EPISODE 043 | APPLE PODCASTS | SPOTIFY

A very warm welcome. Today, we’re discussing something that comes up again and again. I know it will resonate with so many people, I’m sure almost all of us will have felt it at some point. It can impact the way we work within our roles and how we feel about ourselves, and in turn it can negatively impact our businesses, but it can also become something positive, which might surprise you. We are talking about imposter syndrome.

To first set the stage, I’d love to share my own experience. When I started my business fifteen years ago, I was thrilled with every small success. However, as my business began to grow, in my mind I pretty much remained in that same place, where I was when I started, that I was always still learning and growing. There was always so much to learn and to do.

I definitely looked at other brands, both within my own sector and outside of it, and marvelled at all they were achieving and doing. I found it both incredibly inspiring, to be able to see what was possible when you set your mind to it, but I definitely also found it intimidating, that dreaded negative feeling of comparison.

I knew how hard they must have worked, and I realised that at no point it would have been easy. There were definitely times when I questioned whether I really could achieve anything close to their success. These founders and owners, and their teams around them, had already put in so much hard work over many years, and I felt at times late to the table. My feelings were a mixture of wonder at what was possible, but it also felt almost impossible, and I doubted whether I had the necessary skills and tenacity to be able to achieve what I most wanted with my own business.

It’s so important that we recognise those feelings and then do something positive with them. If we don’t, they can become the better of us and begin to derail our love for what we are doing, and stop us from feeling like we can overcome the challenges that we come up against.

Definition of Imposter Syndrome & Its Common Symptoms

Let’s start by first really understanding what imposter syndrome actually is. As I believe there is a big difference between genuine imposter syndrome, which is a desperately debilitating feeling, compared to what we so often hear ourselves and others say when we use the term.

Imposter syndrome is a psychological pattern where we doubt our accomplishments and have a persistent fear of being exposed as a "fraud." From a deep point of view, despite evident success and external recognition, those experiencing true imposter syndrome often attribute their achievements to luck, timing, or deceiving others into thinking they are more competent than they believe themselves to be.

Now, I don’t think this is reflective of what most of us feel when we use the term imposter syndrome, it might well be true for some people and some of the times, but I think on the whole, it’s more reflective of someone not feeling they are truly worthy or that they can achieve what they would love to achieve.

To help explain this further, symptoms of true imposter syndrome include: Chronic self-doubt. So, constantly questioning your abilities and feeling inadequate despite proven competence. This is for everything and anything, not just in a few areas.

It also includes excessive overworking. Putting in significant extra effort, specifically to compensate for the perceived lack of skill or knowledge.

Fear of failure: An overwhelming fear of making mistakes, leading to procrastination or avoidance of new challenges.

Discounting praise: Consistently brushing off compliments and very much believing the success is solely based on external factors rather than personal effort or talent.

Perfectionism: Setting excessively high standards and being overly critical of your performance.

True imposter syndrome will impact Decision-Making, as The constant self-doubt can lead to indecision or overly cautious decisions, preventing you from taking necessary risks that could propel your business forward. It will also have a negative impact on leadership, where those who feel like imposters may struggle with delegating tasks, trusting their team, or asserting their vision, which can lead to micromanagement or a lack of clear direction, both of which can hinder team performance and morale. It also impacts innovation, with the fear of being exposed as a fraud can seriously stifle creativity and innovation, so you might avoid experimenting with new ideas or pursuing bold strategies, which are crucial for business growth and staying competitive. True imposter syndrome can make it difficult to network or seek out partnerships, particularly if you feel unworthy of opportunities or you might fear you won't meet others' expectations, thus you can easily miss out on valuable collaborations.

If a large combination of these things deeply resonate with you, I’ve included a list of books to read at the bottom of this page, from experts in the field, that I hope will really start to help. This episode though is to help you at the lighter end of these feelings.

If your feelings are more in line with occasional self-doubt, at times you compare yourself to others, perhaps through social media, and in turn you can feel pretty negative, or there are occasions when you feel like you’re not quite good enough or you don’t know if you can really find the solution to complex challenges or you are not quite sure where to start on new projects, but there are also days where you feel pretty good and excited, then this episode will absolutely help you, as there are very practical and effective strategies to overcome the negative thoughts. These feelings are common, in fact I would say they are universal among entrepreneurs and business leaders, and they absolutely can be addressed with the right mindset and tools.

Studies suggest that over 80% of people experience significant self doubt at some point in their careers. This includes successful executives, CEOs, and entrepreneurs who have a track record of phenomenal accomplishments.

