Overcoming Imposter Syndrome & Self-Doubt in the Latinx Community

Many of us at some point or another have experienced a sense of imposter syndrome – that debilitating feeling of not being good enough, of feeling like a fraud in our own lives. This is very common in the Latino/x community. Yet our community rarely discusses this self-doubt, that can impact our finances and success.

Imposter Syndrome & Self-Doubt: A First Gen Common Experience

In this Podcast episode, Monica Rivera (she/her), shares her personal journey from a first-gen background to becoming a successful entrepreneur. She tackles imposter syndrome along the way. She covers her journey marked by self-discovery, determination, and the desire to transform her own experiences into valuable insights to help others.

As a result, drawing from her own challenging experiences, she founded YOU WANNA DO WHAT?!, a coaching and consultancy dedicated to helping women build a personal brand and business around their passions.

Monica Rivera

Monica Rivera (she/her) is a business clarity coach, marketing expert, paid speaker, and reformed self-doubter passionate about building empowering communities.

Monica has spoken at TEDx and numerous national events for over a decade. Her thought-provoking TEDx Talk, “The Flipside of Loneliness,” captivates audiences with its unique perspective. Monica has been featured in notable publications including Business Insider, O Magazine, NPR, Ladies Get Paid, The Huffington Post, and more.

Manifestations of Self-doubt

Imposter syndrome, as Monica explains, often manifests in subtle, unnoticeable ways in our daily lives. For instance, we might avoid applying for a job, not negotiate a salary, or even overspend to keep up appearances. This is all under the illusion of proving our value to others. Some of these even become financial barriers that we need to overcome.

Monica goes on to reveal the five distinct types of imposter syndrome:

• the perfectionist
• the superwoman
• the natural genius
• the soloist
• the expert

Therefore provides a fascinating deep-dive into each of these types, outlining their specific characteristics and how they can impact our lives. For example, the perfectionist will shy away from tasks if they can’t do them perfectly. On the other hand, the superwoman feels the need to prove herself by overworking. Meanwhile, the natural genius sets incredibly high internal standards and is thrown off when they can’t meet them with ease.

Recognize and overcome

However, identifying these imposter syndromes, is only part of the process, Monica states. She goes into some practical strategies for managing them. For instance, one key approach is to cultivate self-awareness. Self-awareness will help us recognize when imposter syndrome is at play and helps us challenge the self-doubt it brings. In addition, she emphasizes the importance of learning to ask for help and promotes leaning into community and collaboration instead of going it alone – a common pitfall for the ‘soloist’ type.

One of the most empowering parts of Monica’s discussion is her insight into how we can harness imposter syndrome as a tool for growth. My favorite is her method of naming your imposter syndrome so you can challenge them when it shows up. She also adds that making an evidence list of successful things you’ve done before, and taking small actions can help build up your confidence.

Build up your skills

Beyond the realm of imposter syndrome, Monica also dove deep into the importance of negotiation, decision-making, and finding a niche in business. She shares her experiences of leveraging negotiation skills and the power of targeting a niche market to advance her career. These skills, Monica suggests, can help us navigate our professional lives more effectively, boosting our confidence and giving us the freedom to pursue our goals.

Ultimately, Monica’s insights serve as a reminder that overcoming self-doubt and imposter syndrome isn’t about eradicating these feelings entirely. Instead, it’s about learning to manage them in a way that fosters growth, resilience, and self-belief. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a professional, or anyone looking to unlock your potential, Monica’s words offer an empowering blueprint for moving beyond self-doubt and stepping into your power.