Not an Imposter, Just Growing: Reframing “Imposter Syndrome”

If you’ve ever stepped into a new role, announced a big goal, or opened your calendar to more clients and suddenly thought, “Who am I to do this?”… you’re not broken. You’re growing.

We tend to throw the phrase imposter syndrome on top of any moment that feels scary or uncertain. But here’s my take as a coach and a woman who’s navigated a lot of “firsts”: that label is a blanket that hides what’s really happening underneath: fear of failure, comparison, intimidation, and (most of all) a wobbly sense of worthiness when something is new.

Let’s call it what it is so we can do something about it. This is growth, not a diagnosis.

---

What You’re Feeling Has a Name, But It’s Not “Imposter”

An imposter is someone pretending to be something they’re not. That’s not you.

• You’re not pretending; you’re practicing.
• You’re not faking; you’re forming new skills.
• You’re not unqualified; you’re unseasoned in this exact version of the thing, and that’s allowed.

Think about it: babies aren’t “imposters” when they take wobbly first steps. New managers aren’t “imposters” because they haven’t led this team before. Titleholders aren’t “imposters” because it’s day one with the crown. They’re simply new.

When we hide behind the imposter label, we rob ourselves of specific solutions. “I have imposter syndrome” doesn’t tell you what to work on. But “I’m afraid of failing publicly,” “I’m comparing myself to people with 10 years of experience,” or “I don’t know what a great consultation flow looks like yet” does.

Name the real thing, and you’ll know your next move.

---

Why It Flares Up When You Level Up

Two big triggers tend to light up your nervous system:

1. Visibility. Announcing a goal or stepping into a public role can make your brain scream, “Danger! People are watching!” Your worth is not determined by how quickly everyone says yes to you. Period.
2. Novelty. New processes (hello, consults/back-to-back calls/new title) feel uncertain. Your body reads uncertainty as threat, even when it’s just change. That “turn around!” feeling is a very human nervous-system response, not proof that you don’t belong.

Neither of those mean you’re an imposter. They mean you’re human.

---

Check Your Mindset: Fixed vs. Growth

• Fixed mindset: “If I’m not instantly great, I’m failing. People will know I’m not enough.”
• Growth mindset: “This is new. I’ll improve through reps. What’s my next best step?”

Growth mindset doesn’t erase nerves; it repurposes them. It says, Of course I feel stretchy. I’m stretching.

A quick self-check I use: Do my actions align with my values and intentions?
If yes, I’m on the right track, even if it’s uncomfortable.

---

Normalize the “Yucky” Feelings

Fear, sadness, comparison, intimidation… none of these disqualify you. They also don’t need to run the show. One of the most powerful skills you can build is sitting with discomfort without making it mean something about your worth.

You don’t need to ruminate on every hard feeling to grow. We honor the feeling, then get solution-focused:

• What’s accurate?
• What’s the evidence I can do this?
• What skill or system would make this easier next time?

That’s mindset work. And honestly? It’s more fun than you think when you approach it with curiosity instead of judgment.

---

Tangible Tools (Because Checklists Help)

Here are step-by-step ways to move from “I don’t belong” to “I’m building belonging through action.”

1) Break the Blanket Label

Write down what you’re actually feeling:

• Fear of failing publicly
• Comparison to someone with more experience
• Uncertainty about a specific process (e.g., consult flow, interview structure)

2) Prove Yourself to Yourself

Create an “accuracy file.” List evidence you’re qualified to be here:

• Experience (years, roles, wins, lessons)
• Transferable skills (communication, leadership, discipline)
• Impact receipts (client wins, testimonials, results you helped create)

Revisit it before high-stakes moments.

3) Pre-Plan Your First Reps

New thing? Make the first 3–5 reps intentionally low-stakes:

• Practice consults with a simple script and a timebox
• Mock interviews with a trusted peer and one clear focus per session
• A/B test your opener, your CTA, or your framework – then iterate

4) Reframe the Body Sensations

When your heart races and your focus narrows, try:
“My body’s giving me energy because this matters.”
That one line turns panic into presence.

5) Build a Debrief Habit

After each rep, jot down:

• 1 thing that worked
• 1 thing to adjust
• The smallest next improvement

Micro-iterations compound faster than “total overhauls.”

6) Guard Your Inputs

If you’re spiraling in comparison, prune your feed for a week. Replace passive scrolling with active skill-building (10 minutes > 10 posts).

7) Language Upgrade

Swap these:

• “I’m an imposter” → “I’m early in my reps”
• “I can’t” → “I haven’t…yet”
• “What if I fail?” → “What will I learn on rep one?”

---

The Post-It Note Worth Keeping

Nobody accomplished anything by refusing to start just because they’d never done it before.

Put it on your mirror. On your water bottle. In your car. Let it become your reflex.

---

What Growth Actually Feels Like (Real Talk)

Growth isn’t always glamorous. Sometimes it’s sweaty palms before a consult, taking the risk of people forming opinions, or watching your calendar fill with back-to-back calls you’ve never done at that pace. And then, weeks later, you catch yourself thinking differently, speaking differently, and recovering faster. You realize, “That wouldn’t have been me six months ago.” That feeling? That’s empowerment you built.

I’m not interested in keeping women small with labels that suggest we don’t belong. I’m here for humble confidence: grounded, real, and built on evidence. You’re not an imposter in rooms you’ve earned your way into… you’re a beginner at this level. There’s a difference.

---

Want Help Turning This Into a Plan?

I built Fearlessly Authentic coaching to make the inner work actionable. We combine mindset tools with clear checklists so you don’t just think differently – you do differently.

• Free Consultation: We’ll get to know you, map your goals, and outline a tailored game plan. No pressure.
• Download the app: Get access to private, members-only resources, apply frameworks step-by-step, and stay connected with ongoing mindset tools, trainings, and community support—all in one place.

If you’re ready to stop calling yourself an imposter and start calling this what it is – growth – I’d love to support you.