How can I overcome imposter syndrome?
- Sherri M. Herman
- Oct 21
- 3 min read
You can overcome imposter syndrome by learning to recognize imposter thoughts, separate them from facts, and practice self-trust in small, consistent ways.
What does imposter syndrome actually mean?
Imposter syndrome is that nagging feeling like you don’t deserve your success, even when the evidence says otherwise. It can sound like:
“I only got lucky.”
“Someone’s going to find out I don’t really know what I’m doing.”
“I don’t belong here.”
Self-doubt often shows up right when you’re growing. It’s less about a lack of ability (although sometimes it could be) and usually it's more about your brain trying to protect you from risk.
Why do I feel imposter syndrome at work so strongly?
Work settings often trigger imposter feelings because they’re full of comparison, performance reviews, and constant pressure to measure up. If you’re the type who sets high standards for yourself, that pressure doubles.
Here’s the truth: confidence and self-doubt can exist at the same time. You can be skilled, competent, and qualified—and still feel unsure. Imposter syndrome doesn’t erase your abilities; it just clouds your perception of them.
How do I tell the difference between self-doubt and actual underperformance?
This is one of the most important questions. Self-doubt is an internal experience—it often shows up even when your results are strong. Actual underperformance, on the other hand, can be measured with objective feedback (missed deadlines, repeated errors, not meeting agreed-upon goals).
When you’re caught in imposter feelings, check the facts:
What specific feedback have I received?
Am I holding myself to a standard that no one else expects?
Is my fear based on evidence—or on “what if” scenarios?
What practical steps can I take to overcome imposter syndrome?
Here are three concrete practices you can start today:
Name it out loud. When imposter thoughts pop up, label them: “That’s an imposter thought, not reality.” Naming it helps create distance between you and the thought.
Keep a “fact file.” Save emails, notes, or reminders of positive feedback, achievements, and moments of impact. Review this file when self-doubt spikes—it grounds you in evidence.
Take small risks. Instead of waiting until you feel confident, practice doing the thing scared. Each time you follow through, you teach your nervous system: “I can feel self-doubt and still act.”
How can I quiet the constant pressure to be perfect?
Perfectionism and imposter syndrome often travel together. The perfectionist voice says: “If I’m flawless, no one can criticize me.” But this pressure creates burnout and makes you more likely to feel like a fraud when you inevitably fall short of impossible standards.
A better strategy: focus on progress, not perfection. Ask yourself, “What would ‘good enough’ look like here?” Allowing yourself to be human builds resilience and frees up energy for the things that matter most.
What role does self-compassion play in overcoming imposter feelings?
Without self-compassion, imposter syndrome has free rein to run the show Harsh self-criticism fuels the fraud narrative: “If I were really good, I wouldn’t struggle.” But that’s not true. Everyone wrestles with doubt—even the people you admire most.
Self-compassion is simply treating yourself the way you’d treat a trusted friend: acknowledging the struggle, encouraging effort, and reminding yourself you’re allowed to learn as you go. It's giving yourself grace to be human. Far from making you “soft,” it gives you the courage to keep showing up.
Will imposter syndrome ever fully go away?
Not necessarily—and that’s okay. Imposter thoughts often show up when you’re growing, stretching, or stepping into new territory. Instead of trying to eliminate them, the goal is to reduce their power.
Over time, you’ll notice:
The thoughts still come, but they don’t control your actions.
You bounce back more quickly.
You recognize imposter feelings as a sign that you’re playing bigger, not proof that you don’t belong.
That’s what overcoming imposter syndrome really looks like: not erasing self-doubt, but moving forward with self-trust anyway.
Final thought
Imposter syndrome feeds on silence and secrecy. The more you call it out, reality-check it, and take small actions in spite of it, the weaker it becomes. Confidence doesn’t arrive before action—it grows because of it.
Ready to take the next step?
If imposter syndrome keeps draining your confidence, it helps to understand the hidden patterns that drive it. Most of us slip into a default “mode” under stress that looks helpful on the surface but actually fuels self-doubt behind the scenes.
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