Although the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual does not recognize imposter syndrome, millions of people deal with it every day. Imposter Syndrome is more of a feeling or a mindset: the feeling of being a fraud—not feeling good enough or feeling as if you’re lying to yourself and others. I first experienced imposter syndrome in my AP US History class in high school. I felt as if I didn’t belong- I wasn’t smart enough to be here, that’s what I told myself. Even today, as a new entrepreneur and a woman in STEM, I feel I’m not “good enough” to run my business. I struggle with being open about having my own business in tech. The world of website development moves at lightning speed- with AI tools rapidly advancing, it’s crucial to utilize those tools, or else you could fall behind in the tech world. That was where I panicked a bit, seeing everyone else use AI tools made me feel like a child being left out during recess. I knew I had some catching up to do. If you feel this way in your personal life, work life, or even within your family and friends- just know you are NOT alone.Imposter syndrome is a lot more common than you think. I am here to give you strategies to overcome it.
So what is Imposter Syndrome? As I briefly explained in the beginning, it’s not feeling good enough, feeling like a fraud, and feeling like you’re undeserving of your success. There are so many legends who we know as some of the greats in this lifetime who have experienced imposter syndrome. From one of the world’s greatest athletes Serena Williams, to author and Civil Rights Activist Maya Angelou, the iconic Lady Gaga, and even the magical Emma Watson. This is just a small percentage of many talented beings who have fallen victim to the infamous imposter syndrome.
As mentioned previously, dealing with imposter syndrome as a web developer it’s a very fast-paced environment. It feels as if every week there is a new website or app that comes out with the latest and greatest tools to utilize- although extremely helpful, it can become a bit stressful to keep up with new tools every day. I often wonder if this one is the better one or if this one has advanced AI. The struggle is as prominent with entrepreneurs. Being in high-pressure situations where constant challenges arise & trigger the feeling of inadequacy, comparing yourself to others, the lack of formal training- as a lot of entrepreneurs never had a walk-through on how to start or let alone run an entire business. The overwhelming need for everything to be perfect can lead to constant self-criticism. Seeing other web designers and developers work online can lead to comparison. I learned to appreciate someone else’s work rather than compare. Comparing can never take you where you need to go. Working as a solo entrepreneur can make you feel isolated in your self-doubt so it’s important to be kind to yourself.
Understand that these feelings are common and not a reflection of your abilities. Let these thoughts pass and do not hold onto them.
Maintain a success journal with client feedback, completed projects, or milestones. Even small wins like creating social media pages for your business, printing your business cards, or even launching your website, all deserve a celebration. By keeping the success journal you can track your wins and down the road you can see how far you’ve come.
Everyone has a different journey. Instead of comparison, use others’ success as motivation. Make a motivation board whether it’s physical or digital, and change your mindset on seeing others complete goals you have yet to do as a push.
The tech world evolves fast, and no one knows it all. Step by step and day by day you’ll learn something new. Not everyone knows as much as you and you have yet to learn so much more.
Sharing your struggles with fellow entrepreneurs or developers can be reassuring. Speaking to a close family or friend- or even your therapist about your imposter syndrome feelings can feel like a weight lifting off your chest.
Confidence grows from experience, so just keep building. Let fear be your number one motivator. Despite never doing something, let yourself fall and reassure yourself to land with your two feet. Don’t let fear be your enemy, use it to your advantage.
Surround yourself with people who uplift and guide you. Finding communities is so much easier now with the help of social media. Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok have many communities big and small for nearly anything. Let yourself explore and find a community that can understand you. Imposter syndrome may be a strong feeling, but I know you are stronger. Remember, you are not alone and it does not define your ability or skills. Embrace your journey with entrepreneurship as it takes someone with big dreams. You already have the vision, the talent, and the resilience. Now, it’s about believing in yourself so fiercely. Your future self is looking back at you, grateful that you didn’t give up. Keep going, keep creating, and keep pushing. Your future is waiting for you.
Starting a business is an exciting yet daunting journey filled with uncertainty and fear. This article explores six common reasons why entrepreneurship feels scary, from financial insecurity and imposter syndrome to fear of failure and judgment. Drawing from personal experience, it offers insight into these challenges and encouragement to push through them toward success.
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