“To attain success without attaining positive self-esteem is to be condemned to feeling like an imposter anxiously awaiting exposure.”
Nathaniel Branden
Do you have imposter syndrome in business? Imposter syndrome is defined as doubting your abilities and feeling like a fraud. If you’re new to running a business, or even if you’re not, you may feel a lot of pressure to do it all and do it all better than others. But we all have to start somewhere and build our success from the ground up. Here are some reasons that make many business owners feel like imposters.
Not having confidence.
People who are new in business may feel nervous about creating and sharing pricing for products and services. They may also feel intimidated about a lack of experience in their industry, even though the work is something they are excited about. There can also be a lack of confidence when deciding what products or services to provide as well as figuring out new ones to offer.
Making comparisons.
It’s easy to look at what other people in our own industry are up to, especially people who have been in the game much longer than we have. It can be intimidating thinking about what they charge, how they operate, their systems, how big their company is and how many people they are reaching through social media.
I’d like to say that things are not always as they seem. It’s okay to take a look at what others are doing, but what they do and what you want may not even be the same. For example, a competitor may have a bigger share in the market and they are willing to put in ten hour days. But maybe you’d really like a better life balance with shorter hours and more time with your family. Keep in mind your energy and goals before you feel envious of others.
Buying into myths.
This is one I fell for when I was new and actually quite a few years into business. The one that got me was you aren’t really running a business if you don’t have employees, you just have a hobby. Well, long ago I called BS on this one. If you are charging for products or services, collecting money, paying taxes, marketing your business and working with clients or making sales, you have a business. And if forever and ever you want that to be a solo endeavor, more power to you. And if at some point you want to step out of the day-to-day role and hire someone else or create a whole team, more power to you there too. But don’t buy into myths-you do you.
Not having technical skills.
Over the years, I’ve noticed a lot of business owners, including myself at times, have felt intimidated by technology as well as pressure to have a presence on all social media sites.
When it comes to technology, you can watch YouTube tutorials, watch what other people are doing, read books, read blogs, ask other people how to do it or hire the tasks out. One of the areas I delegate to someone else is for IT issues-no thank you.
When it comes to social media for a new business, start with one or two sites that make sense for your business. Where are your ideal clients? Which social media sites will showcase your business with the most bang for your buck? If you’re a baker, Instagram is a great site for sharing photos of your freshly baked goodies. Once you have confidence and success under your belt, you can evaluate whether or not other platforms make sense to add to your marketing arsenal.
Not knowing your own definition of success.
As a business owner, your definition of success should be fluid. If your business cards are hot off of the press for the very first time, your definition of success may be selling that first product or scheduling that first client. Maybe making ten phone calls to drum up business is your definition of success for the first week or even for the first month. Maybe it’s a sales goal or dollar amount made after taxes. You should get into the habit of regularly making assessments of your goals and your definition of success as you grow.
Success in business doesn’t always have to be related to money. Other benchmarks for success can be:
- Having a flexible schedule
- Making your own hours
- Working from home with no commute in traffic
- Having more time with your family
- Having a healthy life balance
- Doing what you love-not everyone can say that!
The longer you’re in business, the more confidence you will gain. Don’t let being new and nervous hold you back.
“She had a classic case of imposter syndrome, spending endless hours worrying someone would discover she was not good enough, smart enough or any other enough.
When she realized being her true self was the one thing no one else could be, she finally understood she was good enough.”
Queenisms
