Ever feel like you’re just one email away from being found out? Like any second now, your audience (or the universe) is going to tap you on the shoulder and say, “Excuse me, but we’ve reviewed your file, and you’re actually unqualified for life. Please pack up your things.”
Yeah. That’s imposter syndrome, and it’s a sneaky little gremlin that messes with even the most accomplished professionals. The good news? You don’t have to let it run the show.
I know this because I’ve been there. Early in my career, I was convinced that my successes were flukes. That somehow, I had tricked people into thinking I was competent (???) and any day now, my professional card would be revoked. If I’m being honest? That nagging voice still pops up from time to time. But over the years, I’ve learned a few tricks to get over imposter syndrome and keep it from hijacking my confidence. And so can you.
Step 1: Get Real About What You’re Amazing At (and What You’re… Less Amazing At)
First things first—let’s bust the myth that everyone else knows exactly what they’re doing. They don’t. We’re all just out here winging it. But the people who seem confident? They’ve figured out what they’re great at and leaned in hard.
So, take an honest inventory:
✅ What are your superpowers? (Creative problem-solving? Making a mean Excel spreadsheet? Getting an entire room to listen when you speak?)
❌ What’s… not your zone of genius? (Public speaking? Delegating? Understanding why “Reply All” exists?)
For me, I realized I was great at simplifying complex ideas but terrible at delegating (why trust someone else when I could do it all myself and stress about it?). Once I saw this clearly, I could start working with my strengths instead of fighting against them.
“It’s not about being perfect. It’s about owning what makes you unique and using that to succeed.” – Sarah Johnson, Career Coach
So, grab a notebook, ask your trusted colleagues for feedback, and embrace both your brilliance and your blind spots. Spoiler: You’re more capable than you think.
Step 2: Outsmart Your Own Brain with Self-Awareness
If imposter syndrome is a con artist, self-awareness is your lie detector. The more you understand your thoughts, patterns, and sneaky self-sabotaging behaviors, the easier it is to call yourself out when you’re spiraling.
For me, journaling was a game-changer. Every day, I’d scribble down my thoughts, and pretty quickly, I saw a pattern: I was treating every single mistake like a catastrophe. (Made a typo? Obviously unqualified. Forgot to unmute before talking on Zoom? A disgrace to my profession.)
Flip the Script
Once I caught onto this nonsense, I started flipping the script. Instead of letting my inner critic run wild, I practiced responding with, “Okay, cool, I’m human. Moving on.” The more I did this, the less power my imposter syndrome had over me.
So, whether it’s journaling, talking to a mentor, or just catching yourself in a spiral and saying not today, Satan, self-awareness is the key to shifting your mindset.
Step 3: Set Goals That Won’t Make You Cry
Imposter syndrome loves to whisper, “You’re not doing enough.” It thrives on making you feel like you should be running a Fortune 500 company, learning five languages, and baking sourdough all at the same time.
But let’s be real: you’re a human, not a productivity robot. The antidote? Setting realistic, bite-sized goals that actually move you forward (instead of just making you feel overwhelmed and inadequate).
How to Set Goals Like a Boss (Without Losing Your Mind)
✔ Shrink the Overwhelm: Got a huge, scary goal? Break it down into snackable steps. Instead of “Become the world’s leading expert in AI,” try “Dedicate 30 minutes a week to learning about AI.” Baby steps count.
✔ Focus on Progress, Not Perfection: Instead of obsessing over when you’ll get a promotion, focus on consistently exceeding expectations right where you are. Show up, do great work, and let the results build.
✔ Remember: Your Path is Yours – You’re not behind. You’re not failing. You’re on your own beautifully unique journey. As Jon Acuff wisely put it:
“Don’t compare your beginning to someone else’s middle.”
And please, for the love of caffeine, celebrate your wins—even the tiny ones. Finished a project? Did something outside your comfort zone? Cue the confetti 🎉. Recognizing progress is what keeps imposter syndrome from sneaking back in.
Step 4: Tell Your Inner Critic to Take a Seat
You know that little voice in your head that loves to say “You’re not good enough” or “Any minute now, they’ll realize you have no idea what you’re doing”? Yeah, that voice is a LIAR. And the more you let it talk, the more power it has over you.
How to Shut It Down:
🔹 Catch It in the Act – Next time your brain tries to convince you that you “just got lucky,” pause. Ask yourself: “Really? Or did I actually work hard and earn this?” Spoiler: You worked for it.
🔹 Flip the Script – Swap out negative thoughts for positive affirmations. Instead of “I’m terrible at this,” try “I’m still learning, and that’s okay.” Instead of “I’m a fraud,” go with “I bring value, and I deserve to be here.”
