Imposter syndrome is the worst co-worker ever... here's how storytelling got them fired
It was 9:47 p.m. on a Thursday, 1 week into our new life in Seattle. My husband was sitting on the couch, focused on his laptop, while I stared at a blank browser window. It had been a few months since our family reunited after almost 9 months apart, and I already felt the heaviness of the decision to move 2600 miles away from everyone I knew.
“This ain't gonna work…sitting here looking at you day in and day out. I need to meet some new people here…” I blurted out, startling myself with the abruptness of the thought.
My husband looked up, amused…“Ummmmmmmm...ok.”
I shrugged.
As an introvert, my default response to feeling alone was to retreat further inward. But this time, retreating wasn’t an option. I had a business to rebuild and the only way I’d done it before was actively meeting new people.
So I clicked on the site I’d been avoiding for years: Meetup.com.
I scrolled aimlessly, looking for events that didn’t sound terrifying. Startup mixers? Business-focused events were familiar ground for me, so I started there. But then I stumbled on something different - a dinner party club hosted in someone’s home.
Intimate. Completely scary. But also the exact kind of connection I wanted against the polished networking scenes.
I decided to RSVP.
The night of the event, I almost didn’t go. I stood in the doorway for a solid five minutes, keys in hand, running through every reason not to leave the house.
You’ll have to talk.
It’ll be awkward.
Who the heyell goes to a stranger’s house for dinner?
Apparently… ME.
I forced myself out the door and before I knew it, I was ringing the doorbell to one of the nicest homes I’d ever seen.
The moment I walked in, I wanted to leave. Strangers were scattered across mismatched chairs, sipping wine and chatting like old friends. I felt like an outsider the second I sat down.
But then something unexpected happened.
The host - someone I’d never met - greeted me warmly. She introduced me to others and even asked about me my life - background, how I ended up in Seattle, etc.
By the end of the night, I wasn’t just talking and laughing - I was comfortable. It wasn’t a life-altering moment, but it was the beginning of a shift in my identity as a person.
That one decision, as small as it seemed, started a domino effect.
One dinner party led to another, then another. Eventually, it led to real-life friendships, deeper connections, and even a birthday cake baked just for me by a woman I’d met twice.
Before Seattle, I told myself stories that reinforced my doubts.
I believed I wasn’t the kind of person who could build a social life in a new city - or in my current city for that matter. That my perceived 'introvert' personality made new connections impossible.
But each meetup rewrote a little piece of my identity. I started seeing my story differently - not as one of isolation, but one of building networks and genuine connections.
The more I did it, the more I believed in my ability to continue doing it.
Did you know that according to the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, people who recount personal stories report a 40% increase in self-confidence?
Imposter syndrome is a master of disguise.
It continuously whispers that your wins are luck, your skills are average, and your value isn’t enough. For creators and entrepreneurs like us, these doubts often grow in silence, depleting your confidence and stealing opportunities.
But here’s the truth: the stories you tell - about yourself, your journey, and your expertise - don’t just shape how others see you. They reshape how you see yourself.
Storytelling is the antidote to imposter syndrome because it forces you to confront the identities you’ve aligned yourself with head-on. Each time you share a moment of struggles - or your wins - you reclaim it as evidence of growth.
The same story you once saw as a source of doubt, becomes a cornerstone of your authority.
For personal brand builders, this is especially powerful. Every pitch, post, and email is an opportunity to shift your identity. Instead of doubting your authority, you’re building it with every story you tell.
Here’s how to turn imposter syndrome into authority through storytelling, using my D.A.R.E. Framework
D - Do the Opposite
Identify a specific belief that fuels your imposter syndrome, then challenge it directly. For example, if you believe “I’m not qualified to give advice,” take an intentional action that directly contradicts it, like hosting a Q&A or sharing a bold opinion publicly.
A - Analyze the Experience
Reflect on what happened during the action. What fears showed up? How did you respond? Did the outcome challenge or validate your belief? This step builds awareness and creates raw material for your story.
R - Rewrite the Story
Write a story about the “before, during, and after” of taking that action. Share your doubts, the action you took, and how it reshaped your thinking. Keep the narrative personal, showing your growth and encouraging your audience to reflect on their own struggles.
