When you’re a crafty person trying to determine if you should be a Craftpreneur several questions immediately run through your mind. They’re all centered around doubt and that doubt is from imposter syndrome! Will someone buy what I’ve made? How will I get people to my shop? Can you actually make money from your handmade crafts? Does anyone actually succeed selling handmade products? What happens if I get no sales? What happens if I get too many sales?
I’ll be completely honest with you being a Craftpreneur is hard. When you start its usually a one crafter show and you are in charge of the product idea, the making, the promoting, the buying, selling and shipping! You must manage social media, finding trade shows, and the finances! But, here’s a little secret IT CAN ALL BE DONE, and you can be a profitable Craftpreneur with a five, six or even a seven-figure business if you know the proper framework and structure that’s needed.
The first thing that I want you to know is a little thing called imposter syndrome. Craftpreneurs, entrepreneurs, and everyone in between are all affected by imposter syndrome. All those questions around doubt – yeah, they all stem from imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is a psychological pattern in which an individual doubts their accomplishments and has a persistent internalized fear of being not good enough. Even if they’re wildly successful and have evidence of their competence, they remain convinced that they do not deserve what they’ve achieved, and it was just a fluke or luck. I’ve personally experienced imposter syndrome in every business that I’ve built, but now I have the ability to recognize the signs and have the ability to take a step back realize that the business was built on a framework and release some of the “guilt” that comes with being successful.
Let’s talk about 6 techniques that you can implement today to help you defeat imposter syndrome.
Change Your Self-Perception To Defeat Imposter Syndrome
We all know that subtle voice in our head that whispers (or yells) things like “I’m not good enough”, “It was just luck” or “Anyone can do that” and how it sends us in a spiraling road of self-doubt. These automatic negative thoughts are the ANTs of our mind! ANTs are automatic negative thoughts and they’re subconscious thoughts that most of us don’t notice until they’ve swarmed our mind and taken over!
When you start to allow the voice to speak louder and you start to repeat that whisper that you’re not good enough – your thoughts begin to reflect that same tone. If you allow negativity in your life you will start performing in a way that reflects the negative atmosphere and hinder your own growth and career. That hinderance will then start building more into the illusions that you’re failing.
Instead of thinking, speaking and allowing those negative thoughts and ANTs into your life try and find positive thoughts and reinforce them by looking at the things that you’ve accomplished in your hobby, life or business. Sounds simple and stupid right? But I promise, it works. When you start cherishing your own achievements, thanking those around you that are positive and celebrating your wins. This one simple behavior change will change your attitude and you’ll soon be able to identify the ANTs in your life and quickly smash them out of your mind, business and life.
Know That You’re Not The Only One With ANTs.
No matter how successful someone appears or the ego that they boast on social media we have all experienced imposter syndrome. Everyone has a case of feeling like they didn’t deserve something, that it was just luck, or that it’ll be gone in an instant from time to time. Like you they look around and see all these other people celebrating their wins and feel like they’re not doing enough, that they’ll never be enough or that they’ll never catch up. Often leaders hide these feelings because they feel like being vulnerable will lessen their credibility or that admitting that they’ve had these thoughts will validate that they’re a fraud.
Hi, I’m Damon Oates the owner of a successful seven figure business and I have moments of imposter syndrome. At this moment, standing on stage – in front of hundreds of people that I already knew – know, liked, and trusted me – I still had a moment where I didn’t feel worthy of the achievement. You are not alone on this journey.
However, knowing that you’re not alone on the journey will make it so much easier to walk the path. I quickly glanced out into the audience and saw people that I knew and remembered their stories, I remembered their wins and I remembered why I was standing there. This leads into the next topic of owning our achievements.
But before we move on let’s realize that in order to achieve great things and to meet goals that are important to you, you must step into a new world and do things that you’ve never done before. Taking a risk is frightening even if you’re already successful. Fear is fine, just don’t let it block you from being amazing and your impact on the world.
Own Your Achievements & Build Your Swipe File To Defeat Imposter Syndrome.
Listen, it is extremely hard to accept praise for accomplishments when you feel like you didn’t deserve it, and you were just the lucky one that day, or worse the dreaded little phrase that anyone could do exactly what you did. Y’all that’s some bullshit that the ANTs are telling you – listen – YOU did the task, YOU achieved the win, and YOU completed the task the only way that YOU could have done it. YOU applied your own unique knowledge and skills to the task, and YOU won. Claim that win. Celebrate it.
Challenge the ANTs by looking for evidence that proves the negative thoughts and whispers wrong. Start a “swipe” file of all your wins, happy moments, and praises. Each successful moment and win, no matter how big or small, is important and can help you beat imposter syndrome, when you start hearing it.
