Unmasking the imposter

...what if it was all just luck?

Do you ever feel destined for greatness but find yourself haunted by self-doubt? Like you could do anything—until a single thought creeps in, asking: What if it was all just luck?

I’ve felt this way for as long as I can remember. At one point, I thought I was destined for great things, and nothing could stop me. I was determined, relentless, and convinced that I could achieve anything. I had conquered so many challenges, each more difficult than the last, and it felt like a sign that greatness was within my reach. But lately, I’ve found myself questioning everything. I’ve started wondering: What if it wasn’t greatness at all? What if it was just luck, perfectly timed and aligned?

Source: Collected from Pinterest

the delusion of greatness

For a long time, I believed my potential was limitless. After all, I’d faced several obstacles throughout my life, and each time I had come out victorious. It made me feel invincible. My mind would tell me: You’ve been through tough things, and you’ve made it through, so you can do anything now. But now, I’m beginning to ask myself: What if those obstacles weren’t really obstacles at all? What if everything just fell into place because of sheer luck?

This self-doubt hit me unexpectedly, like a wave crashing over my sense of purpose. Instead of feeling certain in my journey, I began to see cracks in my story—doubts about my capabilities, my purpose, and whether everything I had accomplished was really mine to claim. I started thinking: What if I’m just an imposter?

the imposter syndrome

The idea of being an imposter is a familiar, uncomfortable feeling for many of us. You’ve worked hard, you’ve gotten through challenges, but something nags at you in the back of your mind. The question always lingers: What if it was just luck?

I’ve had to grapple with that thought, especially when I see others’ success stories. There’s a nagging voice that tells me, What if they’re right? What if you’re not actually the person you think you are? That’s the imposter syndrome speaking—telling me that I don’t belong, that my achievements don’t count. I wonder: What if I’m just in the right place at the right time, and when that luck runs out, I’m left with nothing?

Reading Malcolm Gladwell’s Outliers only deepened this feeling. In his book, Gladwell discusses how many successful people owe their achievements to a combination of talent and external factors—the right place, the right time. For example, Bill Gates didn’t become a tech mogul just because of his genius; he had access to resources and opportunities that were available to him at just the right moment. Suddenly, I felt like everything I had done might be just a series of fortunate coincidences rather than results of my effort or skill.

It was an unsettling thought. What if my entire career is just a product of being in the right place at the right time? What if everything I’ve worked for could slip away with just one misstep?

the fear of missing the mark

This fear is something I struggle with constantly: that one mistake, one missed opportunity, could derail everything I’ve worked for. The stakes feel high, and the pressure feels even higher. I’ve started questioning the very foundation of my ambitions. What if I’m not as destined for greatness as I thought?

The truth is, there’s always a part of me that’s convinced of my potential. There’s a belief, however fragile, that I’m meant for something more. But the doubt is always lurking. What if I never become the diplomat I once dreamed of being? What if I never sit on the bench as a judge? What if I’ve only reached this point in my life by chance?

But then I realize that this internal conflict is not unique. It’s something that many of us go through, especially when we are striving for something we’re not sure we can fully grasp. We’re all navigating these feelings of doubt, and they don’t make our aspirations any less valid.

reconciliation of doubts

I’ve spent a lot of time questioning myself, wondering whether I’ve only ever been running from one thing to the next. But the truth is, I’ve made progress. I’ve worked in BigLaw, set up private equity funds, and ventured into capital markets. These accomplishments may not be as glamorous as they sound, but they’re mine. And they count, no matter how much I question them.

The dreams I’ve held onto—becoming a diplomat, a judge—are still alive in me. The road hasn’t been easy, and it’s not as straightforward as I once thought. But it doesn’t mean the journey is over. It means it’s still unfolding. I haven’t failed, even if I haven’t reached every milestone I set for myself.

the limitless potential of our 20s

In your twenties, it’s common to feel like you’re on the brink of something incredible, to feel like the world is full of limitless possibilities. But what happens when those dreams aren’t immediately realized? What happens when the path is unclear, and the doubts start to creep in? You begin to wonder if your expectations are just illusions. Am I like everyone else, or am I meant for something greater?

It’s easy to feel like a failure when things aren’t progressing as expected. It’s easy to forget that the path to greatness is rarely linear. And sometimes, it’s okay to wonder: What if everything goes wrong? What if I never become who I thought I would be?

But the truth is, these doubts are part of the journey. They don’t invalidate the work I’ve done or the person I’m becoming. The greatness I’m chasing isn’t just about the destination; it’s about the person I’m becoming along the way. Each step, each failure, and each triumph is a piece of the story that’s still being written.

final thoughts

Maybe, just maybe, the real challenge isn’t in accomplishing every goal we set for ourselves. It’s in accepting the journey—imperfections, failures, and doubts included. In the end, perhaps the greatness we seek isn’t in the destination, but in learning to navigate our fears along the way.

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P.S. Do you ever feel the weight of imposter syndrome on your own journey? How do you manage those feelings while still chasing your dreams? Let me know in the comments. Love, Anna 💕