Owning Your Success and Trusting Your Growth
Have you ever stepped into a new opportunity, hit a major goal, or found yourself in a position you once dreamed of—only to feel like you don’t deserve to be there?
That at any moment, someone will realize you have no idea what you’re doing?
That’s imposter syndrome—the temporary or persistent belief that you’re not as capable as others think you are, despite clear evidence of your success.
And if you’ve ever felt this way, you’re far from alone.
Even some of the most accomplished people in the world—athletes, CEOs, authors, and leaders—have admitted to feeling like frauds.
Maya Angelou, once famously said, “I have written 11 books, but each time I think, ‘Uh-oh, they’re going to find out now. I’ve run a game on everybody, and they’re going to find me out.’”
If you’ve felt this way before, don’t worry—it doesn’t mean you’re a fraud. It means you’re human. And more importantly, it means you’re growing.
What is Imposter Syndrome?
Imposter syndrome is the internal struggle of believing you don’t belong, even when all evidence says otherwise.
It’s that nagging voice that tells you your success is a fluke, that you got lucky, or that sooner or later, people will see through you.
At its core, imposter syndrome isn’t just about doubting what you’ve done—it’s about doubting who you are. If your identity hasn’t caught up with your accomplishments, it’s easy to feel like you don’t belong—even when the evidence says otherwise.
It shows up in different ways:
Downplaying achievements: You credit luck or external factors instead of recognizing your invested efforts and skill growth.
Fear of exposure: You’re convinced others will “find out” you don’t actually know what you’re doing.
Perfectionism trap: You set impossibly high standards and feel like a failure if you fall short.
Overworking to compensate: You feel like you need to prove yourself constantly, even when you’ve already demonstrated competence.
But not all imposter syndrome is the same.
For many, imposter syndrome is a temporary reaction to stepping into something new—like a promotion, a new skill, or a major life change. In these cases, the doubt fades as the experience becomes familiar and confidence grows.
For others, imposter syndrome runs deeper. It can be shaped by past experiences, environments that reinforced self-doubt, or long-standing struggles with self-worth. The longer those doubts linger, the harder they become to shake.
But here’s the good news: Imposter syndrome isn’t a sign that you don’t belong—it’s a sign that you’re growing.
Why Do We Feel Like Frauds?
If imposter syndrome isn’t reality, then why does it feel so real?
Because your brain isn’t built for success—it’s built for survival.
For most of human history, survival depended on staying within the tribe. Being part of a group meant safety, while standing out, failing, or being seen as unworthy could mean rejection—or worse.
Your brain’s survival instincts kick in when you step into unfamiliar territory—whether it’s a new role, a bigger challenge, or a situation where expectations feel high.
When your reality shifts faster than your self-perception, your brain resists, trying to keep you tethered to an older version of yourself. That’s why imposter syndrome isn’t just about skill—it’s about identity lag.
That’s why imposter syndrome feels so intense. It’s not a rational evaluation of your skills—it’s an outdated survival response firing in a modern world.
It triggers that same ancient instinct: What if I fail? What if I don’t belong? What if ‘they’ cast me out?
Even though we no longer live in tribal societies, that old instinct still runs in the background.
1. Your Brain Hates Uncertainty
Your brain’s job is to predict outcomes and keep you safe. When you enter unfamiliar territory, it senses the difference and sounds the alarm.
It doesn’t know the full picture. It just knows “different” and assumes that different means discomfort.
2. Your Brain Looks for Threats, Not Wins
We naturally focus on what could go wrong more than what’s going right. Even when you succeed, your brain may dismiss it as luck or timing because it’s wired to spot risks, not rewards.
That’s why imposter syndrome sticks around—it tricks you into believing success is an exception, not proof of your ability.
3. You’re Comparing Your Behind-the-Scenes to Everyone Else’s Highlight Reel
You see your struggles, doubts, and mistakes up close—but you only see the polished version of others.
Social media, professional settings, and even casual conversations make it easy to feel like you’re the only one who doesn’t have it all figured out. But the reality? Most people don’t.
4. New Territory Feels Unstable (at first)
Imposter syndrome is strongest when you’re growing. When you step into something new, your brain doesn’t have past experiences to confirm that you belong—so it fills in the gaps with doubt.
There’s a disconnect between who you’ve been and who you’re becoming, and that space in between is filled with uncertainty. But every step forward adds proof—until what once felt unfamiliar becomes second nature.
The Paradox of Imposter Syndrome
According to Adam Grant, imposter syndrome is a paradox:
Others believe in you.
You don’t believe in yourself.
Yet, instead of trusting them—you trust your own self-doubt.
Think about that for a moment.
People who see you from the outside—your colleagues, mentors, friends—recognize your skills, efforts, and accomplishments. They see evidence of your growth.
But instead of accepting their belief in you, you trust the inner voice telling you that you’re not enough.
Imposter syndrome is often strongest in people who care deeply about their growth. Those who are pushing their limits are more aware of what they don’t know.
It’s a strange but common pattern:
Beginners tend to feel overconfident because they don’t yet see the full complexity of what they’re doing.
Experts, on the other hand, often feel like imposters because they understand how much more there is to learn.
So if you’re feeling like an imposter, it doesn’t mean you’re failing—it likely means you’re growing.
How to Push Through
Here are three steps to help you push through imposter syndrome and own your success with confidence. The key isn’t to eliminate self-doubt—it’s to move forward despite it.
1. Borrow Confidence Until You Build Your Own
If you don’t believe in yourself yet, trust the people who do. Instead of defaulting to doubt, ask yourself:
What if the people who believe in me are right?
What do they see in me that I don’t see in myself yet?
Confidence isn’t something you either have or don’t—it’s built over time. Let their belief in you be the bridge until you can fully believe in yourself.
2. Keep a “Proof of Competence” List
Your brain is naturally wired to focus on what’s missing rather than what you’ve already accomplished. Combat that by keeping a running list of:
Achievements, big or small.
Positive feedback from mentors, coworkers, or clients.
Moments when you did something despite feeling unprepared.
This isn’t about ego—it’s about giving your brain evidence that you are, in fact, capable. Every time doubt creeps in, revisit your list and remind yourself of the facts, not the feelings.
3. Take Action Before You Feel Ready
Confidence doesn’t come before action—it comes from action. Instead of waiting for self-doubt to disappear, act despite it.
Speak up in that meeting.
Apply for that opportunity.
Sign up for that race or challenge.
Every action you take rewrites your brain’s story about who you are. Discomfort doesn’t mean you’re failing; it means you’re learning.
Your steps don’t need to be big at the start, as long as you can do something uncomfortable, you’ll teach yourself that you’re capable.
That story of your actions shapes your identity. If you keep seeing yourself as someone who isn’t ready, your actions will reflect that. But if you start acting like the person you want to become, your identity will start to shift.
Actions don’t just follow identity—identity follows action.
Imposter syndrome won’t disappear overnight, but it loses power when you recognize it for what it is—just a voice in your head, not the truth.
Your identity isn’t fixed. It evolves with every challenge you step into, every skill you sharpen, and every doubt you push through. Who you are isn’t about what you feel in this moment—it’s about what you keep proving to yourself over time.
Your challenge: The next time you feel like an imposter, pause and ask yourself: What evidence do I have that I don’t belong here? Chances are, you won’t find much.
You’ve worked for your success. You’re capable of more than you think. The only fraud is the doubt trying to convince you otherwise.
So, what will you do with that doubt? Will you let it hold you back, or will you use it as a sign that you’re stepping into something bigger?