Starting a business is exciting, but budding entrepreneurs are often left with a surprising side effect: imposter syndrome at work that sets in once the thrill has worn off. These nagging, negative thoughts of inferiority usually find us when we’re feeling low, and they can be devastating to a new business owner who does not yet have years of success to bolster their confidence.

What Causes Imposter Syndrome?

While everyone struggles with occasional feelings of low self-esteem, imposter syndrome at work is a persistent, pervasive sense of inadequacy that can cripple even a seasoned professional if left unaddressed.

The term “impostor syndrome” was first coined by psychologists Pauline Rose Clance and Suzanne Imes in the 1970s. They established three main criteria to distinguish impostor syndrome from other psychological issues.

You may have imposter syndrome at work if you:

1. Think that other people have a higher opinion of your abilities than is warranted,
2. Fear that others will discover that you’re a fraud and
3. Tend to downplay your achievements.

It’s estimated that up to 70% of people will experience impostor syndrome at some point in their lives. Even celebrities are not immune—successful creatives such as Maya Angelou, Kate Winslet, and Tina Fey have all spoken out about struggling with feelings of inadequacy.

Imposter syndrome at work can have many possible causes. Sometimes, it’s due to perfectionism. Other times, one slight misstep can escalate into a disproportionate feeling of failure or fear. Very often, impostor syndrome results from comparing ourselves to others, mistakenly thinking they are better or more qualified than we are in some capacity.

There are a few benefits of imposter syndrome, such as increased humility, that keep our egos in check. By and large, however, imposter syndrome anxiety does more harm than good. Learning to overcome imposter syndrome is essential to grow as a leader and entrepreneur.

Self-Limiting Beliefs and the Entrepreneur

You might be surprised to learn that even entrepreneurs with decades of experience can occasionally struggle with imposter syndrome at work. As a professional business coach, here is a list of the self-limiting beliefs I hear most often from my clients:

• I’m not smart enough.
• I don’t have the training or education to be successful.
• I don’t deserve this success.
• I can’t judge/motivate/lead/evaluate employees.
• I’m an imposter. I don’t belong here.
• I’m destined to fail once the thrill has worn off.
• I’m not a business expert.
• I’m not creative enough.
• I’m not good at math/accounting/finance.
• I don’t want to be in sales.
• I am too old/young.
• I just got lucky.
• I don’t know anything about technology.
• My ideas aren’t unique.
• I won’t be able to adapt.
• Everyone is going to learn that I’m a fraud.
• Others are so much more qualified than I am.

If left unchecked, these thoughts can become the prevailing narrative we tell ourselves. The more we dwell on them, the more they become true: our confidence dwindles until we fail precisely as we told ourselves we would. We might even end up turning down opportunities for advancement and inhibiting our career success because we feel we don’t deserve it.

When you overwhelm your belief system with negative thoughts, they spill over into other areas of your life. A seemingly simple case of imposter syndrome at work can often lead to anxiety, depression, increased stress, and burnout. You might soon find yourself lacking confidence outside of work, as well.

The solution is to nip impostor syndrome in the bud before it becomes more significant.

How to Overcome Imposter Syndrome

Overcoming imposter syndrome at work is a process that takes time. We must continuously work to eradicate these beliefs throughout our careers. However, there are ways to break out of this cycle of negative thoughts and reframe your mindset in the moment and long term.

One of the most effective ways to combat imposter syndrome at work is to counter negative thoughts with positive affirmations. Whenever you think you aren’t good enough or aren’t deserving of success, counter that with an encouraging thought, such as “I am a brilliant leader” or “I am making a difference.”

Here are a few more tips on how to overcome imposter syndrome.

• Surround yourself with confident people who you would like to emulate. If negative, insecure people surround you, it will be easier for you to fall into that old mindset.
• Find a mentor to help you stay positive. This should be someone with experience in your industry who can provide reliable feedback when you doubt yourself. It is important to find someone you can trust to be honest, deliver praise when warranted, and constructively criticize when needed.
• Read books about business and self-development and go to conferences in your industry. Attend speeches or watch videos of motivational speakers. Make sure you’re always learning so you don’t grow stagnant.
• Keep a log of your successes and a list of your completed tasks. Refer to these when it feels like you’re not getting anything done.
• Likewise, keep a record of compliments received from others. When someone tells you you’re doing a good job, please write it down.
• Set goals, track your achievements, and not downplay smaller wins. Measuring your progress over time can be a significant positive reinforcement.
• Focus on being grateful for all you have and what you have accomplished. Write in a gratitude journal each day. It might sound cheesy, but finding the good is easier when you appreciate the little things.
• Stop thinking so much about yourself. A friend says, “The one thing that has been most effective for me in overcoming these thoughts is to shift my focus away from myself and onto the change I hope to make in the world. If the goal is important, the obstacles become less significant to me.”

Most importantly, understand that you’re not alone. Almost every professional has encountered feelings of inadequacy at some point in their career. Talking about your impostor syndrome with a friend or peer is the first step towards taking away its power.

Dealing with imposter syndrome can be a lengthy battle. I understand this because I’ve been there myself, but I know from experience that talking to a professional business coach can help. If self-limiting beliefs are holding you back, fill out my contact form, and let’s discuss how to overcome imposter syndrome.

Coach Dave