A simple trick to beat impostor syndrome

Impostor syndrome is one of those buzzwords that’s often tossed around in the creator economy. Yet, have you ever taken a moment to consider if it is affecting you and what impact it might have on your creative journey?

Regardless of whether you're a YouTuber, writer, or podcaster, you've likely crossed paths with this nagging self-doubt. What many of us fail to realise, however, is just how profoundly this silent saboteur can affect our creative endeavours and businesses:

💻 Content: You might second-guess your ideas, thinking they're not good enough, and as a result, you produce content that doesn't fully reflect you or the full scope of your creative potential.

🚀 Launches: You may delay or even avoid launching new products and services, fearing what other people might think. You might even feel like you can’t monetise at all or that you have to wait to reach a certain audience size before you’re allowed to monetise.

💸 Pricing: Many creators struggle to set prices for sponsorships or products, but when you undervalue your work as a result of impostor syndrome, you’re more likely to charge less than the true worth for your partners.

Impostor syndrome always lurks in the shadows and covertly affects many of the decisions we make as creators, but here’s the good news: you can overcome it. In fact, you can vanquish impostor syndrome with just one, powerful perspective shift.

Embrace your curiosity.

I know. It sounds overly simplistic, but it really is effective. The root of impostor syndrome often lies in how you perceive your role and value as a creator. So, instead of putting yourself at the center of your work, take yourself out of the equation. You no longer have to see yourself as the genius or expert, you can be the person who asks questions and explores your creative journey. Here’s why it works:

• Less Focus on The Self: By shifting from "I am the work" to "I am the vessel for the work," you redirect your attention away from self-judgment and towards your creative process.

• Less Pressure: You're no longer burdened by the need to be perfect or an all-knowing expert. Instead, you become a seeker of knowledge and experience, which alleviates the anxiety that comes with trying to make something perfect.

• Objective Perspective: Embracing the role of an investigator allows you to view your work objectively. You're not seeking validation for who you are; you're presenting what you've discovered and allowing others to judge the work, not your identity.

• You create the space to get things wrong: Approaching things with curiosity means you’re open to learning, even when things don’t go to plan. You accept that you might need to change direction. This gives you the chance to experiment with different types of content, different forms of monetisation, and various pricing models. You don’t need to get the answer right straight away.

So this sounds great, but how do you show up as an explorer?

• Before starting any creative work, remind yourself that your role is not to be perfect or all-knowing; it's to explore, ask questions, and share your findings. Keep your focus on the process, not on the end result or personal judgment.

• Instead of feeling like you need to have all of the answers, be open to learning. Speak to other creators or listen to conversations with them.

• Share your discoveries with your audience, inviting them to join you on your quest for knowledge and creativity. This collaborative approach not only helps to diminish the impact of impostor syndrome, but it can also make you more relatable to your audience. That’s why building in public can be so effective.

Impostor syndrome can be a formidable opponent, but by adopting the mindset of an explorer, you can significantly reduce its influence on your creative journey. Your work becomes the focal point, not your identity. So, embrace your inner explorer and watch as impostor syndrome loses its grip on your creative pursuits.

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Stay passionate,

Akta