How to Overcome Imposter Syndrome as an Entrepreneur

Business

June 24, 2021

If you’re an entrepreneur, you’re intimately familiar with fear.

When you’re chasing a goal–whether it’s launching a new business, hitting $5k months or $50k months–you’re filled with energy and excitement.

But all of sudden that voice in your head starts to creep in: what if I’m not good enough, I’m not qualified, I can’t do this. What if, what if, what if…

Imposter syndrome can occur at any level of business, but it’s most dangerous to new entrepreneurs. Fear will stop you from starting your business and living your dreams. But only if you let it!

In this post, I’m going to walk you through the exact strategies you need to overcome imposter syndrome and achieve your goals.

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How to Overcome Imposter Syndrome as an Entrepreneur: 7 Actionable Strategies

1. Take back control.

Take a second to remember that you are the only one in charge of your life and your business. You have the power to change your mindset, your beliefs about yourself and what is possible, and most importantly, you have the power to take action.

Every entrepreneur experiences fear. Like I talked about in this post, there’s never a perfect time to start (or scale) a business.

I want you to call yourself out right now: Are you making excuses for why you can’t start/grow your business? Are you waiting for xyz to happen before you start?

You have the power to decide. If you want to quit your job, you can make that decision. Of course there are practical considerations like finances, but those obstacles aren’t insurmountable.

If you’ve been telling yourself you can’t quit your job because you need the money, reframe your mindset. You’ve decided not to quit your job at the moment, because you want to save enough money to feel secure.

And there’s nothing wrong with that! But now that you’re clear on that being a decision (instead of something imposed on you), quitting is still a possibility you can work towards. When you say “I can’t”, you let external factors control your life, rather than owning your own power.

2. Stop saying “I don’t know.”

If you don’t know how to do something, then learn! Research, ask for help, take a course and learn from experts. Don’t use not knowing as an excuse for not acting.

Saying “I don’t know” will only lead to overwhelm and feeling like an imposter. You need to break the cycle: take back control of your decisions and figure out what question you need to ask to move forward: “What do I need to know in order to take the next step?”

For example: “I don’t know how to start an online business” becomes → “What do I need to find out in order to start my online business? What opportunities are already in front of me?”

Successful entrepreneurs don’t let a lack of knowledge hold them back. If they don’t know something, they start asking questions: “How do I figure this out? Where do I go from here? Who can I ask that might be able to help with this?”

Ready to launch your online business and stop saying “I don’t know”? Check out the Laptop Lifestyle Blueprint, a 30 day step-by-step program for creating the business and lifestyle of your dreams.

3. Believe in the possibilities.

Here’s an unpopular piece of advice: wanting to start a business and be your own boss is not actually enough to succeed. You have to want it badly and not let anything stand in your way. You have to believe it’s possible for you to be a six- or even seven-figure entrepreneur, long before you get there.

When I first started out, I had $20k in debt and no clients. But I started my business and invested in my first coach anyway. For me, there was no other option but success.

The worst place to be is that state of stagnation: where you’re not satisfied with your reality, but you’re not taking steps to change it, either. The first step to moving forward is believing it’s possible. (then it’s actually taking action 😉)

4. Stop the comparison game.

Imposter syndrome often creeps in when we start comparing ourselves to others. If you’re a new entrepreneur, it’s tempting to compare yourself to business owners that are farther down the line than you. Remember that they were once beginners too and everyone grows at their own pace.

Sometimes the things that trigger imposter syndrome are actually our deepest desires. If you feel insecure every time you see a seven figure coach on Instagram, that means you really want to become a 7 figure coach. It’s not a sign to stop because you’re not good enough–it’s a sign to keep going!

P.S: If you’re looking for a supportive community of female entrepreneurs, join us in the Laptop Lifestyle Entrepreneur Facebook group!

5. Keep track of your accomplishments.

It’s easy to tell yourself I’m an amazing coach or I’m qualified to serve my clients, but your brain will have a hard time believing you if you don’t have any proof. That’s why one of my favorite ways to overcome imposter syndrome is to play lawyer and find PROOF of those qualities.

Look at positive testimonials and feedback you’ve gotten from clients, all the lives and businesses you’ve already changed. These don’t have to be big wins like $50k months; they can be as simple as client x loved their product.

Some entrepreneurs even like to keep lists of their accomplishments. Then when your mind starts telling you all the reasons you’re not good enough, you can pull up the list of evidence that says otherwise.

6. Get comfortable with the “new you”.

If you’re having a hard time seeing yourself as a successful entrepreneur, it might be because you’re still new to this. Starting a business requires you to step into an identity you’ve never had before–an entrepreneur–and it can take time for your mindset to adjust.

I often see clients that focus exclusively on the back end of their business, while neglecting their social media presence. They don’t want to be visible or vulnerable, because let’s face it–that’s scary!

But the way to get comfortable in your new role isn’t to hide. The more you show up for yourself and your clients, the more comfortable and confident you’ll become.

7. Take action.

Once you’ve identified what’s causing your fear, there’s only one thing left to do: act despite it!

If you’re afraid to put yourself out there on social media, jump on your Instagram stories. If you’re afraid your launch won’t go well, give it everything you have and launch anyway. With every action you take, you’re proving to yourself yes, I can do this. The best way to overcome imposter syndrome is through action.

Final thoughts on how to overcome imposter syndrome:

Everyone feels insecure at times. But if you follow the tips in this post, you’ll begin to break down those limiting beliefs and see what you’re truly capable of.

My #1 recommendation for how to overcome imposter syndrome is to surround yourself with a supportive community and give yourself the tools you need to feel confident taking action. If you’re ready to start or grow the business of your dreams, check out Laptop Lifestyle Bootcamp, a group coaching program that will help you become unstoppable.

And for more mindset tips and business advice, follow me on Instagram!

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