The battle with Imposter Syndrome
Who gets to decide when you are successful? For many I have been not just successful but extremely successful. As time moves on, at least for me, that success starts to lose its relevance. So, I keep searching for the next success, and the next success and the next. Why? Why should I continue to seek out successes to accomplish? I could say it’s how I’m wired. I could say it’s for my family legacy. But at the end of the day, I am hungry for the validation that accomplishment brings. It is the proof of being enough.
A scary title no doubt, but a common enough phrase for many. This thing called Imposter Syndrome effects so many individuals no matter their level of success. Through my journey in this world of entrepreneurship I am continually finding myself battling with this very phrase. Extremely successful individuals being vulnerable and transparent of this feeling made me feel like I wasn’t so alone. My entrepreneurship venture is writing. I love it, I love to create and help others achieve their goals. I love writing the stories and challenging myself. But I hate it too. I hate not being a contributor every day the way a normal job allows me to contribute. I hate that I love what I do, but I can’t guarantee that paycheck every two weeks. I haven’t been happier in any other career I’ve ever had. My partner is extremely supportive and gives me the reassurance that I am in fact enough. So, what needs to change?
Mindset… I need to shift focus from the negative thoughts because they don’t make me better. They don’t allow me to move forward at all. I am sure at some point you’ve felt these things as well. If not yet, then surely at some point in your endeavor. Always remember that you are good enough to do it, if you are willing to work hard enough for it. It will take hard work to just push past yourself. Then you have the real challenges after. Here’s an analogy; If you decide to go run a mile without a coach, without a plan, and without a track you will still be able to do it. If you decide to go run a mile and you refuse to show up, you’ll never run that mile. Making the decision to do something and showing up every day is the only way you can guarantee it really is going to happen.
There isn’t a singular answer that helps everyone. We are all different and come from different backgrounds. Just know that battling Imposter Syndrome is common. You shouldn’t feel isolated or a failure for experiencing this. Just because others are afraid to admit it publicly doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen. Keep showing up. Keep Moving Forward. Keep Finishing.
Creative Visual Writing 