How do you build your online presence when you feel like a fraud?

Building an online presence while grappling with imposter syndrome can be challenging, but it's manageable. Start by recognizing these feelings as common and work on self-reflection to remind yourself of your accomplishments and expertise. Set realistic expectations and share your growth journey authentically, connecting with mentors and peers for guidance. Focus on providing value to your audience, continually learn and develop your skills, and engage in positive self-talk. Begin with small steps and gradually expand your online activities, seeking feedback and embracing mistakes as learning opportunities. Building an online presence takes time, but as you gain experience and confidence, these feelings of fraudulence can diminish.

Forging an online presence when plagued by impostor feelings starts with identifying triggers. Be an investigator, unveiling the source. Pinpoint situations that ignite self-doubt. Acknowledge fears - a shield against them. Embrace vulnerability; it's strength in disguise. Self-awareness is your armor. In this understanding, you navigate the digital realm with authenticity, your presence solid despite the imposter's whisper.

Everyone has their own unique experiences and perspectives to share. Even if you feel like you’re restating a point that someone else had made before, you’ll be saying it with your own spin. Always remember that you have the opportunity to connect with or inspire someone with the way that YOU say it. The more you write your own content, the more you’ll find (and fine-tune) your voice and begin to really own it. Keep going and you’ll find the magic really begin to unfold! You’ll become excited and energized by creating content, rather than worrying and wondering about it.

There are things I find very very easy that most people find difficult, so it makes me feel like an imposter. How come I can see this and why can't they? Should I promote this talent? If so how? Then I go back to my top 5 Clifton Strengths and they tell me why I can and that its is how I am made.

When it comes to establishing an online presence, perception is crucial. Often, we find ourselves admiring 'experts' and industry leaders, inadvertently placing them on a pedestal while undervaluing our own contributions. It's easy to forget that these experts face criticism and moments of doubt, just like us. The age-old advice of "fake it till you make it" is wrong, in my opinion. The key isn't to pretend; it's to be genuinely authentic. People connect with vulnerabilities. Discussing our mistakes, learnings, and success transparently can be more influential than we might think. Our experiences and perspectives have the power to deeply resonate with many, but not everyone. Accept that you will face objections, and learn to ignore them.

Understand that your contributions are different from "everyone else's" not because you're defective, but because they are meant to be different. What life or professional experience do you have that no one else has? What did you learn? And how could it add to the overall picture? Further: where do the impostor thoughts come from to begin with? If you can identify where and why and how you started to disbelieve in your own contributions, it becomes easier to identify and challenge impostor thoughts that are based on untruths you learned earlier in life.

Einstein worked way out in theoretical space, but his quote are inspiring, practical, relatable. His one about curiosity says it all: “I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious.” And curiosity, believe it or not, is a mental exercise that strengthens the mind. An enquiring mind is a healthy mind

Accepting that we will always have more to learn is the key to development. We tend to learn by doing, and not trying means that we are not going to learn. In addition, accepting that some of what we do will not be perfect and putting ourselves out there anyway also means accepting our humanity. Doing our best today and then doing better tomorrow is a much more achievable goal than perfection.

Actually I disagree, because if you suffer from imposter syndrome it is very hard to celebrate a success! You think it is a success for you but worry that others will think it is just normal and no body cares.

People, place and role, are important in helping you overcome imposter syndrome. A role that stamps you down and pigeon holes those who should not be, will make them feel like an imposter. Their ability to do the job well is cauterized because those in charge usually cut them off at the knees and make them feel useless. However, if you are in a role where you are given the license to operate, and your boss trusts your talents, imposter syndrome doesn't see the light of day.

Great question. I am mulling on what profound insights I can put into text here. Meanwhile, some quickie observations: * If you work among certain types of high achievers or elite performers, your notions of competency can get skewed. If you’re surrounded constantly by people in the top 10% or 5% in your field (however it’s measured), you’re going to compare yourself to a skewed set of competencies. Look more broadly & readjust comparisons. * Many people, myself included, who have imposter syndrome, forget how much people may lie or embellish their achievements. Many people publicize their wins but are quiet about their mistakes & loses. We might be too brutally honest (or so we think) with ourselves and compare ourselves with others.

If you are a straight up person - ie you don't lie or overblow your talents - working with the wrong people or in a bullying culture which just heighten you IS! A bullsh*t monitor is the answer! Right now mine is on full alert as the world is full of entitled people who have narcissistic tendencies. Positivity may be my #2 in my top 5 Clifton Strengths, but it can only protect me if I support it as well.