Imposter Syndrome? Or Just Figuring It Out? Let’s Be Honest.

I cannot tell you how many new business owners I’ve talked to who beat themselves up because someone told them they have “imposter syndrome.”

Apparently, if you’re not confident 100% of the time while building something completely new, you must be suffering from some deep-seated self-doubt issue.

Let me just say: I think that’s hugely off base.

Listen, I get it. Imposter syndrome is real. It happens when someone actually has the experience and skills but still doubts their worth. But what I see happening in the business world is that “imposter syndrome” is being slapped onto a totally different scenario—when someone is simply new to something. And there’s a big difference between the two.

You’re Not an Imposter, You’re Just New

I don’t care if you have 20+ years of expertise in your field—when you start a business for the first time, let’s be real: you have no idea what you’re doing. Not because you’re incompetent, but because you’ve never done this specific thing before.

Starting a business is a completely different skill set than being an expert in your industry. You might be an incredible designer, therapist, engineer, marketer—whatever it is you do—but that doesn’t automatically make you a great business owner.

So if you feel unsure about sales, pricing, systems, marketing, or the hundred other things that come with running a business, that’s not imposter syndrome. That’s just being a beginner. And guess what? That’s totally okay.

Pretending You Have It All Figured Out? That’s Imposter Syndrome

Here’s where I think people actually start to feel like frauds—when they buy into the idea that they should already know everything, so they put on a front like they do. And that’s where the discomfort kicks in. Because deep down, they know they’re trying to skip a step: the messy, sometimes awkward, learning process.

If you’re just starting out and you’re acting like you’ve been doing this for a decade? Then you’re kind of being an imposter. Because you haven’t built that experience yet.

But if you’re out there saying, “Hey, I’m an expert in [your field], I bring all this experience, and I’m also actively figuring out how to build this business and serve my clients in the best way possible,”—that’s not imposter syndrome. That’s honesty. And it’s what will actually help you grow.

My Own Experience: I Wasn’t an Imposter, I Was Learning

I remember when I first started coaching and consulting. People told me I had imposter syndrome, and I’d sit there thinking, Wait a minute. I’m not doubting my ability to help people. I know my stuff. What I’m figuring out is how to structure my offers, how to guide clients through a process, how to actually run this as a business.

That’s not being an imposter—that’s building something new.

If someone had told me back then, “Hey, it’s totally normal to feel like you’re figuring things out right now—because you are,” instead of “Oh, you have imposter syndrome,” it would have saved me a whole lot of unnecessary self-doubt.

Keep Moving Forward (Without the Fake Confidence)

So here’s my advice: Don’t let the fact that you’re figuring things out keep you stuck. You don’t need to have all the answers to start helping people. You don’t need to pretend you’ve got everything mastered before you even begin. What you do need is to keep moving, keep learning, and keep showing up as yourself.

Be honest about where you are in the process. People respect that. Clients respect that. And you’ll build confidence not by faking it, but by doing the work and getting better over time.

So next time someone tells you that you’re struggling with imposter syndrome, take a step back and ask:

Am I actually doubting my abilities? Or… Am I just new to this and still figuring things out?

Because if it’s the second one, congratulations. You’re not an imposter. You’re just learning. And that’s exactly where you’re supposed to be.

Feeling stuck in your business journey? Let’s talk.

If you’re navigating the early stages of building your business and figuring things out as you go, you don’t have to do it alone. Book a call with me, and let’s create a plan to help you move forward with confidence. Schedule a call today.