The Secret Struggle: Why High Achievers Still Battle Imposter Syndrome

Do you catch yourself in moments (or seasons) of self-doubt and inadequacy?

Yet, you’ve created a proven track record of success. ??

Well, guess what?

You are not alone.

That?little prickly obstacle is called imposter syndrome and happens to the best of us.?

I’m guessing you’ve not only heard of it…you’ve experienced it a time or two or a hundred. ??

Imposter syndrome is that sneaky feeling of self-doubt and inadequacy, despite evident success and achievements. And guess what? This psychological phenomenon is surprisingly common among business owners, even those who have surpassed significant financial milestones like their first or second 7-figure annual revenues. You’d think that kind of success would make self-doubt evaporate, yet in reality, many high-achieving entrepreneurs continue to grapple with feelings of being a fraud as they grow and expand.?

I’ve been doing some research, talking with past clients, current clients and colleagues who are also CEOs of 7-figure businesses and I assure you, imposter syndrome hits at all levels. Whether it’s your first year in business or your 21st. Whether you’re taking your business across the first 6-figures, or your 10th consecutive year of multi 6-figures, or your 5th year of multi 7-figures. The length of tenure, nor the milestones achieved, do not mean you’ve suddenly surpassed experiencing doubt or inadequacy. Not surprising, there are several factors that contribute to this phenomenon in today’s world.

The Pressure for Perfection?

As high achievers you often set exceedingly high standards for yourselves. You strive for perfection in every aspect of your business and life, which can lead to a constant fear of falling short. Even minor mistakes or setbacks can fuel the belief that you are not truly competent.

Visibility and Scrutiny

To no surprise, success often brings visibility, and with visibility comes increased scrutiny. ?? Business owners in the public eye can often feel that every decision and action is being closely watched and judged. This can heighten the fear of being exposed as a fraud if you make a mistake or don’t have all the answers.

Comparison with Peers

As a high achiever you also frequently compare yourself to your peers, especially in the age of social media. Seeing other successful entrepreneurs can lead to feelings of inadequacy, as you may perceive others as more capable or accomplished, even if you also know this isn’t true.

The Growth Mindset

Oh this one - this is the one that often creates wrinkles and barriers for me as I am always wanting to learn and improve. While this is generally positive, it can also mean you are constantly aware of your limitations and areas for growth, which can contribute to feelings of inadequacy. Seems like a vicious cycle, doesn’t it? ??

Past Experiences and Upbringing

Early experiences and upbringing can play a role. Many high achievers have a history of academic or professional success driven by external validation, such as grades or promotions. Without these external affirmations, you may struggle to internalize your achievements.

The Reality of Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship is inherently uncertain and risky. The highs can be incredibly high, but the lows can be daunting. Navigating these fluctuations can make even the most successful entrepreneurs doubt their abilities and question their competence.

The good news is, recognizing and addressing these feelings is the first step to flippin it on its head and this is crucial for personal and professional growth.

Here are my top tips for moving past these prickly imposter thoughts:

1. Acknowledge Your Feelings

The first step to moving past imposter syndrome is acknowledging its presence. Understand that it is a common experience and not a reflection of your actual abilities. Accepting that these feelings are normal can reduce their power over you. It’s like realizing the monster in your closet was just a pile of clothes.??

2. Celebrate Your Achievements

Take time to reflect on and celebrate your successes. Keep a journal of your accomplishments and revisit it when self-doubt creeps in. Remind yourself of the hard work and dedication that have brought you this far. Treat yourself! You’re doing great. ????

3. Break Your Silence?

Talking about your feelings with trusted friends and mentors can be incredibly validating. Sharing your experiences allows you to realize that others have similar feelings and provides an opportunity to gain perspective and advice. Besides, it’s always fun to swap “fraud” stories with fellow “imposters.”

4. Focus on Continuous Learning

Embrace the fact that no one knows everything. Commit to continuous learning and self-improvement. This proactive approach not only enhances your skills but also builds confidence in your capabilities. Remember, every expert was once a beginner who didn’t know what they were doing either.

5. Reframe Your Thinking

Instead of viewing yourself as an imposter, reframe your thoughts to see yourself as a learner. Understand that making mistakes and facing challenges is part of the growth process. Each obstacle overcome is a testament to your resilience and resourcefulness. And let’s face it, without mistakes, we wouldn’t have great stories to tell.

I think Katie Byron’s “Four Liberating Questions” are great tools to tackle these imposter thoughts.?

• Is it true?

• Can you absolutely know that it’s true?
• How do you react when you believe that thought?
• Who would you be without the thought?

This simple 4-step process can literally change your energetic vibe in under 60-seconds and allow you to move forward with a mindset that serves and supports you - letting go of the limitations your imposter thoughts had unconsciously adopted.

As I shared, imposter syndrome is a normal and common experience, even among successful business owners. These feelings don’t diminish your accomplishments or define your abilities. By acknowledging your feelings, celebrating your achievements, seeking support, focusing on continuous learning, and reframing your thinking, you can move past imposter syndrome and continue to thrive in your entrepreneurial journey.?

Remember, the very fact that you are experiencing imposter syndrome is often a sign that you are pushing boundaries and achieving significant milestones. So, keep on pushing, keep on expanding, keep on achieving, and whatever you do - don’t forget to laugh along the way (even if it’s at yourself sometimes)! ??????

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My name is Dana Earhart and I am a business growth strategist. I've spent the last 11+ years leading driven high 6-figure and budding 7-figure CEOs to Stabilize, Systematize & Strategize their next level expansion- by removing themselves as the daily bottleneck.

Whether you are looking for support with strategic growth, team building or development (note these are not the same), system strengthening, leadership advancement, understanding and implementing strategic fiscal management (or even how to interpret your numbers) or simply put - you don’t know what you don’t know when it comes to leadership and growth beyond where you are - let’s talk .

I’ve spent the last 3+ decades in leadership roles, growing all of the above, leading from a team of 1 to a team of 100 across multiple continents, start-up to 7 and 8-figure businesses and more importantly, I am you right now - building my own business, team, systems and leadership, with a proven track record of happy, fulfilled and profitable clients who are living their best life.

If you are ready to grow your business and to start learning more about what you don’t know, or maybe what you know and aren’t always consistently implementing ??, let's jump on a call and explore what it can look like to work together, if we’re a good fit. ~ Dana