The lies my imposter syndrome wants me to believe
One of the craziest experiences for me is knowing how much success I have attained yet still being unable to shake the feeling of not being "good enough". As a woman of color who runs a pretty successful business, I have realized that it can be hard to shake off the feeling of imposter syndrome. Not just feeling like you're not good enough but also the feeling of not having the skills or knowledge to feel competent in your industry or even that overwhelming fear of failure. The good news is there are so many women who experience this in their careers and businesses. In fact, imposter syndrome is so common that it is estimated that up to 70% of people have experienced it in some form.
Imposter syndrome can manifest in different ways, but it is essentially the fear that you are not capable of completing the task at hand or that you don’t measure up to the standards of those around you. It can be difficult to overcome because it feeds off of our own insecurities and doubts. This can be especially difficult for women of color who own businesses because we have a long history of having to actually work twice as hard to prove ourselves to others. Naturally, feeling out of place in business wouldn't be any different because we have been conditioned to believe that there are certain places we don't belong and certain things we just can't accomplish.
Let's be real, as a woman who grew up with two drug-addicted parents that did not have stable jobs, or maintained stable homes for their children and both died before I turned 18, success for me was merely not becoming a product of my environment. I never imagined being college educated, holding a Master's of Arts in Education, or being the CEO of a six-figure business because that was not a normalized reality for girls like me. But thirty-some-odd years later, here we are and how dare I sit and question my own potential and worth as if I haven't busted my butt for years to get to this place of bliss. The place of "I am not broke, I am comfortable", or the place of "I can work from anywhere I want, whenever I want".
But man do I have those days when my best still isn't good enough and I am questioning if I am qualified to even run a business? Fortunately, I found a few tips that can help combat imposter syndrome. Honestly, we have enough people telling us everything we not doing correctly, so it's extremely vital that we can't also feed ourselves with the same negative ideas and beliefs about our capabilities and skillsets. First, recognize and accept that it is normal to feel this way. It is important to remember that everyone experiences imposter syndrome at some point in their lives, so we are not alone! Second, take some time to evaluate your achievements. Creating a list of your accomplishments and skills can help you to gain a better perspective on your capabilities. You may even be surprised at how much you have achieved. Celebrate your wins, Sis!
Third, mind the company you keep. Surround yourself with people who can provide encouragement and genuine support. Having people around you who celebrate you and want to see you win will be a constant reminder of how amazing you really are. It is also important to challenge yourself. Imposter syndrome can be difficult to shake but it is not impossible. Push yourself to take on new and exciting challenges, even if it feels intimidating. This will help to build your confidence thus proving to yourself that you are capable of overcoming imposter syndrome and accomplishing anything you set your mind to. No matter how long it takes, or how outlandish the goal may seem, you have all you need to succeed. It is time to believe in your dopeness because I am living out loud in mine.
