I think any creative or go-getter can relate to the nasty little voice in the back of your head that tells you you’re a fake or trying way too hard. It’s the fear that people will think you’re taking yourself way too seriously, the fear that people will whisper to each other, judging you for pursuing the things you care about.
I think any creative or go-getter can relate to the nasty little voice in the back of your head that tells you you’re a fake or trying way too hard.
This year has been a major opportunity to overcome that. It used to keep me bound. I always stayed in the safe zone and overthought everything that I did when it comes to music or anything creative. I used to be scared to take any risks at all. I was so scared of people's opinions, specifically people I knew. I thought if I posted about music or pursued it the way I always wanted to, people would think I was a joke. They would think I was taking myself way too seriously or that I thought I was better than everyone else. I was scared to make a website, merch, music videos, revamp my style, or even call myself a recording artist.
I thought if I posted about music or pursued it the way I always wanted to, people would think I was a joke.
I started to talk to other friends who were just going after it, whether it was a business, working with brands, photography, or anything else entrepreneurial. I found myself impressed by their boldness to share what they wanted no matter what people might think. And then I started to realize that they all struggled with the same imposter syndrome.
But the difference was that they were willing to take the risk. They shrugged their shoulders, assuming that a lot of their friends wouldn't get it or that they would lose some followers, but they did it anyway. And then I realized that that's what it takes.
But the difference was that they were willing to take the risk.
You have to look imposter syndrome in the face and then overcome it. I realized that I would always wonder what would have happened if I had just gone for it. I had to stop caring if people didn't like it. You know what? I'm sure lots of people have unfollowed me because they're sick of hearing about my music. I'm sure lots of people snicker and send my posts to each other to talk about how seriously I must take myself.
You know what? I'm sure lots of people have unfollowed me because they're sick of hearing about my music.
But people will always have their opinions. You're never going to get anywhere if you don't take yourself seriously too. There will ALWAYS be people who judge you for going after the things that you want.
You're never going to get anywhere if you don't take yourself seriously too.
I found how much my mindset shifted when I surrounded myself with people who believed in me. Find those people who will be honest with you and still make you feel unstoppable. If you fail they won't judge you, they'll give you a hand so you can try something else.
You can beat yourself up all day long. You can stress and wonder about who is thinking what or what people might be saying, but that’s not worth it to settle for less than what you dream of. We live in a world right now of people chasing their dreams, boldly putting themselves out there. That's how you make things happen.
You can stress and wonder about who is thinking what or what people might be saying, but that’s not worth it to settle for less than what you dream of.
If you struggle with imposter syndrome, here are a couple of things to remember:
You are not alone. I think every single person has struggled with feeling like a fake, a joke, or scared of what people might think.
You are not a joke for pursuing the things that you're passionate about. You are bold.
You have to take yourself seriously if you expect anyone else to.
If you try something and it fails, then oh well, pick yourself up and try something else.
Surround yourself with people who empower you and support you, whether you fail or not.
Don’t look back and wonder “what if?” It’s so much better to try and fail and try something else than to never have tried at all.