How to Overcome Imposter Syndrome
The last few weeks have not been easy for me. By nature, I am more of a silent or introverted person.
This was especially difficult for me when I was a child, but I have learned to be more open over the years. I always try to step out of my comfort zone, and I encourage others to do the same. Although it is not always easy, I have trained myself to take that step when it is important.
A few weeks ago, I started creating my first course on creating and selling Framer templates to make a good side income or even a living. I achieved more than I ever imagined and sold hundreds of premium templates since I started. So, I wanted to share how I did that with the world. But creating a course is not easy, and I mean this from a personal and self-reflective perspective. Yes, creating the content for it takes a lot of time, but the one thing that bothered me the most was that I was putting my voice and a lot of personal experiences and knowledge out onto the internet suddenly.
I suffered from imposter syndrome quite a few times in this process. I had never created a course myself or talked for hours into a microphone that gets recorded and put on the internet. All of this made me feel uncomfortable, and I questioned everything and even thought about canceling the course. But in the end, what kept me going was the wonderful audience that I have built up here. And of course, this mind-shift did not just happen with a click. There were many thoughts, mistakes, talks, discussions, and self-reflection needed to complete this journey. In the rest of this newsletter, I want to tell you how I got over it and beat my negative feelings.
Recognize that you are not alone.
Many successful people suffer from imposter syndrome.
The first thing I had to realize was that I was not alone. Imposter syndrome is something many or maybe every designer suffer from, and that is okay. Because we craft things on our own, it is super simple to question everything we do. And that is fine. Don't be too hard on yourself.
Talk to others about how you're feeling.
Sharing your experience with others can help you feel less isolated.
I have had a few talks with friends about this. Talking to someone helps a lot! Suffering from this condition is okay, don't be afraid to talk about it. Sometimes, that is exactly what helps you out of it in the end!
Focus on your strengths and accomplishments.
Remember all the times you have succeeded and use that as motivation.
As humans, it is very easy to only see our weaknesses. But I want you to focus on your strengths. Just focus on that, and forget the rest. This will give you a massive boost in confidence!
Remember that it's okay to make mistakes.
Everyone makes them, and they can be great learning opportunities.
Keep in mind that it's okay to feel uncertain or nervous when trying something new. It's natural to doubt yourself and question your abilities, but the most important thing is to keep pushing forward and not give up. Remember that mistakes and failures are a normal part of the learning process and can be great opportunities for growth and improvement.
Don't compare yourself to others.
Everyone has their unique journey, and it's important to focus on your progress.
This one is maybe the hardest, also for me. Although it's very tough, try not to compare yourself to other designers out there. Focus on your strengths and experience. You are good enough in what you do, and you will get better every day at it!
Wrap up
Ultimately, the key to beating imposter syndrome is to focus on your strengths, recognize your accomplishments, and believe in yourself and your abilities. With time and practice, you can overcome it and achieve your goals.
You are as good as you are!