Picture this: you’ve been working on your online course for weeks (maybe even months), pouring your heart and soul into it. You’re finally about to launch, and instead of feeling excitement and pride, a familiar wave of dread washes over you. The self-doubt kicks in. You start wondering, “Who am I to teach this?” and “What if nobody buys it? What if people actually take the course and realise I’m a fraud?”

Welcome to the exhausting world of impostor syndrome—a place where you convince yourself that no matter what you achieve, it’s never enough. As course creators, this feeling hits hard. You’re putting yourself out there, claiming to be an expert, and it can feel downright terrifying.

If you’ve ever felt like this, trust me—you’re not alone. In fact, impostor syndrome is so common that it’s practically a rite of passage in entrepreneurship. It’s also one of the most common ways course creators are sabotaging their business success, so this is something you would want to get prepared for. The good news? It doesn’t have to control you. You can tackle impostor syndrome and confidently step into the role of a course creator. Let’s break it down.

What Is Impostor Syndrome, and Why Does It Show Up for Course Creators?

Impostor syndrome is that pesky little voice in your head telling you that you don’t deserve your success, that you’ve somehow tricked everyone into thinking you’re capable, and that it’s only a matter of time before you’re found out.

For course creators, this shows up in several sneaky ways:

• You feel like you’re not “expert” enough: You constantly compare yourself to others in your field and convince yourself that they know more, are more qualified, or just have it all together in a way you don’t.

• You procrastinate on launching: You keep tweaking, editing, and polishing your course, never feeling ready to actually release it because you’re waiting for it to be “perfect.”

• You undervalue your content: You think no one will see value in your course. Maybe you even underprice it because you don’t believe it’s worth more.

• You avoid putting yourself out there: Marketing your course feels like standing in front of a firing squad, so you avoid visibility, hoping to stay under the radar—where it’s safe, but lonely (and where your course business will probably just die quietly). 

Sound familiar? These are all classic signs of impostor syndrome showing up at the worst possible time: when you’re on the verge of putting something amazing out into the world.

Why Do We Feel Like Impostors?

Now, let’s get to the why. Why do so many of us—especially women—struggle with impostor syndrome? The short answer is that we’re conditioned for it. Society has historically placed certain expectations on women, particularly when it comes to stepping into leadership roles or claiming expertise. We’re often taught to play it safe, avoid being too loud or too confident, and not draw too much attention to ourselves.

And here’s the kicker: course creation forces you to do the exact opposite. It asks you to step up, share your knowledge, and proudly say, “I know this, and I’m going to teach it.” It’s no wonder that impostor syndrome rears its head during this process!

The Psychology of Impostor Syndrome

Impostor syndrome isn’t just a fleeting feeling—it’s deeply rooted in psychological patterns that have likely developed over years, even decades. Understanding the psychology behind it can help you see that it’s not a personal flaw or weakness, but rather a common cognitive and emotional experience.

At its core, impostor syndrome stems from a combination of perfectionism, self-doubt, and fear of failure. Let’s break these down:

1. Perfectionism:
   If you’re someone who sets extremely high standards for yourself, impostor syndrome finds fertile ground. Perfectionism tells you that unless you do something flawlessly, it doesn’t count. So, when you achieve something—like creating a course—you might dismiss it because it didn’t meet your impossibly high standards. This feeds into the belief that you’re a fraud, despite your accomplishments.
   From a psychological perspective, perfectionism is a defence mechanism. By striving for perfection, we try to avoid criticism, rejection, or failure. However, this pursuit is unsustainable and leads to feelings of inadequacy when those high standards aren’t met—triggering impostor syndrome.

2. Self-Doubt:
   Impostor syndrome is a form of chronic self-doubt, not just the kind of nervousness you feel before trying something new. It’s a deep-seated belief that you’re not as competent as others perceive you to be, and at any moment, your supposed lack of ability will be exposed.
   Self-doubt often comes from a fixed mindset, a term coined by psychologist Carol Dweck. People with a fixed mindset believe that their abilities are static—you’re either talented or you’re not. When you face challenges, the fixed mindset can convince you that any struggle is proof of your inadequacy. Course creation, with its steep learning curve, can trigger this mindset and fuel feelings of impostor syndrome.

3. Fear of Failure:
   Impostor syndrome is also deeply tied to the fear of failure. When you’re building an online course, you’re essentially putting a part of yourself out there for judgement. If you’ve internalised the belief that failure means you’re not good enough, you’ll feel like an impostor the moment things don’t go perfectly.
   Psychologically, this is linked to catastrophic thinking, where your brain jumps to worst-case scenarios. You might think, “If this course doesn’t succeed, people will know I’m a fraud, and I’ll lose credibility.” This irrational fear causes you to second-guess yourself and avoid taking necessary risks.

4. Comparison and Social Expectations:
   The rise of social media and the constant comparison it encourages plays a significant role in impostor syndrome. When you see other course creators launching with fanfare or appearing to be experts in their field, it’s easy to fall into the trap of comparison. Your brain can trick you into thinking that everyone else has it all figured out, while you’re just fumbling along.
   Psychologically, this taps into social comparison theory, which suggests that we determine our own self-worth based on how we measure up to others. Unfortunately, we often compare our worst moments to others’ highlight reels, reinforcing the impostor narrative.

