It’s the Imposter Syndrome Again

I came face-to-face with the Imposter Syndrome the other day...

Although I've coached hundreds of women on the Imposter Syndrome and how they can work through it, I still struggle with it sometimes.

I remember reading about it for the first time in Sheryl Sandberg's Lean In,

"She explained that many people, but especially women, feel fraudulent when they are praised for their accomplishments. Instead of feeling worthy of recognition, they feel undeserving and guilty, as if a mistake has been made. Despite being high achievers, even experts in their fields, women can't seem to shake the sense that it is only a matter of time until they are found out for who they really are- impostors with limited skills or abilities.”

Although I have close to 10 years experience in the communications industry and a list of successful online brand and business clients, I still sometimes feel like I'm out of my depth, like a junior with no experience and no leg to stand on. 

I'll admit that I even get shocked when my clients report back to me with successful results, great returns on their businesses and recognition for your personal and professional brands (even though every one of my online brand and business clients has gone on to see great success).

Recently, I sat with one of my best-performing clients, she asked me why I don't often mention the work that I've done with her and the success that she has gone on to achieve in her personal finance business.

I wrote it off to being shy and maybe a little conservative about my success as a coach but I now realise that it was yet another moment where I came face-to-face with the Imposter Syndrom.

I have coached her through many moments of self-doubt but at that moment, she coached me through mine. 

I am a successful Six Figure Online Brand and Business Coach and I confidently claim that as something I have achieved in the past few years. 

It's not cocky, it's not arrogant, it's true!

I'm bringing this up because today I was reminded of how we tend to think that we're not ready to build our brands or go into business (these are limiting self-beliefs). 

We seek validation or a simple go-ahead from a friend or a family member before we make the move, and even then, we live in constant fear that something will go wrong. 

Here's what I have to say to that...

You are ready!

You are enough!

You should take the step and start that business (or at least start building your brand).

I hope you enjoyed reading this email as much as I enjoyed writing it (although... I did get a bit vulnerable today, but it's okay).

Go forth and be fabulous

Kopano