And while it affects both men and women, women report higher levels of self doubt. A study by the Journal of Behavioral Science found that individuals with ongoing self doubt are more likely to experience burnout, stress, and decreased job satisfaction, which makes perfect sense, so it’s essential we look at this properly, that we take it seriously and we find practical and proven methods to tackle this in a truly healthy and positive way.

The very first step in addressing it, is to understand the feelings of self doubt are real and that they are common, many others feel the same, atleast at some point, so you know that you are far from alone.

So, let's look at how these more common experiences of self-doubt can affect you and what you can do to turn them around.

Understanding Common Self-Doubt

While the true and more severe form of imposter syndrome involves chronic self-doubt and a persistent fear of being exposed as a fraud, many people experience milder forms.

As a summary, so we really know what these feelings are. this might include:

• Feeling like you’re not as good as others in your field: You might look at your peers and think they’re more talented or more deserving of success.

• Comparing your journey to others: Seeing someone else’s success can make you feel like you’re behind, even if you’re making great progress on your own path.

• Doubting your worthiness of success: Questioning whether you really deserve the opportunities and achievements you’ve had.

These feelings, while less intense than true chronic imposter syndrome, can still be incredibly disruptive. They can lead to hesitation, missed opportunities, and a general lack of confidence.

I would love to therefore share seven strategies that I have used that have really helped me when I have common feelings of self-doubt.

1. Acknowledge your feelings:

The first step is to recognise and acknowledge these feelings. Understand that it’s common to feel this way and that it doesn’t mean you’re actually an imposter.

2. reframe negative thoughts:

When you catch yourself thinking you’re not quite good enough, first know that almost everyone feels this at some point and then challenge that thought. Remind yourself of your accomplishments and the hard work that went into achieving them.

Think about all that you have achieved to get to where you are right now. It takes an enormous effort to launch a business, whether you are in the first few steps or you are several years into your company, you will have already achieved an enormous amount to get to where you are right now, and therefore you are truly capable to do the same again to reach the next level.

I talk more about this within an episode where I share a framework I created to help all creative business owners. It’s called the PRESS framework, and it covers the five essentials to deeply help you with your business. Whether you are looking to launch, remain consistent or grow, each step is crucial. It’s an acronym and the first letter stands for Perspective. Where it’s essential that before you look ahead, you first deeply understand how far you have already come and all that you have achieved. So often we look forwards, and in doing so, it's easy to forget all the steps we have already taken. It’s quite a powerful, yet straightforward exercise. Head to episode 022 following this, as I know you will find it invaluable.

3. Celebrate Small Wins:

Keep a journal of your achievements, no matter how small they may seem. Regularly reviewing this can help remind you of your progress and boost your confidence. It falls in line with what we have just discussed. It helps you to apply a helpful perspective quickly when you have something physical you can refer to. And take time to celebrate your successes and acknowledge your hard work.

4. Seek Feedback & Support:

Never hesitate to ask for feedback from colleagues, mentors, or friends. Positive feedback can reinforce your self-belief, while constructive criticism can help you improve. For example, I have been quite open about how nervous developing and producing our podcast episodes has made me feel. There are definitely still times when I question my ability, it’s not that I think I can’t do it, it is just occasionally I’ll have moments when I question myself and really hope what I create is helpful. I hate to waste anyone’s time. So if there are any times when I can't quite settle this one myself, and this might happen if I am tired or I’ve had a tricky day, then I will just do a quick sense check with someone I trust. I’m not looking for someone to tell me how wonderful I am, I look to hear from someone who will be honest, and with an unbiased point of view. I am also very prepared though for constructive feedback, so I am always open to suggestions on how I can get better. And for me, whether it’s a reassuring voice or it’s constructive feedback, whichever it is, it gives me something to work towards, from a perspective that’s outside of my own head.

It’s so important that you surround yourself with supportive people who really understand your goals and can offer encouragement. But this also takes time to build. For most of us, this isn’t something that is an absolute given. We don’t necessarily have this automatic support system around us in place. It’s something that we need to proactively take time to develop and build.

One great method is to create a group of likeminded business owners, ideally from a variety of different sectors so you can gain a different perspective. You can be there for them, and they in turn can help you with both feedback and reassurance. And this doesn’t have to be an in person group, you can create groups online. There are numerous online forums and in person events where you can meet people. It’s worth its weight on gold spending the time to do this.

5. Focus on Continuous Learning:

Always, always, always embrace a growth mindset. See challenges and mistakes as opportunities to learn and grow, rather than as reflections of your inadequacy. We all make mistakes, it is an inevitable part of entrepreneurship. And if we see them as hugely valuable lessons and don’t let them derail us, they can be hugely powerful and massively helpful. I have an entire episode on this, so head to that after this and after you have listened to episode 022 on the PRESS framework. You are then looking for episode 015, where I also share a series of personal examples. I’ll leave links to both of these in the show notes, so you can easily listen to them.