PS – I’m having imposter syndrome right now, as I write this article. “What gives me the right to tell you how to defeat imposter syndrome when I still have it?”, “What if no one reads this?”, and “I should just stop and go make something”. Yet, I also know that I have positively affected thousands of people and that shouldn’t be a responsibility that I take lightly. I owe it to myself and to others to write this article – even if it just helps ONE single person.
When you start to hear the ANTs look at your swipe file and start rattling off your accomplishments. Hearing proof of your own wins and how they have helped someone will help you look at your work as more than just work – and you’ll be able to focus on the impact you’re making in the world.
Also know that we can’t just accept our wins and that being wrong doesn’t make you fake. Losing is part of the game and you shouldn’t glorify loss, but don’t let it stop you from your next win either.
Know The Value You Provide & Focus On It.
It’s extremely hard to listen to the ANTs, and to feel discredited, when you know the impact that you make on someone’s life. Even if you think that you’re not worthy of someone’s admiration that isn’t how the person that you helped feels. It’s time to accept others praises about you and your work. What you consider as one small positive impact in another person’s life could be a moment that changed that person’s life forever. That positivity could have affected them in several ways beyond the smile you see on their face from receiving your creation or help and that simple smile should never be taken lightly.
I love hearing how something my team accomplished helped someone, even though at the time we usually feel anxious about doing it. I’ve learned that positive lessons in life, no matter how small they seem, somehow come back and can help you through imposter syndrome. Reflection and knowing your value can help keep you in the right head space and evict the ANTs.
Talk To A Positive Influence About It
There’s no shame in having imposter syndrome, as you can tell from this post you are indeed in good company. From industry leaders to hobbyist we all experience the self-doubt. However, the difference for most people is their ability to talk about the issue and face it head on. You don’t have to deal with imposter syndrome alone – find a group of friends, business besties, and even customers that appreciate you today. Just talk to someone that you trust, tell them what you’re feeling and have them remind you about your swipe file.
Follow my lead, don’t remain alone with your ANTs and reach out to others around you for help. If personally chatting through social media, in person with friends or family isn’t enough you can always find a career counselor or support group online to join. Exchanging ideas and talking to others in our same space usually helps us realize that the imposter syndrome feelings are more common than we think.
Stop Comparing Yourself To THAT Person
Finding other Craftpreneurs online in your same niche may leave you comparing your work to theirs or their success to your own. This comparison quickly leads to the ANTs chattering a little louder! But y’all, instead of letting that comparison make you feel bad about your own work or success use theirs to motivate you. Let their win work as motivation to be better, learn more, and to do more.
Lastly, take a minute to congratulate yourself. If you weren’t standing in a scary place it would mean that you weren’t growing. Without growth you’ll never be able to accomplish your dreams and impact the world with your time, creations and energy.
Imposter Syndrome: The Challenge
Action items –
- Start building your swipe file TODAY by leaving a comment below about ONE positive moment in your business that made an impact on someone else’s life.
- Leave a comment below about ONE lie that you’ve told yourself that has hindered your business growth. Remember the first step of defeating imposter syndrome is to admit that it’s just imposter syndrome PS – If you’ve read this entire blog post and you’re saying, “but I’m not a business” that’s imposter syndrome and we both know what comment you need to post.
**Bonus Round**
Do something about the ANTs! If you’re looking for a guide you can download our workbook below for some quick actionable wins that can help you defeat imposter syndrome!
Looking for other creative friends to help you get through imposter syndrome? Find thousands of them to connect with in our Facebook Group by clicking here – How To Make Wreaths.
1. A huge win for me was convincing a follower/group member/friend that she deserved to go to WML as much as anyone else. That I would be there for her! It was a huge moment! One she and I both are incredibly grateful for!!
2. I’m simply not good enough…I’m not an Amy, Damon, Angel, etc. But as a fabulous coach/friend told me, no you’re not, but they’re not Lisa either!! I truly think it’s finally sinking in, and I’m creating faster and better!
Thank you, Damon!!
All I can say. Is thank you Lisa Kellum. You are my rock!!!
The positive thing I did was let my friend sell some of my product on her business page live she does once a week to help her make money for a bill she had and was worring about being able to pay it. That made me so happy that she made enough to cover the bill. I would do it again just to know it helped my dear friend. My biggest problem I tell myself is I’m not good enough and no one likes me or my work. That’s always been a problem of mine ever since my childhood. I… Read more »
Hi Christina, Sorry for your past situation, it’s easy to say leave the past in the past but try not to dwell on it. You helped your friend and that is awesome!!! Keep it up don’t give up, it can only get better. I agree with all of us being family. I’m glad Damon and Parker started this. It’s awesome
1. I was able to help a fellow wreath maker be a part of a very special training event by providing a ride and hotel room. If I had not been able to do this they would have been unable to attend. 2. I’ve felt I am not good enough or am not worthy of success. It seems something or a major obstacle, such as health issues, gets in the way of my success any time I start to gain momentum. It’s happened so often that I’m beginning to believe. I’m determined to never give up. I’ve gotten 2 custom… Read more »
My ANT is telling me I can not create anything different or unique. But if I just “start” on whatever project my mind is telling me to “start”, (seems like the actual “start is always the hardiest) then I truly do. And have so much fun! I am gonna try and not let anticipation anxiety take my joy away! Thank you for this Blog!