🔹 Say It Out Loud (Even If It Feels Weird) – It might feel awkward at first, but affirmations work. The more you tell yourself “I am capable, I am smart, and I am worthy,” the more you’ll actually start to believe it.
The goal? Rewire your brain to focus on your strengths and accomplishments instead of whatever nonsense your inner imposter is spouting. Do this consistently, and eventually, that negative voice will shrink down to a barely audible whisper—drowned out by the sound of your own confidence.
Step 5: Build Your Own Accountability Squad
Let’s be real—fighting imposter syndrome by yourself is like trying to fight off a grizzly bear with a toothpick. Not ideal.
That’s where an accountability system comes in. Whether it’s a weekly check-in with a friend or having a mastermind group that holds you accountable for your goals, having someone (or several someones) in your corner is a game-changer.
How to Create a System That’ll Keep You on Track
✔ Set Some Real Goals (For Real) – Make your goals clear, achievable, and human. Whether it’s finishing a project on time or doing one thing that scares you every week, create small, actionable steps. And then—here’s the key—check in with someone to hold you accountable.
✔ Ask for Help (It’s Not a Weakness) – Find a mentor, coach, or group that can give you gentle nudges (or tough love, if that’s your vibe). Trust me, they’ll be super helpful when imposter syndrome tries to sabotage your progress.
Bonus Tip: Hire a Coach
If you’re really feeling stuck and like you need a cheat code for success, consider hiring a coach. A coach can help you see your blind spots, call you out on your excuses, and celebrate your victories. Plus, they’ll hold you accountable when your inner imposter tries to convince you you’re not good enough.
Step 6: Track Your Wins Like the Boss You Are
I don’t care if you’ve only done one thing on your to-do list today—celebrate it. Because tracking your successes and honoring even the tiniest of wins is the secret weapon to slaying imposter syndrome.
Keep a Success Journal, a spreadsheet, or just a sticky note on your desk. Every time you do something awesome (and I mean, everything awesome), write it down. Even if it’s as simple as sending that email or smiling in the middle of a stressful meeting, write it down.
Why You Need to Track Your Wins
The more you track, the more you build a mountain of evidence that proves:
- You’re not a fraud.
- You’re absolutely killing it.
- You can do this.
You’ll have a physical, undeniable record of all the awesome things you’ve accomplished. And when imposter syndrome comes creeping in, you can simply show it your track record. Let that shut it up real quick.
Step 7: Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Backup
Here’s the thing: imposter syndrome is like a ninja. It thrives in the shadows and whispers in your ear when you’re alone. But when you reach out to others, you’re suddenly armed with a spotlight that exposes its lies.
Here’s What You Do
✔ Call in the Reinforcements: Talk to friends, family, colleagues—anyone who’s rooting for you. Share your feelings of inadequacy and watch how quickly they remind you of your brilliance. The people who love you will help you see your worth when you can’t see it yourself.
✔ Find a Mentor or Coach (Seriously, Do It) – If you’re really feeling the weight of those imposter thoughts, a mentor or coach is like having a personal superhero. They’ll help you dig deep, identify what’s holding you back, and show you how to embrace your true power.
FAQs to Get Over Imposter Syndrome
Does imposter syndrome go away?
Imposter syndrome can fade with self-awareness, confidence-building strategies, and support from others. It may not vanish entirely.
What are the 4 P’s of imposter syndrome?
The 4 P’s: Perfectionism, Procrastination, Paralysis (from fear), and People-Pleasing often drive feelings of being a fraud.
What are the 5 types of imposter syndrome?
The five types include The Perfectionist, The Superwoman/Superman, The Natural Genius, The Soloist (or Lone Ranger), and The Expert.
Who is most likely to suffer from imposter syndrome?
High-achieving people in demanding fields like tech or academia feel impostor symptoms more frequently. Women experience it significantly too.
Step 8: Wrap It All Up in a Neat (But Imperfect) Package
Let’s finish strong: Overcoming imposter syndrome is not about becoming perfect—it’s about accepting that you’re worthy right now, even with all your beautiful imperfections.
Feeling a little anxious or unsure? Great! It means you’re human.
You’re capable of amazing things, and you’ve already proven that by making it this far. So take a deep breath, give yourself a high-five (yes, really), and keep pushing forward. Because every small victory you have is one step closer to building lasting self-belief.
Remember: You’re the hero of your own story. Imposter syndrome? It’s just the sidekick. And sidekicks can’t win the fight.