6. Limit Comparisons:

Remember that everyone’s journey is unique. Within business, it's easy to fall into the trap of comparing yourself to others. Particularly with social media, where only the positives are ever shown.

Often, we only see the success stories and not the struggles and failures that led there. Social media tends to highlight achievements and milestones, omitting the hard work, setbacks, and perseverance required.

And you might easily see peers or competitors achieving significant milestones and feel like you're not measuring up. However, these comparisons can be so unproductive and discouraging for several reasons.

Everyone starts their journey from a different place. Some may have more resources, connections, or prior experience. Comparing yourself to someone who had different starting conditions can lead to unfair and demotivating assessments of your progress. And I promise you, if you start without any of those, you will be hungrier and will just as easily succeed in the long run. I promise you that, and that’s absolutely from personal experience and from so many other entrepreneurs I know. So it’s also never an excuse!

And also, your goals and vision for your business are completely unique to you. What success looks like for you may be very different from someone else. Comparing your progress to someone pursuing different objectives can seriously distract you from your own goals.

Focusing on your own journey allows you to appreciate your personal growth and development. By measuring your success against your past achievements, exactly as we focus on in the PRESS framework, remembering the first letter being P for perspective, you can see how far you've come, deeply recognise your own progress, and set realistic and meaningful goals for the future.

Take time to remind yourself of your unique strengths, skills, and the value you bring to your business. Focus on what makes you and your journey special and irreplaceable.

7. Embrace Imperfection:

Understand that no one is perfect and that making mistakes is part of the learning process. Perfectionism can be such a significant barrier to progress, so aim for excellence but accept that flaws are natural. I know I’ve mentioned two other episodes already, but if this specific feeling of needing everything perfect does stops you from getting projects completed, please take a moment to listen to episode 030, where I share a whole list of steps to help you specifically to embrace imperfection. It’s called From Perfectionism to Embracing Fine.

Understanding that imposter syndrome or rather common self doubt is a widespread issue is the first step toward lessening its effects. Recognising that the most successful entrepreneurs experience self-doubt at times can be reassuring and help you feel far less alone, because you absolutely are not. By reframing negative thoughts, celebrating small wins, seeking feedback and support, and focusing on continuous learning, you can really start to overcome the detrimental effects of self-doubt.

It’s so important to remember that everyone's journey is unique, and comparing yourself to others is almost always counterproductive. Embrace your imperfections and understand that mistakes are part of the growth process, and by focussing on cultivating a growth mindset, this will help you view challenges as opportunities rather than obstacles.

By implementing the strategies discussed, such as acknowledging your feelings, limiting comparisons, and celebrating your achievements, you can transform imposter syndrome from a debilitating experience into a source of motivation and growth. And surround yourself with supportive people, keep learning, and stay focused on your unique path and goals.

I’d also love to leave you with another way to view self doubt. I feel that self debt, when experienced in small measures, can actually be hugely positive, it’s a healthy form of fear that means you deeply care, that you are passionate and you are willing to go the extra mile to make sure your client or customer has a brilliant experience. And, it also helps you to remain humble and down to earth, gently removing any potential ego, all highly positive traits as an entrepreneur. I would in fact say that a large ego is far more debilitating than a feeling of self doubt. So, begin to see it in a different way and apply all the strategies I shared, along with the additional episodes I mentioned throughout.

Thank you so much for being with me. I hope you found the insights and strategies helpful. Until next time, very much keep believing in yourself and your abilities.

With huge love,
Philippa x

recommended books

A selection of books that are incredibly helpful and positive reads for anyone experiencing imposter syndrome or self-doubt (specifically for creative entrepreneurs and business owners). Each provides practical strategies, inspiration, and support:

"The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women: Why Capable People Suffer from the Impostor Syndrome and How to Thrive in Spite of It" by Valerie Young

This book directly addresses imposter syndrome, providing tailored strategies to recognise and overcome these feelings. You’ll will gain insights into why imposter syndrome occurs and practical advice to build confidence, enabling you to thrive despite self-doubt.

"Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead" by Brené Brown

Brené Brown’s exploration of vulnerability and its power to foster creativity and connection is helpful for creative entrepreneurs looking to build resilience and confidence. You’ll learn how embracing vulnerability can lead to stronger relationships, increased creativity, and a more authentic approach to business and life.

"Mindset: The New Psychology of Success" by Carol S. Dweck

Carol Dweck's insights on adopting a growth mindset are crucial for entrepreneurs aiming to overcome self-doubt and achieve long-term success. This foundational read teaches you how to shift your mindset to view challenges as opportunities, fostering perseverance and a love of learning that is essential for sustained entrepreneurial success.