In Search of Imposter Syndrome
If you do not feel like an imposter at some point, you are not growing fast enough or far enough.
Imposter syndrome.
We hear those words a lot these days.
It’s both a popular buzzword and a real psychological pattern where individuals doubt their accomplishments and fear being exposed as "frauds.”
It happens to all of us at some point. At least, it should happen to us on occasion because that is how we grow.
A skilled jazz musician may feel that they are on the edge of being discovered as a fraud, and work even harder to be able to play better.
A photographer may feel they’re not ready for the big gig and worry about being able to pull it off. “What if I can’t do this?”
An author feels they cannot go to a book signing because people there will “see right through me”, and it scares her to death.
Arlin Cuncie, M.A. said in Very Well Mind, “The irony is, that people with Imposter Syndrome are often highly accomplished, impressive individuals. On the outside, there is no apparent reason for them to feel like an imposter, and yet they still do. This is what makes it such a challenging psychological phenomenon that needs to be unpacked.
“Not only can Imposter Syndrome affect your internal feelings about your work or self-worth, but it can also actually affect the way you approach projects, relationships, or any other areas in which you are feeling insecure,” explains Hannah Owens, LMSW. “This essentially creates a self-fulfilling prophecy, which is what makes it so insidious and necessary to address when it arises.”
I have met and worked with many people who were overtaken by Imposter Syndrome, and in every case, they were underestimating what they could do and overestimating what others wanted from them.
Imposter Syndrome Can Be a Positive Opportunity
It often forces people to evaluate their skills honestly. It’s like double-checking your camera settings before a big shoot, or checking that file before you send it to the printer. Making sure everything is right is not a bad thing, and whatever the motivation, it helps you be better.
The fear of being “found out” can sometimes push people to improve, much like how a writer polishes a draft before publishing, or a musician combing over the score one last time before they go on stage. The fear of failing in front of others can be quite motivational.
Feeling like an imposter keeps the ego in check. It can be a grounding force, helping creatives stay humble and relatable.
And for some of us, that can be a crucial part of our persona.
I think of it as turning a rough and scary motorcycle ride into a classic journey of awareness. Discovering how to handle a big cruiser on a dirt road up the side of a steep bluff in Utah was one of the most memorable moments of my motorcycle journeys.
By framing Imposter Syndrome as a catalyst rather than a roadblock, you can muster a creative fuel that will burn as hot as you wish.
And IS can help you become a lifetime learner. That can be one hell of a positive for everything you do, from business to life.
Photographers who spend a good deal of time experimenting with the processes, the tools, and the approaches to the craft often have creative breakthroughs that can be career-changing.
Musicians who keep pushing their technical abilities while also finding new and diverse ways of expression can find new listeners and fans.
When we embrace curiosity, we can transform the anxiety of Imposter Syndrome into an adventure. And we need new adventures.
Perseverance becomes power after having essentially turned a struggle into a stride. When you choose to “get over it,” you’re not getting by, you’re excelling. This resilience is what separates the seasoned professionals from the novices.
Using personal challenges as stepping stones rather than stumbling blocks can help you turn fear into success, and anxiety into confidence.
When we reframe our Imposter Syndrome into a catalyst for change, our biggest challenges can become our fiercest victories.
Reframing Imposter Syndrome
Kinda like lens choice.
A wide-angle lens changes perspective, giving us more context within the frame. We see more of what we are looking at, and that can often be a good thing. Both as a photograph and as a worldview.
When I get too narrowly focused, I start to miss the bigger picture. Dwelling on small inadequacies stops me from seeing the stuff that makes me unique. And I forget that being me is fine at this point, and I can always get better.
Reframing Imposter Syndrome gives me more resilience. I begin to understand the underlying motivations and fears that are driving my actions. I can switch it up quickly because I am aware of so much more. Change direction on a dime if I have to.
OK, a fifty-cent piece.
I wear a riding jacket and Kevlar-padded jeans when I ride. It doesn’t make me a better rider, but it does give me a bit of confidence knowing that if I do screw up, I may have a little protection.
And, yeah, I wear that in the Phoenix summer heat.
Mostly.
Turning Imposter Syndrome into inspiration is an action. Action creates more action, and when there is momentum, we move from point a to point b.
And movement is key to getting stuff done.
If you are suddenly overtaken by a period of Imposter Syndrome, use it to advantage and know that it is your opportunity to grow, be inspired, and level up.
Just reframe it as a positive.
And get ready to move!
(All images were made while driving on a rainy day in the Sierra Foothills in a rented Camry.)
Hi, I’m Don Giannatti, a photographer and mentor for up-and-coming photographers. You can find me on my website, Don Giannatti, and at my Substack site, where I also publish for creative people. All subscribers to my Substack have access to a free, long-form workshop on the business of commercial and professional photography.
