As I was looking for new podcasts for creatives, I stumbled upon the Wealthy Creator podcast, and this particular statement caught my attention:
"If you don’t have imposter syndrome, you’re either complacent or you’re lying."
It's a bold claim, right?!
Now I'm not the biggest fan of absolute statements like this because they can often create unnecessary rifts. Sure they're great for attention grabbing but they typically neglect the diverse experiences and feelings of a larger audience. To claim that everyone has suffered from imposter syndrome may overlook those whose journeys have been different or don't recognize the effects of imposter syndrome!
And yet, I don't necessarily disagree with this statement! There's something there that I'm sure resonates with many of us in the creative field! Creativity, with its ocean of opinions, critiques, and standards, is often a highly difficult path. Especially for composers, when our music is shared, it's open to admiration but also to criticism. The balance between subjective interpretation and objective quality becomes a tightrope walk.
So, when we DO find success, the little bits of self-doubt inevitably creep in. The questions “Why me?” or “Who am I to even be here?” aren't just worries; they stem from every critique heard, every comparison made, and every standard we've been told to meet!
Let me say it loud and clear: You are NOT an imposter!
Maybe this statement isn’t about inducing your own self-doubt. Instead, maybe it's an invitation to look inward with a bit of humility and honesty. It asks us to go through our achievements, our weaknesses, our strengths, and our areas of growth, and come out with a more grounded understanding of our craft and our place in the music field! By exploring your own self-doubt, all the uncertainty, comparisons, and self-reflection lead to a core self-awareness.
Essentially the journey isn't just about fighting imposter feelings. It's about acknowledging, embracing, and using that energy to your advantage! So here are 5 tips to help you actually do just that!
Recognize Your Value: Accept that as a composer, you likely don't know everything. Still, how can you use what you do know as a motivating force to guide and uplift others?
Redefine 'The Best': Rather than getting caught up in being the absolute best, shift your goal to be the best for someone specific. If you're goal is to start helping others (clients, composers, students, etc.), make the journey less about your own insecurities and more about their advancement!
Imitation as Innovation: Acting as an imposter can actually be a learning tactic. By observing and imitating the habits and methodologies of successful composers, you'll learn direct knowledge and insight from the mentors you admire!
Shift Your Self-Perception: Start behaving and thinking like the person you aim to be. By adopting that mindset, you're not pretending; you're genuinely evolving.
Unique Over Universal: Zoom in on what sets you apart. This can be from the nuances of our personalities to our approaches that create significant impact. In a world chasing trends, your genuine self is likely what people want to see! Share the quirks and qualities that define you!
Imposter Syndrome can plant doubts in all of us, but with the right approach, you can transform those doubts into success! How are you making that change?