Imposter syndrome, often spelled impostor syndrome, is very common among professionals, especially entrepreneurs and sales reps who just got their new jobs. It’s the mindset or feeling that sometimes people feel like a fraud, aren’t good enough, or have doubts. Even the most successful people experience imposter syndrome.

It happens when you feel like you’re not good enough to be where you are or that you’re not wanted there. It’s the feeling that your accomplishments are just a coincidence or that you’re getting away with something by accident.

You might have convinced yourself that there was no way you could have gotten this far, so why try? You might even spend hours every day trying to come up with reasons why your success is just luck or some other external force at work.

But here’s the good news: ways to overcome this phenomenon exists. And it starts with the realization that it’s not your fault—it’s not something that happened because of anything you did wrong. While it can be frustrating at first, learning to manage your impostor syndrome will help you in every part of your career.

Don’t worry; we’ve all been there. But we’re here to tell you that it’s okay—you are doing great! If you hit “and you’re here now – know that you’re progressing.

Why do people in sales deal with imposter syndrome?

Sales is an incredibly competitive industry, and it can be challenging for people to feel like they’re really up to snuff when so many other people are trying to impress them with their credentials.

Salespeople also have to deal with resistance from customers who may need to recognize how qualified someone from your company is. Customers may not even realize at first that a particular product or service can benefit their business, so they might not understand why you think this person could help them—or even know what your company does!

When you’re in sales, it can be easy to feel like you’re faking it. You might feel like you’re not good enough, that your skills aren’t up to snuff, or that you don’t have what it takes.

But here’s the thing: none of that is true! The fact is, you are good enough—and the more you realize this, the better off you’ll be.

Here are a few ways to overcome imposter syndrome in sales:

#1: These days happen, just as the good days do.

The first step is to recognize that bad days happen—just like the good ones do. And remember that every situation has both positive and negative aspects. If you’re having trouble feeling confident about your abilities as a salesperson, it’s essential not to take it personally!

Use this time to reflect and understand what you can improve upon. You’re not a failure, and it’s not a part of your identity. Start getting excited about these ‘down’ days now. It would give you the sense that you should lean in and not back away from challenges or potentially irrational thoughts.

Whenever you feel like you’re going through a rough patch, ask yourself: “What am I doing right?” If you’ve made a mistake or done something wrong, ask yourself: “How could I have done this better?”

When bad days start rolling in, try remembering that they are just as common as the good ones. Try not to let them get the better of you; instead, use them to boost your confidence.

#2: The world outside yourself will push you to improve with real-world feedback. 

So, you need to engage with it constantly to refine your approach. Not those thoughts inside – they have no contact with the outside world. They are blind. They snowball into an incorrect self-image.

Know that even over the speed bumps, stoppages, and stalls, you’re still progressing. Your efforts are what build the momentum ahead, so keep pushing on.

Setting up regular meetings with clients or colleagues who can give honest feedback about your performance can help you battle those feelings of inadequacy.

#3: Keep yourself accountable.

If you’re feeling like you’re not ready to take on your big goals, or that you don’t have the right support system in place, there’s a chance you might be experiencing imposter syndrome. This is when you feel like you know what you need to do but that everyone else around you thinks otherwise.

The good news is that imposter syndrome is totally normal—and let’s be honest: it happens to all of us at some point in our lives. So don’t worry! The best thing to do is keep yourself accountable and surround yourself with people who believe in your ability to achieve greatness.

If you’re afraid of failing, then you won’t ever succeed. But if you put yourself out there and fail, then learn from that failure and try again. In the end, things will work out for the best.

#4: Don’t beat yourself up over mistakes.

Mistakes happen! The best thing you can do is learn from them and move on. It’s okay if you mess up—even though it feels like it shouldn’t be okay when your business is on the line! Be willing to admit when something isn’t working out for you or for your company as a whole (even though there might seem like there’s nothing wrong with it at first.)

This will help you move forward in a way that’s more productive than mentally beating yourself up about past mistakes.

#5: Become an expert! Knowledge is power.

One of the most powerful things a salesperson can do is to become a subject matter expert in their role. Buyers buy from people they trust, so the more you know as a salesperson, the more your prospects will allow you to move the interaction forward. 

Not only will you be able to generate trust faster, but you’ll be able to sell better too! Knowing more context about the people you sell to and the industry your business is in allows you to more competently speak to the challenges they will face. With competence comes confidence!

Immersing yourself in the space will deliver you from the worries or anxieties that we all face when we feel imposter syndrome.

BD Paths Takeaway

You can overcome imposter syndrome in sales! If you’re struggling with it, remember: you’re not alone. Imposter syndrome is a common experience for salespeople, and it’s one that you can learn to navigate. Take some time to practice mindfulness and develop a support network of peers and mentors who will be there for you when things get tough.

Eventually, you’ll feel confident knowing that no matter what happens, you’re not going to let your fear of failure keep you from doing what’s best for your career and the people around you.

Remember that this may take time—and while it might seem overwhelming at first, once you’ve started making progress and feeling more confident in what your sales skills are capable of doing, it won’t seem like such an uphill battle anymore!