How To Overcome Impostor Syndrome

Impostor Syndrome is a constant self-doubt, questioning, fear, and lack of belief in one’s self.

If you’ve ever felt inadequate, non-deserving of any accomplishments, and continuously setting high standards for yourself due to not feeling enough, you may have impostor syndrome.

“Impostor syndrome thrives at the intersection of perfectionism and comparison,” said Dana Mahina, founder of Bloom Women’s Group Coaching and creator of the Bloom Leadership Method.

“When we establish impossible standards (perfection) and then measure ourselves against carefully curated versions of others (comparison), we create the perfect breeding ground for these feelings,” she said. “Often, it’s rooted in early messaging about achievement: either being told you must excel at everything or that your worth is tied to your accomplishments.”

You may have experienced impostor syndrome without realizing it. Many people strive for perfection, not realizing that perfection doesn’t exist.

Many women experience impostor syndrome due to workplace standards, as men are taken more seriously and paid more for the same work. There is a stigma, and women must put in more effort to achieve great success.

“Women are often taught that being liked is just as important as being capable,” said Meagan O’Nan, human connection expert, award winning author and keynote speaker.

“So even when we achieve something big, there’s this pressure to stay humble, minimize it, and not make anyone uncomfortable with our success,” she said. “It’s exhausting. Impostor syndrome keeps women playing small when the world desperately needs their leadership and ideas in full color, not the edited-down version.”

Gia Lacqua, trauma-informed empowerment coach and founder of Radical Prioritization said imposter syndrome significantly impacts millennial women, and it’s getting worse.

“In my national study, 46% of Gen Z women report experiencing impostor syndrome frequently or very frequently, while 30% of Millennials, 23% of Gen X, and just 12% of Boomers report the same,” Gia said.

The trend is clear: the younger the generation, the louder the impostor syndrome. And it’s not because younger women are less capable, it’s because they’re carrying heavier cultural conditioning, more impossible standards, and less structural support.

“The antidote to impostor syndrome isn’t chasing perfection, it’s coming home to yourself,” Meagan said. “Women can start by anchoring into their values instead of their outcomes, practicing self-compassion instead of criticism, and naming their accomplishments without downplaying them.”

Meagan also believes that it’s also powerful to build communities where authenticity is celebrated over performance, because when you hear other strong, brilliant women admit they’ve doubted themselves too, you realize you’re not broken, you’re human.

“And remember, separate your worth from your work,” she said. “You are not your résumé.”

“First, normalize it: many of the most accomplished leaders I’ve coached experience impostor syndrome regularly,” Dana said. “Second, create a ‘success protocol’ for processing achievements before moving on to the next goal. We’re so focused on the horizon that we rarely absorb our victories.”

“The antidote to impostor syndrome is knowing who you are, fully, not just the parts the world rewards,” Gia said.

“The more rooted you are in your whole identity — your strengths, your scars, your brilliance, and your edges — the less permission you need from anyone else. You have a unique value only you can bring to the world.”

“You’re not alone, and you’re not broken,” Meagan said. “Every single person you admire has, at some point, wondered if they were enough. The key is to remember: the goal isn’t to eliminate fear, it’s to build a relationship with it. Let it ride in the backseat if it must, but don’t hand it the keys.”