What's Imposter Syndrome & How to Get Over It

Do you ever find yourself questioning your abilities and feeling like you don't belong? It's not uncommon to experience imposter syndrome, a psychological pattern where you doubt your skills, talents, and accomplishments, and fear being exposed as a fraud or fake. 

Imposter syndrome can affect anyone regardless to their level of success— yes, even us teachers who have tons of experience, degrees, and experience. As a teacher, it can be especially challenging when societal expectations, district and admin stress, and mean girl teachers making you feel inadequate.

The good news is that imposter syndrome is treatable and there are steps you can take to overcome it.

If you're experiencing imposter syndrome, here are some tips that can help:

Acknowledge and accept your feelings:

Recognize that it's okay to doubt yourself and that everyone experiences these feelings. This is especially true when you’re starting your teacher entrepreneurship journey— this is something brand new and we’re use to running the show in our classroom, so of course we are going to have some doubt from time to time. Accepting your emotions is the first step in overcoming imposter syndrome.

Identify your triggers:

Pay attention to the situations or events that trigger your imposter syndrome. This can include receiving praise (or a teacher down the hall mentioning your “little business being so cute”), taking on new challenges (hello, TpT, website building, coaching, content creation, TikToking), or being in a position of authority (showing other teachers you know what the fuck is up within your niche). Knowing your triggers can help you prepare and manage your reactions.

Reframe your thoughts:

Challenge your negative thoughts and beliefs by reframing them in a positive light. Instead of saying "I'm not good enough," try saying "I'm learning and growing every day." This simple shift in perspective can make all the difference. THIS IS SO HARD FOR ME AND IT’S LITERALLY MY MAIN FOCUS FOR THERAPY THIS SEASON. Sorry for yelling in all caps. 😂 

Celebrate your successes:

Take time to acknowledge and celebrate your accomplishments, no matter how small they may seem. Keeping a record of your achievements and reminding yourself of them can boost your confidence and remind you of your worth. Posting your first TikTok video, turn up. Hit 100 followers that ONE HUNRED people who are eager to see what you have to say. Finally sold a product on TpT, YOU BETTER WORK SIS!

Seek support:

Don't be afraid to invest in a coach or membership to seek support. Talking about your feelings with somebody who gets is and has been there too can help you gain perspective and develop coping strategies to overcome imposter syndrome. Community + connections are everything in the teacherpreneur journey. I’ve made over $300,000 and I still am quick to jump into a coaching session to ask questions and get insight from friends/teacher sellers!  

Remember, you're not alone in your experiences with imposter syndrome I STILL find myself backed into a corner some days. This is advice from not only me (by my therapist too reminding me this constantly) by acknowledging your feelings, identifying your triggers, and reframing your thoughts, you can overcome imposter syndrome and build your confidence. Celebrate your successes (I’m still trying to get better at this one), seek support, and always remember that you are capable and deserving of success.

Cheers,
Ty Tiger | Kinda Sorta Teacher