The experience of the inner saboteur in the Marketing Industry
Ever had that sinking feeling before a big pitch—the thought that you’re somehow ‘faking it’? Even the most experienced marketers know this feeling well. It’s called imposter syndrome, and it thrives on self-doubt. But a perspective to consider is that: self-doubt isn’t proof that you’re unqualified—it’s an indicator that you’re growing.
Success isn’t linear or one-size-fits-all. The marketing industry demands adaptability, experimentation, and the courage to show up—even when uncertainty lingers. Yet, even the most accomplished marketers, especially in Southeast Asia, find themselves questioning their own expertise, hesitating to claim their achievements.
What is Imposter Syndrome? Imposter syndrome is the persistent feeling that we don’t deserve our success—that at any moment, someone will “find out” we’re not as capable as they think. It’s not a reflection of our actual skills but a psychological pattern rooted in self-doubt.
It’s easy to mistake imposter syndrome for modesty, to assume that hesitating to claim our achievements makes us more grounded. Cultural factors often amplify these feelings. In Southeast Asian work environments, humility is valued, and self-promotion can feel uncomfortable.
The fear of being perceived as overconfident or “too much” can lead marketers to downplay their expertise, hesitate to share ideas, or avoid taking up leadership roles. But the truth is, these feelings don’t reflect reality—they are simply emotional resistance to growth.
The 4 Ps of Imposter Syndrome in Marketing
There are four common ways imposter syndrome manifests, often without us even realizing it:
- Perfectionism – The flawless trap and endless cycle of tweaking and editing because ‘good enough’ never feels good enough, stemmed from overthinking.
- Paralysis – When expectations overwhelm and turn into inaction, freezing you before you even start and second-guess every decision.
- People-Pleasing – Overcommitting or sacrificing your creative instincts to meet others’ expectations.
- Procrastination – Avoiding tasks that feel too important to get wrong—so you fill your time with ‘busy work’ instead.
These behaviors feel protective, but in truth, they hold us back. They make us wait for a version of ourselves that feels “ready” when readiness only comes through action.
For marketers, these tendencies can result in missed opportunities, stalled career growth, and burnout. The key to overcoming them is understanding that imposter syndrome isn’t a reflection of our abilities—it’s a psychological response to change.
Procrastination: Emotional Resistance to Change
Procrastination is one of the clearest indicators of imposter syndrome. It often disguises itself as a harmless delay, a momentary pause before we take action. But beneath the surface, it is something deeper—an emotional resistance to change.
There’s a certain safety in staying within the bounds of what we know. Even when a version of ourselves no longer fits, there’s comfort in its predictability.
The hesitation, the avoidance, the seemingly endless cycle of busywork all stem from a reluctance to step into a new version of ourselves. The reason we stall is not because we are incapable, but because movement forward requires leaving behind the familiar.
The more something has the power to redefine how we see ourselves, the harder it becomes to take action.
Writing a campaign strategy? Launching a personal brand? Pitching to a major client? These are tasks that have the potential to enhance our careers. But that also means they have the potential to challenge our self-perception—so we avoid them.
The weight of our aspirations makes the risk feel greater. What if we fail at something we truly care about? What if stepping outside our comfort zone dulls the passion that brought us here in the first place? We hesitate, not because we lack ambition, but because the fear of misstepping can feel heavier than the excitement of progress.
How to Break the Cycle: Next time you find yourself stalling, ask: “What’s the smallest action I can take right now?”Whether it’s outlining a brief, writing one sentence, or brainstorming ideas—it’s the momentum that matters most.
The Discomfort of Growth
Marketing, at its core, is about communication, creativity, and connection. But somehow, the very people who craft compelling narratives can also struggle to believe in their own.
When left unchecked, this doubt doesn’t just live in the background—it actively stalls progress. The campaigns that never get pitched, the content that stays in drafts, the opportunities that feel too big to claim. Not because the work isn’t good enough, but because the mind resists stepping into the discomfort of growth.
Instead of waiting for fear to disappear, what if we accepted that “feeling” as part of the growth process?
The key is recognising that procrastination and imposter syndrome stem from self-doubt rather than incompetence. When we see them for what they are—mental roadblocks, not reality—we shift from hesitation to self-trust.
Awareness allows us to break free from the cycle, shifting from hesitation to self-trust. It’s about acknowledging that the fear we feel doesn’t mean we’re unqualified; it means we’re stepping into new territory, stretching beyond the limits of who we once were.
From that awareness, we move to action—publishing that article, leading that campaign, applying for that promotion—even when fear is present.
And when we pause, it’s not out of avoidance, but out of intention. Rest should be mindful, not an excuse to delay action.
Instead of seeing chaos as a reason to pause, we can start seeing it as proof that change is already happening. The transition from self-doubt to confidence isn’t a single moment—it’s a process of stepping into our future selves, one action at a time.
We are not meant to be certain before we act. The idea that confidence should come first is a myth—most of the time, confidence is built through action, not before it. The fear of stepping into something new isn’t proof that we’re unqualified; it’s proof that we’re pushing past our limits, and that’s uncomfortable.
Afterthought
The next time imposter syndrome whispers “You’re not ready,” remember this: readiness doesn’t come before action—it comes because of it. Choose the next small step. Then take it.
Instead of waiting to feel ready, we can recognize that readiness is often a byproduct of movement. Every successful marketer, entrepreneur, and creative has faced the same doubts. The difference isn’t that they never felt fear—it’s that they didn’t let fear decide for them. They made the choice to act, to put their work out there, to risk getting it wrong, knowing that growth only happens on the other side of uncertainty.
Anaïs Nin once wrote, “Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage.” And that courage isn’t about reckless leaps—it’s about taking the next step, even when self-doubt lingers. Expansion isn’t about forcing confidence; it’s about moving forward despite discomfort, trusting that clarity will come as we go. Because progress doesn’t happen in the safety of what we know—it happens when we dare to step beyond it.
Karma Wisdom | Curated research written by Anya Junor