How Successful People Overcome Imposter Syndrome

What if I told you that some of the most successful people in the world including actors such as Emma Watson, Meryl Streep, and Denzel Washington suffer from impostor syndrome?

After Harry Potter ended, Emma Watson said “Any moment, someone’s going to find out I’m a total fraud. I can’t possibly live up to what everyone thinks I am.” In her famous United Nations Speech, she opened up by saying “You might think, ‘Who is this Harry Potter girl? What is she doing at the U.N.?’ And it’s a really good question — I’ve been asking myself the same thing."

Before a Broadway preview, Denzel Washington wondered “What the hell am I doing here?”

The Multi-Academy award-winning actress Meryl Street said "Why would anyone want to see me again in a movie and I don’t know how to act in anyway."

Lipita Nyong’o who won an Academy Award for her performance in 12 Years a Slave, thought that the director Steve McQueen was going to call her and tell her that he had made a mistake in picking her. She thought this every single day of filming.

The lesson here is even some of the most successful people in the world suffer from self-doubt, feel like a fraud and fear being discovered, and believe they don't belong in a certain environment. What they don't do is give in to impostor syndrome. They feel the fear and do it anyway.

Just imagine if any of these big stars had succumbed to their sense of not being enough, we would never have had the opportunity to appreciate their talent. They had something beautiful to share with their audience and just like them, you have your expertise to share with your clients and make a difference in their lives, while fulfilling your potential. You need to make sure you leave no room for impostor syndrome to sabotage your success.

Get in touch with Tina Freemantle if you would like to overcome Impostor Syndrome.