Overcoming Imposter Syndrome: Building Confidence as an Entrepreneur
Hands up if you have ever questioned whether you actually deserve to run a successful business. Or if you feel like, in spite of years of experience and training that you are somehow still not qualified to do what you do. If you raised your hand, congratulations you’ve experienced imposter syndrome.
Entrepreneurship doesn’t come with a road map to success, nor is there an easy path to starting and building a successful business. It’s a rollercoaster with challenges and wins that will take you on an unforgettable ride in A direction (right or wrong).
It’s not uncommon to have feelings of self-doubt or inadequacy on your entrepreneurial journey. It can make the ride quite unpleasant. As hard as it is, you need to work to pull yourself out of imposter syndrome so you can reach your goals and come out on top in business.
Is it imposter syndrome?
There are some common ways imposter syndrome can show up in entrepreneurship. Can’t figure out a solution unless you know there is a problem, right?
Attributing Success to Luck: “Luck only exists in horseshoes and hand grenades.” Well, if that saying is true then why not give yourself the credit you’re owed for your success. If you are experiencing imposter syndrome you might be quick to attribute any successes to external factors such as luck, timing, or the help of others.
Fear of Failure: Oof this one hits close to home. This is often how my imposter syndrome rears it’s ugly head. The fear of failure can be paralyzing. You won’t take risks and you will likely have decision paralysis. As we talked about a little while back, remember that failure isn’t the end of the world. But if you let imposter syndrome take over, then you may actually believe that any mistake will show your lack of competence.
Downplaying Achievements: Many people find it hard to take a compliment, but in the entrepreneurship world, if you’re downplaying your achievements, and constantly dismissing compliments and accolades as mere luck, this is a common sign of imposter syndrome.
Constant Comparison: It can be so easy to get swept up in comparing yourself to, well… everyone. The challenge with this is that every business is different, and everyone is at a different point in their entrepreneurship journey.
How to snap out of it
Once you have identified that what you’re experiencing is imposter syndrome, how do you deal with it?
Acknowledge and Accept: You’ve identified it, now it’s time to accept it and realize that it’s completely normal. So many successful entrepreneurs go through imposter syndrome. While that doesn’t directly address your feelings, it can be helpful to know you’re not alone.
Cut yourself some slack: Treat yourself with the same kindness and understanding that you would extend to a friend. Self-compassion can be a hard one, but when your inner voice is being mean, step back and think about what you would say to someone else.
Celebrate any and all wins: You know I am all about a good celebration. Take the time to celebrate your wins, both big and small. Keep a record of your successes and revisit them during moments of self-doubt as a reminder of what you are capable of.
Set Realistic Goals: Big goals can be daunting, but if you break it down into smaller, bite sized tasks it makes it more manageable. Having set milestones along the way makes it easier to celebrate the small wins too.
Talk it out: Whether you find a mentor or you simply connect with other entrepreneurs, get comfy with sharing your experiences. You might find that others are facing similar challenges so you can figure it out together, or even that they have been through it and have some advice for you.
It’s hard to avoid self-doubt, especially when you step onto the entrepreneurship roller coaster. Remember that you’re not alone in the feeling. Don’t be afraid to sit with the feeling and face it head on. You will come up against challenges, but that doesn’t mean you’re not on the right path.