I hope you feel like an imposter

If you don't, something is wrong

I was reading a biography of Neil Armstrong recently.

You know, first man on the moon. American hero. Legend.

And I stumbled across something that stopped me in my tracks.

This dude - who literally took "one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind" - was absolutely terrified of public speaking and felt like a complete fraud when he had to do it.

Not kidding.

After Apollo 11, Armstrong was suddenly thrust into the spotlight. Everyone wanted a piece of him. Universities offered him honorary degrees. Companies wanted endorsements. Congress wanted testimony.

And he HATED it.

Here's what's fascinating:

Armstrong wasn't just "camera shy" - he genuinely felt like an imposter when speaking about his achievements.

James Hansen, who wrote Armstrong's authorized biography "First Man," noted that Armstrong was deeply uncomfortable with fame and public speaking. He turned down almost all interview requests. He refused most speaking engagements. He even declined to participate in a ticker-tape parade in his hometown.

When he did speak publicly, he would meticulously prepare, then deliver his remarks in a soft, almost hesitant voice. He'd emphasize the 400,000 people who worked on the Apollo program. He'd talk about how the real heroes were the engineers who designed the systems.

He once told an interviewer, "I am, and ever will be, a white-socks, pocket-protector, nerdy engineer."

After a brief period of unavoidable fame, he retreated to a quiet life teaching engineering at the University of Cincinnati. Not exactly what you'd expect from someone who had just done the most badass thing in human history.

This is classic imposter syndrome. And it got me thinking about something I see all the time with entrepreneurs.

Some of the most successful business owners I know - people doing 7, 8, even 9 figures - secretly feel like frauds when they have to get on stage, do interviews, or even just talk about their success.

They worry they just got lucky. They're afraid someone will ask a question they can't answer. They discount their accomplishments and amplify their mistakes.

Sound familiar?

I'll admit it - I've felt this way too. Even after building multiple 7-figure businesses. Even after helping clients generate over $100 million in sales. Even after speaking on stages around the world.

There are still days when I get up to speak and think, "Who am I to be teaching this stuff?"

But here's the critical insight about imposter syndrome:

It doesn't mean you're actually an imposter. In fact, it usually means the opposite.

Real imposters - people who are genuinely faking it - rarely feel imposter syndrome. They know they're faking it. It's a conscious choice.

Imposter syndrome is what happens when competent, accomplished people can't internalize their own success.

And there's something even more fascinating about this:

Imposter syndrome gets WORSE in public situations.

Think about that. Neil Armstrong didn't feel like an imposter when he was flying the lunar module. He felt like an imposter when he had to stand at a podium and talk about it.

Why? Because in the cockpit, he was in his element. He was doing the thing he was trained to do. But on stage, he was being asked to be something he never signed up for - a celebrity, a hero, a public figure.

The same thing happens in business.

When you're in your office, actually doing the work, you feel confident. But when you have to pitch to investors, speak at a conference, or explain your success to others - that's when the imposter feelings really kick in.

"Who am I to be on this stage?"
"What if they ask me something I don't know?"
"I just got lucky - and everyone's about to find out."

Sound familiar?

Armstrong felt this so strongly that he eventually withdrew almost completely from public life. According to those close to him, he struggled with the disconnect between how the world saw him (a hero) and how he saw himself (just a pilot doing his job).

So what's the solution?

First, recognize that imposter syndrome is actually a sign you're doing something right. It means you're pushing boundaries. It means you're growing. It means you care about being authentic.

Second, understand that EVERYONE feels this way. Neil Armstrong felt it every time he had to give a speech. Richard Branson has talked about feeling it during interviews. Maya Angelou felt it after writing 11 books.

You're in good company.

Third - and this is the most important part - use imposter syndrome as fuel, not a brake.

When those feelings come up, ask yourself:

"What would I do right now if I actually believed in myself as much as my audience believes in me?"

"What would I say if I trusted that my experiences are valuable to others?"

"How would I show up differently if I embraced my expertise instead of questioning it?"

Then do THAT.

Neil Armstrong didn't let his imposter feelings stop him from doing what needed to be done. Yes, he minimized his public appearances. But when he did speak, he prepared thoroughly and delivered value, even though it made him uncomfortable.

Your imposter syndrome can make you better too - if you let it.

So the next time you're feeling like a fraud before a presentation or interview, remember: you're in the same psychological space as the first person to walk on the moon.

Talk soon,

Jason "One Small Speech" Fladlien

P.S. What's one situation where you feel like an imposter right now? Leave a comment and let me know. Sometimes just naming it takes away some of its power.