Introduction & Hook Welcome back to Paid to Speak, the podcast where I show you how to get
booked, get paid, and get seen as the go-to expert in your industry. Today’s episode is one that
every single speaker, even the ones with TED Talks and bestselling books, can relate to —
imposter syndrome.
That little voice that whispers things like: - ‘Who am I to be on stage?’ - ‘What if they realise I’m not
as good as they think I am?’ - ‘Surely there are more qualified people than me.’
Sound familiar? I’ll let you in on a secret: imposter syndrome isn’t a sign that you’re not ready. It’s a
sign that you’re already playing bigger than you were before. And in today’s episode, I’m going to
share my personal battles with it, the psychology behind it, and — most importantly — practical
tools you can use to silence that voice so you can step onto the stage with confidence.
Personal Stories Let me start with a story. Back in 2021, I got asked to MC an event where the
client accidentally accepted my quote for $30,000 for a one-day gig. My immediate thought wasn’t:
‘Yes, I’m worth this!’ It was: ‘Oh my goodness, what if I’m not good enough? What if I mess up and
they realise they’ve overpaid me?’ Spoiler alert: I did the gig, they loved it, and I got booked again.
But in the days leading up to it, I was paralysed by that imposter voice.
And I know I’m not alone. Some of the biggest speakers I’ve worked alongside — bestselling
authors, politicians, CEOs — admit that backstage, right before they step on, they sometimes think:
‘Why me? Someone else could do this better.’
Here’s the truth: imposter syndrome doesn’t go away when you ‘make it.’ It just shows up in new
ways as you level up. The only difference is, experienced speakers have learned how to manage it.
Breaking Down the Psychology So what is imposter syndrome really? It was first identified in the
1970s by two psychologists, Clance and Imes, who found that high-achieving women in particular
often felt like frauds, despite clear evidence of success. But it applies to everyone. At its core,
imposter syndrome is: - A gap between how you see yourself and how others see you. -
Perfectionism playing tricks on you. - Fear of being judged, rejected, or failing publicly.
And for speakers, it’s amplified because you’re literally putting yourself in the spotlight, with
hundreds of eyes on you. No wonder the voice gets loud.
But here’s the important part: imposter syndrome doesn’t mean you’re not capable. It means you’re
stretching. You’re moving into new territory. That discomfort is evidence of growth.
Practical Tools to Overcome It Now, let’s get tactical. Here are tools I use and teach my clients to
beat imposter syndrome before and during speaking gigs. 1. Reframe the Voice – Instead of: ‘Who
am I to be here?’ try: ‘I was chosen to be here for a reason.’ 2. Anchor in Service – Shift the focus.
It’s not about you, it’s about the audience. 3. Preparation is Confidence – The more prepared you
are, the less power that voice has. 4. Borrow Confidence – Visualise someone who believes in you.
Step onto the stage carrying their belief when your own feels shaky. 5. Celebrate Evidence of
Success – Keep a ‘Speaker Wins’ folder: testimonials, client emails, photos of you on stage. 6.
Post-Gig Reflection – After every talk, instead of asking: ‘Did I do enough?’ ask: ‘What’s one thing
that went well? What’s one thing I’ll improve next time?’
Closing Motivation & CTA So here’s the big takeaway: if you’re feeling imposter syndrome, it
doesn’t mean you’re not ready. It means you’re pushing yourself into the exact spaces you’re meant
to be in. Every speaker you admire has felt it. The only difference is, they didn’t let it stop them. So
next time that voice whispers: ‘Who am I to be on this stage?’ answer back: ‘I’m exactly who I need
to be. And I’m here to serve.’If this episode hit home for you, and you’re ready to take your speaking career seriously, I’d love to invite you to join my Paid to Speak course. Inside, I give you the exact frameworks, templates, and strategies to not only overcome imposter syndrome, but to pitch yourself, land gigs, and get paid thousands to do what you love.
Head to www.jaimieabbott.com.au/paidtospeak or drop me a message with the word GUIDE and I’ll
send you my free checklist to get started.
Thanks for tuning in, and remember: your voice is your most powerful asset. Use it boldly.
