What is Imposter Syndrome?
A guide for heart-centered entrepreneurs
That feeling…ick!
That feeling that tells you you don’t belong.
Feeling like you’re not enough.
That someone’s going to catch you being your subpar self and rat on you.
You look around and see confident entrepreneurs all around you doing amazing things, and you’re wondering if you’ll ever see yourself as an equal.
This unsettling feeling is known as imposter syndrome (but you probably already knew that). Sometimes it can feel like we’re the only ones who feel it, but it’s much more common than you might think.
In fact, I’m always amazed as I look around the room at the entrepreneurs in my group programs. Watching their faces beam with surprise as they relate to one another over this topic, often saying out loud “Oh my gosh! You feel that way too?”
What is Imposter Syndrome? Origin and Definition
I, personally, view imposter syndrome as a survival mechanism. It’s kicks in when we’re out of our comfort zone.
If we imagine ourselves as cave dwellers, it’s as if we decide to step out of the cave when all of a sudden our inner “imposter syndrome” kicks in and says, “Hey! What are you doing?! It’s dangerous out here. Get back in that cave!!”
It wants to keep us in what it already knows. And this particular flavour of inner critic tends to try beating and berating us into submission in order to get us back into safety.
It’s a bully tactic as a means for control.
That’s my view. But in times like this, I also like to see what the dictionary says:
Webster’s dictionary defines imposter syndrome as:
the persistent inability to believe that one's success is deserved or has been legitimately achieved as a result of one's own efforts or skills.
It’s a term coined by psychologists Pauline Clance and Suzanne Imes in the 1970s. Interestingly enough, it’s a common experience among high achievers, including entrepreneurs like you.
In fact, about 25-30% of high achievers experience imposter syndrome.
So take that as a bit of a pat on the back. If you are dealing with imposter syndrome, it means you’re a high achiever! And likely, you’re not a narcissist because as my friend Mark says “No narcissist ever worried about whether they were good enough or not”.
Ain’t that the truth! Lol
But I digress…
In a video about imposter syndrome and its origins produced by TedEd, the producers share:
“[imposter syndrome] has been established across gender, race, age, and a huge range of occupations…
To call it a syndrome is to downplay how universal it is. It’s not a disease or an abnormality, and it isn’t necessarily tied to depression, anxiety, or self-esteem….
Why can't we shake the idea that our ideas and skills aren’t worthy of other peoples’ attention?”
It is believed that even Albert Einstein suffered from imposter syndrome at times. He was quoted near the end of his life saying “I feel compelled to think of myself as an involuntary swindler.”
The extraordinary Maya Angelou also seems to have faced this feeling, saying “I’ve run a game on everybody, and they’re going to find me out.”
Like I said before, if you’re dealing with a severe case of the IS, consider yourself one of the greats. You’re right up there with Maya Angelou and Einstein.
Don’t Blame Yourself: The Societal Roots of Imposter Syndrome
While it’s easy to blame imposter syndrome on personal insecurities, the reality is far more complex. Women (and especially BIPOC) have been excluded from entrepreneurial and other spaces on purpose for centuries. Much of modern society has also been set up with the neuro-typical brain in mind, when in reality, our world has so many neurodiverse folks making a difference.
So if you feel inadequate…know that it’s a product of how we’ve been socialized as a society. Imposter syndrome is less the fault of the individual, and more a result of our society.
Many of us have been socialized to downplay our achievements, and sometimes pitted against each other. In the entrepreneurial world, where assertiveness and self-promotion can be key, these socialized behaviours can put heart-centered folks at a distinct disadvantage.
Slowly, bit by bit, society is addressing these systemic issues. By promoting a culture of inclusion and equity, we can slowly see the barriers being dismantled each day. And I’m here for it!
I love reminding people how powerful this sort of inner work is. When we are working through and overcoming something like imposter syndrome we’re literally changing the fabric of society. We’re making the world a safer, healthier, more inclusive and more loving place just by learning to be aware of this part of ourselves.
