Overcoming Impostor Syndrome: How I Learned to Own My Expertise

The first time I felt out of my depth, I was sitting at a table surrounded by people whose experience seemed lightyears ahead of mine. I had spent days preparing for that meeting, perfecting every detail of my presentation. But when the moment came, all I could think was, What am I doing here?

I delivered my ideas, received nods of approval, and even a few compliments. But instead of feeling proud, I convinced myself it was luck or politeness. Surely, they’d eventually figure out I didn’t belong.

That moment wasn’t unique. It was the start of a pattern that followed me for years. Every accomplishment came with a side of doubt. No matter how hard I worked or how much I achieved, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was just fooling everyone around me.

I didn’t have a name for what I was feeling until much later: impostor syndrome.

Quiet Doubt

Impostor syndrome doesn’t always shout—it whispers. It nudges you to downplay your achievements, second-guess your decisions, and convince yourself that everyone else has it all figured out.

For me, it crept into every win. If I successfully completed a project, I’d tell myself it wasn’t that hard. If someone praised my work, I’d assume they were just being kind. Even as my responsibilities grew, so did my doubts.

I thought this was normal. Doesn’t everyone feel this way?

A Small Shift

The change wasn’t dramatic. There wasn’t one grand moment of revelation. Instead, it came in small, quiet ways.

Once, after sharing my doubts with someone I admired, they asked me, “Dominque, why is it so hard for you to believe the good things people say about you?”

I didn’t have an answer.

That question stuck with me. I started reflecting on why I was so quick to discredit myself. Slowly, I began to notice patterns in how I spoke to myself; how I minimized my wins or avoided taking credit for my hard work.

I realized that the problem wasn’t my competence. It was my perspective.

Learning to Trust Myself

The journey to overcoming impostor syndrome wasn’t about suddenly waking up with confidence. It was about making small, intentional changes:

• Acknowledging My Efforts: When I achieved something, I started giving myself credit. Instead of saying, “It wasn’t a big deal,” I reminded myself of the hours I’d spent preparing and the skills I’d developed to get there.

• Leaning on Others: I surrounded myself with people who reminded me of my worth. Their encouragement became a mirror, reflecting back the things I struggled to see in myself.

• Celebrating Progress, Not Perfection: I stopped expecting myself to have all the answers and started appreciating the process of learning and growing.

These weren’t groundbreaking shifts, but they added up. Slowly, the whispers of doubt became easier to ignore.

A Work in Progress

Today, I’d love to tell you I’ve conquered impostor syndrome entirely, but that wouldn’t be true. There are still moments when it creeps in, especially when I’m stepping into new challenges. But I’ve learned to recognize it for what it is—a voice that doesn’t deserve the final say.

If you’ve ever felt the weight of self-doubt, know this: You’re not alone. The feeling doesn’t mean you’re unqualified; it means you’re growing. It’s proof that you care about doing your best.

And here’s the truth that finally sank in for me: You don’t have to be perfect to belong. You just have to show up, do the work, and trust that you’re enough.

As I reflect on my journey, I can see how far I’ve come—not because I silenced the doubts completely, but because I stopped letting them hold me back. And that’s a win worth celebrating.

So, if you ever find yourself wondering, Do I really belong here? let me be the first to tell you: Yes, you do. And it’s time to start believing it.