We're All Faking It: Imposter Syndrome Affects Everyone

We're all just faking it!

OK, maybe that’s a bit harsh but the honest truth is: nobody really knows what they’re doing. 

Sure, we each have our areas of expertise and knowledge but, in general, we’re just throwing stuff at the wall to see what sticks. Tell me I’m wrong. 

Even though I’ve been a voice actor for 12 years now and have 18 years of broadcast radio and TV experience behind me, I still wonder what I have to offer?

Imposter syndrome much? Um, yeah. 

But here’s the secret: we all have that. And if you don’t… well… good for you. You’re one of few!

A friend said to me, “Pretend you have the confidence of a mediocre white man!” (No offence, guys.) And she’s right: Fake it til you make it. Imposter syndrome, be damned!

I used to do a lot of community theatre when I was a kid. My Dad was a music teacher and I began music lessons at age 3, playing violin (don’t ask me to do that now, though!). Musical performances morphed into theatre performances and I was busy almost every night of the week. I absolutely loved it! Then, I hit high school and imposter syndrome set in. I haven’t been in a theatrical production since Grade 9.

My 12 year old daughter asked me why I stopped, if I loved it so much? The honest truth was that I was scared and intimidated and wondered, ‘Who am I to do this when all of these other kids are so much better than me?’ The truth is, they weren’t. They just did it and I didn’t. 

And I think we all wonder that at some point- even as adults. Want to hear another secret? We can all help each other with our varied areas of expertise.

Now, with my fully formed frontal lobe, I’m better able to ignore the Imposter that tries to show up. So here’s me showing up: telling you to show up too! Because the key really is to do it anyway, or, 'fake it', if you will.

Imposter Syndrome, be damned! It affects everyone, so just fake it til you make it, baby!