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As creatives, and of course as musicians, many of us face feelings of inadequacy or doubt, even after achieving success in our careers. This persistent feeling that we don’t deserve our achievements, or that we are “tricking” everyone into believing we are more talented than we truly are, is known as imposter syndrome.
Imposter syndrome can affect any creative, whether you’re a musician, visual artist, or content creator. It manifests as constant doubt, fear of being “exposed,” or a persistent belief that any success you’ve had is due to luck rather than skill. Here’s how you can manage these feelings while continuing to move forward in your artistic and professional journey.
1. Recognize the signs of imposter syndrome
The first step to managing imposter syndrome is recognizing when it’s present. Here are a few common signs you might notice:
Minimizing your achievements: When you receive praise for a performance or a musical composition, you brush it off as if it wasn’t important, or assume the person complimenting you doesn’t really mean it.
Attributing your success to luck: Instead of acknowledging your efforts and skills, you tell yourself it’s just luck or a coincidence that people enjoy your creations.
Fear of being discovered: You constantly worry that others will realize you’re not as talented as they think, and that one day they will “expose” you as a fraud.
Setting impossible standards: You impose unrealistic expectations on yourself, and when you don’t meet them perfectly, you feel like a complete failure.
These feelings are more common than you might think, and recognizing them is the first step to overcoming them.
2. Remind yourself of your accomplishments
One of the best ways to fight imposter syndrome is to remind yourself of your past successes. Keep track of positive feedback, standout performances, or moments when your music touched someone. Whether it’s a glowing review of an album, a standing ovation at a concert, or a message from a fan expressing how much your music moved them.
Take time to reflect on your musical or creative journey. What have you accomplished so far? These achievements weren’t handed to you. They were earned through hard work, talent, and perseverance.
3. Talk about it with your peers
Imposter syndrome thrives in silence. When you keep these feelings to yourself, they grow stronger, feeding on your insecurities. But when you talk to others—especially other musicians or creatives going through the same thing—you quickly realize you’re not alone.
Many successful artists, even those you admire, have experienced imposter syndrome at some point, and some still deal with it. By opening up about your struggles to trusted peers or mentors, you can gain valuable perspective and support.
4. Accept that you don’t need to know everything
Imposter syndrome often makes you feel like you need to be an expert in every aspect of your craft, or that you should never ask for help. The truth is, no one has all the answers, and it’s completely normal not to know everything. Asking for advice, learning from others, and continuing to hone your skills are all part of the creative process.
Instead of focusing on what you don’t know yet, celebrate the opportunity to learn and improve. Growth is a lifelong journey, especially in the creative arts and music.
5. Avoid comparisons
In today’s world, where social media constantly showcases other people’s successes, it’s easy to fall into the trap of comparison. But the more you compare yourself to others, the more likely you are to feel like you’re not good enough. Imposter syndrome thrives on comparisons because they make you focus on what you think you lack.
Remember that everyone’s creative journey is unique. Others’ successes, paths, and timelines are not yours. Celebrate your individuality and focus on your personal goals instead of measuring yourself against others.
6. Own your successes
One of the most powerful ways to overcome imposter syndrome is to simply own your success. When someone compliments your work or recognizes your talent, resist the urge to minimize it or change the subject. Instead, practice accepting praise with grace and confidence. Yes, it’s SUPER hard, but it can be learned!
You are where you are because you earned it. Your talent, dedication, and hard work brought you here. Even if you have moments of doubt, remind yourself that you belong in the spaces you’ve worked hard to enter.
7. Understand that imposter syndrome may never fully go away
It’s important to recognize that imposter syndrome may never completely disappear. Even with more success or experience, there may still be moments when doubt resurfaces. The goal isn’t to eliminate it entirely, but to learn how to manage it when it appears.
Acknowledge it for what it is: a mental pattern that many creatives go through. Use the tools you’ve developed to push through it. Don’t let it stop you from creating, performing, or sharing your art with the world.
In conclusion
Imposter syndrome is a common experience for musicians and creatives at all stages of their careers. It can be frustrating and discouraging, but it doesn’t have to hold you back. By recognizing the signs, talking openly about it with your peers, celebrating your achievements, and reframing failure as part of growth, you can learn to manage these feelings of doubt.
Remember: you deserve the success you’ve achieved, and your unique voice has value. Own your accomplishments and keep moving forward, even when imposter syndrome tries to convince you otherwise.
Nice picture,
I don't yet have the chance to experience imposter syndrome
But I like the ways listed here to work on over coming it.