Imposter Syndrome
I'm not the only one that has felt imposter syndrome, nor are you. We all feel it at some point in our careers. It's that moment you stop and think to yourself, who am I to set these audacious goals? How can I even put myself in the same category as ____(insert industry badass here)__? The truth is, feeling like an imposter might actually be a good sign. It’s your subconscious telling you that you're playing big and that you're in an entirely new arena now. You've convinced yourself to make a bold move, and now you're having your oh-sh*t moment. Totally normal. If you find yourself in this headspace right now, you aren't alone.
You're likely wondering if it goes away, how people move through it, or how to tell if you truly are an imposter. Chances are, you aren't an imposter. How do I know that? Well, because none of us are the original founder of anything. Seriously. Let that sink in for a moment. All the amazing authors, speakers, teachers, influencers... they're just putting their own spin on information that has been readily available for decades, or maybe even centuries in some cases. I wouldn't call them imposters either. They've just added their personal touch to information that already existed and positioned it to an audience that they can reach. Regardless of the industry you are in, the product you sell, or the service you provide, you can earn market share and become the go-to authority. Yes, even if someone is already in that space and farther along than you are. There's room for all of you, I promise.
Here are 3 ways to move past imposter syndrome:
Leverage your experience. Experience is your credibility. You may or may not have several years with your own company or selling the current product you promote, but chances are, your career has progressed down a path that has gotten you to this point. There's often a natural timeline that shows where you started and how you've evolved to where you are today. Entrepreneurs and salespeople often miss the extent of their experience because they focus solely on the time their company was formed, or the time they began with a certain company. You may meet a woman that sells essential oils and has been doing so for about six months. Is her experience limited to six months? Not necessarily. She may have gone to nursing school, worked as an RN and then began her own business selling essential oils after she discovered health benefits she believed in. Do you see the natural progression and how they tie together? Don't sell yourself short on experience. Remember, there's often a reason you were drawn to the industry that you're in. Experience is woven in there. Don't overlook it.
Focus on your niche. The "riches are in the niches". I wish I knew who coined that phrase, but I don't. Niche marketing is how you capitalize on a target audience and gain momentum. Here's the summarized version of this: don't target your messaging worrying about what Aunt Stacey is going to think when she sees your post. Don't fret if your husband "doesn't get it" when he hears you talk about your product. Your messaging won't resonate with everyone. It shouldn't. It should resonate with your target audience. Period. The more you talk directly to your niche, the more likely you are to resonate with them. Ignore the smirk from your brother and keep your posts and messaging aimed at your target audience. Focusing on other's opinions of your business (who aren't your niche to begin with) will fuel the feeling that you're an imposter. Be cautious of this. Their opinion doesn't matter because they aren't who you are selling to anyhow.
Utilize testimonials & reviews. You aren't an imposter if you have a track record of satisfied clients and raving fans. Ask for the testimonial or review and share it (it does you no good sitting in your inbox). This will increase your credibility and it gives you numerous stories to tell your niche about your product or service. Want to know a little secret? Stories are GOLD in brand messaging. Grab them at every opportunity and tell them repeatedly.
The idea of "imposter syndrome" isn't something tangible. It isn't even something that your audience is thinking about you. (They're too concerned with their own business and IG feed to focus on opinions of how you run your business.) Truth be told, imposter syndrome is in your head. It's a mindset that you need to shake. Yes, the above 3 tips will absolutely help you in your business, BUT they're intended to reshape your mindset. Read them again. You'll see that by doing each of those 3 things, you're reminding yourself of your worth. You're reminding yourself of how you got to this point, and why you're passionate about it. You're reminding yourself of who you are here to serve, and who you have already begun to help in incredible ways. Believe in yourself, and others will begin to do the same.