3 Mindset Shifts to Overcome Impostor Syndrome
Impostor syndrome is a common issue among entrepreneurs, especially those who are just starting out. It’s that nagging feeling that you’re not qualified or capable of running your own business, and that at any moment, you’ll be exposed as a fraud. At the root of it is fear, anxiety, and feelings of inadequacy, despite being capable. This can be a major barrier to your confidence and success, and it can also hold your business back.
The original term “impostor phenomenon”, which is also referred to as “impostor syndrome” or “impostor experience” was first used by clinical psychologist, Suzanne Imes in the 1970’s, to describe the “internal experience of intellectual phoniness.”
In my own career, I experienced this psychological phenomenon at many different stages along the way, but it wasn’t until I started my own business that I finally had a word to describe what I was feeling. For me, the impostor feelings typically come about when I faced a new challenge in my work.
But the good news is that imposter syndrome is not a permanent condition. It’s a common experience among high-achieving individuals, and there are steps you can take to overcome it and move forward. Here are three mindset shifts that can help you overcome imposter syndrome as an entrepreneur:
1 - See Yourself As a Thought Leader
One of the biggest barriers to overcoming imposter syndrome is to shift your mindset from one of self-doubt to one of leadership. Start seeing yourself as a thought leader in your industry. You don’t have to be an expert in every aspect of your business, but you do need to be confident in your ability to lead and inspire others.
This mindset shift requires a shift in how you talk to yourself and how you present yourself to others. Rather than focusing on your weaknesses and doubts, start focusing on your strengths and accomplishments. This means recognizing the value you bring to the table and being confident in your ability to make a positive impact.
It’s also important to remember that being a thought leader doesn’t mean you have to know everything. In fact, it’s okay to admit when you don’t know something and to seek out help and guidance. The key is to be proactive in learning and growing and to be willing to share your knowledge and experience with others.
2 - Embrace a Growth Mindset
Imposter syndrome often stems from a fixed mindset, which is the belief that your abilities and intelligence are fixed and cannot be changed. To overcome imposter syndrome, it’s important to shift to a growth mindset, which is the belief that you can continue to learn and grow.
This mindset shift requires a willingness to embrace challenges and setbacks as opportunities to learn and improve. It also requires a focus on continuous learning and personal development. This might mean seeking out new experiences, taking on new challenges, or learning new skills.
Having a growth mindset also means being open to feedback and criticism, and using it as a way to improve rather than seeing it as a personal attack. It’s important to remember that failure is a natural part of the learning process, and that it’s okay to make mistakes as long as you learn from them.
3 - Focus on Your Transferrable Skills Instead of Only Your Knowledge
As you may know already, I started my career as a Registered Dietitian, before diving into entrepreneurship and content marketing. There is a great deal of training, education and experience required to become a Dietitian. Dietitians, like many in the medical profession, can work in a wide range of settings. Rather than being trained in absolutely everything, our competency for practicing focuses on a core knowledge set, that allows us to navigate most healthcare settings, and having “transferable skills” to everyday in our practice.
Transferable skills are the methods, processes, and strategies that allow us to work through a problem even if we have never experienced that problem before. For example, the process of doing a comprehensive assessment for a patient, or the ability to communicate a care plan effectively, are transferable skills. In fact, I think the reason I have been able to change careers and have so much success as a social media and content marketer is because of my transferable skills.
The truth is that research, industry, and best practices change over time. Your knowledge will change because the information will change, not because you are lacking. Focusing your attention on your transferable skills and how you use them to benefit your customers, will allow you to stay grounded in the value of what you do for others. Even your ability to learn new things is a transferable skill.
Remember that being an expert means only being a few steps ahead of your customer. It’s easy to feel like you need to know everything in order to be successful as an entrepreneur. But the truth is, you don’t have to be an expert in every aspect of your business in order to provide value.
This mindset shift requires a focus on staying current on industry trends and being proactive in learning and growing. It also requires a willingness to admit when you don’t know something and to seek out help and guidance. The key is to be confident in your ability to provide value to your customers, even if you’re not an expert in every aspect of your business.
Impostor Syndrome & Social Media
Social media plays an important role in marketing your small business. Posting content related to the work you do is a great way to show the world who you are and what you offer.
I often see one of two things happen when entrepreneurs experience impostor syndrome. Either they will put in maximum effort, try being on social media every day, in every way, and then burn out. Or, more commonly, they will avoid posting at all on social media because it feels too overwhelming.
Sharing content on social media can be a vulnerable experience. It is hard not to compare yourself to others in the same industry. Sometimes it can make you wonder if your content is of value, too simple or even if you are saying something too provocative that might get your in trouble. It can feel personal when a post doesn’t get any likes.
The truth is that the only way to become more confident posting on social media, is to start posting on social media. When I finally realized that there were more people out there who wanted to support me, and that resonated with what I had to say, the process of creating content became much easier.
Remember your content won’t be right for everyone, but it will be what someone needs. Simply focus on posting with purpose. Understand who you are posting for and what they need the most. From there, it is just a process of trial and error. You won’t go viral every time you post new content. Some content will be well received, and other pieces of content will get “crickets”. That’s okay! That’s how you get to know your target audience better.
Market Yourself with Confidence
Overcoming impostor syndrome as an entrepreneur takes time and effort, but these mindset shifts can help you build the confidence and resilience you need to succeed.
Imposter syndrome is not a sign of weakness or inadequacy. In fact, it’s a common experience among high achievers. This sense of self-doubt or fear of failure is related to having high expectations of yourself and a desire for success.
What can you do next time you experience imposter syndrome as an entrepreneur? Here are a few tips to help you overcome these feelings of self-doubt and build confidence:
- Recognize that imposter syndrome is a common experience. You’re not alone in feeling like an imposter. Many high-achieving people experience imposter syndrome at some point in their careers.
- Seek support and keep good company. Surround yourself with supportive people who can help you build confidence and overcome self-doubt. This might include friends, colleagues, or a therapist. It’s important to have people who believe in you and who can provide encouragement and support.
- Embrace the process, rather than perfection. Business and career success is not about reaching a destination or just one achievement. Rather it is about finding flow and resilience as your business changes. It is how you navigate those ups and downs that matters the most.
- Set realistic goals. It’s important to set goals that are challenging but achievable. This can help you build confidence and a sense of accomplishment as you make progress. Also include how much time is reasonable to spend on different business activities, so that you avoid burning out trying to become more of an expert.
- Embrace the journey of learning and growth. Remember that being an expert means only being a few steps ahead of your customers. The key is to be proactive in learning and growing, and to embrace challenges and setbacks as opportunities to learn and improve.
Overcoming imposter syndrome as an entrepreneur takes time and effort, but it’s worth it. With the right mindset and strategies, you can build the confidence and resilience you need to succeed. Remember to focus on your strengths, and to embrace the journey of learning and growth. With the right mindset, you can overcome imposter syndrome and build a successful business.
If you are an entrepreneur looking for support overcoming imposter syndrome and marketing your business successfully online, my Social Media Marketing Services would be perfect for you!
Alexa is a personal branding and family photographer in Collingwood, Blue Mountains, Thornbury, Grey Bruce and beyond. Click here to find out more about her services.
