Summary

The article discusses strategies for overcoming imposter syndrome and building a personal brand by focusing on creating value, avoiding comparisons, and concentrating on positive feedback.

Abstract

The author of the article shares personal experiences with imposter syndrome, a common feeling of self-doubt and fear of being exposed as a fraud. Despite initial hesitations, the author began publishing articles on Medium, eventually gaining readership and recognition. The article emphasizes the importance of pushing through self-doubt to create value for others, rather than focusing on personal insecurities. It suggests that the feeling of being an imposter is an illusion that can be overcome by consistently delivering valuable content and not comparing oneself to others. The author also advises to focus on positive comments for motivation and to remember that even those we admire have their own insecurities. The article concludes by encouraging readers to work hard and persist in their endeavors to silence the voice of imposter syndrome.

Opinions

Imposter syndrome is a common experience that can hinder personal and professional growth.
Publishing personal work and sharing it publicly is a key step in overcoming the fear of inadequacy.
The feeling of being an imposter often arises when transitioning to new levels of achievement or visibility.
Creating value for others is a way to prove one's worth and contribute meaningfully to one's field.
Comparing oneself to others, especially those more experienced, can exacerbate feelings of imposter syndrome.
Positive feedback from an audience can affirm one's value and dispel doubts about one's abilities.
Persistence and hard work are essential in combating imposter syndrome and achieving success.
The imposter syndrome can be seen as a motivator to improve and solidify one's expertise.

How to Fight the Imposter Syndrome and Get Your Name out There

Don’t compare yourself so much and focus on creating value for others

Everyone struggles with imposter syndrome. When it comes, you feel like a fraud, or like you don’t belong. It holds you back from doing what matters to you.

Before I started writing on Medium, I used to read other people’s articles here and wish I could write like them. I always wondered what special powers they had that made them believe that they could give out their opinions for other people to see.

I used to write my thoughts in my notes or on my laptop, I didn’t believe people would care to read what I had to say, so I didn’t publish them. I thought I wasn’t good enough.

One day, I risked it and posted my first article. I didn’t care if anyone read it, (or I didn’t want anyone to read it, so they wouldn’t find out I wasn’t good enough). I continued putting out these short write-ups from time to time, and people started reading them.

I was terrified and excited that people read my articles. I was always questioning my skills and worrying about what people thought.

I didn’t know it was the imposter syndrome until I watched Ayodeji Awosika’s TEDx talk on the topic.

I understood that we all feel that way at some point, but letting it hold you back is dangerous because you wouldn’t achieve the things you deeply desire.

Each time I tried to get featured on a new publication or website, I felt like I wasn’t a good fit.

Nobody is exempted from this feeling; each time you want to move to a new level, the feeling comes. If you let it, it would stop you from getting your name out there.

The world is different now because you have to push extra hard to grow your brand. And when you reach a new level, you may start feeling like a fraud that doesn’t deserve to be where he/she is — even after working hard to get there.

What you don’t know is that it’s just an illusion. Nobody thinks that way. People care about the value you bring to them.

Your craft is your means of self-expression; you excel when you can use it to impact the lives of people.

Nobody important would condemn you for using your skills to help. There are three types of people: the watchers, the doers, and the ones that have no clue of what is going on.

The voice comes again when you’re trying to move from being a watcher to a doer. If you let that voice hinder you from doing, you will remain a watcher all your life. Unfortunately, the imposter syndrome always comes when you’re entering a higher position. You have to find ways to stop it from holding you back. I struggled with it, and I still do. Here are some strategies I take to silence that voice.

Stick to Creating Value

You can prove to yourself that you’re worth your current position by creating value continuously. You should understand that it’s not about you but about the people who will benefit from what you’re giving out.

You should make a conscious effort to shun the thought in your head. At times when I write posts for my Twitter, LinkedIn or Medium, I start getting ideas like “Does this thing I’m saying make sense,” or “wouldn’t people find out that I don’t know anything?”, but I just keep going, and somehow, the feeling goes away.

Understand that people need the value you provide; just stick to it.

You’re only the delivery man of what’s in your head, and how many people pay attention to the delivery man?

Don’t Compare Your Situation With Others

One of the factors that contribute to feeling like an imposter is comparing yourself to others. When you do this with people who have been there for years, you may feel like you’re not good enough compared to them. Yes, you’re not good enough, but if you keep at it, you might even be better than they are.

What you don’t know is that those people still feel like they don’t know what they’re doing at times, too. Just do your part and keep going. Those people you compare yourself to were at some point like you. They got to where they were by focusing on their craft and going on with it.

Focus on Positive Comments

When you put out content on the internet, it is normal to get mixed reviews. Some people are naturally negative — they always have something negative to say about everything. Listening to those negative comments is the quickest way to get depressed and give up. Some of these negative comments have some truth in them, but you shouldn’t worry about them.

Focus on the positive comments. The positive comments make you see that you actually fit in and are positively impacting people’s lives. Focus on the opinions of people who always engage with your content and leave positive remarks. Those are your real audience. Think about them when you feel like an imposter.

To Summarize

This is a problem that started in your head, and only you can solve it. You solve it by tweaking your brain into believing that you’re not an imposter by working harder than ever.

The imposter syndrome is a good thing if you look at it from an angle because to get rid of it, you have to work harder at what you do to prove to that little voice in your head that you’re good enough.

But please, whatever you do, don’t stop.