Breaking Through Imposter Syndrome: How to Overcome Doubts and Build a Business With Confidence

Written by Sonia Gibson

“I’m not capable.

I’ve never done this before.

What if no one takes me seriously?

What if I fail?”

Sound familiar? If you’ve ever felt the weight of imposter syndrome creeping in - questioning your ability, doubting your worth, and feeling like a fraud even though you’ve worked hard to get where you are - you’re not alone.

Imposter syndrome is real, and it can be a powerful force that holds us back from achieving the success we deserve.

Understanding Imposter Syndrome and Where It Comes From

Imposter syndrome, according to the Oxford Dictionary, is the “persistent inability to believe that one's success is deserved or has been legitimately achieved as a result of one's own efforts or skills.”

For many, particularly women in male-dominated industries, imposter syndrome is more than just a feeling - it’s a mindset shaped by years of societal conditioning and personal experiences. Maybe it started with a lack of female role models in your industry or an overwhelming sense that you needed to work harder, be better, or prove yourself just to be seen as equal.

I know these feelings. When I first considered starting my own business, I was inundated with doubts. The internal monologue was relentless:

• “It’s going to be hard.”

• “I don’t know any women who have done this successfully.”

• “What if no one wants to work with me?”

The truth is, you’re not alone in these thoughts. Most entrepreneurs have them. But the real question is: how do we push through them?

Here’s what I have found works for me to keep imposter syndrome at bay

Flip Your Doubts on Their Head

One of the first steps in overcoming imposter syndrome is flipping those negative thoughts into something more actionable and empowering. When doubts creep in, don’t push them aside. Instead, challenge them and use them to fuel your next steps.

Here’s how:

• Challenge the thought: When you hear that voice saying, “I’m not capable,” ask yourself: What’s the evidence for and against this thought? Reflect on your past successes, even the small ones. Recognise how far you’ve come and how much you’ve learned along the way.

• Shift your perspective: Growth isn’t linear, and every step forward, no matter how small, counts. Reframe “I’m not good enough” into “I’m constantly growing, learning, and improving.”

When I faced doubts like “I don’t know any women who have done this successfully,” I found a solution by looking outside my immediate industry. I reached out to women who were leading their own businesses in law, management consulting, and financial planning. I learned from them. I followed their journeys, asked questions, and found incredible role models who had faced similar struggles and succeeded.

Confidence Comes from Action

It’s easy to talk ourselves out of action when imposter syndrome is whispering doubts into our ears. But here’s the thing: confidence doesn’t come from waiting for it to appear. It comes from taking action, even when you feel unsure.

When I started my firm, I was working from home, with no colleagues to support me. I had to get comfortable with being uncomfortable, and I had to keep showing up, even when it felt like I was winging it. But the more I took action, the more my confidence grew. I stopped worrying about being perfect and focused on making progress.

Here’s how I propagate confidence now:

• Break big goals down: Take your big vision and break it into smaller, more manageable steps. You don’t need to have everything figured out all at once. Focus on the next right step.

• Celebrate small wins: Start small and celebrate every win, no matter how minor it may seem. The first client you land. The first piece of positive feedback you receive. The first successful marketing campaign you launch. These are all milestones that should be celebrated because they’re proof that you’re on the right path.

• Focus on the long-term vision: When the going gets tough, remind yourself of why you started your business in the first place. Whether it’s financial freedom, more work-life balance, or helping others, reconnecting with your purpose can help reignite your motivation.

Find Your Tribe and Get Support

Imposter syndrome thrives in isolation. It feeds off your doubts, amplifies your insecurities, and makes you feel like you’re in it all alone. But here’s a secret: no one builds a successful business alone.

One of the first things I did when starting out was join a mastermind group for female entrepreneurs. The women in that group lifted me up, gave me advice, and helped me see things from a different perspective. They reminded me that I wasn’t alone in this and that imposter syndrome didn’t have to be the thing that stopped me.

Here’s how you can get support:

• Find a mentor: Look for someone who has experience in your field, and who can help you navigate those early-stage doubts.

• Build a support network: Create connections with other business owners who understand the highs and lows. Share your challenges and celebrate your wins together. They help you see your value when imposter syndrome clouds your vision.

Embrace Failure as a Learning Opportunity

It’s easy to fear failure, especially when imposter syndrome is already making you doubt your abilities. But here’s the truth: failure is not the end of the road; it’s simply a stepping stone to success. In fact, the most successful entrepreneurs have all failed at some point (I love listening to Elizabeth Day’s Podcast ‘How to Fail’ for this very reason).

Think of failure as feedback. It’s your chance to course-correct and improve. Here’s how to make the most of it:

• Reframe failure: Instead of seeing failure as a reflection of your inability, see it as an opportunity to learn. Ask yourself: What went wrong, and how can I improve next time?

• Fail fast, learn faster: Don’t linger in failure. Take the lesson, make adjustments, and keep moving forward. The quicker you adapt, the less likely you’ll be to get stuck in a cycle of self-doubt.

• Normalise failure: The more you can talk openly about failure with others, the less you’ll feel ashamed of it. Be transparent with your team, your mentors, and your peers. Sharing failures not only helps you learn faster, but it also creates a culture where failure is seen as a natural part of the entrepreneurial journey.

Don’t Let Imposter Syndrome Hold You Back

Imposter syndrome may never completely go away, but it doesn’t have to hold you back from building the business of your dreams. With the right tools, support, and mindset, you can break through those doubts and build a business that reflects your true values and vision.

Keep making progress, even if it’s just one step at a time.

If you would like specific advice tailored to your business and circumstances, Accounting Heart offers affordable service packages where you can work with our team one-on-one to help you get your business where you want it to be. Book your FREE Discovery Call to find out more.

Disclaimer: This is general information only and is not advice of any sort. No warranty or representation is provided by Accounting Heart Pty Ltd as to the accuracy, currency or completeness of the information contained in this blog. Readers of this blog should not act or refrain from acting in reliance upon any information contained herein and must always obtain appropriate taxation and/or other advice as may be appropriate having regard to their particular circumstances.