We have all been there. Where we are doing great things–and have for a long time–and when someone asks us about all our accomplishments, we do not feel they are a sign of success or a big deal. The interesting part of imposter syndrome is that it is not selective on who it affects–most business owners face it at some point in their life and business journey.

Owning your own business: whether that is a family business, gig economy, landlord, etc., is difficult and can be hard to start, it is measured by the amount of work put in, and there are no paid vacation days, holidays, business hours, or sick leave. As an entrepreneur, it is imperative to acknowledge success and realize that imposter syndrome can negatively affect you and your business.

Impostor Syndrome is Pushing Entrepreneurs Past Limits

But what is imposter syndrome? Imposter syndrome is a feeling of underachieving, incompetence, or being a fraud in their industry. People who suffer from this feel that they are not good enough and that what has happened to them in good fortune is due to luck or someone else’s involvement.

Everyone faces imposter syndrome at any point in their lifetime, but we can see the most impact on those who own their own businesses the most. The result of an entrepreneur having imposter syndrome is that they will work harder. And while we may think that is great and can be, it will also lead to burnout and the fall of the business. There is also the chance that they will be underselling themselves, negotiating poorly, or feeling that they should not be overcharging because their work is nothing to be impressed with.

In many cases, when people start their own businesses, it is because they are facing burnout in their careers and limited opportunities that they rationalize that they will have more control if they just do everything themselves. Unfortunately, finding ways to make money is not an opportunity not everyone has, but it is also not a path everyone can handle. Entrepreneurship requires a slew of skills that many (me included) need to learn on the fly–like accounting and lead generation.

Since entrepreneurship is difficult and requires someone who is very self-aware of what they do and takes ownership of their work, it makes people feel that what they did is not a big deal. However, minimizing one’s accomplishments does not mean that those accomplishments did not happen.

What Can You Do to Get Past Imposter Syndrome?

While imposter syndrome creeps up quickly, there are a few tips that can help to get past those episodes.

1. Understand that you are not perfect and will have shortcomings.
2. Write down all of your achievements. Even if they feel small.
3. Bring your family and friends to give you support.
4. Acknowledge that you have impostor syndrome–these feelings are normal.

Entrepreneurs should consider adopting these tips to help them through moments of imposter syndrome. Especially that it means that, as a business, you are growing. Entrepreneurs need to look inside themselves and see why they feel that what they have done is not enough. Is it money? Is it that you do not want to jinx it? Or that you do not want to offend anyone by sounding too confident?

At the end of the day, no matter the small achievement, it is worth celebrating.

It is Okay to Feel Like You Are Not Enough!

Let’s be real: if you face imposter syndrome, it is temporary and normal. It is important, however, to have a supportive community and be self-aware of what you are doing to move past those negative feelings. One must acknowledge your achievements and shortcomings and know that growth is not a straight line and will have many ups and downs. There will be moments of growth as well as moments of downturn throughout the operation of a venture. What is more important is how, as an entrepreneur, you handle changes, know when to step back and reflect on your work, and know where you bring value.

Imposter syndrome is very different from procrastination. Want to learn a bit more about that? Check out our blog article, where we talk about why people procrastinate and how to stop.

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