We all feel like imposters from time to time. You know, that feeling when someone compliments you for your professional success, but you worry and doubt if you really did earn it? Or thinking that everyone around you knows better than you and can see through your charade? This is called Impostor Syndrome, and it can be pretty overwhelming.
When you feel unworthy of success, it can be hard to understand why you’re facing this issue in the first place. We often think it’s because we don’t think we’re good enough or that we don’t have what it takes. But according to one entrepreneur who recently went through her own battle with Impostor Syndrome, this couldn’t be furthest from the truth.
The entrepreneur in question, Leticia Ortiz, had been told by countless mentors and colleagues that she was uniquely suited for the venture she had created. But after two successful years, she started to doubt her abilities and slammed into a wall of anxiety and fear. No matter how much support she had, it felt like her accomplishments were never enough. The more accolades she earned, the worse things got. Worried that she wasn’t capable of living up to expectations and terrified of disappointing those around her, Ortiz finally hit her breaking point.
It was then that she realized that the only way to break free of the imposter syndrome was to acknowledge the situation, accept her flaws and vulnerabilities, and do the hard work to move past it. She knew that while her successes may have given her wings, it was the honesty with which she faced her weaknesses that could help her to fly.
So, Ortiz took a deep breath, looked deep inside herself, and embraced her feelings of inadequacy. Then, instead of judging herself, she accepted them. There was no turning away from, or denying, the fears that were consuming her. By validating her feelings, Ortiz gave herself the chance to release them.
Next, Ortiz decided to stop comparing herself to others and instead focus on what she could do differently to improve her work and approach. She made a list of her weaknesses, identified those areas that needed extra attention and worked diligently to bridge the gaps.
In addition to the internal work, Ortiz made sure to give herself some grace too. While she realized that getting outside feedback and guidance would be beneficial, she also allowed herself to take regular mental check-ins, to give her mind time to relax and reset.
Finally, Ortiz reminded herself to be kind to herself and accept that mistakes are part of the learning curve. No one is perfect, we all make mistakes at some point in life. But equally important, when it comes to success, failure should be viewed as growth and not stagnation.
So, the next time you feel like an imposter, like you are not worthy of success, or like you are doomed to fail, remind yourself that these feelings are normal. And trust that following the same steps as Ortiz can help you break free and reclaim your rightful place in life.
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