By learning to see ourselves in a more positive light, and by learning how to encourage and love ourselves forward, we’re doing our part to create a better world for everyone.
A Scientist Shares her Experience…
In the same TedEd video mentioned above, a scientist felt she was bad at her job. It was getting in the way of her progress and happiness.
Being a woman of science, she decided to document every single time she had these feelings, and anything that might be relevant.
After a while, something became crystal clear. Almost every time something went wrong, it had to do with faulty equipment at her lab. She didn’t suck - her lab equipment did. And she wasn’t getting the funding and investment needed to upgrade it.
When she realized these internal feelings were largely coming from her environment, she was able to better recognize them and remind herself that it wasn't because she was a bad scientist.
What is Imposter Syndrome for Entrepreneurs?
Entrepreneurs may feel particularly prone to imposter syndrome. Creating a successful business is no easy feat. It requires self-promotion, putting yourself out there, and often not getting the response you’d like. It can often feel like a lonely road to travel, and you can find yourself second-guessing every decision.
Entrepreneurship often involves navigating uncharted waters, which can make us double down on self-doubt and fear. It can also have us spending way too much time comparing ourselves to others.
And for people like us, who care a great deal about the people and systems we want to impact, I sometimes think we’re even more prone to imposter syndrome than the average entrepreneur simply because we care so, so deeply about what we’re doing.
What is Imposter Syndrome? A Personal Example…
When I’m not coaching business owners, you can often find me teaching yoga at one of my local wellness clinics. It’s a sincere passion of mine and has been since my mid-twenties.
When I first completed my first 200 hour teacher training I wasn’t sure I would ever ACTUALLY teach. I found it so intimidating. I had a few teachers that I admired who seemed to know SO MUCH and I just couldn’t imagine myself being able to do what they did.
It’s taken YEARS for me to get to a place where I can comfortably and authentically instruct a yoga class. And even now, I still have moments where those patterns pop up.
My role now is in recognizing and catching it sooner than I once did. To pull myself out of the story and recognize it for what it is.
I care about my students.
I care about the lineage of yoga.
My doubts and fears come from that care.
I can hold space for them while infusing some care for myself, reminding myself that all I have to do is show up as myself and share the gifts and insights that have been shared with me.
I can remind myself that I’m not here to be perfect.
I can remind myself that believing in myself and in what I’m doing is a choice.
And it’s just as easy to choose to believe in myself as it is to choose not to believe.
Signs and Symptoms of Imposter Syndrome
Awareness is always key. Recognizing imposter syndrome in yourself is our first most powerful step toward overcoming it. Here are some common signs:
Self-Doubt: Constantly questioning your abilities and achievements.
Overworking: Trying to compensate for perceived inadequacies by working excessively hard.
Fear of Failure: Avoiding new opportunities due to the fear of not being good enough.
Downplaying Success: Attributing your achievements to luck or external factors rather than your own skills and efforts.
Procrastination: Avoiding the work for fear of not being good enough.
Possible Impacts on Your Business and Life
How does imposter syndrome affect entrepreneurs?
Decision-Making
Fear of making the wrong decision can lead to paralysis, preventing you from moving forward. It can also have you changing your direction which can make you feel as though you’re not getting anywhere.Confidence
Erodes your self-trust, making it harder to take risks and innovate. It can cause you to show up timidly which can have an impact on the effectiveness of your actions.Mental Health
Contributes to stress, anxiety, and burnout, affecting both your personal and professional life. This has a major impact on how you feel within your business and how you show up.Deprives the World of Your Gifts
You have something unique to offer the world, and seeing you at your full potential makes the world shine more brightly. I know, I know…that sounds so cheesy. But it’s true! We’ve all seen what it feels like to be in the presence of someone who is sharing their magic. You deserve to be that person too.
