embracing impostor syndrome as a sign of growth

Feeling like an impostor—doubting your worth or wondering whether you truly belong—is not a weakness. It’s actually a powerful indicator that you’re stretching yourself, stepping beyond your comfort zone, and venturing into new territory. As best-selling author Seth Godin reminds us, impostor syndrome and intimidation are not red flags to turn back but rather green lights that show we’re headed in the right direction.

We often believe that confidence should precede action. But in truth, confidence is more often a result of action. The discomfort that arises when we try something new, speak up in an unfamiliar setting, or take on a challenge we’ve never faced before is not evidence that we’re unqualified—it’s proof that we’re growing. That inner voice of self-doubt appears not because we’re failing, but because we care, and because we’re daring to stretch our limits.

While it’s unlikely we can make impostor syndrome disappear entirely, we can reframe it. Instead of seeing it as a burden, we can be grateful for it. The feeling is a marker that we’re doing something courageous, something worth doing. It’s a companion on the road to mastery and self-discovery.

Similarly, when we feel intimidated by a task, we can learn to separate that feeling from the obligation to avoid it. Intimidation doesn’t have to mean retreat. More often than not, once we’ve faced the thing that scared us, we come out on the other side either empowered or wiser. We may decide it’s not for us—or we may realize we’re fully capable of doing it again, this time with less fear.

Growth and discomfort are inseparable. The next time you feel like an impostor or find yourself intimidated, take a moment to notice: you’re in the middle of becoming someone stronger, wiser, and more capable. And that’s something to be proud of.