Do you ever feel like you’re not good enough to make more money? Like you’re a fraud just waiting to be found out, and you don’t deserve to earn more? You’re not alone. Many people experience imposter syndrome when it comes to their earning potential. Don’t let these feelings hold you back, especially if you grew up poor.
I grew up on public assistance. There never seemed to be enough money. I worried about things kids shouldn’t have to worry about: whether we’d have enough to pay rent, enough for clothes for school, etc. It was hard and I don’t want to minimize that. But you know what, I learned to be extremely creative. I learned how to fix things and not just throw them away, I bought AMAZING music, toys and books at garage sales, and can cook with very few ingredients, on-the-cheap. I am the person I love being today, because of it.
Why am I telling you all this? Well, if you grew up or are growing up poor, it’s hard. It’s exhausting. Also, I’m here to tell you, as living proof, that you have super powers that can help you get to a place where you can pay your bills, put away money for savings, take those lessons you always wanted as a kid, get therapy, etc. To a lot of people, these things are just normal life. To YOU this sounds like LIVING life. At least it did to me.
What good is going through something if I can’t help someone like you get past blockers more quickly than I did? That’s the human experience right? We learn from each other!
In the spirit of learning from each other, here are some tips to help you get over imposter syndrome and making more money. Part of it is just learning HOW.
Things to do to shake imposter syndrome:
Be around people doing what you want to do.
Everything is about people. People who barely knew me have helped me to get jobs, get introduced to friends, get opportunities, etc. It’s not about the degree you don’t have, the way you grew up, or your bank account. Your people are out there. People that want to see you shine, just because they take pride in helping people, or hell, just because they like you as a human, are out there. Get to meetups, listen a lot, tell people who you are and don’t be afraid of not knowing things. Just keep showing up.
Your people are out there. People that want to see you shine
Don’t know what you want to do? That’s 100% ok. Be around people who do different things than you.
You don’t know what you don’t know, right? Pick a random meetup and attend. Some meetup suggestions are: Tech, Real Estate investing, Scrum Masters, Gardening…. you NEVER know who you are going to meet. Be honest with your story, you don’t have to pretend you are someone else to fit in. You’re looking to be around people doing different things than you so you can learn. Sure, maybe the tech or gardening meetup you’re at isn’t what you envision changing your life, but don’t think about that, it’s about the people you meet. You never know what you’ll glean from a presentation, or hearing about a job someone’s uncle does.
Learn the language, software, culture
This goes back to meeting people. You will learn just by listening how people doing the thing you want to do talk, software or tools they use, and the culture of the thing. If you want to be in ceramics, you’ll learn about places with kilns. If you want to be in tech, you’ll learn about how people got into their jobs. The most important thing you’ll learn is that this is a continual process and everyone else is learning too, they are just at a different experience level than you.
The most important thing you’ll learn is that this is a continual process and everyone else is learning too, they are just at a different experience level than you.
Recognize that you’re not alone
Imposter syndrome affects nearly everyone at some point. It’s a common feeling, but that doesn’t make it any less real. When you start to feel like a fraud, remind yourself that you’re not alone. Many successful people have felt this way at some point in their careers.
Acknowledge your kick-ass accomplishments
Take out a notebook at write down 10 hard situations that you had to figure out a way to get through. You don’t have to share this list, unless you want to. Now look at what a badass you are. Look at what you’ve overcome. These skills DIRECTLY relate to the career or business you want. Recognizing your accomplishments can boost your confidence and help you see that you do deserve to make more money.
Have absolute audacity. Identify what value you can provide and KNOW it.
This can be soooo hard when you grow up poor. You may not naturally think about all you bring to the table. Resiliency? Check. The ability to think critically under stress? Check. I guarantee that you are undervaluing yourself. Think of someone you know with absolute confidence. What would they do in an interview? If it helps, pretend you’re them when writing that resume or talking to that recruiter. Look at job listings to help you put fancy words around the things you already do. If that job you want needs you to have the ability to juggle multiple projects, you’ve got this. Want to work for yourself? Damn right you’re resourceful enough to do that.
Negotiate. You’re worth it.
If you want to make more money, you need to negotiate your worth.
- Regularly look up what you can make in your current role. Use multiple sites.
- Interview for jobs, even when you’re not looking – this can be an incredible confidence builder.
- Contact recruiters for a market estimate given your skills – do not let this be your only point of reference. Recruitment firms get paid to place you, they pay you, and keep the difference. They can be fabulous for getting you great jobs at great pay, you just have to do some diligence.
- Use all of this info and bring it to your manager or the HR department when you’re looking or when you want to ask for a raise.
This can be intimidating, especially if you’re dealing with imposter syndrome. But remember, you bring value. Practice what you’ll say beforehand, and remember that it’s okay to ask for what you’re worth.
Surround yourself with positive people.
Negative self-talk can be detrimental to your confidence and self-esteem and wears you out! Seek out supportive friends, family members, and co-workers. When I’m starting a new thing, I tell VERY few people, sometimes no people until I feel confident enough in the new thing to handle the risk. Yes, it’s a risk to share your new thing.
Imposter syndrome can hold us back from making more money. But by recognizing that you’re not alone, acknowledging your accomplishments, identifying your kick-ass skills & accomplishments, negotiating your worth, and surrounding yourself with positivity, you can overcome these feelings and achieve financial success. Don’t let imposter syndrome stop you from reaching your earning potential. You deserve to make more money, and you can do it.
