Are you scared of being an “imposter” or the pressure that comes with being successful?
We all look at who and what we aspire to be and try to figure out the steps to get to that level. This is not about “faking it until you make it,” but daring to put your foot on the gas and go. You will never know it all, be capable of doing it all, or have no competition. (If you think you have no competition, we need to talk.)
Nevertheless, the worst thing you can do is fall prey to the comparison trap, focus on what you aspire to be, and allow doubt, limiting beliefs, and fear to paralyze you into stagnation. Even worse, instead of promoting and advertising your worth, you become invisible because you feel like a novice, making you an “imposter.”
It can also work the opposite way. You can find yourself working so hard to be successful and, when it happens, you become overwhelmed and fearful that the “bottom will eventually drop out.” Instead of reaping the rewards of your hard work, you are obsessed with the pressure of being on top and worried about how long your “15 seconds of fame” will last.
Here’s the truth: we all face fear from time to time, regardless of our status, success, wealth, etc. With time, you will learn these moments are actually positive because they are stretching you from the realm of familiarity to growth and higher levels of success. You advertising yourself according to the added value that you provide is not being an imposter. Promoting yourself in the best light, including your potential, is not being an imposter. But advertising yourself in a dimmed, diminished capacity that allows you to blend in and does not require growth or continuous improvement is being an imposter.
Here’s another truth that is more common than not: Your true fear is not being an imposter but the pressure that comes with success. Being a failure is way too easy and is often expected. A failed business is often more readily understood by the masses than a successful one. As long as we put success on a high pedestal and out of our reach, we save ourselves from embarrassment and having to explain to loved ones and followers why things are not going according to plan. And while this may seem like the path of least resistance, the price tag is higher than it appears.
Living beneath one’s worth, dreams, and aspirations is not only lackluster but depleting. Regrets, especially those never addressed, overtime are like cancer to one’s body and soul. It kills every good thing if it is nurtured and kept at the forefront of one’s mind.
The fear of success is bred from limiting beliefs and a battle of one’s mind. A key to success is following the natural ebb and flow, whether in business, your calling/purpose, or life in general. Everyone was born with a particular purpose, and fulfilling that purpose deserves far more energy than doubt, fear, or potential failure, gloom, and doom.
Tune into this podcast episode of CEO Talk for a few tricks and mindset hacks to help you overcome this and work in your passion and genius zone.
Alesha Brown, CEO, Fruition Publishing Concierge Services
Editor-in-Chief, Published! Magazine
Award-Winning Entrepreneur|Publisher|Transformational Speaker
