There’s something keeping brilliant, accomplished women stuck.
It’s not a lack of skills.
It’s not a lack of experience.
It’s not even a lack of time or money.
It’s an invisible, soul-crushing belief that whispers:
• “You’re not ready.”
• “You’re not good enough.”
• “Who do you think you are?”
It’s the reason so many smart, talented, high-achieving women stay in jobs they hate.
Why they second-guess every decision.
Why they downplay their wins.
Why they never take the leap—even when they’re miserable.
And it’s happening every single day.
Just look at these women:
Caroline, 42
She works in HR at a top UK bank. She’s charismatic, competent, and confident… at work.
She’s on a one-year sabbatical but dreading her return.
She wants more. She dreams of doing her own thing—but she tells herself:
• “I have no real skills.”
• “I don’t know how to run a business.”
• “I can’t.”
So she’ll go back to her corporate job this summer. Devastated.
Gina, 40
She left her high-profile job in movie production to start her own company.
At first? Pure bliss. She had her first real summer off with her kids. She was present. She was happy.
And now?
She’s going back to a 9-5.
Because the business didn’t pay fast enough.
Because she felt lost outside the structure of a corporate office.
Because she convinced herself she “wasn’t cut out for it.”
Patricia, 48
She’s highly accomplished:
• Degrees in Economics and Finance
• Speaks four languages
• Certified coach
• Raised two incredible kids
And yet?
She cries herself to sleep every night.
She works 12-hour days at a bank—on a good day.
She’s running back and forth between countries, taking care of her sick mother.
She’s chronically depressed.
She knows she needs a change.
She wants a change.
But she doesn’t believe she can.
Joan, 45
She spent 20 years in finance until the stress and toxic culture broke her.
She left when she had her second child.
Now? She runs the household like clockwork.
She’s an accountant. She’s brilliant. She’s sharp.
But she has never—not even once—considered starting something of her own.
Why?
Because for 20+ years, she was trained to believe her skills only mattered inside a corporation.
These Are Not Fictional Characters.
These are real women in my life.
Women I’ve spoken to this week.
And they all have one thing in common:
Imposter Syndrome is holding them hostage.
Because no matter how accomplished we are…
We still believe we’re not enough.
And this has to stop.
What Exactly Is Imposter Syndrome?
It’s the invisible enemy that keeps women stuck in jobs they hate, afraid to take risks, and doubting their own brilliance.
It sounds like:
• “You’re not qualified.”
• “You don’t know enough.”
• “You need one more degree/certification/years of experience.”
• “You’ll fail.”
And for women in their 40s+? It’s even worse.
Because we were raised to be “good girls.”
• Follow the rules.
• Be responsible.
• Stay in the lines.
• Leave the risk-taking to the men.
So even though we’ve raised families, built careers, navigated impossible deadlines, handled life-and-death decisions, and survived the wildest corporate nonsense imaginable…
We still think we’re not qualified to do our own thing.
How to Spot Imposter Syndrome in Yourself
• You downplay your achievements. (“It wasn’t that big of a deal.”)
• You think your success was luck, timing, or someone else’s help.
• You overwork to prove yourself but never feel good enough.
• You hold back from promotions, opportunities, or starting something new.
• You believe everyone else is smarter, more capable, and more qualified.
That’s not reality.
That’s imposter syndrome.
And it’s stealing your future.
STOP Imposter Syndrome from Ruining Your Life
1. Write Down Your Wins
Start keeping a brag file. Every time you crush a project, get a compliment, or make an impact—document it.
This is your proof when imposter syndrome creeps in.
2. Call It Out
Imposter syndrome never goes away. But when you spot it, you can shut it down.
Next time you hear that voice saying, “You’re not good enough”?
Ask yourself: “Would I say this to my best friend?”
If the answer is no, don’t say it to yourself.
3. Stop Waiting for Permission
No one is coming to tell you you’re ready.
You become ready by doing.
Stop waiting. Start.
4. Get in the Room with People Who Believe in You
You need mentors, business communities, and women who GET IT.
Because when you’re surrounded by people who have done what you want to do…
Everything changes.
This Is Why I Do What I Do.
Because if these women – my friends – can’t see their own power…
Then what hope do we have?
We have to change this.
• For our daughters.
• For ourselves.
• For every 40+ woman who feels trapped.
Because we are NOT here to spend another 20 years waiting for retirement.
See you next Wednesday.
