I keep hearing so much about Imposter Syndrome. Recently my friend Tina “Starz” Wilson, a health and mindset coach for women, said she felt that imposer syndrome was holding her back. She felt it was holding her back from more success in her business and focus.

Often times your biggest competitor doesn’t always come from the rival business across the street. Sometimes, it’s the crippling self-doubt that sneaks into your mind, casting doubts on every decision and achievement. People call this “Imposter Syndrome,” and it might hold many entrepreneurs back from reaching their full potential. Let’s dive in.

[Related article – Overcome Impostor Syndrome by Believing in Yourself(Opens in a new browser tab)]

What is Imposter Syndrome?

Imposter Syndrome makes you believe that you’re not as competent as others think you are. Despite evidence of your abilities, you might feel like luck, timing, or deception caused your successes, fearing that others will expose you as a fraud.

Is it a Real Thing?

Absolutely. Imposter Syndrome is a genuine psychological phenomenon. Psychologists Pauline Rose Clance and Suzanne Imes first identified it in the late 1970s. While it isn’t a mental disorder, it’s a form of intellectual self-doubt that can affect anyone, making it especially concerning for entrepreneurs.

How to Conquer Imposter Syndrome

1. Acknowledge It: Understand that everyone occasionally feels inadequate. Knowing it’s a widespread issue can make it less daunting.
2. Celebrate Achievements: Don’t credit luck for your accomplishments. Celebrate them, regardless of their size.
3. Find a Mentor: Discussing your feelings with an experienced person in your field can offer insight. They can share their experiences with doubt and offer guidance.
4. See Failure as a Lesson: View mistakes as learning opportunities, not as evidence of inadequacy.
5. Ask for Feedback: Regular positive reinforcement from peers, mentors, or employees can drown out the doubts imposter syndrome brings.

How Imposter Syndrome Can Hold Entrepreneurs Back

1. Avoiding Opportunities: The fear of being exposed might make you miss potential collaborations, investments, or media appearances.
2. Overworking Yourself: To make up for perceived inadequacies, you might burn yourself out.
3. Rejecting Feedback: You might see constructive criticism as evidence of your “fraudulence”, making you defensive.
4. Stalling Decisions: Fear of making mistakes and being “found out” can lead to procrastination.
5. Undervaluing What You Offer: You might charge less for your products or services, thinking they aren’t “good enough” for market or premium rates.

Signs of Imposter Syndrome

1. Constant Self-doubt: You feel self-doubt even when success is evident.
2. Crediting Success to External Factors: You believe luck or timing, not your skills, caused your success.
3. Setting Superhuman Expectations: You feel you should handle everything alone and see needing help as a weakness.
4. Dreading Failure: You see failure not as a chance to grow but as a risk of exposure.
5. Downplaying Your Expertise: Despite your experience, you always feel others know more than you.

In conclusion, Imposter Syndrome can silently undermine the successes you work hard to achieve. However, with awareness, reflection, and action, you can fight these feelings of doubt. Every entrepreneur deserves to embrace their achievements and anticipate even more success. Don’t let Imposter Syndrome convince you otherwise.

[Related article – Stop Underestimating Yourself. No More Self Doubt.(Opens in a new browser tab)]