3 Ways to Move Through Imposter Syndrome as an Entrepreneur, Writer, and Creative
Many anti-racist educators, including Ericka Hart, have critiqued the phrase "imposter syndrome," noting that this is not some kind of amorphous ailment that people acquire out of thin air. Rather, it stems directly from living in a white, cisheteropatriarchal society. Calling it “imposter syndrome” doesn’t do this phenomenon justice because this kind of language is misleading as it inherently frames this issue as an internal conflict when really it’s a societal problem we’ve inherited from the dominant culture.
As Hart points out, it’s not even a feeling of being an “imposter,” rather what’s often labeled as such is actually an experience of being gaslit, dehumanized, condescended to, patronized, and belittled in one’s sphere of expertise or industry. Marginalized people frequently recognize our own expertise and intelligence, but those in power refuse to acknowledge it, too embarrassed and unwilling to admit that their own success came not from merit or talent, but from the nepotism of the old boys' club, unearned privileges, and hand-outs.
When I was a “baby entrepreneur” (which I say with deep admiration and love for this potent stage of the entrepreneurial journey) I suffered through a long period of mental, emotional, and spiritual anguish. My internal monologue was a constant back and forth of, “Who am I do this?” “Why do you think you’re so special?” “You’re not that great,” “Nobody cares what you have to say,” and comparing myself to everyone and their dog on Instagram. Building Terra Incognita Media confronted me with all my personal inner demons — something entrepreneurship is notorious for excavating in most everyone who tries to make a dream manifest.
In my coaching work, one of the biggest obstacles I hear and witness in many folks, particularly baby entrepreneurs, is the iron grip of imposter syndrome. So, here are my top tips for navigating through this mucky, awful, totally-not-your-fault phenomenon. There is a light on the other side of this patriarchal brainwashing.
Re-Wire Your Neural Pathways: I never really questioned my self-talk before my late twenties. I began following self-help accounts, reading more self-help type books, and going to therapy which allowed me to get real intimate with the ways in which I was my biggest bully. However, I wasn’t always my biggest bully.
I learned to ask myself, “Who’s voice is this?” I realized that this voice was the voice of my parents, society, past teachers, etc. Most of the adults in my life had the best intentions for me, but despite their best efforts I internalized a lot of messages growing up as criticism which crystallized as deep shame and disgust that stuck to my insides.
Healing this negative self-talk hasn't been easy, but it began with trying to say neutral things to myself. Going from harsh self-criticism to affirmations like "I love you" and "you're amazing" felt like too big a leap. So, I started small. I practiced gentle phrases like "You're doing your best," "I can do this," and "I believe in you." Gradually, it became more natural, and eventually I could look in the mirror and genuinely list things I loved about myself. Now, my daily self-talk is healthier, more positive, encouraging, soft, and gentle.
Practicing positive self-talk can also be seen as a form of re-parenting. Our negative self-talk is a defense mechanism we've learned to keep ourselves safe. We subconsciously think, “maybe if I criticize myself first, I can avoid others' criticism.” This leads us to make ourselves small, telling ourselves we don't deserve success or that we're worthless. It's a protective pattern many of us developed in childhood. Now, we can gently teach ourselves that it's safe to be kind and gentle with ourselves, and that we are truly deserving and worthy.
I had a profound wake-up call when I realized I believed others were worthy and deserving of good things, but couldn't extend that same belief to myself. That's when I knew I needed to do some serious re-parenting and rewiring.
Practice moving through the world with the confidence of a mediocre white man: a tried and true strategy passed down by wise crones for centuries. Mediocre white men occupy the most powerful positions in our society, sitting in corner offices atop skyscrapers while making decisions that impact our collective wellbeing and freedoms.
Elon Musk? Not a genius entrepreneur.
Mark Zuckerberg? Not a genius entrepreneur.
Yvon Chouinard? Not a genius entrepreneur.
Donald Trump? Not a genius entrepreneur.
Jeff Bezos? Not a genius entrepreneur.
They didn't get where they are based on merit, genius, talents, skills, or gifts. Their only real talent is exploiting people and the planet without any ounce of guilt or shame.
The most helpful thing that has allowed me to move through imposter syndrome is letting go of the myth of competent, creative, genius white men. It's the biggest lie we're sold—one that permeates politics, dinner table conversations, schools, and every corner of our society. Historical revisionists actively produce propaganda attempting to convince us of the narrative of competent white male leadership throughout history. However, as Representative Jasmine Crockett pointed out on CNN, the reality is that white supremacists have occupied the White House throughout history, whether liberal or conservative. We must divest from this myth and reject this false narrative.
Learning how to self-validate and recognize my own unique, talents, skills, and gifts. If we recognize that anyone who’s in a position of power at the most so-called “successful” businesses or at the top of institutions didn’t get their based of pure merit then we must recognize that there are so many of us who are truly skilled and creative who just don’t have the same networks and privilege that these men have, and that is the only reason why we haven’t achieved the same level of “success.”
Moreover, we probably have very different definitions of “success.” To me, success is being in harmony and alignment with my values that prioritize people and the planet over profit, which most, if not all, white men in power can’t relate to.
Collectively, it’s time we take these pathetic white men off the shelf, off their unearned pedestal and start recognizing and validating our own unique talents, skills, and gifts within ourselves and each other, and recognize our own leadership capabilities. Because leadership doesn’t look the way we’ve been sold. The way these toxic masculine men are acting does not a good leader make. We’ve been sold this lie of what leadership looks like: aggressive, cold, unfeeling, in a corporate office and wearing a corporate suit. It’s time we validate ourselves and each other’s capacity to lead because mainstream society most likely won’t be doing that for us.
Try this: Write down 3-5 (or even 10-20) things you've done in the last year or five that have impressed you. List out the things you thought you'd never do but did anyway. List out the moments that made you think "damn, I did that!" Include the challenges that had you groaning and slogging through the mud, asking "WHY GOD?"—but you still did it.
Bonus tip: Understanding your birth chart and astrology can provide valuable self-validation and affirmation.
It's a practice to rewire your thinking patterns and train your brain to recognize your own unique talents, skills, and gifts. It's not a one-and-done, overnight process. I have to continually show up for this practice, and yes, there are days when I get down on myself. But honestly, those days are few and far between because I've been dedicated to showing up for myself in a more loving, anti-oppressive way for years now. If we want to build an anti-oppressive future, we're going to need to treat ourselves anti-oppressively too.
I truly believe we all possess unique talents, skills, and gifts that remain untapped—and this world needs us to show up fully and authentically.
For deeper support, book a free Clarity Call with me to explore how I can help you heal and step into bold, unapologetic confidence as the leader, activist, and entrepreneur you know (and I know) you're meant to be!
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