6 tips to fight imposter syndrome (and step into your purpose)

WITH A VERY IMPORTANT BONUS TIP ADDED. There are three parts to starting anything worth its salt: * Creating Momentum * Maintaining Momentum * Sustaining Momentum Whether it’s a new

business, hobby, or job, once you can be consistent and master these three, anything is possible. Sometimes, during the first two steps, especially at Step one, one of two things tends to

happen: * You’ll think you’re not qualified or worthy enough to take on your new venture. * An opportunity will present itself that’s out of your comfort zone. Most times, you will turn it

down. Have you ever found yourself in any of these scenarios? These are some clear signs of imposter syndrome. I’ve been feeling the same. I’ve been writing on Medium and my blog for three

years now. Since then, I’ve got the opportunity to create ghostwritten content through job applications and being approached by others to write for their business. It’s something I want to

lean into. So over the last month, I’ve been building an agency to write for businesses on retainer. The goal is to create a team and build a 6-figure business. While bootstrapping

everything, I’m also learning about Content Marketing, so I can find more ways to add value to those I’d like to serve. Of course, the Imposter Syndrome creeps in from time to time. WHAT’S

IMPOSTER SYNDROME? According to Wikipedia: _IMPOSTOR SYNDROME__ (also known as __IMPOSTOR PHENOMENON__, __IMPOSTORISM__, __FRAUD SYNDROME,__ or the __IMPOSTOR EXPERIENCE__) is a

psychological pattern in which one doubts one’s accomplishments and has a persistent internalized fear of being exposed as a “fraud.”_ As much as 70% of people will feel this at some point

in their lives. They don’t want to suffer embarrassment. They don’t want to look stupid. And they’re deathly afraid of success. As I start to follow other Content Marketers and get deeper

into the blogging agency space, I can’t help but feel a bit over my head. I want to make sure clients are getting the best for what they’re paying for; that’s the customer service part in

me. And, of course, I’d have fears of both failure, success, and feeling like a fraud. These feelings all bring on Imposter Syndrome. IS IT THAT BAD? Now I don’t think there’s nothing

inherently wrong with imposter syndrome. It’s a great way to ensure checks and balances against what you’re trying to achieve. If you have doubts about what you’re doing and what you’re

selling, then you know there’s work to be done, and you care about what you’re doing. If you don’t care about the people you’re about to serve, chances are you’ll give a sub-par performance

or a crappy product. You see typical examples of this online with these 16-year-old “life gurus” and “7 figure entrepreneurs” who sell you courses on how to make courses. The problem is that

we often take no action because of imposter syndrome. So there must be a balance of taking action while continually improving. To make this happen, we have to work on mindset. Once we can

master the inner demons, the outer work becomes that much easier. Here are some steps to take to reassure yourself that you can do it: 1. TRUST THAT YOU’VE PUT IN THE WORK I’ve written

thousands of words for clients already but more on a freelancer agreement. I’m now trying to own the Content Marketing process. I have to trust that the work and learning I’ve done will

serve my first clients well. If you’re going up for a new job or starting a new business, trust that you’ve done everything you can to get where you are right now. If you have zero

confidence in your ability to deliver on the things you say you’re going to do, then you need to explore that some more. My suggestion? Run one client, for free, through your process. Set up

a trial run of what you want to do with some friends and family. Take on that job as an intern. That will help you deal with the hiccups and emotions that come with trying something new. 2.

PERFECTIONISM IS THE ENEMY OF PROGRESS My website is not the best. The offer could do some work. I’m an amateur in Sales. But if I have a mission and vision, the only way it can be realized

is through starting. I can only get better if I get out of my way. Let’s put our ego in check and focus on progress. Sometimes, we look at the final product or the person we want to

emulate, forgetting that they, too, had to start somewhere. Do you want to start, or do you want to sit on the sidelines? 3. IMPOSTER SYNDROME MORE COMMON THAN YOU THINK Speak with some of

the most successful people on the planet, and they would tell you that they dealt with Imposter Syndrome. You need to embody the person you want to be before you become that person. And even

the strongest-willed people struggle with this. To become the person we want to be, we have to embody that from an Identity level. We need to stand in the mirror and call ourselves coaches,

entrepreneurs, writers, actors, and marketers. Identity work crafts belief. Belief fuels action. Action brings success. 4. REMEMBER THAT YOU’RE CAPABLE You would not have decided on making

a change or taking some action if you did not believe deep down that you could do the job. You know the steps. There’s a defined result you want to get for yourself or your clients. If you

reach an obstacle, you can figure it out. As the saying goes: _“THERE ARE PEOPLE LESS QUALIFIED THAN YOU, DOING THE THINGS YOU WANT TO DO, SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY DECIDE TO BELIEVE IN

THEMSELVES. PERIOD.”_ Now that doesn’t mean you should be defrauding people. You can’t just one day decide to become a doctor or therapist. However, your real goal may be closer than you

think. 5. YOU’RE NEEDED RIGHT NOW There’s someone out there that needs your help. Especially during these uncertain, difficult times, by not putting yourself out there, you’re missing out on

the opportunity to help others. Imposter syndrome only disappears when we show up every day, in our small way. Daily action will reveal the people who see you not as an imposter, but a

savior. 6. YOU DESERVE IT What’s the point of studying, learning, taking action, and getting results if you think you’re unworthy of the benefits? Sometimes, we’re not afraid of failing.

We’re scared of success too. You have to believe that you deserve to get that promotion, to grow that business, start that YouTube channel, or to leverage your skills. If you don’t believe

it, who will? BONUS TIP: YOU LITERALLY CAN’T AFFORD TO CARE RIGHT NOW Imposter syndrome is 2020 is not only affecting your mental health but your bottom line. With millions around the world

losing their jobs, and an unstable economy, we need to step up to provide for our families. We need to change with a changing world economy if we expect to survive. That means embodying a

new skill, occupation, or business. Today. The more we let Imposter Syndrome hold us back, the harder it will be to navigate these times. DON’T WAIT FOR THE PAIN OF BEING BROKE TO BE MORE

THAN THE PAIN OF POSSIBLY LOOKING STUPID TO TAKE ACTION. CONCLUSION Imposter Syndrome can hurt us in more ways than one. I’ve missed out on promotions, collaborations, and income because of

it. I’m sure you can recall a few times where you let it get in the way. As previously mentioned, we have to take some time every day to do the mindset work. Embody the person who you want

to be, even if you’re not that person just yet. Once you keep working on it day after day, one day you’ll look up, and you’ll be a different person living in the same body. That’s the kind

of imposter I’d like to be.