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You’ve just started a new role you were excited to land, but it’s only week two and you’re already feeling it’s too much of a stretch for you. You’re freezing up with anxiety, your confidence in your abilities is rock bottom, and every day you feel like an imposter who’s about to get found out.

Sound familiar?

What you’re feeling is completely normal – especially in a stretch role. Imposter syndrome tends to show up when you’re stepping into something new, challenging, and meaningful. The fact you feel this way simply means you’re growing.

Here are some ideas for how you can shift your mindset to build confidence and overcome the block.

Reframe Imposter Syndrome as Proof You’re in the Right Place

Instead of seeing self-doubt as a sign that you’re not qualified, see it as a signal that you’re pushing yourself beyond your comfort zone. If you weren’t growing, you wouldn’t feel this way.

Action Steps:

• When you hear that inner voice saying, “I’m not good enough,” reframe it as, “I’m learning. This discomfort is part of leveling up.”
• Remind yourself that even experienced leaders still feel like imposters at times. It’s not about having zero doubt, but about moving forward despite it.

Focus on Action Over Perfection

Confidence doesn’t just come out of nowhere. You have to take action, which in turn builds confidence. If you wait until you feel 100% ready to take on something new, you’ll never do it.

Action Steps:

• Set small, achievable wins every day.
• Instead of trying to be “perfect” at everything, focus on progress.
• Take one uncomfortable action daily – ask a question in a meeting, offer an idea, take initiative. The more you do, the more confident you’ll feel.

Acknowledge What You Do Know and Bring to the Table

You were hired for a reason. Even if you feel behind, there are skills, insights, and experiences you bring that others don’t.

Action Steps:

• Write down 3 strengths or past experiences that have prepared you for this role.
• When doubt creeps in, remind yourself: I don’t need to know everything – I just need to be resourceful, adaptable, and willing to learn.

Take Initiative, Even in Small Ways

People who take action – even when they don’t feel ready – stand out. Instead of waiting for permission, start doing something. Even a small contribution can help you get going.

Action Steps:

• Look for one thing you can proactively improve or contribute to in your role.
• If you’re unsure about something, don’t be afraid to ask – curiosity is a strength, not a weakness.

Separate Feelings from Facts

Just because you feel like an imposter doesn’t mean you are one. Many high-achievers have admitted to feeling like frauds at times. The difference? They keep going.

Action Step:

• Each time imposter syndrome kicks in, ask: What’s the actual evidence that I’m not capable? You’ll often realise it’s just unfounded self-doubt, not reality.

Find Your Growth Mindset

Instead of seeing your role as a test you might fail, see it as a learning experience. You will make mistakes, but each one is an opportunity to improve.

Action Steps:

• When something feels difficult, remind yourself: This is a skill I’m developing, not something I have to master overnight.
• Adopt the mindset: “I’m figuring this out.” That shift alone will reduce pressure.

Keep a “Wins” Log

You’ll naturally focus on what’s hard or what you don’t know. To counteract this, start keeping track of your successes – big or small.

Action Step:

• At the end of each day, write down 1-2 things you did well, learned, or improved on. Over time, this will give you proof of your growth.

Final Thoughts

In Becoming Steve Jobs by Brent Schlender and Rick Tetzeli, former Apple colleagues mention that Jobs worried about being seen as inadequate, especially early in his career. He sometimes struggled with the idea that he wasn’t as technically skilled as some of the engineers around him. If he experienced imposter syndrome, he clearly didn’t let it stop him. His focus on vision, persistence, and learning from failures kept him moving forward.

Keep in mind the fact your company didn’t make a mistake hiring you. You don’t need to be the smartest person in the room – just someone who is willing to learn, take action, and adapt. Confidence will follow.

Is imposter syndrome something you’ve always experienced? Did anyone ever throw you out of the building because you actually were an imposter? Let me know in the comments.