Learning from one another is what BoldJourney is all about. Below, we’ve shared stories and insights from phenomenal artists, creatives and entrepreneurs who’ve successfully managed to overcome imposter syndrome.
Athena Miller
Imposter syndrome is a funny feeling. I also haven’t not overcome it. Not sure I ever will. Each time I meet new artists or creators I am hit with it all over again. One thing I have found that helps is talking with others about their pieces and their story. Sometimes it’s the same most of the time it’s not. It brings the human aspect back to earth. Read More>>
Kelsey Stafford
I overcame imposter syndrome by seeking progress.
Of course, I still experience imposter syndrome, who doesn’t? But I tell myself that people still use my service so something must working correctly.
I also try to find fulfillment in helping others and the community rather than seeking $$ and followers.
I like to tell myself that if I can at least help one person then I have done my job. Read More>>
Frank J. Cheff
First I discovered imposter syndrome in college after having a relatively easy time with academics although I attended a fairly strong academic parochial High School but we moved to a very rural setting and the academics were not as strong in my last two years. I didn’t notice I was falling behind but my first Chem 101 exam now that was an eye opener and knew I had to buckle down and catch up. Early in my career I was feeling early signs of this as well. Read More>>
Sabella Reyes
Ah, imposter syndrome, I’ve definitely been there! As an executive producer of music with a background in behavior health modification and as a clinical therapist utilizing music medicine techniques, overcoming imposter syndrome has been quite the journey for me. Let me share a few strategies that have helped me conquer those nagging feelings of self-doubt. Read More>>
Quiana Malone
I overcame Imposter Syndrome, by fully healing and fixing those things within myself that made me feel as I wasn’t good enough. By me harboring those feelings I lead me to believe that what I possessed wasn’t as good as what someone else in my field was doing, or like I was copying someone else because surely what I was doing wasn’t good enough. Read More>>
Christina Singleton
The thing about imposter syndrome is it is completely normal and natural. The only way to grow is to bring yourself outside of your comfort zone and try new things. The best way to get over imposter syndrome is to just keep pushing forward. Show up and be confident knowing that you are the expert in whatever it is you are doing. If someone is calling you for help, you already know more than they do. The more time that passes and the more that you work in your business, the less you will feel like an imposter. Read More>>
Danielle Lambart
Imposter syndrome is a common feeling experienced by so many entrepreneurs, especially those in highly saturated industries like the event industry. As a mom to a toddler running a woman-owned business, it’s easy to feel like you don’t belong or that you’re not good enough. However, it’s important to remember that I am not alone and that many successful business owners experience these same feelings. Read More>>
Gabie Ruiz
I had an a-ha moment recently after substitute teaching a yoga class for a friend. With as long as I’ve been teaching, I recognize that students are used to their teacher and their unique style and rituals and routines. With a recent holiday, I had forgotten to plan ahead on my curriculum for the week and essentially came into the class with nothing intellectually in tow. I decided to just flow with it, stay present and let what needs to come out, to come out with the sequence I had been building with my own students over the last few weeks. Read More>>
Rick DeSimone
Oh boy, what a question. I’ve struggled with with feeling like an imposter for most of my adult life. I grew up as a “gifted” kid, so a lot of heavy expectations were placed on me early on. I had “unlimited potential”, I was told, but didn’t have much guidance or many available examples of people who worked hard or grinded for their dreams. My heroes were all athletes or musicians who I discovered when they were already at the top of their game. Read More>>
Kelley Segars
I definitely have had imposter syndrome all of my life. I remember when I was defending my thesis in graduate school, I was terrified that someone would say I had done my statistics analysis completely wrong. When I first started sewing face masks early in the pandemic, I had not sewn in many years and struggled with the process. I began making masks and just asking for a donation to a local non-profit. I started having return customers who said they loved my masks. Once I’d made about 100 masks and felt more confident, I began selling them. Read More>>
Rickey Jasper
Imposter syndrome for me is an indication that I’m doing something that is stretching me, figuratively. Whatever the task at hand is, or whatever venture I’m involved with, it makes me feel like I don’t have entirely what it takes to be successful. How I’ve overcome that in the past and as it comes up in my life currently is truly telling myself that it is happening for a positive reason. I am focused on growth in my professional career, speaking career and podcasting career. Read More>>
Bliss Bliss
Wow, that’s a great question! It’s one we’ve wrestled with through the years. I (Lang) think that a lot of artists wrestle with the topic of feeling like they’re just copying other artists and being seen as an imposter. If you’re truly going for it, trying to be an artist, you’ve either faced or are going to face the question at some point from family and friends, “When are you gonna get a real job?” That implies a bunch of stuff but a couple of things it says is that you’re not really that good and why are you trying to do something/be something that you’re not? Read More>>