How this can play out in real life is:
You may find yourself posting something on social media only to delete it moments later; Taking days/weeks/months/years to write copy for your website; Swinging back and forth as to what to price your product or services at; Setting unclear boundaries with clients; Overworking on your business and neglecting your personal life; Showing up timidly on webinars; Holding yourself back from going to that in-person event that you kind of wanted to check out…the list goes on…
Strategies to Overcome Imposter Syndrome
If you’re feeling called out as you’re reading through this, DON’T WORRY. Remember what we talked about moments ago: Imposter syndrome and its challenges are NORMAL for people who care about the work that they do and the people they serve.
Imposter syndrome is a sure sign that we've stepped out of compassion for ourselves. We’ve stopped believing in ourselves.
All we need to do to start turning things around is to find some love for ourselves. To offer ourselves some understanding and compassion. And to get back into belief.
Here are some other practical tips:
See it not as a problem but as a normal and natural part of being a caring human: When we see something as a problem we tend to make a mountain out of a molehill which makes it even harder to overcome. As you start to normalize it, you will begin to neutralize its power over you.
Acknowledge Your Feelings: Recognize and name your imposter feelings. Simply acknowledging them can reduce their power over you. Remember, it doesn’t always look like “I’m an imposter and someone will rip off my mask any second” it can show up in different ways like:
“I only got that big contract because I was lucky”
“I better pull another all-nighter to make sure this is good enough”
“If I fail, it’s because I personally suck, not because other factors that may have been working against me”
“I probably shouldn’t charge that much…no one will ever want to pay me that”
Celebrate Achievements: Regularly take time to acknowledge and celebrate your successes, no matter how small. This can take effort and intention. Celebrating yourself (especially if you are female and or BIPOC) may not feel natural and it might actually be kind of uncomfortable. Expect as much and understand that celebrating and acknowledging yourself is one of the most powerful ways to undo imposter syndrome at its roots.
Seek Support: Connect with a mentor, coach, or supportive community. Sharing your experiences can help you realize you’re not alone.
Reframe Negative Thoughts: Practice self-compassion and challenge negative self-talk. Remind yourself of your accomplishments and strengths.
Spread the Love: If you make a habit of appreciating others and their gifts, chances are it will come back to you. Accept compliments from others, even if it feels awkward!
Repeat after me: “Thank you for the compliment!”
The Role of Community and Coaching in Decreasing Imposter Syndrome
Community can be a fantastic ally. When we build ourselves and our businesses up in community, especially a community which is open about their struggles, it helps us realize it’s not just us. When we realize other people who we admire are having similar thoughts, it can be a relief and an opportunity to lift each other up.
If you’re looking for a heart-centered, supportive and authentic community to be a part of I encourage you to check out The Heartwork Collective. I’m in awe of the folks in this community and it warms my heart to see the way you all lift one another up.
Similarly, having a coach who understands your struggles and can help remind you of your greatness can have a positive effect. Professional coaches may specialize in building a safe space to explore, address, and overcome these feelings as you build a business (and life!) that you love. Coaching can help you build confidence and set goals which make your heart happy and business thrive.
If you’re looking for a coach who loves creating a safe, fun and creative environment for you to feel through the ups and downs of your entrepreneurial journey, then look no further. I typically work with folks for 6-months at a time on a weekly basis but I’m always happy to chat and to discuss your needs and personal situation. You can learn more about my practice here.
Conclusion: What is Imposter Syndrome?
The most important thing I want you to remember is that feeling like an imposter doesn’t mean you ARE one. It just means you’re out there doing the daily, often difficult, work of an entrepreneur. You’re growing! And self doubt is part of that growth journey. It doesn’t have to define you or limit building the business of your dreams.
If imposter syndrome is holding you back, don’t hesitate to reach out for support. I offer free 60 minute consultation calls where I take the time to learn about you, celebrate your progress, and provide practical ideas and support.
You have what it takes to succeed.
Embrace your journey, imperfections and all. You've got this!
(with great help from Victoria, my resident copywriter!)
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