5 Types of Imposter Syndrome and How to Overcome Them

I didn’t know what imposter syndrome was at the time but it has been an ongoing battle for me ever since I started my business in 2016.

I struggled with a lot of internal conflict and didn’t actually have a paying client for the entire first year of my business. Was I really even in business? haha Basically, it boiled down to me believing that I didn’t have with it took to actually help someone else. I told myself a lot of lies …

I didn’t know enough.
No one would take me seriously.
Everything needed to be perfect … then I would feel like a real entrepreneur.
I was too under-qualified to actually get clients.

And so on.

Imposter syndrome is ever-abundant and it makes it hard to stay focused on the big picture. Even the best entrepreneurs have likely faced it at some point. I would venture to say it doesn’t ever really “go away” but there are definitely ways to help overcome it even if it’s somewhat temporary.

What is Imposter Syndrome?

In short, imposter syndrome is feeling inadequate even when you are successful. It is a fear that you are going to get called out for not being who you say you are. It is chronic self-doubt and believing your success has been pure luck and nothing more. To be frank, imposter syndrome is a bitch.

Types of Imposter Syndrome

So as I looked more and more into imposter syndrome, I learned that Dr. Valerie Young categorized imposter syndrome into five categories. And I have definitely been all five at some point, some at the same time. So what are the types of imposter syndrome?

The Perfectionist
They set ridiculously high standards for themselves that are impossible to reach. The problem with that is they never think they are good enough. It is extremely hard to get work done because they are striving for perfection which is completely unrealistic.

This is probably the type that I struggle with the most. It has kept me from actually putting my work out there because I need every little detail to be perfect. My perfectionism is a constant work in progress.

The Expert
They always need to know more and no matter what, it will never be enough. They feel like it’s only a matter of time before they are exposed as someone who doesn’t truly know what they are doing. They might constantly seek out new educational experiences to improve their knowledge … but it’s still not good enough.

In my first year of business … you know, that year when I had zero paying clients … I dealt with this type a lot. I felt like I needed to continue learning more because I was starting completely from scratch as a social media manager and virtual assistant. I often played games with myself like “if I just get through this module, I will start putting myself out there more.” Spoiler alert: It didn’t happen. In the midst of finding myself, I discovered that I’m an enneagram 5 so pretty much, I will never feel like I’ve learned “enough” so I’ve come to terms with that. haha

The Natural Genius
They get down on themselves when something doesn’t come naturally to them. When this happens, they may want to give up because they are “clearly not made for this.” They may attempt to move onto a safer bet … something they know a little better. But that isn’t going to solve the problem.

You bet I relate to this one, too. I used to get so frustrated that things didn’t seem to come as easily to me as they did to peers. This would lead me to explore other paths that might come more naturally. However, all that did was put me back at square one.

The Soloist
They have to do it on their own and needing any help is shameful. If they do accept and receive help, they won’t allow themselves to take any credit for the work even if they also put a lot of work into it.

My control freak tendencies resonate with this type. Although I am willing to accept that I need help, I don’t usually accept the actual help. I feel like I want to be the one who does it all.

The Superwoman
They take on err’thing and need to excel in it all in order to feel legit. They often work long hours, late into the night. And if they happen to not be working, they are usually stressed about it. If they fall short in any aspect, be it business, parenting, partner, friend, etc., they feel like a complete failure.

Not gonna lie, I think many moms feel this way a lot. Like we should be able to handle everything. And a large part of that mentality is societal standards. I think some of it, though, is ingrained in us because hey, we are raising kids and that’s a hella big job … which means we can do ANYTHING! This is true for me. I often think I can handle it all but guess what, I can’t and I shouldn’t have to (and you shouldn’t, either).

I’ve gotten a major grip on this in recent years because I realized that I have ADHD and anxiety and I simply put too much pressure on myself.

How to Overcome Imposter Syndrome

The million dollar question right here. So each type has various ways to overcome it but in general, there are definitely things that you can do to help yourself overcome imposter syndrome.

Acknowledge It
Realize that you are facing something that is more than lack of confidence. With lack of confidence, you can usually pull yourself out of the funk. But with imposter syndrome, you have to actively work on overcoming it. It may help to journal your thoughts and feelings because it gives you a birds-eye view of what’s going on and allows you to focus on finding a solution. I’m not a journaler but I do find that brain dumping (I hate that phrase but y’know) everything onto paper can help.

Recognize Your Accomplishments
This is a super helpful exercise to help you take the time to recognize your accomplishments and what got you there. It helps to focus on how badass you are instead of focusing on the negatives. Sometimes, imposter syndrome doesn’t let you truly see your accomplishments so don’t be afraid to seek help from someone close to you who has seen what you’ve done.

Reframe Your Mindset
Any time you tell yourself the lies that imposter syndrome wants you to tell, stop yourself and reframe it to something positive. For example, instead of letting the negative self-talk in, try these reframes: The Perfectionist: “Progress over perfection. I can tweak it as I go.” The Expert: “I don’t need to know it all. I know enough to help people.” The Natural Genius: “It’s not a big deal if it takes some time to figure out.” The Soloist: “I can admit when I need help … and accept that help.” The Superwoman: “I need to allow myself breaks. It’s good for my health.”

Have a Support System
It is so good to have others who you can lean on when self-doubt starts to creep in. This can be in the form of biz besties, accountability groups, a coach, or a mastermind. Whenever you start feeling like an imposter, lean into that support system. Sometimes you need some tough love to snap you out of it.

It’s a Work In Progress

Overcoming imposter syndrome isn’t going to happen overnight and it’s not going to stay away forever. Even though I’ve made great strides since I started my business, I still deal with imposter syndrome. I don’t expect it to ever go away. The goal is to recognize it and deal with it head-on so that it doesn’t have a chance to get into your head too much.