department of the industry from script development and casting to editing, color grading, music licensing, marketing and final delivery.
I love to make movies about women breaking free of their own boundaries. I’ve directed and produced two critically acclaimed features (and a few shorts, music videos and a kid’s pilot) that have appeared collectively in almost 100 film festivals and garnered 40 festival awards. My most recent feature ODD BRODSKY reached #19 on the iTunes Independent Comedy Charts in the USA, #13 in the UK, and #2 in Sweden and Armenia. The screenplay reached #1 on the Amazon Best Sellers List for screenplays.
My next feature IMPOSTOR SYNDROME has a throwback feel to the 80’s sort of romantic comedy I grew up with. It’s about a woman who hasn’t seen her mother in over 20 years, works at a dating service that’s on the brink of collapse, and is addicted to subscription boxes. The underlying theme revolves around friendship, forgiveness, family, and fate. It’s an innovative and fun movie that uniquely addresses healing ourselves.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
For my three impactful qualities, I’d have to say:
1) Be Proactive: I never waited for someone else to give me a green light for any of my prior projects or businesses. I green-lit myself, learning anything I needed to know as each step of the process arose. Jump in! Learn. Volunteer. Find a mentor. Join organizations. Meet people and discover your strengths. You fit in. You just need to figure out where.
2) Think outside the Box. For me, one of my greatest strengths is figuring out new and innovative ways to do things. It also makes for a fun way to connect with others and my community. I love sharing my ideas and helping other people accomplish their goals, especially regarding strategy.
3) Be Brave Enough to Communicate: Even if it’s uncomfortable, it’s important to talk about problems (or potential problems) big or small right away so they don’t develop into larger issues later. Things go wrong when people make assumptions because they are too afraid to ask for the information they need. (See what I did there? I tied this back to the Impostor Syndrome question. It’s okay —and good —to have questions and to ask them. It is not a reflection on you or your abilities.) Asking questions is key for healthy communication!
Are you looking for specific people to collaborate with? If so, what type of collaborations are you seeking?
Movie-making involves bringing together a large team of like-minded creatives, and I’m always looking for talented people who may be a good fit to team with.
For my current project, I’d love to collaborate with Drew Barrymore. I think we may be kindred spirits, having overcome similar family challenges, and have a feeling that not only would she love this funny and innovative movie that centers around female friendships, but also that it has a unique entrepreneurial element to it. Because it is such an unusual (hopefully dare-I-say groundbreaking) type of project with a scope that goes beyond the movie, I’ve also got a list of companies in mind that might be a good fit. I’ll be looking to set up meetings regarding partnerships, talent, funding and marketing opportunities as soon as we finish the initial budget, schedule and business plan.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.FreeDreamPictures.com
