Quit Feeling Like a Fraud: Let's Talk Imposter Syndrome

Hola and welcome back! Today I want to tackle something that sneaks into just about every corner of our lives, whether we’re at work, church, home, or even just chatting with a stranger in line at Target: imposter syndrome.

If you’ve never heard of it, imposter syndrome is when you feel like a total fraud, like you don’t deserve the things you’ve achieved, and at any moment, someone is going to pull the curtain back and yell, “Aha! I knew it! You don’t belong here!” It’s self-doubt on steroids.

And if you’re thinking, “Yup, that’s me,” welcome to the club. Our membership numbers are through the roof.

My Greatest Hits: Imposter Syndrome in Action

For me, imposter syndrome has shown up the loudest in my work life. I studied film production in college… and then promptly never worked in film. Instead, I’ve hopped through industries like a caffeinated kangaroo: B2B, construction, transportation, telecom, marketing, and now coaching.

And here’s the kicker - I’ve always felt like I didn’t belong in any of those jobs. Every time I started something new, I’d get this nagging voice telling me I wasn’t qualified, that my degree was useless, and that sooner or later, everyone would find out I was just winging it.

Now, logically, I know my skills are transferable. I can connect with people, solve problems, communicate clearly, and bring creativity into whatever space I’m in. But feelings don’t always check with logic before barging into the room. Instead, imposter syndrome loves to whisper, “You’re just lucky they haven’t noticed you’re a fraud yet.”

And I’ll be honest: that voice is exhausting.

Imposter Syndrome Isn’t Just Professional

It doesn’t just show up at work. I’ve felt it in my personal life too, and embarrassingly early on. Picture me as a stone-faced toddler. When someone would say, “Oh, what a cute little girl!” I’d just… stare. No smile. No giggle. Nothing.

When I fell down a full flight of wooden stairs (17 steps, to be exact), I didn’t cry. My mom was convinced something was broken in me. She started coaching me like, “Okay honey, when someone smiles, you smile back.”

So, I learned. And honestly, I’ve been learning ever since. Sometimes I feel like my whole personality is just a mashup of borrowed mannerisms from people I’ve observed along the way. Like a trench coat full of rats stacked on top of each other trying to pass as a normal human.

Cute visual, right? Except when you actually feel like that trench coat is going to slip at any moment and your fraudulent rats are going to be exposed.

But Is It True?

Here’s the million-dollar question: is imposter syndrome true?

Of course not. Intellectually, I know that. I’ve done good work. I’ve gotten promotions. I’ve never been fired. I can hold a conversation and laugh at my own bad jokes, so yes, I’m a real human with a personality.

But here’s the kicker: imposter syndrome feels real. It feels so real that it can outweigh evidence to the contrary. And when something feels that real, it can run the show if we let it.

So the question becomes, what do we do about it? How do we tell imposter syndrome to take a seat and stop running our lives?

Four Ways to Kick Imposter Syndrome to the Curb

1. Acknowledge the Feeling

Step one: call it what it is. Notice it, name it, and - if you’re brave - say it out loud.

I don’t recommend doing this in the grocery store aisle unless you’re really looking for a “local oddball” reputation. But in the privacy of your car, shower, or journal? Go for it. Saying it out loud highlights just how ridiculous the thoughts can sound when they’re no longer swirling silently in your head. Pretend like you’re winning at Jumanji and CALL OUT ITS NAME!

2. Separate Feelings from Facts

Your feelings may be loud, but the facts are louder if you give them a chance.

One practical thing I do: I keep a “wins” folder in my email inbox. Anytime someone sends me positive feedback or a compliment, I stash it there. Then, when imposter syndrome tries to crash the party, I go back and reread those messages.

That’s not just fluff - it’s real, documented proof that I’ve done good work and made a difference. Your brain needs those receipts.

3. Reframe Your Inner Critic

Your inner critic is a persistent little gremlin, but you don’t have to take them seriously. One tip I’ve heard (and actually love) is to give your critic a silly name - like Ethel, Nigel, or in my case, Leonard.

When Leonard pipes up with, “You’re a fraud, and everyone’s going to figure it out,” I don’t just take it. I clap back. Sometimes I thank Leonard for his input (because he thinks he’s protecting me), and then I tell him to zip it.

Even better? Replace Leonard’s lies with something true: “Actually, I’ve crushed multiple projects, and people have told me I made a difference.” If you consistently counter those lies with truth, eventually your brain starts to rewire.

4. Ditch the Perfectionism

Oh, perfectionism. My old frenemy.

Here’s the truth: you’re going to mess up. You’ll say something awkward in a meeting. You’ll hit “Reply All” by mistake. You’ll replay those moments on a mental loop at 11 p.m. while trying to get to sleep.

But perfection isn’t the requirement for being worthy. Messing up is literally part of the human job description. When you stumble, instead of spiraling, try to ask, “Okay, what did I learn? How do I want to handle this next time?”

Perfectionism feeds imposter syndrome. But progress? Progress feeds confidence.

So Where Do We Go From Here?

Imposter syndrome may never fully disappear. Honestly, I think it’s part of being human. But it doesn’t have to run your life. You can acknowledge it, laugh at it a little, and then choose to walk in the truth of what you have accomplished and who you really are.

At the end of the day, imposter syndrome is just another voice in the crowd. You get to decide whether to hand it the mic or not.

Your Turn

So now I’m curious - what about you?

• Have you ever felt like an imposter, even when the evidence says otherwise?

• What tricks or habits have helped you silence that inner critic?

• And most importantly: what’s your inner critic’s name?