We are all imposters in our own minds

I’ve suffered from imposter syndrome for as long as I can remember.

During the past decade of building a company, there’s often this nagging little voice in my head asking questions like:

“Who are you to be leading a company?”

“Who are you to be advising people online?”

“Who are you to be building a personal brand?”

And the worst one:

“Can you really do this?”

Does this happen to you, too? Are you an imposter in your own mind?

As you grow a company or grow in your professional career, the challenges get bigger and bigger.

You tackle one challenge and think, “Yeah! I’m freaking awesome!!” then the next huge obstacle comes and knocks you on your ass.

I’ve had to take a deep look at my self-talk game time and time again. I’ve also developed a number of strategies that help me pick myself up when I’m feeling like an imposter:

First, you must constantly work on your self-confidence. Just like everyone else, I don’t feel confident all the time, but I do feel confident the majority of the time. I tell myself, “Jackie, you are way too badass to let the voice in your own head be the thing standing in your way.” And sometimes, I fake confidence until I really have the skills, the knowledge, or have prepared myself enough to truly feel confident.

Next, start sharing how you’re feeling. I talk about imposter syndrome because I know you probably suffer from it, too. I also guarantee there are people online that look at me and think I must be 110% confident at all times, which is hilarious and far from the truth. Discussing what you’re going through helps your brain understand that you are not alone and the way you’re experiencing life is completely normal.

It’s also important to admit your failures. I think it’s MUCH easier to feel like an imposter when you’re trying to keep up a facade that you are perfect. I spent much of my childhood acting like everything was great when it wasn’t—it was ingrained in me that your struggles are your own and are to be kept private at all times. I screw up all. the.time. And perfect is not even a thing.

Lastly, to overcome imposter syndrome, you must DO THE THING. For example, I have talked openly about my fear of public speaking. I distinctly remember freaking the f out about a presentation I was giving to a group of 7 women in 2018. I asked a million questions to prepare. The organizer was like, “It’s really casual and not a big deal” and I remember thinking well it’s a big deal to me! Today, I’m a lot more comfortable. Just like everything in life: the more you do it, the more you build the muscle, the easier it gets.

Remember: if you feel like an imposter, you are absolutely not alone. Far from it.