Imposter Syndrome

 

I love my girlfriends, the women I met as I was raising my children. They know me. And support me and love me. We’ve done lunch, babysat each other’s children and watched as they’ve grown into adults.  And I’m still friends with women from high school and college.

But my business buddies understand me. They know how hard things can be. Sometimes I look at them and wonder why they’ve chosen me to befriend. They are more successful, more competent, more accomplished.  They are all amazing and proficient and I wonder “How did I get into this group? What do I add? Why do they have my back?”

Imposter Syndrome

Does anyone else here have Imposter Syndrome? Do you lack self confidence, feel inadequate, and always fall short when you compare yourself to others? I’ve struggled with it my whole life. It seems the more I push out of my comfort zone, the more it rears it’s ugly head.

Back to my business friends.  We met online first. Some of us went to a retreat in Nashville. A few years later, all of us showed up for a mastermind in Aruba, and I think that’s where we bonded.  I admire all of them.

Asking them what I bring to the group was easy. Hearing their answers was hard. Why is it difficult to hear good things abut yourself? Wisdom, experience and a sense of humor. Compassion, knowledge, and fun to be around. You truly care about people, what you see is what you get, you are hella funny. Positive energy, nurturing.

What really got me though, is others in the group also had imposter syndrome. “Do I really deserve to be successful?”  “I think imposter syndrome creeps into every entrepreneur’s mind once in a while” “I used to have imposter syndrome when I first launched the line…but when I educated myself on what the big name brands put in their product, I feel like I’m worlds apart, in a good way”  “I try to regroup my thoughts when imposter syndrome happens. I remember I have 15+ years of experience and knowledge. That chases away my bad feelings.”

If this amazeballs group of women think I belong, then I must. And if this badass group of women feel the same way I do at times, it’s nothing to worry about.

How do you handle feelings of not belonging?

Yours in Gratitude,

Angela