Impostor Syndrome

How to Overcome Impostor Syndrome and Own Your Wins

You’ve got the role. The skills. The results. But somehow, you still feel like you don’t belong — like you’ve somehow fooled everyone into thinking you’re more capable than you really are. If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. This is impostor syndrome — and it’s more common than you might think.

In this post, we’ll explore what impostor syndrome really is, why it shows up in high-achieving professionals, and most importantly — how to overcome it and start owning your wins.

What is Impostor Syndrome?

Impostor syndrome is the persistent belief that your success is due to luck, timing, or external factors — rather than your own ability or effort. People with impostor thoughts often:

  • Downplay their achievements
  • Attribute success to others (“They just helped me so much”)
  • Fear being “found out” or exposed as a fraud
  • Set extremely high standards for themselves

It’s especially common in smart, capable professionals who’ve achieved a lot — and paradoxically, that’s part of the problem. The more you accomplish, the more pressure you feel to live up to an internal standard that keeps moving.

Why High Performers Are Especially Prone to It

Many ambitious people hold themselves to unrealistic standards of competence and perfection. If you’ve internalised the idea that you must “know everything” or “never fail,” then any gap in knowledge can feel like failure.

Other triggers include:

  • Being the only woman, person of colour, or underrepresented identity in a room
  • A recent promotion or career pivot
  • Working in high-stakes or competitive environments

The result? A loop of success followed by doubt, deflection, and emotional exhaustion.

5 Steps to Overcome Impostor Syndrome

You don’t have to stay stuck in the cycle. These five mindset shifts and practical tools can help you reclaim your confidence and own your career achievements — without waiting for permission.

1. Name the Pattern (Without Shame)

The first step is recognising when impostor thoughts are happening. Are you:

  • Brushing off praise?
  • Doubting whether you deserve your role?
  • Thinking others are “smarter” or “more qualified”?

Name it: “That’s my impostor voice again.”

Awareness creates space for choice. You’re not a fraud — you’re human. And you’re growing.

2. Reframe Success (and What It Actually Looks Like)

Success isn’t about knowing everything. It’s about:

  • Asking great questions
  • Learning in real time
  • Owning your value in imperfect situations

Try shifting your internal narrative from “I don’t know enough” to “I’m learning and showing up — and that’s what growth looks like.”

When you own the process, you start to trust your capacity.

3. Keep a ‘Win Journal’

Create a simple habit to track your wins — big and small. This could be a notebook, a digital note, or even a dedicated email folder.

Log things like:

  • Positive feedback from colleagues or clients
  • Projects you completed successfully
  • Risks you took, even if the outcome wasn’t perfect

When doubt creeps in, you’ll have a real-time record of your capability — not just feelings, but facts.

4. Talk About It (With the Right People)

Impostor syndrome thrives in silence. When you hear that others — even senior leaders — feel the same, it normalises the experience and breaks the shame cycle.

Find a coach, mentor, or supportive peer to talk things through. You don’t need fixing — just space to be honest and supported.

5. Learn to Accept Praise — Fully

The next time someone gives you a compliment, resist the urge to deflect or minimise.

Instead, try:

“Thank you — I worked hard on that.”
“I really appreciate you saying that.”

Receiving praise isn’t arrogance — it’s integration. It helps wire your brain to recognise your own success and own your growth.

What Happens When You Own Your Wins?

When you shift from impostor thinking to empowered presence:

  • You speak up more freely in meetings
  • You go for promotions or pivots without waiting to feel “ready”
  • You advocate for your ideas with more clarity and calm
  • You start building a career that reflects your actual value — not your fears

Impostor syndrome doesn’t mean you’re broken. It often means you care deeply, you’re growing fast, and your internal narrative just hasn’t caught up yet.

Final Thoughts: Confidence is a Skill, Not a Trait

Owning your wins isn’t about ego — it’s about accuracy. When you can see yourself clearly and accept your progress, you show up with greater clarity, resilience, and trust in your leadership.

You don’t need to wait until you’re “more qualified” to feel confident. Confidence grows when you take small, intentional steps — even while the doubts are still there.

 

© Glen Rogers, All rights reserved, 2025.

 

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