--- title: A Choice of Two Impostors | The Sales Blog description: Many people aren’t living the life they really want to live. They aren’t doing what they want to do, and they aren’t being who they really are. Instead, they’re pretending to be someone else. They’re pretending to be the person that other people expect them to be. It’s easier to pretend to be the person […] image: https://www.thesalesblog.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Screen-Shot-2013-02-09-at-7_30_09-PM.png --- ### [Now booking SKO meetings for 2026/27! 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They aren’t doing what they want to do, and they aren’t being who they really are. Instead, they’re pretending to be someone else. They’re pretending to be the person that other people expect them to be. It’s easier to pretend to be the person that your society and your culture expect you to be. They pretend to be the person their family and friends expect them to be. To be someone different, they’d risk being judged, ridiculed, and ostracized. They would risk disappointing people. So they bury who they really are deep inside them, and they put on a mask. They’re imposters. #### A Horse of a Different Color Then there are people who live the life they want to live. They do exactly what they want to do. They are who they are, and to all outward appearances, they are very comfortable in their own skin. These people[ stop pretending](http://thesalesblog.com/blog/2012/11/09/the-difference-between-dreams-and-daydreams/) to be someone they’re not. They stop trying to meet [other people’s expectations](http://thesalesblog.com/blog/2012/04/20/protect-your-dreams-from-those-who-would-crush-them/). They stand out like a sore thumb, and they are judged, ridiculed, ostracized—and envied—for becoming who they were born to become. They allow the person they really are to shine through. They take off the mask. And for a while, they feel like impostors. They live with a nagging sense of self-doubt. They still deal with their inner critic. They sometimes wonder how they got to where they are. Until one day, they realize that they’re not impostors. They recognize that they live the fuller expression of their life and they contribute more to others than was ever possible when they were pretending to be someone less than who they really are. You have a choice. You can be an impostor and put on a mask. Or you can take off the mask and share your real gift with a world that is waiting—desperately—for you do so, even if it means you might feel like an impostor for a little while. ###### Tags: [Success](https://www.thesalesblog.com/blog/tag/success) [Goals](https://www.thesalesblog.com/blog/tag/goals) [2013](https://www.thesalesblog.com/blog/tag/2013) Post by [Anthony Iannarino](https://www.thesalesblog.com/blog/author/anthony-iannarino) on February 9, 2013 Written and edited by human brains and human hands. ![Anthony Iannarino](https://www.thesalesblog.com/hubfs/ai-blog-profile-crop.jpg) Anthony Iannarino is an American writer. He has published daily at [thesalesblog.com](https://www.thesalesblog.com) for more than 14 years, amassing over 5,300 articles and making this platform a destination for salespeople and sales leaders. Anthony is also the author of four best-selling books documenting modern sales methodologies and a fifth book for sales leaders seeking revenue growth. His latest book for an even wider audience is titled, The Negativity Fast: Proven Techniques to Increase Positivity, Reduce Fear, and Boost Success. Anthony speaks to sales organizations worldwide, delivering cutting-edge sales strategies and tactics that work in this ever-evolving B2B landscape. He also provides workshops and seminars. Connect with Anthony on LinkedIn, X or Youtube. You can email Anthony at [iannarino@gmail.com](mailto:iannarino@gmail.com) [Follow me on my website](https://www.thesalesblog.com/anthony-iannarino) [Follow me on Facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/thesalesblog) [Follow me on LinkedIn ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/iannarino/) [Follow me on Twitter ](http://www.twitter.com/iannarino) [![AISA-square-ad-SKOs-26-27](https://www.thesalesblog.com/hs-fs/hubfs/AISA-square-ad-SKOs-26-27.jpg?width=400&height=400&name=AISA-square-ad-SKOs-26-27.jpg)](https://www.thesalesblog.com/authority) [![ai-cold-calling-video-sidebar-offer-1](https://www.thesalesblog.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ai-cold-calling-video-sidebar-offer-1.jpg?width=318&height=179&name=ai-cold-calling-video-sidebar-offer-1.jpg)](https://www.thesalesblog.com/free-cold-calling-video) ![hustler-ebook-v3-1-cover](https://www.thesalesblog.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Free%20Resources/ebooks-2020/hustler-ebook-v3-1-cover.jpg?width=768&height=994&name=hustler-ebook-v3-1-cover.jpg) ### Guide to Becoming a Sales Hustler You weren’t put here to survive. You were put here to do something and to flourish. You’re here to reach your full potential and to make a difference. [![DOWNLOAD EBOOK](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2922376/5746f431-45b9-48ee-a8d8-e9a950e5ab3f.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2922376/5746f431-45b9-48ee-a8d8-e9a950e5ab3f) ## Are You Ready To Solve Your Sales Challenges? ![Anthony-Solve-Sales](https://www.thesalesblog.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Anthony-Solve-Sales.png?width=290&height=221&name=Anthony-Solve-Sales.png) Hi, I’m Anthony. I help sales teams make the changes needed to create more opportunities & crush their sales targets. What we’re doing right now **is working**, even in this challenging economy. **Would you like some help?** [![Solve for Sales](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2922376/d3a4938b-2008-4a27-8b44-7b2223f6d035.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2922376/d3a4938b-2008-4a27-8b44-7b2223f6d035) ### Join my Weekly Newsletter for Sales Tips Join 100,000+ sales professionals in my weekly newsletter and get my *Guide to Becoming a Sales Hustler* eBook for FREE! --- ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org/", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Anthony Iannarino" }, "dateModified" : "2022-06-16T3:27:40 PM", "datePublished" : "2013-02-09 19:40:05", "description" : "Many people aren’t living the life they really want to live. They aren’t doing what they want to do, and they aren’t being who they really are. Instead, they’re pretending to be someone else. They’re pretending to be the person that other people expect them to be. 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