5 Lies Imposter Syndrome Tells You.
Imposter syndrome is sneaky. It does not shout. It whispers. It tells you stories that feel true because they tap into your deepest doubts. And if you are not careful, those whispers can shape your actions and your confidence.
The good news is that imposter syndrome is a liar. Once you learn to spot its tricks, you can stop believing the stories and start writing your own.
A Story From a Coaching Session
A client once told me she had been invited to speak at a global conference. This was the kind of opportunity she had been working toward for years. But instead of excitement, she felt sick with fear. She was convinced they had made a mistake.
We sat down and unpacked what she was telling herself. The stories were familiar. The same ones I have heard from CEOs, creatives, and leaders in many industries. We wrote them down, one by one, and replaced them with the truth. By the time she stepped onto that stage, she was not trying to be someone else. She was there as herself. And she nailed it.
As Dr. Valerie Young, author of The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women, explains:
You cannot wait for imposter syndrome to disappear. You have to confront it.
The 5 Lies Imposter Syndrome Tells You
Lie #1: You do not deserve this.
Truth: You earned your place through your work, your experience, and your perspective.
Lie #2: They will find out you are not good enough.
Truth: Your track record already proves you are more than capable.
Lie #3: Others have it all figured out.
Truth: Everyone is figuring it out as they go. No one has all the answers.
Lie #4: One mistake will ruin everything.
Truth: Mistakes are part of growth, and most people forget them faster than you think.
Lie #5: You have to be perfect before you start.
Truth: Confidence is built in action, not before it.
Why This Matters for High Performers
Imposter syndrome thrives in high-achievement environments because the bar is always moving higher. It whispers that you will never be enough, no matter how much you achieve. But this is the core lie.
The higher you go, the more important it becomes to anchor your confidence in truth, not in fear. Your job is to show up, be yourself, and do the work. When you do that, you are an imposter to no one.
Don't let a whisper hold you back from a roar. The only person you have to convince is yourself.
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