Confronting Imposter Syndrome and Building Confidence

When people work with me, they’re usually standing at the edge of something they want—something bigger or better than where they are now.

Maybe they want to elevate their leadership.
Maybe they want to shift their career in a new direction.
Maybe they’re exploring a completely different path.
Maybe they dream of writing a book, becoming a thought leader, or even starting a business.

The common thread?
They know they’re not reaching their full potential—and they can sense there’s something more for them.

And to realize these dreams, they also know they have to step outside their comfort zone.

I understand that space because I’ve been there again and again. I stepped way outside my comfort zone when I launched my business. When I became an Executive Director in my 20s with no idea what I was doing. When I was asked to lead a major international campaign. And when I had to put myself out there in the job market—not exactly a calm or pleasant experience.

When we step outside our comfort zone, we don’t just feel uncomfortable. We often feel panicked. We look for confidence—anything to replace the fear or outright terror of the unknown.

Because confidence feels like the thing that will make it easier.

Leaders need confidence to guide teams and navigate conflict.
Entrepreneurs need it to pitch, inspire, and sell.
Job seekers need it to network, interview, and negotiate.

And most of us want to feel calm and collected while doing it.

But instead of moving forward, we sabotage ourselves with familiar patterns:

Overthinking

Analysis paralysis at its finest—magnifying fear under the guise of preparation.

“I just need to think this through a little more…”
“What if I make the wrong decision?”

Perfectionism

Waiting until the stars align—and punishing ourselves when they don’t.

“It’s not good enough yet.”
“If I can’t do it flawlessly, maybe I shouldn’t do it at all.”

Procrastination

Delay, delay, delay—eroding our own self-trust.

“I’ll start tomorrow.”
“I work better under pressure anyway.”

And even when those aren’t running the show, the sneakiest saboteur steps in:

Imposter Syndrome

That internal whisper: “I don’t belong here.”
“They’ll find me out.”

Seventy percent of people experience it—and success doesn’t erase it. Because imposter syndrome isn’t about evidence; it’s about the gap between external success and internal doubt.

Stepping Into Confidence

Up to this point, nothing here is news. You already know that growth requires discomfort. You probably recognize your own patterns of over-thinking, perfectionism, procrastination, or imposter syndrome.

But here’s what most people don’t fully understand:

The growth zone is uncomfortable and it’s the only place where learning and confidence are built.

Confidence comes after action, not before.

We spend so much time trying to avoid discomfort, hoping there’s a way to feel confident first.
There isn’t.

Your comfort zone feels safe, but there’s very little learning or growth happening there.

Two Rules to Build Confidence

The biggest mistake we make is believing confidence is a feeling—something calm, certain, steady. But confidence isn’t a feeling state.

Confidence is built through action. It’s self-trust expressed through behavior—even when you’re afraid.

Rule #1: Waiting for confidence keeps you stuck.
Confidence is built through practice. Action comes first; feelings follow.

Rule #2: Fear is not the enemy—it’s the companion.
Courage is acting with fear.
Confidence = fear + action.

Confidence in Action: Two Examples

Example 1:
You’ve been over-preparing for a team project. The team is waiting for direction, and you realize that your over-thinking is stalling progress. So you take the next step—even though you feel anxious—and with each action, you build trust in yourself.

Example 2:
You know you need to reach out to your network to explore career options (or find new clients). You’ve been procrastinating. So you take one small step—reach out to one colleague. That action builds momentum. Future steps feel easier.

This is how confidence grows: by repeatedly acting outside your comfort zone until the unfamiliar becomes familiar.

Getting Better at Discomfort: The Micro-Step

So what’s your next step?
Here’s one tool I share with my clients:

Take a micro-step.

This isn’t about dramatic leaps. It’s about small, repeatable actions that build evidence and reduce fear.

Confidence grows through tiny steps taken consistently.

Ask yourself: “What’s the 10% step I can take today?”

Instead of:
“Network with 10 people,” → “Reach out to 1 colleague.”
“Give a perfect presentation,” → “Volunteer one idea.”

Small steps prevent panic, expand your comfort zone, and build the confidence you’re searching for—one action at a time.

Closing Thoughts

Growth is never as tidy or comfortable as we wish it were. It asks us to stretch, to try, to wobble, and to keep going even when it feels awkward or unfamiliar. Confidence isn’t a switch we flip—it’s something we build piece by piece, choice by choice, action by action.

If you’re in a season of stepping into something new, remember this: discomfort isn’t a sign you’re failing. It’s a sign you’re growing. Every small step you take becomes part of the evidence you can trust yourself. Over time, those steps accumulate into a different kind of self-belief—one grounded in experience, not wishful thinking.

You don’t have to leap.
You don’t have to be fearless.
You simply have to take the next step.

That’s how confidence is built.