Feeling Like a Fraud? Good. It Means You're Growing.
Why imposter syndrome might be the sign you're on the right track
Ok so this week, I had one of those days.
You know the ones. Nothing is working, self-doubt comes crawling in, impossible to shut my inner voice up (I call her my inner b*tch and she’s actually wayyyy nicer to me than she used to, but that’s for another post..)
I was working on some new content for my coaching business, and doing all the things solopreneurs do: promoting, building, creating, second-guessing. And out of nowhere came that whispery, familiar voice:
“Who do you think you are to do this?”
“Are you even qualified?”
“What’s unique about what you have to say?”
“What if they find out you’re making this up as you go?”
Yep. FULL-BLOWN imposter syndrome.
The funny thing? I coach people on this exact topic! Embarrassing.
I’ve helped brilliant, fabulous women work through these very doubts. But there I was, paralysed in my chair, stuck in the spiral, with the exact same doubts.
And then, in perfect ninja timing, a friend dropped an Instagram post in my DMs, and there was one quote in the post that snapped me out of it:
“Imposter syndrome is just the shadow cast by growth.” Miles Mortensen Yoga, www.instagram.com/milesmortensenyoga
Ooof. That line hit DEEEEEP. Because it reframed everything. Those feelings weren't because I lack skills, confidence, or experience, they were because I was EXPANDING.. Yay, right?!
The truth about imposter syndrome
We usually see imposter syndrome as a flaw. A weakness. Something we need to fix before we can feel worthy of taking up space.
But what if it’s not?
What if imposter syndrome isn't a problem to overcome, but a signal that you're challenging yourself? Research shows, and we know from our own experiences, these feelings often emerge when we're stepping outside our comfort zones or taking on new challenges.
While not inherently positive, these doubts can sometimes indicate you're pushing boundaries and growing. And that’s a good thing, right?!
Here’s what the research says:
According to research published in the International Journal of Behavioral Science, an estimated 70% of people experience imposter feelings at some point in their careers. (Sakulku, J., & Alexander, J. (2011). The Impostor Phenomenon).
Research suggests imposter syndrome is particularly common among high achievers, while studies have also found it frequently impacts women and individuals from underrepresented groups in various professional and academic settings.
And it tends to show up when you're doing something new, visible, or high-stakes. Basically, when you're growing.
The 5 Types of Imposters (You’ll probably see yourself in more than one)
Psychologist Dr. Valerie Young identified five common “imposter types.” Most of us shift between them depending on the situation, but one or two might feel especially familiar:
1. The Perfectionist
You set impossibly high standards, and anything less than flawless feels like failure. You focus more on what you could’ve done better than what you actually achieved.
2. The Soloist
You believe asking for help means you're weak or unqualified. You pride yourself on doing it all alone, and secretly feel like a fraud if you need support.
3. The Natural Genius
You expect to get everything right the first time. If you struggle, you assume it’s because you’re not good enough, not because you’re learning something new.
4. The Expert
You measure your worth by how much you know. If you don’t know every answer or hold every credential, you feel undeserving, even if you’re more than qualified.
5. The Superwoman/Superman
You equate your value with how much you can do. You’re constantly juggling a million things, and if you’re not crushing it in every role, you feel like a fraud.
Recognise yourself in any of these? Same. In fact, pretty much all of the above!
But none of it means you’re broken. It just means you’ve been measuring yourself with the wrong ruler.
You’re not a fraud. You’re a beginner at the next level.
Let me say this loud for the people in the back:
Doubt doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong. It means you’re doing something you’ve never done before.
That self-doubt you’re feeling? It’s a sign that you’ve stepped outside the cosy comfort zone and into a stretch zone. And yes, it’s wobbly and scary and weird and filled with “what ifs.”
But it also means you’re expanding your identity. Trying something new. Taking up more space than you’re used to.
And that’s not a crisis. That’s a MILESTONE!
My go-to reframes when I’m spiralling
When I coach clients through imposter syndrome (and as I’m coaching myself through it), here are the mindset shifts that help:
1. “If this doubt could talk, what would it say?”
→ Often the voice of imposter syndrome is just fear pretending to be logic. Give it a name. Let it speak. Then decide if it’s actually telling the truth.
2. “What would I say to a friend feeling this way?”
→ Spoiler: If you’re anything like me, you’d probably say something kind, encouraging, loving, and way more generous than what you’re saying to yourself.
3. “What am I learning from this discomfort?”
→ Imposter syndrome reveals the edges of your growth. Use it as a compass, not a red flag.
A real talk pep talk
If you’ve been feeling like a fraud lately, I want you to hear this:
You are not behind. You are not broken. You are not trying to fool anyone.
You are simply in motion.
You are learning in public.
You are stepping into a bigger version of yourself
That’s what growth feels like.
It’s not always glamorous or graceful. Sometimes it looks like sitting at your desk questioning everything while coaching someone else through their confidence crisis.
But that doesn’t make you an imposter. It makes you human.
And if no one has told you this today: I’m proud of you. For showing up anyway. For taking messy action. For doing the thing while your brain screams “you’re not ready.”
Because you are ready. You’re just scared. And that’s normal. Courage doesn’t mean you’re not afraid, it means you’ve decided to move forward with the fear.
Let’s keep this real…
If this post landed with you, I’d love to know:
What’s one moment recently where imposter syndrome crept in?
Hit reply and tell me. I read every message!
And if you know someone who’s quietly questioning their worth right now, forward this to them.
You’re not a fraud. You’re just growing. And you’re doing it beautifully.
As my friend said, we all need a reminder sometimes. ❤️
With Love,
Noemie