Why Imposter Syndrome is Lying to You, And Why NOW is Your Time to Coach

Have you ever caught yourself saying: “Who am I to coach that client?” Or perhaps: “I need one more month to get ready… just one more. Then I’ll be ready.” Or even: “My clients’ successes are just luck, or they would have done it anyway.”

If a flicker of recognition just passed through you, then welcome to the club. The Imposter Syndrome club. And if you’ve been sitting on the sidelines, planning to start or develop your coaching business, I’m here to tell you that now is the time. That insidious voice, the one whispering doubts, is likely the biggest thing holding you back. And it’s costing you, and the world, the incredible impact you’re meant to make.

As a coach, I’ve seen countless brilliant individuals paralyzed by this silent epidemic. It’s pervasive, affects up to 70% of people at some point in their lives, and is particularly rampant among high-achievers, entrepreneurs, and, yes, coaches.

The Invisible Chains: What Imposter Syndrome Actually Does to Coaches

Imposter syndrome isn’t just a fleeting moment of self-doubt; it’s a persistent, often debilitating psychological pattern. It manifests as an entrenched belief that your success is undeserved, that you’re an intellectual fraud, and that you’re constantly on the verge of being “found out”—despite compelling evidence to the contrary.

For coaches, this insidious phenomenon can be particularly damaging. It’s an internal saboteur, whispering:

• “You’re not experienced enough.” (Even after hundreds of coaching hours.)
• “You don’t know enough.” (Despite multiple certifications and continuous learning.)
• “They’ll realise you’re a fake.” (When clients praise your impact.)
• “That client’s success was just luck.” (Dismissing your powerful facilitation.)

This isn’t modesty. This is a deep-seated denial of your abilities, accomplishments, and innate worth. It’s why you might overprepare for sessions, procrastinate on marketing yourself, hesitate to raise your rates, or even avoid pursuing new niches or challenging clients – all because of a baseless fear of exposure.

The impact? It’s tangible and costly:

• Procrastination: You delay launching your website, creating that new programme, or reaching out to potential clients because the stakes feel too high. Why start if you’re going to be exposed anyway?
• Overwork & Burnout: You feel you have to work harder than everyone else to prove your worth, leading to exhaustion and unsustainable practices. “Super-heroism” is a common imposter syndrome trait, where you take on excessive responsibilities to mask perceived inadequacy.
• Avoidance of Opportunities: You shy away from speaking engagements, networking events, or even applying for awards, fearing that increased visibility will lead to your “fraudulence” being revealed. A 2025 UK report found that 45% of employees avoid promotions or new career opportunities due to feelings of inadequacy.
• Inability to Internalise Success: You dismiss compliments, attribute success to luck or external factors, and quickly forget your wins, perpetuating the imposter cycle.

As entrepreneur and coach Claire Ackers rightly states,

“Impostor syndrome is killing your business. You must give it your full attention if you want to achieve your dreams.”

The Digital Age Fueling the Fire

In today’s hyper-connected world, comparison is a constant, insidious thief of joy. Social media feeds are curated highlight reels of everyone else’s successes, making your own internal struggles feel even more isolating. You see other coaches launching, succeeding, seemingly effortlessly, and that little voice screams, “See? They’re the real deal. You’re not.”

This comparison culture is a major trigger for imposter syndrome, especially for entrepreneurs who are constantly benchmarking themselves against others. The entrepreneurial journey, often characterized by isolation and the pressure to wear multiple hats, becomes a fertile ground for these doubts to flourish.

Breaking the Cycle: Your Coaching Superpower

Here’s the beautiful paradox: the very skills you cultivate as a coach are the antidote to imposter syndrome. You learn to listen, to question, to challenge beliefs, to celebrate progress, and to empower others. Now, it’s time to turn that powerful lens inwards.

1. Acknowledge and Name It: The first, most liberating step. Realise you are not alone. Research shows that around half of all Brits experience imposter syndrome at some point, and it affects coaches regardless of seniority or experience. When you name it, you can begin to tame it. Recognise the pattern: the cycle of self-doubt, overwork/procrastination, temporary relief, and then the failure to internalise success.

2. Challenge the Narrative: That nagging voice is lying. Your brain is generating thoughts based on old fears, not current reality.

• Question the “Truth”: Just like you’d help a client, ask yourself: Is this thought absolutely true? Can I 100% know it’s true? You’ll be surprised how often the answer is “no.”
• Identify the Impact: How does believing this thought serve me? What does it cost me? Seeing the negative consequences can be a powerful motivator for change.
• Reframe the Story: Turn the negative self-talk into a more balanced or even empowering statement. Instead of “I’m not smart enough to run a business,” try “I’m learning and growing every day, and I’m capable of building a thriving practice.” As Neil Patel might advise in marketing, test your assumptions and pivot when the data (your experience) contradicts your belief.

3. Externalise Your Wins (Evidence, Not Opinion): Imposter syndrome thrives in a vacuum of unrecognized achievement. Create an external, undeniable record of your successes.

• “Win Jar” / Success Log: Keep a physical jar or a digital document where you jot down every compliment, every client breakthrough, every successful marketing initiative, every positive feedback. When doubt creeps in, pull out a few “wins.”
• Quantify Achievements: Don’t just say “I helped a client.” Say, “I helped a client secure a 20% promotion by improving their executive functions over 3 months.” Specificity is powerful.
• Celebrate Small Milestones: Every mini-win is proof. Launched your website? Celebrate. Got your first inquiry? Celebrate. This consistent positive reinforcement chips away at the imposter narrative.

4. Cultivate Self-Compassion: You’d never talk to a struggling client the way imposter syndrome talks to you. Offer yourself the same kindness, understanding, and acceptance.

• “Friend Test”: Ask yourself: “If my best friend came to me with this exact doubt, what would I tell them?” Then, offer those same words to yourself.
• Acknowledge the Effort: Recognize the courage it takes to step out of your comfort zone and try new things, especially in entrepreneurship.

5. Embrace Learning & Imperfection: The idea that you need to know everything before you start is a classic imposter trap (the “Expert” type, as identified by Dr. Valerie Young).

• Reframing “Failure”: Every “mistake” is just data, a learning opportunity. The most successful entrepreneurs iterate and pivot constantly. “Don’t be afraid of making mistakes; that’s how you learn,” advises entrepreneur Alex Bell.
• Seek Feedback & Support: You teach your clients to seek support; do the same for yourself. A mentor or a peer coaching group can provide invaluable perspective and normalization. Research by the Executive Development Network found that 52% of employees and 66% of line managers agree that coaching and mentoring are effective in combatting imposter syndrome.

Your Time is Now.

The world desperately needs more skilled, confident coaches. If you’ve been delaying, over-planning, or quietly doubting your capabilities, understand this: that’s the imposter syndrome playing its tricks. It thrives on isolation and silence.

By actively challenging these beliefs, externalizing your wins, embracing self-compassion, and committing to continuous, imperfect action, you not only liberate yourself but also become a living testament to the power of coaching.

Stop waiting for perfection. Stop waiting to “feel ready.” You have the training, the passion, and the unique perspective. Your clients are waiting for you, precisely as you are, with all your experiences and insights.

Step forward. Claim your expertise. And start making the monumental impact you were meant to make.

If you’re ready to overcome your limiting beliefs and become a successful coach, I encourage you to attend one of our 1-Day Coaching Events It’ll help you to develop a plan to achieve your goals and build a successful coaching business.