Want to sell more? Interview yourself

Most founders, coaches, & creatives I work with have imposter syndrome. It’s a nasty little bugger, too.

“Who the heck am I to give anyone advice about anything?” they ask themselves.

The reason that we get imposter syndrome is that we are our worst critics. Cliche, I know, but true. But there’s an empowering strategy to see all your accomplishments without the voice cutting yourself down in your head.

So let’s think about this a different way:

Interview for the job you already gave yourself

It’s time to think about qualifications. Pull out a pad and pencil and list the following:

1. Number of years you’ve been doing what you do (anything higher than six months)

2. Number of people you’ve helped do the same (volunteer, community projects, friends, friends of friends…they all count!)

3. What skills you’ve gained doing what your solution is (start with problem solving, branch out from there).

4. Number of people you’ve overseen at work in any capacity (manager, trainer, mentor).

5. Go back with a highlighter and highlight the crap out of each number.

When you do this, you should start to see a pretty dang impressive person on paper. You’d probably hire them. Why wouldn’t your clients?

Why it works: you are thinking like an employer

When you start seeing your own expertise in this way, a lightbulb should go on.

“Holy shit, this person on paper is impressive! I’d get them in for an interview!” But now it’s you on that paper: your qualifications, your accomplishments, your hard work.

And it helps address that wicked inner critic when that voice starts yapping in your head: “who am I to do this? LOOK AT ALL THIS!”

Credibility breeds confidence

If you started your own business, chances are that you felt a calling to do something and you knew you could do it better.

The truth is, in the ups and downs of life, this can get lost. Your shine starts to fade. The work bogs you down.

But armed with that paper and ALL THOSE CREDENTIALS, I bet you’ll feel that spring in your step again.

You’re a phenom, it’s just easy to lose sight of it.