Do you ever get that nagging feeling that no matter how much you achieve, you’ll never be good enough? 

Does it feel like you’re faking it and just waiting for people to figure out you’re incapable?

That, my friends, is impostor syndrome.

I’ll let you into a little secret – when I first launched my coaching business, I felt like a HUGE fraud, even though, on paper, I had all the qualifications. 

This self-doubt didn’t just affect my mindset, it also determined my actions and decisions.

You see, impostor syndrome keeps us stuck. We second-guess our abilities, and as a result, we pass up opportunities and instead, keep playing small.

But here’s the thing – impostor syndrome doesn’t have to hold you back anymore.

In this week’s article and video, I’m sharing the 5 steps I took to beat impostor syndrome and reclaim my confidence for good.

What Is Impostor Syndrome?

We all doubt ourselves sometimes, but imposter syndrome goes beyond this. Imposter syndrome is the persistent feeling that no matter what you achieve, you don’t deserve it. 

Despite having concrete evidence of your success or competence, you believe you’re undeserving of your success. As a result, you fear that at any moment, someone will realize you’re not as talented or intelligent as they first thought.

We often think that at a certain point, impostor syndrome will disappear. We tell ourselves we just need one more qualification or a bit more experience and then we feel truly competent.

Unfortunately, this is not the case at all.

In fact, impostor syndrome tends to amplify with success, and it’s something that high achievers struggle with the most. 

That’s right – even the most talented, capable, and hardworking people doubt themselves. 

So, if you’re struggling with impostor syndrome, know that it doesn’t mean you’re not capable; it means that you’re human, and more than that, it’s a sign you’re on the right path.

But here’s the thing – as impostor syndrome doesn’t disappear, we must learn to deal with it. 

If we allow our doubts to control us, we self-sabotage our success by saying no to the opportunities that will propel us forward. 

So, how can we take control of impostor syndrome and regain confidence? Here are the exact steps that helped me transform my relationship with impostor syndrome.

1. Recognize Impostor Syndrome and Call It Out

Step one in overcoming impostor syndrome is recognizing when it occurs. It often manifests as thoughts like “I’m not good enough” or “I don’t belong here,” which are fear-based and not factual.

For me, these thoughts would emerge before taking a big leap, such as launching a coaching program. 

Once I understood what was happening, I started calling it out, which helped stop the negative thoughts in their tracks. Instead of letting them spiral, I’d label them: “This is impostor syndrome talking.” 

So notice when your own self-doubting thoughts arise. For example, is it before a presentation or after receiving positive feedback?

By creating this distance, you can challenge these thoughts. 

Write them down and ask yourself “Is this really true?” 9 times out of 10 you will find no factual evidence to back them up.

2. Reframe the Narrative

Impostor syndrome thrives on distortion, but reframing brings things back into focus. That’s why it’s essential to transform your negative beliefs into empowering statements. 

For instance, when I started my coaching business, I often thought, “I’m not qualified,” and “Who am I to guide other people in this way?”

However, I began telling myself, “I’ve helped many people and am ready to support more in a new way. Whenever this doubt arose, I’d counter it with, “I’ve worked hard and am capable.”

Sure, it felt a bit forced at first, but with practice, it became more natural to think those thoughts, than my previous disempowering thoughts.

Try this yourself. Write down your negative thoughts, and next to each one, write the opposite. For example, if you think, ‘I’m not ready,’ replace it with, ‘I’ve been preparing for this, and I’m ready to learn.’

3. Track Your Wins

Impostor syndrome often leads us to overlook our accomplishments, fixating instead on what we haven’t done or perceive as lacking. That’s why documenting your successes—no matter how small—is essential. 

When I began this practice, I realized how much I had downplayed my achievements, telling myself things like, “That wasn’t a big deal.” 

By keeping a success journal, I recorded one or two wins daily. Sometimes, the wins were big, like landing a new client, and sometimes, they were small, like having a meaningful conversation with someone. 

Now, whenever self-doubt creeps in (and believe me, it still does), I look back at my wins and shift my mindset from “I’m not doing enough” to “I’m on the right path.” 

4. Talk About It

Impostor syndrome thrives in silence, growing stronger when kept inside. However, it starts to lose grip when you open up and share your feelings. 

I remember the first time I admitted to a mentor that I felt like a fraud, saying, “I don’t know why they picked me; I’m not good enough.” 

To my surprise, she laughed and shared, “I’ve felt that way too.” 

That moment was transformative—it made me realize I wasn’t alone.

Discussing feelings of impostor syndrome with friends, colleagues, or clients helps us realize that we all share similar doubts. Opening up diminishes the power of those thoughts, making them feel smaller. 

So, find someone you trust and share your fears. You’ll likely discover how relatable your experiences are, making those doubts seem much less daunting.

The Transformation

Since adopting this new mindset, my life has transformed in remarkable ways. I no longer feel the constant pressure to achieve a perfect balance. 

By focusing on what truly matters to me, my career has flourished, and I have more time for activities and relationships that bring me genuine joy.

The freedom from chasing perfection has empowered me to live more authentically and purposefully. 

I’m no longer bogged down by guilt or the fear of not measuring up. Instead, I’m fully engaged in creating a life that reflects my values and desires.

5. Take Action Anyway

The more you hesitate, the louder that voice telling you you’re not good enough becomes. That’s why the most important thing you can do is take action.

I’ve often felt paralyzed by self-doubt, whether launching a new program or starting a YouTube channel. But each time I acted despite the fear, something incredible happened.

For instance, when I launched my program, I was terrified and worried no one would sign up. But I pushed through, and it turned out to be a positive experience, with many people signing up.

If you take away just one thing from this article, make it this – Action is the antidote to impostor syndrome.

Every step forward you take creates evidence against those negative thoughts, which, over time, diminishes the noise.

So take one small step today. Make the call, submit the proposal, or say yes to the opportunity—whatever it is, just do it!

Final Thoughts

I still experience impostor syndrome occasionally, but now I know how to handle it. And you can too. 

For a deeper dive into these five strategies, watch the full episode on YouTube:

Have you ever dealt with impostor syndrome? Or are you currently battling with it? If so, share how you’re overcoming it in the comments below!

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