I was talking some days ago with a founder that felt that had impostor syndrome. He got to this conclusion when discussing a blog post he wrote about raising money. Because he hasn’t raise any money, he feels that telling his experiences is being an impostor. That he can describe the different stages of raising funds (Seed, Serie A, B, C) but he can’t talk about it because he hasn’t “kill” it yet.
There are two main reasons I wanted to write this post. The first one is because the feeling of “impostor syndrome” is a negative feeling that creates no value for the founders and puts pressure on them (unnecessary pressure). The second one is that raising money doesn't prove sh*t. It just means that someone “bought” or believes in your story.
So let’s talk about the founder “impostor syndrome” when talking about things you haven't accomplished yet. What is the Impostor Syndrome?
Impostor syndrome[1] is a psychological phenomenon in which people are unable to internalize their accomplishments. Despite external evidence of their competence, those with the syndrome remain convinced that they are frauds and do not deserve the success they have achieved.
First, we need to ask yourself this question:
Why are you doing what you are doing?
Why? Repeat to yourself the question until you go deep enough on you to find the real reason you are doing all this. Are you trying to impress someone? Wrong answer. Do you do it because your dad did the same? Wrong. Do you want to do it because startups are cool and being a founder gives you social acceptance and status? Wrong.
You need to do it because it fires you up every morning. You believe the problem you face needs to be solved and you are the right person to do it. You can't see yourself doing anything else. You are so passionate about it that you don't care how hard or difficult it can get, you will keep pushing forward. Because this is what it takes. The ones that do it are the ones that sail through the storm to see themselves in it and trying to get to the other side. Not the ones that turn around or go half the way into the storm.
It is an extreme example but I like to use it of those people that love so much what they do that they get tired when they go on vacation. They are grumpy and on a bad humor. They can’t wait to see themselves going back to what they love. What they love helps peoples lives be better. You really need to be passionate about it.
There is nothing that feeling as an impostor can do to help you achieve what you are working for. Why do you think you are an impostor? Because you haven’t “done” or “killed” it? This is a learning process. You can’t expect to get it right the first time. Stop wanting to be Elon Musk or Steve Jobs. You are unique in your own way. Stop competing against others and compete against yourself. Embrace who you are and what are you capable of. Be the better version of yourself. Push yourself to learn and become smarter. Help others that need it. Surround yourself with people smarter than you. Internalize that you are learning and
Change the feeling of being an “impostor” and embrace the fact that we are in a learning process. Think of it as if you were still a “student”. Become a student in every aspect of yourself. Feel that you have something to learn from every situation and that there always be someone smarter than you who you can learn from.
This is very different from the “fake it until you make it”. This phrase is about hustling while you are learning. Its not about being an impostor but putting yourself in situation that will open opportunities to you.
Instead of feeling as an impostor you will embrace the fact that you are learning and that the most important part is to improve yourself, not achieving something that others will care. Try to also be a teacher. Give others what you think is valuable knowledge. Get surprised but meeting people smarter than you.
As the investor who feels he got it right because he had luck in one investments and lies to himself thinking he found “the right playbook”. Its not that easy. Understand that you haven’t find it yet. Why? Because this world doesn't care that you got it right once. It doesn't mean you will get it right again. It means that you need to keep learning and go through the whole process again to find yourself in the storm. Again. And hope you get out of it again.
Raising money is just a milestone. It has never and should never be the goal. Think about money as the gas you put on your car when going on a road trip. Its the same gas everywhere, maybe with a different price, but still the same colors, the same smell. You need it to keep going to get to the place you are heading, but nothing more than that. Many companies have raised money to just end up burning it without having make something that improves people's lives.
You should be proud of yourself for everything you have learned. Those are your accomplishments. Don't worry about what other people feel is important.
Embrace it. Move on. Keep going forward. Keep building.
PS: It would mean a lot if you would recommend and share it on Twitter. Share it with other founders. Also connect with me on Twitter , I’m @JDcarlu
