I had just finished a Ladies Who Launch incubator workshop that I teach, which is designed to help women who have an entrepreneurial idea expand their vision and begin moving forward towards their dreams. Eight amazing women participated in the workshop. Each of them came from different towns in and around Boston. Some were married with kids living in the suburbs; others were single and living in the city. Despite their differences in background and lifestyle, these women were all tremendously smart, confident, and determined to bring their entrepreneurial ideas into fruition.

Each week I facilitate a process that allows these women to share their ideas and dreams with each other in a safe environment. Then, through a series of exercises, the women collaborate and bring forth ideas; resources and expanded visions for each other’s business venture ideas/projects. Each woman sat in the “hot seat” and received their expanded visions from the other women. As the sharing process unfolded, amazing things happened. Each woman was in awe for what the others saw for them – not only with their business idea but with the description of the unique personality traits and talents that the women described for each other.

The most interesting thing that happened throughout the process was the sharing and openness from the women after they received their expanded visions. One by one, each woman would express a concern or a feeling and the other women would nod in agreement - saying “me too”! One feeling that struck a deep chord for all the women was the “Who do you think you are” inner voice – the feeling they each described as being an imposter of sorts or a fake as they envisioned bigger things for themselves and their lives.

As a coach, I run into this with clients who describe the same feelings as the women in my group. Clients will say: “I feel like an imposter, fake or fraud – and in no time somebody is going to come and take away this great job, great boyfriend/girlfriend, or achievement- because they know that I’m not qualified to have this or that.” Sound familiar?

Those feelings/voices certainly ring true for me. I find that as I am called to “step into bigger shoes” in my life/work that all sorts of feelings come up - feelings of fear, self-doubt and most of all a feeling of being “found out” – that everyone is going to find out that I’m not as capable or as smart as some of the other coaches out there. And the scariest part of it all, as we become successful and achieve more and more, the feelings stick with you and the inner critic voice gets louder and louder.

But there absolutely is hope. Just being able to express how you’re feeling and putting a name to it – (imposter, fraud, etc.) - is the first step at winning the battle. Also, listening to the voices and recognizing them for what they are –and deciphering them as mostly mere fiction - will help you move onward and upward. Also, not pushing the voices away but embracing them to learn what they have to teach you is critical. Lastly, knowing that support and resources (like this website) are available to you - where you can express how you’re feeling – and realize that others feel the same way and have faced the same struggles, is truly inspiring and comforting.

The women in my group are a clear example of how being brave and truthful with others about how you’re feeling can have such an impact. Through the process of sharing, these women bonded further with each other through their similarities as well as their differences. Knowing that you aren’t the only one is truly comforting, and as one woman in the group called it: “It’s like getting my normalcy stamp”.

And guess what? The conversations and openness brought forth more courage in each of the women to take further action/risks towards their dreams - and they each went to new levels with their business project and confidence. All in just 4 weeks!

The above experience is truly why I became a coach. I believe that everyone who wants to live an extraordinary life needs support and guidance from someone who doesn’t have an attachment to the outcome – someone who is truly unbiased – who isn’t their mother, or sister/brother, or spouse – but somebody whose only agenda is their success – this is true partnership at it’s best.

To learn more about the Imposter Syndrome – you can visit Dr. Valerie Young’s website: http://www.impostorsyndrome.com/

So it is with you, Who Do You Think You Are? Send me a note, I'd love to know.... :)