Working Through Imposter Syndrome

Ally Bremer
Sep 22
4 min read

Imposter syndrome is a psychological pattern where you doubt your accomplishments and fear being “found out” as a fraud, even when there’s plenty of evidence that isn’t true and that you are capable and deserving. It can often show up in high-achievers, creatives, people stepping into new territory, but the truth is, it can really affect anyone. You might land a promotion, get accepted into a program, or receive praise from others, yet instead of celebrating, you feel like you just got lucky or that you somehow tricked people into overestimating you.

Imposter syndrome is that inner voice that whispers, “You don’t really know what you’re doing, do you?” or, “Everyone else has it figured out except for you.” It can leave you feeling anxious, over-prepared, overwhelmed, or even hesitant to take opportunities in case you’re “exposed.” While imposter syndrome is common, it does not have to define how you see yourself. The good news is that these thoughts and feelings are not proof of inadequacy, but they are more simply habits that our brain gets stuck in. With awareness and practice, you can learn to get out of those habits, soften the thoughts, see your worth more clearly, and step into your accomplishments with more confidence.

Imposter syndrome can sneak in in many ways. You might notice it when:

You downplay your achievements or brush off praise.
You compare yourself constantly to others and feel like you don’t measure up.
You’re afraid of making mistakes because you think they’ll “expose” you.
You push yourself to overwork as proof of your worth.
Even after achieving something, you immediately move the bar higher so you never really feel “done.”

Simply naming the feeling of what it is can be the first step in loosening the grip it has on you: “I’m experiencing imposter syndrome right now.” Now the question is, what do we do about it?

1. Check the evidence

- When self-doubt shows up, challenge it with facts. Write down your accomplishments, big and small, and remind yourself that effort, skill, and growth (not just luck) brought you here. Looking at the evidence can help to shift the focus from feelings to reality.

2. Reframe mistakes as growth

- Everyone makes mistakes, even experts, professionals, people doing something for years, etc. Instead of seeing errors as proof you’re a fraud, view them as part of learning. Ask yourself, “What can this teach me?” rather than, “What does this say about me?”

Share your feelings

- Imposter syndrome typically thrives more in silence. Talking about it with friends you trust, mentors, and/or colleagues can often help reveal that others feel the same way. Sometimes just hearing, “Me too!” is enough to ease a little bit of the weight you’re feeling.

4. Practice self-compassion

- You don’t have to earn your worth because it’s already there. Treat yourself with the same kindness you would offer a friend or loved one who was doubting themselves. Instead of criticizing, try saying, “It’s okay to feel this way. I’m still capable, and I’m still learning.”

5. Celebrate progress, not perfection

- Perfection is unattainable, but progress is actually achievable and meaningful. Take time to recognize small steps forward, rather than waiting for a flawless end result that will not come. This helps to build confidence in your growth instead of chasing an impossible standard.

6. Anchor in your values

- Remind yourself why you do what you do. When your focus shifts from “Am I good enough?” to “Am I living in line with my values?” the pressure to constantly prove yourself tends to lighten.

When we are stuck in that imposter feeling and it feels very heavy, slowing down to reflect can help you see your feelings more clearly and process through them how you need. Here are some other questions you can ask yourself:

What evidence do I have that I don’t belong here? What evidence do I have that I do?
Am I holding myself to a stand of perfection that I would rarely expect from others?
What strengths, skills, or qualities have helped me get to this point?
Am I dismissing compliments or achievements? If so, what makes it hard for me to accept them?
Is this doubt I’m having/feeling based on facts, or more on a fear of being judged?
What small steps can I take today that can help reinforce my confidence in myself?

Remember that imposter syndrome isn’t something that disappears overnight, and we are going to have to find a way to accept that. The goal isn’t to necessarily silence the voice of doubt forever but rather to keep moving forward even when it speaks up. With time, compassion, and effort, you can and will start to notice that the voice gets quieter, and your trust and confidence in yourself grows stronger. You deserve to be where you are, not because you’ve “tricked” anyone, but because you’ve worked hard, learned a lot, and showed up. Every time you push through those feelings and keep going, you’re proving the “imposter” wrong.