Do You Feel Like an Imposter?

Do you:

• Fear that you will be discovered as a fraud by peers at work?
• Find it difficult to accept and acknowledge praise and rewards for your successes?
• Believe that past wins and successes were not due to your skills and experience but just luck?
• Hold yourself back from contributing at meetings and events – feel like your ideas are only mediocre at best?
• Hesitate or avoid applying for certain positions or promotions because you don’t feel good enough?

 
Usually it’s overachieving, hardworking individuals that demand perfection of themselves and have this false belief that they are going to be found out that they are an imposter in some way. Don’t think you are alone, in fact over 60% of knowledge workers struggle with imposter syndrome. 

So, what can we do about it?

• Keep a Record: - every time you have success no matter how small it is, write it down in a journal so anytime you doubt yourself, you can go to your journal and see all the evidence to show that your thoughts about not being capable or ready are not always a fact. It’s simply a negative thought or belief.
• Talk to someone you can trust:  We are our own worst critics, and our perspectives can be impacted. Getting someone else’s perspective and viewpoint is very helpful.  Besides, it’s highly likely that who you speak to will have experienced this same feeling before and that can be reassuring to hear too, knowing that you are not alone.
• Recognize that perfection is unattainable. No one is perfect. It’s okay to admit when we don’t know the answer sometimes. This is how we grow and learn. 
• Practice out loud: Know what triggers your imposter syndrome and prepare in advance. If it’s wanting to share ideas at a meeting – practice somewhere private and speak it out loud several times to yourself. Sometimes, things sound worse in our heads than they do out loud.  This will help your confidence to step up and share your ideas.

 
"I have written eleven books, but each time I think, 'uh oh, they're going to find out now. I've run a game on everyone, and they're going to find me out.'" - Maya Angelou

Imposter syndrome is simply a negative thinking pattern that can be changed over time with practice.
 
If you would like help in applying this to your life, personal or business - please click here to book in a complimentary call with me Schedule-A-Call