Overcoming Imposter Syndrome: Embracing Your Worth as a Freelancer

Have you ever felt like a fraud, doubting your skills and accomplishments despite evidence of success? You're not alone. Many freelancers experience imposter syndrome. A phenomenon where individuals doubt their abilities and fear being exposed as a "fraud."

Imposter syndrome is prevalent among freelancers, who often work independently and may not receive regular validation from their clients or immediate circle. This lack of external affirmation can lead to feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt.

So, how can we combat imposter syndrome and embrace our worth as freelancers?

Here are some strategies I put into practice daily:

Positive self-talks: Challenge negative thoughts and replace them with affirming statements. Remind yourself of past successes and the skills that make you uniquely qualified for your work. I literally walk around saying positive things every day.

Here are a few affirmations I say aloud daily:

1. This is the smallest my business will ever be - Meaning, my business will only grow and thrive.
2. My name is circulating among the proponent and powerful - Meaning, my name is currently in rooms of influential people who can help me make my dreams and desired success a reality. Remember, we need each other to reach the pinnacle of success.
3. My ceiling just became my floor - Meaning, each goal I set is a step on a ladder and each time I crush a goal, I'll continue climbing and achieving further success.

Seek feedback: Reach out to clients or other freelancers for constructive feedback. Hearing positive reinforcement from others can help counteract feelings of inadequacy.

Feedback is very important and can be extremely beneficial. Also, put into practice if the feedback was great, ask the client to leave a review. That way, you accomplish two things. You'll receive social proof and defeat lingering imposter syndrome.

P.S. - This is my all-time favorite tool for collecting reviews and video testimonials with ease.

Acknowledge achievements: Celebrate your successes, no matter how small. Keep a journal of your accomplishments to remind yourself of your capabilities.

I personally love to look back at these if I'm having a bad day. It's so easy to become defeated after one bad client or day and to be able to look back is truly refreshing and helps me get myself back into game mode.

Build self-confidence: Engage in activities that boost your confidence, such as taking on new challenges or learning new skills. Surround yourself with supportive people who believe in your abilities.

Community also helps with this. If you have a circle of freelancers that you can reach out to, it truly helps build your confidence because they get you and what you're dealing with as opposed to your friend who works a 9-5.

If you need a circle of like-minded individuals to chat, throw ideas at each other, and most importantly help you see your worth in your industry, check out my community. The Online Sucess Society.

Remember, imposter syndrome is a common experience, but it doesn't define your worth as a freelancer. By practicing self-compassion and recognizing your achievements, you can overcome imposter syndrome and thrive in your freelance career.

That's all for today's edition, but before you go, let me know if what I've shared resonates with you by leaving a comment or reacting to this post.

Stay tuned for next week's newsletter. I'll be talking about work-life balance and how I'm balancing my 5-year-old, my fiance, my home, my businesses & my personal needs.

Stay confident, stay empowered, stay focused,

Tricia