How to deal with imposter syndrome
What is imposter syndrome?
Imposter syndrome is that horrible nagging voice in the back of your mind telling you that despite all of your hard work, your education, your experience, and your passion, you don’t belong in your field or you feel like a fraud.
We’ve all been there - even me! After six years of school, six years of work experience, and all the time I spend pouring into professional development, I oftentimes wonder if I actually am a good designer or a brand expert as I claim. And you have probably poured even more work into getting your business off the ground and making that awesome idea in your head come to life.
It’s a hard voice to silence, but there are some methods I find helpful to overcoming imposter syndrome and working your way towards the success you deserve!
#1. Create things anyway.
My first piece of advice is to actually just keep doing what you love. Keep using your imagination and creating - whatever that means for you. Brainstorm business concepts, doodle logos on napkins, cook new recipes. Don’t do it for anyone else but for yourself. Even if you feel like a fraud in front of everyone else, it’s important to keep pushing forward and do whatever it is you do that makes you happy.
#2. Do a social media cleanse.
Go to your social media platform of choice - whether it’s Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or TikTok - and really examine the people you follow. There are people you follow for inspiration, and there are people you originally followed for inspiration, but now they just make you feel self-conscious about your own skills and serve no other purpose. Unfollow them and I promise you won’t miss those negative feelings as you scroll through your feed.
#3. Find your community.
There are so many supportive entrepreneurial communities - online, locally - just take a look where ever makes sense to you for a community where you feel supported and where you can support others on their endeavours. Instead of feeling judged, these people will help get you where you want to be, and be there to celebrate the milestones.
#4. Fake it ‘til you make it.
It sounds cheesy, but it’s very true. This doesn’t mean to fake your credentials or lie to people, but fake your confidence in yourself until it becomes real! One day you’ll stop having to fake that confidence and realize you are worthy of all of the success you’re getting.
#5. Practice, practice, practice!
The worst thing about imposter syndrome is when it feels a little bit too real. Maybe you’re not as skilled as you could be, or you’re missing some knowledge you want to have - go learn it!
I spend a LOT of time practicing illustrating, playing around in Photoshop, or attending conferences to see what’s going on in my industry. And I’m still not as good as I want to be, but that doesn’t mean I don’t deserve to do my job.
Whatever gap in skills or knowledge you feel like you have - find out how to learn it, and then keep practicing so you get better and smarter!
How do you overcome feelings of imposter syndrome in your day-to-day?