As a small business owner, have you ever had that nagging feeling that you’re simply not good enough and that you don’t have the right to be charging for the skills, products, or services you offer despite other people loving what you do? Maybe you’ve avoided making yourself visible in your business and haven’t done things like personal branding photos, or talking about what you have to offer to new people, or perhaps you’ve avoided accepting money for what you do. If you answered yes to any of that, you my friend are suffering from imposter syndrome!
Don’t fear - it happens to the best of us. It is so incredibly easy to be unnecessarily critical of oneself, and if you’re in an art-based business like we are, sometimes people’s comments can have you thinking that you really are an imposter! Often people are unaware of the number of hours we spend honing our craft and developing and implementing new ideas, blurting out “You charge THAT for THIS?!” is said merely out of plain ignorance with little regard to how it could impact the person on the receiving end of that comment. IT.IS.HARD.
That being said, you are NOT an imposter, and you are worth every penny you demand (and more than likely, you’re worth even more), you just have to find the perfect client who sees your value. More importantly than finding that perfect client, you have to see your own value! No one is going to believe that you’re worth it until YOU believe it first. Below you’ll find a few more ways to combat imposter syndrome.
Recognize What You’re Experiencing
Before you can combat imposter syndrome, you have to recognize it. Nothing will sabotage you more than your own self-doubt. Recognize the accomplishments you’ve already made, and the ones you’ve set out for yourself in the future.
Talk to Someone
Networking is great for building clientele. It is also great for building relationships with other small business owners. Rally around them when you begin to doubt your worth. Many of them have probably felt exactly what you’re going through and can offer you support. It might be particularly helpful to reach out to others who don’t provide the same service as you so you don’t start comparing yourself to that person.
Remember that You’re Human
Perfection does not exist… and that is perfectly fine! Acknowledge your failures, learn from them, and then keep things moving. Then, take pride in your successes when the time comes. Remember that making mistakes does not make you an imposter!
Have you ever personally suffered from imposter syndrome? If so, how did you overcome it?
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