(1) Received a viewer message that shared she lost the ‘love’ of making cards, was severely depressed due to loss of husband a few years back, and didn’t have a purpose any longer. The win here was after new viewer watched one of my FB lives, she got inspired to create a card, gave her something fun to focus on, remembering the great life with her husband, and started stepping out of the depressive state. My win, that I made a positive impact on someone’s life, viewer’s win was creating once again and living with purpose. (2) As a male… Read more »
That is an awesome story. At this time I could never do a Facebook live!! At least you tried. Thank you for sharing 😀
A big win for me was to stop comparing myself to others. I get great reviews. My customers are who counts, not my competition. I’ve built myself back up through helping others. Others success no longer dictates my own self worth. But then… nothing is selling, zilch. I introduced some new styles for me and new items. I had really high hopes.i started doing Facebook lives and no one still comes Now I’m back to thinking should I even be doing this if no one likes me or what I make. Time to talk myself back off the yet again.
Always be yourself, keep going sending good vibes! Keep your lives going invite your facebook friends .
Oh! Yes!! Working for others seems easier until you remembr and think of times when the ANTS were creeping in. Sometimes they won others times they didn’t. It is VERY hard to see for yourself or praise yourself, it just seems so foreign. Or feel self centered or . . . Put any name on it! Damon and Parker, thank you for so many reasons. My first thought is Perserverence. For me it is just one more step towards believing I can do it. Craftprenuer challenged today!
1. A big win for me is having a Facebook follower send a message that she just loves my page. I try to post positive posts and interactive posts. I believe that she looks forward to what I post. It made me smile and feel like I am doing something right.
2.That I’m not good enough and that no one wants what I’m making and my worth. I struggle with keeping up with everything and finding time. I try to take one thing at a time and finish it.
My biggest win was when I donated a wreath I made to the nursing home auction and a lady, who never participated, made sure she went to the auction to win it!
1. A win for me is that I get to help people find a love for wreathmaking when they come into my shop. I also get to connect them to other crafters in the area. Now I have a group of four widows that get together regularly and they met through my classes.
2. I deal with “I’m not good enough” every single day. Even after selling over 40,000 signs.
One of my wins was when one of my Watchers/students told me that people who buy wreaths from her said since learning from me she has really stepped up her game!
I would say to myself “with enough practice, she could get better even without my instruction.”
Actually had several incidents where I impacted someone. One example I made a fireman wreath as a thank you gift for one of our fire departments for allowing an organization I am in to use one of their big rooms for our meetings. After posting it on FB one lady wanted to make one like it. I was so thrilled and complimented! I told her where I got the embellishments and other supplies. She wanted to do the same for the firemen in her town. My work was accepted! Had a friend who was critical of my work even though… Read more »
1. The first wreath I made was for my stepmom after my dad died (for Mother’s Day). She was so excited about it and still today talks about all the people who comment on how pretty it is. It made her feel special. Mission accomplished!
2. Creating an Etsy shop and taking the plunge. But…I did it! Yesterday! Not sure I have the shipping right but I hope so! Now to populate it more.
Congratulations on that! I just took the Etsy plunge a few days ago. It’s scary, but also so exciting (now if I can just figure out how to fill up all of those tag slots!). Best of luck to you, and don’t forget to share your Etsy page so we can visit and support!
Thank you Amber! I have several miscellaneous items I’ve made as well. I’m contemplating listing those but that darn shipping has me afraid to do it. I would like to choose the shipping method myself since it’s free to them but not sure I have it right. Good luck to you as well and congratulations on also taking the plunge!!
I deal with this every single day, if fact today is one of them!
I honestly can’t think of anything to put in my SMILE file-as I call it-I get thank yous all the time but I don’t know of an impact on someone’s life. I don’t know enough to be successful at any thing.
This was harder than I thought.
1.I love when my customers are so pleased with their wreaths they send me pic of it hanging on their doors. You have an opportunity to add a little of joy to someone’s life through your God give talents
2. Your good at what you do but not good enough to have a big business, big enough to allow my husband to retire. You are not organized enough or good at handling money.
Grateful to Damon’s teaching and providing information to gain the confidence and skills I need to move forward! One day at a time!
I have hundreds of dollars of supplies,most which are from Deco Exchange and just cannot get started. I used to craft years ago and I did sell a few designs but that was before social media. I just need to let go of my fear of being unsuccessful. Jan Ouzas
I understand how you feel. I felt that way. Take one step at a time. Before you know it you can’t wait to get up in the morning to get started. You can do it. You will do it 😀