After launching the Get Gutsy ebook last year, I wrote a post about how I felt like a fraud- I was experiencing serious imposter syndrome.

Imposter syndrome is defined as a psychological phenomenon where people are unable to recognize their own accomplishments and don’t believe they deserve success for whatever they’ve achieved.

Ever been there? I bet you have. We’ve all experienced this feeling at one point or another.

Luckily, I was able to overcome my imposter syndrome about the book and the growth of my blog/brand, but lately, I’ve felt imposter syndrome creeping into a new area of my life: teaching yoga.

During a recent conversation with my wonderful yoga mentor, Jennifer, she asked how I felt teaching this week.

After rambling for a bit, I finally came to the conclusion, “I felt a little bit like a fraud.”

As a brand new teacher, while I stand in front of a class teaching, I’ve started noticing that familiar feeling creeping in.

You’re not a good teacher. Do these people hate class today? You keep mixing up your words. You said the wrong thing. Why did you think just because you love yoga you’d make a good yoga teacher? You’re not good enough.

Yikes. Not so kind, right?

To recap, I’ve been practicing yoga for a little over two years. I completed a 200-hour teacher training program. I spent the entire summer substituting every yoga class I had the opportunity to teach. And now, this fall, I was offered two of my very own classes at my yoga studio. Yoga is my passion.

These are the things Jennifer reminded me of when I told her I felt like an imposter.

Sure, I have a long way to go in my life as a teacher and there will ALWAYS be room for improvement, but in this moment, no matter my level of experience, I am not an imposter.

Here’s what I’m working to remind myself each time I prepare to step into my role as a yoga teacher. Hopefully these words will remind you, too, that you are NOT an imposter when it comes to pursuing your passions and dreams.

If you’ve done the work, you are NOT an imposter.

If you continue to practice your craft, you are NOT an imposter.

If you’re constantly seeking out opportunities to learn and grow, you are NOT an imposter.

If you care about the work you’re doing, you are NOT an imposter.

If you’re doing the thing you’ve set out to do, you are NOT an imposter.

I love this line from a 99U piece called, Nobody knows what the hell they’re doing: “Research suggests that the so-called “impostor syndrome” may get worse as people get better…In short: if you’re worried you don’t measure up, that could well be a sign that you do.”

Basically…if you FEEL imposter syndrome in any way, you are likely NOT an imposter. Because if you’re feeling it, that means you are doing something awesome, something that takes you outside of your comfort zone- something you are meant to be doing.

This is your reality check (and mine): You are NOT an imposter.

Keep doing what you’re doing. Keep rocking it. And keep sharing your passion, whatever that may be, with the world.

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