Have you ever felt like a fraud? Like the position you are in, or the level of responsibility you have is by luck and you feel undeserving of it? Or maybe feeling like you shouldn’t be speaking about a topic because of all the other people out there who may have more experience and have been doing it for longer than you?

I’ve been there and it would come from mind chatter that related to my thoughts of self-doubt and not feeling good enough at times. Over time I learnt that where I am is because I damn well deserve to be and I’ve worked freaking hard to get here. Not only that, I don’t need to be an expert to speak on the topics I want to as I have a perspective on things and life that I have the right to share just as much as the next person.

There will always be someone with more experience and who has been doing something for longer. It’s just the way life is, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have the authority to speak on the same topics because the only time when a person becomes an impostor and a fraud is when they deceive others by speaking on topics they have no experience with, knowledge, or no-how on.

If you’re not doing that and have a story to share, you have the authority to do so and don’t let anyone tell you anything different because we have a voice for a reason. So with that in mind let’s get into how to stop impostor syndrome before it stops you.

1. We all have to start somewhere and there is nothing really new that’s being said.

Most topics have been covered time and time again by millions of different people in millions of different ways. However, every single one of us has different experiences in life so that’s what truly makes the difference along with our unique voice. Next time you hold back, remember that how another person says it won’t be the same as you.

2. If you have a brand, your audience is part of your community because of you and the way you say things. 

So it doesn’t matter how many times something has been said, they want to hear the way YOU say it. They are waiting for INSERT YOUR NAME to say it in a way they resonate with. Not everyone will connect with me and that’s cool because I have an audience of people who do. 

3. Being wrong or not knowing everything about a topic doesn’t make you a fraud.

It just means there is more to be learnt and isn’t that what we are doing on a daily basis? There have been times when I’ve got some major stuff wrong but a saying I live by which was created by Marie Forleo is “everything is figureoutable” so don’t let being wrong or not knowing everything stop you. In those situations, one of the best things you can do is own it and say “I don’t know but let me find out and come back to you.”

4. This is a bit mushy, but keep a file of all the amazing things people have said about you.

If ever you feel like you’re not good enough, go through that file. I have a folder on my personal laptop and one that is part of my Gmail account for She’s So Audacious and at work. It’s like a memory box of all the positive feedback I’ve received and acts as a reminder of the change and difference I’ve made to another person and having an attitude of gratitude for that.

5. The final way to stop impostor syndrome before it stops you is not to compare yourself to anyone because no one can take away what you have been anointed for in life.

They can copy, but copycats demonstrate a lack of imagination and tend not to prosper or only do so for a short period of time. There may be other great people in the world, but only you can provide your service, create products and/or do the work that you do in your own unique way!

So, what steps are you going to take starting today to stop impostor syndrome before it stops you? Share your thoughts with a comment and don’t forget to react to this post with an emoji! 

Photo by Joe Ciciarelli on Unsplash