5. The “Impostor Cycle”:
   Research shows that impostor syndrome follows a predictable cycle. It starts with an achievement-related task (like creating or launching a course). You experience anxiety and self-doubt, and instead of feeling proud of your efforts, you attribute any success to luck or external factors. The result? You’re stuck in a loop where no matter how much you achieve, you still feel like a fraud.

The good news is that understanding these psychological roots means you can start to break the cycle. It’s not about eliminating impostor syndrome altogether, but recognising its patterns and choosing not to let it dictate your actions. By shifting to a growth mindset (more about that below), challenging your negative thoughts, and embracing imperfection, you can begin to rewire how you respond to self-doubt.

How Impostor Syndrome Manifests During Course Creation

Impostor syndrome doesn’t just feel bad—it impacts your actions. Let’s take a closer look at some ways it might be holding you back:

1. The Fear of Launching
   Ever find yourself saying, “I’ll launch it when it’s perfect”? You keep postponing your launch because, deep down, you’re afraid. Not of failure, but of exposure—of the possibility that people will judge your work, and by extension, you.

2. Doubting Your Expertise
   This one’s a classic. You keep telling yourself you need more certifications, more knowledge, more experience before you’re “allowed” to teach others. Here’s the truth: you don’t need to be the ultimate expert to help someone. You just need to be a few steps ahead of your students. They’re coming to you because they want to learn what you know—not what the next expert knows.

3. Underpricing and Undervaluing Your Work
   You’ve worked hard on your course, but when it comes time to price it, you hesitate. After all, who would pay that much for what you have to offer? You end up setting a price that barely reflects the value of the course because impostor syndrome has tricked you into believing your work isn’t worth it.

4. Avoiding Visibility
   You’ve heard it a million times: to sell a course, you need to put yourself out there. Social media, webinars, email lists—you know the drill. But here’s where impostor syndrome steps in: the idea of promoting yourself makes you cringe. You’re terrified of being judged, so you stay small and avoid the spotlight altogether.

Strategies to Combat Impostor Syndrome

Okay, enough with the doom and gloom. Let’s talk about solutions. Impostor syndrome might not go away overnight, but there are several strategies you can use to quiet that voice and move forward confidently.

1. Recognize Your Triggers

First things first: get to know your impostor syndrome. When does it show up? Is it when you’re about to launch something new? When you compare yourself to others in your niche? Identifying your triggers will help you anticipate when those self-doubt gremlins are likely to appear, so you’re prepared.

2. Reframe Your Expertise

One of the most effective ways to beat impostor syndrome is to stop focusing on you and start focusing on your students. Remember, you don’t need to be a guru to help someone. You just need to know more than your students. Write down the specific skills, experiences, and knowledge that make you qualified to teach. Whenever self-doubt creeps in, remind yourself of these qualifications.

3. Shift to a Growth Mindset

Here’s the thing: mistakes are inevitable. Perfection is not. Instead of obsessing over perfection, adopt a growth mindset. Tell yourself that every misstep is a learning opportunity, not a reflection of your worth. Focus on progress, not perfection. Your students aren’t looking for perfect—they’re looking for real, actionable value.

4. Celebrate Small Wins

You’ve got to celebrate the small stuff. Impostor syndrome loves to downplay your accomplishments, so you need to make a conscious effort to acknowledge every little victory. Did you finish writing a lesson plan? That’s a win. Did you get a positive comment from a beta tester? That’s another win. Start keeping a “wins journal” where you track every step forward. This will help you build momentum and combat the feeling that you’re not making progress.

5. Surround Yourself with Support

Impostor syndrome thrives in isolation. The more you keep your struggles to yourself, the more powerful it becomes. Find a group of fellow course creators, mentors, or friends who can support you along the way. Talking openly about impostor syndrome with others can be incredibly validating—and you’ll probably find that they’re feeling the same way.

A Practical Guide to Reframing Your Mindset

Now, let’s get practical. It’s all well and good to talk about strategies, but how do you actually start shifting your mindset? Here’s a quick guide to get you started:

1. Shift from "I’m not ready" to "I am capable":
   Write down one reason you’re capable of teaching your course every day for a week.

2. Focus on Your Students:
   Instead of thinking about your inadequacies, ask yourself, “What value am I providing to help my students succeed?” This takes the pressure off you and places it where it belongs—on your students' success.

3. Embrace Progress Over Perfection:
   Commit to completing a minimum viable version of your course, get feedback, and iterate. Action creates confidence.

4. Acknowledge Your Wins:
   Start a “Wins Journal” where you record every positive feedback, testimonial, or small achievement.

5. Use Daily Affirmations:
   Start each day by repeating a positive affirmation like, “I am confident in my ability to teach and inspire my students.”

Final Thoughts: You Are Enough

Impostor syndrome isn’t going to magically disappear, but the more you understand it and develop strategies to combat it, the quieter it becomes. You are enough. You do have something valuable to share. And your students are waiting to learn from you.

So, the next time that self-doubt creeps in, remember: you’re not alone, and you’re not a fraud. You’re a course creator with a lot to offer—and the world needs to hear what you have to say.

Having said that, if you think you need a little bit of extra support, I got you. I’ve created a practical 7-step guide for you called Overcoming Impostor Syndrome as a Course Creator. All you need to do is to sign-up to my newsletter and the guide will be sent to you right away. 

Let’s break free from that fraud feeling, together.