Lydia Rosencrants
When I started my role as Dean of the Business School here at CBU, I had a very bad case of imposter syndrome. I felt unprepared for all that the role required. I would say that it is a combination of several things that helped me overcome this. The first was Memphis. Everyone in the business community that I reached out to was so welcoming and so excited about my vision for the School. That helped me to see that I really could add value to CBU and the community. The second was my faith. Read More>>
Adam Sanford
I didn’t! Nobody has it all figured out. The key is to figure out your process that creates work you’re not embarrassed of, and let everyone else decide if they like it or want it. I make things that mean something to me, and I hope that someone else finds it meaningful too. I try my best not to think of myself in competition with anyone. My goal is to get my work in front of the people that connect with it then move on to the next thing. Read More>>
Cristian Davila-Serrano
I don’t think you ever really overcome or should overcome imposter syndrome. Neither do I think you should let it take over. Imposter syndrome for me is the reminder that I always have room to grow, room to improve, and at the same time that I’ve put myself in the right spaces to continue to expand on what I’m capable of doing. Though whenever the feeling does appear, and it happens less often than it used to, I like to remind myself that I wouldn’t hired for this job or invited to this event if I wasn’t already capable. Read More>>
Jenny Yi
First, I haven’t. To be completely honest. And most importantly, I don’t think I ever will. I’ve accepted that I won’t. No matter how fruitful and profitable my business becomes, I think there will always be a part of me that is still SHOCKED people pay me to do this. And I mean that in all genuineness. There are so many incredible designers and creatives. I learn from them literally everyday. I mostly just feel like I get a chance to play grown up Barbie’s still haha. Read More>>
DULCE DAGDA
It took me approximately six years to overcome my imposter syndrome. Initially, I pursued a career in journalism and studied journalism and communication as my first university bachelor’s degree. However, my passion was always in the health, wellness, and fitness field. To enhance my credibility while writing articles on health and nutrition, I decided to pursue a certification as a nutrition coach. Even after obtaining the certification, I still felt the need for further validation. Despite my dedication to studying biology, physiology, and their relationship with nutrition and the body, I continued to doubt myself. Read More>>
Stacey Naler
Everyone has some degree of imposter syndrome when they start a new business. I fight mine with confidence in my background, surrounding myself with positive people, and continually researching my industry. When the imposter syndrome would creep up in the beginning, I would remind myself that I know my stuff. I had years and years of experience in retail. I’ve seen the brands in person. I’ve tried on more clothes and various lines than most people have in a lifetime from being in retail. I helped people shop to feel best about themselves for literally years. The only difference was now I wasn’t tied to one store and their lines… I can pull from anywhere I think fits my clients best. Read More>>
Anh Pham
I overcome imposter syndrome by using my current skills to gain more experience to be in a mindset of constantly improving whether I have executed a project to its fullest potential even with it being the ultimate goal. I find stability and security in knowing I have taken on a project or creative endeavor to my best ability because each project is an opportunity to learn. Eventually, with enough learning experience, and overtime, I will be able to maximize a new or current skill and my potential in a project or profession. Read More>>
ABRY
mposter Syndrome, it’s a peculiar thing, you know? It’s this uncanny blend of feeling oddly natural and unnaturally out of place simultaneously. Those who’ve walked its path before, they’ll grasp exactly what I mean. It’s a true paradox of emotions because if you harbor genuine passion for something, why should insecurity tag along? Read More>>
Trevis Brown
I’m not going to lie, imposture syndrome is something I still struggle with from time to time, but I’ve found ways to manage it. Remembering exactly who I am helps. I remember the things I have overcome. I remember the goals I set and then achieved. This sounds super easy but this was really impactful, I have a list of names saved in my phone. It’s a list of powerful people that I have been in the room with. The list has names like Oprah, Tyler Perry, Viola Davis just to name a few. When I feel imposture syndrome raising its ugly head, I remember that I wouldn’t have been in the room with these people unless I was exactly who I said I was, a dope artist with tons of talent. Read More>>
Elan Pasmanick
I’m not sure I have. But it’s definitely getting better. It was way harder when I didn’t have any accomplishments to show. I repair equipment for home restoration companies. At first, when I just started, I needed clients. I went door to door to introduce myself and give out my business cards. I had to convince them that I’m the right guy for the job. It was difficult because I wasn’t sure about that myself. Read More>>
