The Truth About Imposter Syndrome (and Why You’re Not Stuck With It)

We talk about imposter syndrome like it’s a condition.

Something we “have.”

I don’t believe it’s a syndrome.

It’s a part of you.

A part that feels like an imposter.

And that is a very important distinction.

Because if it’s a part, you can get curious about it.

You can work with it, rather than wear it like a diagnosis.

Although we’re all different, the part of you that feels like an imposter tends to show up…

When you start something you’ve never done before.

When you’re promoted or recognised in some way.

When the stakes feel high.

When you’re surrounded by people you admire.

When you’re more visible than you’re used to.

(And let’s be honest, it makes sense that a part of you would feel some fear and doubt in those moments.)

It’s not a flaw.

It’s protection.

Somewhere along the way, a part of you learned that doubting yourself, or staying ahead of criticism, was the safest way to be accepted.

And when you’re stretching into something new, it thinks it needs to step in again.

It happened to me recently.

When I found out I’d been nominated for the 2degrees Auckland Business Awards, my first thought wasn’t joy or pride.

It was: this must be a scam.

It felt more believable that the email was fake than that I’d actually been nominated.

That wasn’t because I believe I’m not good at what I do, I know I am (that’s taken a lot of inner work to be able to say with confidence).

So I got curious.

And I realised it had nothing to do with my capability.

It was about a deeper belief I hadn’t noticed before.

One that whispers my business isn’t a “proper” business (whatever that even means).

I have other parts that fiercely disagree.

And I know much of that noise isn’t even mine, it’s made up of old conditioning and other people’s definitions of success.

If you’ve ever told yourself “I have imposter syndrome,” pause for a moment.

What happens when you carry that label?

Do you hold back from saying yes to opportunities?

Do you stop yourself before you’ve even begun?

Do you quietly believe you couldn’t possibly succeed because, well… you “have” imposter syndrome?

What if you stopped wearing it like an identity, and started seeing it as a part of you instead?

Because at your core, you are a limitless being.

And when you work with that part - understand its fears, appreciate its intentions - you create space to step into new challenges.

Yes, maybe still with a little fear.

And also with the knowing that you can achieve far more than you realise when all parts of you are working together.

Your inner world is always running the show, whether you’re aware of it or not.

When you commit to working with it, you stop letting unseen beliefs and old patterns quietly set the limits on what’s possible.

You get to decide what happens next.

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A gentle invitation to explore:

Next time a part of you feels like an imposter, pause.

Ask it what it’s afraid of.

Ask it what it’s trying to protect you from.

And then see if you can let another part step forward — the one that knows exactly why you said yes in the first place.