E - Evolve Consistently
Commit to a schedule of updating your audience with new stories. Each new action - whether successful or not - adds to your story, showing your journey of turning doubt into authority. This keeps your audience engaged and positions you as an authentic, relatable guide.
Why This Works
Imposter syndrome doesn’t just feed on struggles - it clings to your wins too. It whispers, “You don’t deserve this” -or- “You’re just lucky” - making you afraid to share your success.
But becoming a master storyteller is how you fight back. It’s how you remind yourself, and others, that your authority is real, earned, and relevant.
When you share your wins, along with your struggles, you give your audience something deeper than inspiration - you give them permission. You show them it’s okay to celebrate progress, even if it feels uncomfortable.
Telling your story means owning all of it - the fears, the struggles, and the wins… giving your audience permission to do the same.
Here’s What You’ll Get Out of It
When you share your story to combat imposter syndrome, you’ll:
Reclaim Your Power by Redefining Your Identity
Sharing your story isn’t about proving something, it’s about dismantling the lies imposter syndrome feeds you.Expand Your Narrative and Your Impact
Sharing your story isn’t a one-time act - it’s a habit. Each time you share, you deepen your understanding of yourself and refine how you communicate your value and authority.
Build Authority Through Courageous Ownership
When you own your story, you’re telling your audience, “I’ve been where you are, and I found a way forward.” This positions you as more than a peer; it establishes you as a guide.
"Storytelling isn’t just a tool for conversion. It’s also a tool for reshaping how you see you.”
Your Turn
Take a moment to slow down and reflect. Think of a specific time when life threw you a curveball - whether it was a moment of deep self-doubt or an unexpected win that made you feel like an imposter.
Step 1: Choose Your Moment (5 minutes)
A moment of self-doubt: When fear or insecurity stopped you or made you hesitate.
An unexpected win: When success came, but you struggled to believe you deserved it.
Identify the belief that defined this moment. Write it down:
What were you telling yourself at the time?
How did it shape your actions or inaction?
Step 2: Find the Turning Point (3 minutes)
Reflect on what changed the narrative:
For self-doubt: What decision, action, or realization helped you move forward?
For an unexpected win: What helped you see the success as earned, not luck?
Write out the moment of change. Focus on why it mattered and how it made you feel.
Step 3: Write Your Story (2 minutes)
Frame your experience as a short story with three parts:
Before: What belief or fear held you back, or what made you question your success?
During: What decision, action, or event shifted your perspective?
After: How did the experience redefine how you see yourself today?
Step 4: Share With Purpose
Imagine someone who feels the same way you did. Write your story as if you’re speaking to them. Be vulnerable, relatable, and hopeful. Show them what’s possible when you challenge self-doubt or embrace success.
Step 5: Practice the Habit
Start today by writing and sharing this story. Then, commit to adding new ones as you continue to destroy every bit of the imposter syndrome that’s jeeping you from sharing your gifts with the world.
Prefer listening to reading sometimes? Want an extra layer?
Press play for the ‘Narrated Insights’:
Today’s Mega-Prompt: Turn Struggles Into Stories That Sell
Paid members can use today’s mega-prompt to: Transform personal struggles into actionable frameworks that resonate with your audience and drive conversions.
Here’s a preview:
“Identify the pivotal moment in your story and transform it into a replicable framework that builds trust and positions you as a leader in your niche.”
As a Paid 8am in Atlanta Member, you will also unlock exclusive tools designed to turn storytelling into a revenue-driving machine:
Prompt Archive: Gain access to an extensive archive of prompts, each designed to help you create stories that connect emotionally and convert effectively. The archive offers actionable techniques to create targeted brand narratives for top, middle, and bottom funnel stages, ensuring you always have proven strategies at your fingertips.
Daily Mega-Prompts (M-F): A fresh, actionable mega-prompt every weekday - backed by advanced strategies like behavioral triggers, neuroscience, and sales funnel alignment - to help you create stories that engage, convert, and grow your brand.
Scalable Storytelling Power: With systems and frameworks designed for efficiency, you’ll create stories that connect emotionally and convert predictably.
💡 Your stories are the key to more leads, higher conversions, and increased revenue. Upgrade now with just a few clicks 👇🏾