That little voice is lying to you

Have you ever landed the project you’ve been dreaming about… the one with the incredible budget and the perfect client… only to think, Oh no. What if they figure out I don’t know what I’m doing?

If you’re nodding right now, I want you to know something.

You’re normal.

In fact, that feeling tends to show up right before you’re about to grow. It isn’t proof that you’re not ready. It’s proof that you’re stepping into something bigger than you’ve done before.

In this episode, Valerie Priester and I unpack why imposter syndrome loves to appear when you level up… and, more importantly, how to stop letting it drive the bus.

Look for the evidence, not the fear

One of the biggest mistakes we make is believing our feelings instead of looking at the facts.

Think about it. You’ve already designed beautiful spaces. You’ve solved problems. You’ve made clients happy. Whether you’ve been in business for six months or sixteen years, you have evidence that you know what you’re doing.

The problem is we forget.

We’re so busy chasing the next goal that we never stop to celebrate the last one. We keep moving the finish line, focusing on what we haven’t done instead of everything we have. No wonder our confidence takes a hit.

When that little voice starts whispering, pause for a moment. Read your testimonials. Think about the clients who couldn’t stop talking about how much they loved their homes. I still have a little wooden box filled with thank-you notes from clients, and every now and then, I open it. It’s the sweetest reminder that what we do really matters.

Confidence comes after you say yes

Here’s something I learned years ago: confidence doesn’t arrive before the opportunity. It grows because you took the opportunity.

Some of the biggest projects I ever accepted scared me to pieces. I’d leave the meeting with a signed contract, smile all the way to my car… and then wonder, Now how am I going to pull this off?

And somehow, every single project made me a better designer.

You don’t have to know everything before you begin. You just have to know enough to take the next step. Design is still design, whether the budget is $20,000 or $500,000. The front end may look different, but your talent didn’t suddenly disappear because the client has a bigger house.

So the next time imposter syndrome shows up, don’t treat it like the truth. Treat it like an old habit.

Take a breath. Remember what you’ve accomplished. Lean into gratitude instead of fear. Then go take action anyway.

Because you know far more than you give yourself credit for. Your gift is creating spaces that change people’s lives, and the world needs more of that. So trust yourself, step forward, and keep going.

You can listen to the full podcast episode here.

Until then, design something beautiful… and get paid what you’re worth.

With love,

Terri