Some mornings, I open my laptop with a clear plan.
By mid-morning, I’m in a tug-of-war with my own mind—wondering if I’m truly adding value or just moving pixels around.

That’s the thing about the solopreneur journey: you don’t have the constant validation of a team or a boss. Your scoreboard becomes… different.
In the age of social media, we ship our ideas into the vast digital commons—the endless scroll where our best thinking can be applauded, ignored, or swallowed whole by the algorithm. And when a post resonates, the rush of likes, comments, and shares can be intoxicating. It feels like proof you’re on the right track.

But here’s the trap: the adrenaline from engagement becomes a metric you start chasing. And suddenly, your worth as a leader—or as a human—gets tangled up in numbers on a dashboard.

Einstein’s words hit differently here:

“Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted.”

It’s a reminder that true influence isn’t always visible in real-time metrics. Sometimes the conversation that changes a life happens quietly, without any “views” attached.

The Silent Struggle at the Top

Research shows that 36% of all leaders report regular impostor feelings. Among younger leaders (24–44), nearly half do. And for women in leadership, the number jumps to 54%. These aren’t rookie jitters—these are seasoned, capable people questioning their seat at the table.

It’s not always about skill gaps. Often, it’s about internal narratives shaped by perfectionism, comparison, and environments where vulnerability is still seen as weakness.

How to Lead When Self-Doubt Sits Beside You

1. Name it before it names you.
   Keep a log of impostor thoughts. Document the triggers. Naming the pattern reduces its power.
2. Seek feedback—and actually let it land.
   Document the positive feedback you get, especially when your inner critic wants to dismiss it.
3. Reframe doubt as evidence of growth.
   If you’re feeling stretched, it’s because you’re reaching. The absence of discomfort often means stagnation.
4. Model vulnerability.
   Sharing your limitations doesn’t diminish you—it gives your team permission to be human.
5. Apply the EDAR framework.
   When impostor thoughts flare, run them through Explore – Design – Act – Reflect:

• Explore what triggered the thought.
• Design the narrative you want to believe, grounded in evidence.
• Act in alignment with that new narrative, even if it feels uncomfortable.
• Reflect on the outcome and what it reveals about your actual capacity.
  This simple rhythm stops impostor thinking from becoming impostor acting—and turns a mental spiral into a moment of mastery.

6. Tell your story.
   The more leaders who normalize these conversations, the more we erode the culture of silent struggle.
7. Lean into it.
   As Halla Tómasdóttir shared with Adam Grant:

“You could try to fight it or you can befriend it and think about it almost like this very critical roommate or friend who really asks you all the hard questions that one should always ask of themselves.”

Instead of silencing your self-doubt, treat it as a sparring partner—one that keeps you honest, humble, and committed to growth.

A Personal Note for the Solopreneurs

As I write this, I’m aware this blog might get fifty reads or five thousand.
But the real question isn’t “Will this go viral?”—it’s “Will this help someone lead themselves with more courage tomorrow?”

If you’re building something alone, especially in this digital age, remember: your true KPIs aren’t always on the analytics dashboard. They live in the trust you’ve built, the ideas you’ve planted, and the people you’ve lifted—whether you see the proof today or not.

Love be with you 💗
Lead on with purpose, grace, and limitless potential. 🚀