Why Imposter Syndrome Holds Back Entrepreneurs
Why Imposter Syndrome Holds Back Entrepreneurs
Running a business comes with plenty of challenges—strategy, systems, sales—but one of the biggest is not even external. It’s internal.
Imposter syndrome doesn’t always show up loudly. Sometimes it’s a whisper in the back of your mind saying, “You don’t belong here.” Other times, it’s that tight feeling in your chest before you pitch your offer, go live, or send a proposal, thinking someone’s going to figure out you’re not “qualified.”
Even the most experienced entrepreneurs have felt it. The difference is, they’ve learned not to let it hold them back.
The Silent Killer
The worst part about imposter syndrome is how quietly it steals your momentum.
You second-guess your ideas. You hold off on launching something new. You play small when you should be showing up big. And slowly, those missed moments stack up.
It’s one of the most underestimated business challenges because it hides in your own thoughts. It tells you not to speak on that stage, not to raise your prices, not to send that pitch. And if you let it win, your business stays stuck, even if everything else on the outside looks fine.
It’s a Thought, Not a Truth
Here’s something that can help: realizing that imposter syndrome is just a thought. Not a truth. Not a reflection of your ability.
You might think, “I’m not experienced enough,” or “Others are doing it better,” or “Who am I to teach/sell/share this?” But if you dig a little deeper, you’ll see it’s just fear dressed up as a belief. A limiting belief.
The truth is that you’re building something real, and experience and confidence don’t come before action, they comes from taking action, even when you’re not fully sure yet.
What Happens When You Push Through
The moment you stop letting imposter syndrome call the shots, everything shifts.
You start launching even when it’s not “perfect”. You pitch even if your voice shakes. You post the video, apply for the opportunity, raise your rates. And guess what? The results follow.
Want to Strengthen Your Entrepreneurial Mindset?
If you’re tired of second-guessing yourself and want to grow your business with more clarity and confidence, the GoGet’Em Community is where you need to be. We have multiple sessions talking mindset, confidence and real business growth—with expert guidance and powerful training.
Let’s work together on your mindset until you are all set for the success you know you are meant to achieve.
About the Author
Gogo Bethke is a self-made entrepreneur who built her American Dream from the ground up. She leads #teamgogo with 1,500+ agents and her local team, Gogo’s Real Estate. Known as the “Social Media Queen of Real Estate” with 85,000+ followers, she was named one of SUCCESS Magazine’s Top 125 Most Influential People. Gogo runs The Circle ⭕ Mastermind for top entrepreneurs, is a TEDx speaker, and hosts the Gogopreneur podcast. In 2023, she launched the GoGet’Em Community to share the strategies behind her success and help others grow their businesses.
