PP 206: If You Feel Like an Imposter, Keep Going
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You’re Not Alone
Do you ever feel like:
You don’t belong and question your existence?
An outsider forcing yourself to fit in?
You have nothing worthwhile to offer?
If so, you, my friend, are dealing with Imposter Syndrome…but you’re not alone.
Me and Imposter Syndrome go way back.
Imposter Syndrome and its fellow asshole companion, Comparison, held the future version of myself hostage for so long.
It’s a hella relevant topic that gets brought up often amongst my students.
Throughout 2020 and carrying into 2021, I gotta admit, I’ve been dealing with it a lot.
This show has always been a form of journaling where I can work through shit I’m dealing with.
I want to peel back the curtain and vulnerably share the season I’m in.
My hopes are to timestamp this moment and show you that everyone second guesses themselves.
I’m also going to bake in some light bulb lessons, tips, and tactics I’ve learned to leverage these phases of imposter syndrome.
I want you to finish this one seeing Imposter Syndrome as:
A season for big changes ahead of you.
A chance to massively grow by leaning into the discomfort.
Identity Crisis
Let me start by attempting to articulate the current season I’m navigating: it began back in 2019 when I started getting serious about pursuing coaching.
With going all in on coaching, I gave up my two breadwinners: freelancing and selling merch.
But in between this shift, I’ve had a hard time committing to letting the former identity of Scotty Russell the Letterer, Illustrator, Designer take the backseat.
Today’s version of me (Coaching, Mindset, and Marketing) wouldn’t exist without the past artsy-fartsy identity.
A part of me is still that person—it’s just not what I want to be known for anymore during this new chapter.
Instead, I’m diving headfirst into being known as a Creative Side Hustle Growth Coach who premium services and resources…
Not only does this arena create the most impact, but it allows me to provide for my family and get control of our future financial freedom.
The artsy-farty side still has a big role to play, but it’s more like the honey to get people to my message or an escape for me to create once in a blue moon.
It's been a borderline identity crisis behind the scenes...especially in 2021.
How quickly do I make this shift and how does it reflect in my content?
What the hell is my content strategy—and where does creating art play a role?
How do I clearly position and promote myself and what I do?
Clearly, I’m a brilliant overthinker, but this is a fraction of what goes on in my manic mind.
Gut Over Logic
I knew this previous art/design world well. But I always felt like I was forcing myself to become something I’m not (mostly based on comparing other’s paths to my own).
All the while, my gut was trying to carve out a different lane.
I had been wanting to call myself a coach since 2016, but imposter syndrome always made me feel like no one would take me seriously (or worse, judge me and talk shit about me behind their back).
Because of this, I downplayed and internalized it all.
Random fact, I gave a big talk at Creative South in 2016 and labeled myself a Creative Coach on one of my slides...however, when I re-shared this photo of me in front of that slide on social media, I photoshopped out the Creative Coach part and didn’t publicly own that title until 2019.
All because of imposter syndrome…and it sounds so fucking silly as I share this.
Seeking New Community
Here we are in 2021... I've fully accepted this new role despite the discomfort and the inner critic’s constant shit-talking.
I’m in love with my work and know that my purpose on this earth’s surface is to be of service as a coach (all while still leveraging the artsy-fartsy side when needed).
However, I'm feeling hella isolated because I'm leaving one identity behind and seeking a new crowd of people to attach myself to.
Not necessarily creatives, but a community that can relate to my new pursuits and help me out. (I'm not sure who that is quite yet.)
For more context, my past circles, communities, and accountability groups were heavy lettering, illustration, freelance, licensing focused. While I still love these people, these topics aren’t aligned in the direction I’m groovin’ and growin’.
It’d be different if there were those in our industry doing something similar to me, but I’m not aware of anyone—which is a blessing and a curse, I guess.
I'm still heavily focused on working with creatives because my skillsets tailor best to you and your pursuits.
Yet, I'm at a crossroads where I feel my next steps may lay outside the creative community.
I feel like the next stage for me is to connect with and learn from other online marketers and coaches in the world...but I feel so small, unseen, and unknown (imposter syndrome putting in OT.)
The inner critic tries to convince me that the "creative community circle of influencers" I've grown to become a part of (and much of my following) are like "WTF is Scotty doing?!"
A part of me thinks they can’t relate to or get down with this new direction and the experimentation I’m showing in what I share these days.
The decline in my Instagram following tries to fuck with my head, but I’ve been dealt with plenty of ups and downs in this creative game to know what it really reflects.
Losing followers isn’t a bad thing…it’s honestly healthy.
I'm trusting my gut and focusing on creating for myself and impacting the RIGHT people...so naturally, those who just want pretty art aren’t a good fit and will dip out.
Stepping Into the Unknown
While it’s a weird season of transition I'm going through, it’s also exciting.
Some days I'm hella confident, and other days I'm like...WTF am I doing?!
I'm leaning into the fear, diving deep into the unknown, and totally going with my intuition each step I take.
I’m continuing to trust the process which will lead me to the new community of people/guides that can help me see my path more clearly.
While imposter syndrome tells me I don't belong here, my heart, soul, gut, and intuition are telling me to keep the faith and go hard in the paint during this exciting/scary chapter.
BONUS: Light Bulb Lessons, Tips, & Tactics
1. There’s power in sharing what you’re going through
This can lead to personal growth and creating community.
2. Living a passive life doesn’t help anyone.
Feeding into Imposter Syndrome is robbing you of future growth and others of the impact you could be making.
3. If you feel like an imposter, keep going.
You’re on the verge of tapping into the next version of yourself—lean into it.
4. You’re supposed to be here—don’t let someone/something steal your power.
Embrace where you’re at and stay hungry with where you want to be
5. Surround yourself with a support-system community.
While I may lack a community that truly understands my situation, I still have my wife, my coach, and my Alumni Coaching Students that’ll listen when I need to vent what’s on my mind.
Keep Going
Overthinking can be a motherfucker, right?
Especially when you’re comparing your path to someone else’s.
Just know, everyone is dealing with something, whether they share it or not…
NO ONE HAS IT ALL FIGURED OUT.
Feeling like an Imposter is a necessary part of the non-linear, chaotic process that is building your creative business.
Remember, when you feel like an imposter, KEEP GOING.
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Credits
Music - Blookah
Executive Assistant - Paige Garland
Photo & Video Specialist - Colton Bachar
Social Media Coordinator - Hannah Schick
Animation Specialist - Greg D'Amico