Is It Imposter Syndrome or Something Else?

Imposter syndrome is a widely discussed topic in entrepreneurship, but is it always what we think it is?

What Is Imposter Syndrome?

According to the Oxford Dictionary, imposter syndrome is defined as:

“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.”

Many business owners I’ve worked with express concerns about imposter syndrome, but after diving deeper, I often find that what they’re experiencing isn’t actually imposter syndrome. Instead, two other underlying issues tend to be the root cause of these feelings:

1. Idolatry – Placing excessive value on material things or status.
2. An Incomplete Business Model – Lacking a viable product or service to offer customers.

Let’s break these down and explore why these challenges can feel like imposter syndrome—and how to address them.

The Imposter Syndrome Misdiagnosis

When people talk about imposter syndrome, it often comes from those we consider to have already “made it”. These are the ones who have reached a certain level of success and reflect on their doubts about whether they truly deserved it.

But if you’re still in the early or growing stages of your business and struggling with self-doubt, it’s important to take a step back and ask:

“Do I really have imposter syndrome, or am I facing a different challenge that can be addressed?”

Too often, entrepreneurs absorb content from social media “gurus,” business podcasts, and YouTube channels that oversimplify success stories. These narratives are designed to be entertaining and relatable but often lack practical, foundational business advice. Many business owners walk away feeling like their struggles mirror these rags-to-riches stories—when in reality, their situation is entirely different.

Before assuming imposter syndrome is the issue, I always ask business owners questions to get to the root of their feelings. More often than not, the problem stems from one of these two challenges.

1. Idolatry: Placing Too Much Value on Material Things or Status

A common fear among entrepreneurs isn’t that they don’t deserve success—it’s that they might lose the things that come with it. The house, the car, the title, the recognition. The anxiety doesn’t stem from questioning their skills or effort but from worrying that they’ll lose what they’ve gained.

This attachment to material things and status can create a cycle of fear and self-doubt that feels like imposter syndrome. The truth is, it’s not about doubting one’s abilities—it’s about fearing what happens if those external markers of success disappear.

The Solution?

Let go of the idolization of material success. Focus on what truly matters:

• Strengthening your faith and values
• Building meaningful relationships
• Honing your skills and talents
• Helping others without expecting anything in return

When your self-worth isn’t tied to material possessions or external validation, you naturally become more confident. If you truly focus on making a difference, there’s no reason to feel like an imposter—you’re doing real, valuable work.

Think about something you’ve mastered. Do you ever doubt your expertise in that area? Probably not, because you’ve put in the time, effort, and experience. The same confidence will follow in business when you shift your focus from image to impact.

2. An Incomplete Business Model: No Viable Product or Service

This issue is particularly common among service-based businesses. Many entrepreneurs have all the external components of a business—an LLC, branding, a website, a social media presence—but lack a clear, valuable offering.

Your business may look successful on paper, but if you don’t have a well-defined product or service that meets a real need, it’s easy to feel like a fraud. This isn’t imposter syndrome—it’s a structural issue that needs fixing.

The Solution?

Go back to the fundamentals:

1. Identify Your Target Audience – Who benefits most from your product or service?
2. Validate Your Offer – Does your audience actually need and want what you’re offering?
3. Test in the Marketplace – Gather feedback, refine your offer, and confirm it provides real value.
4. Develop a Sales & Marketing Strategy – Create a plan to reach your audience beyond social media.

The reason many entrepreneurs feel like imposters is that they’re in business but don’t have something concrete to sell or anyone to sell it to. The fix? Create something of genuine value and get it in front of the right people. When you start seeing real results, the self-doubt fades.

Imposter syndrome is real, but it’s often misdiagnosed. If you’re struggling with self-doubt, ask yourself:

• Am I placing too much value on external success instead of internal fulfillment?
• Does my business offer something valuable to my audience?

Address these issues, and you may find that what you thought was imposter syndrome is something you can fix.

Instead of dwelling on self-doubt, shift your focus toward building something real, meaningful, and valuable. When you do that, there’s no room to feel like an imposter—you’re simply stepping into your purpose with confidence.

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