Tips For Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
If you are reading this, you are probably not alone. Many people suffer from imposter syndrome, and it can be a real challenge to overcome. While there is no simple solution that works for everyone, there are some steps that can help reduce the effects of imposter syndrome and move forward with confidence. In this post I will outline what these steps are, as well as how they can help you overcome your own feelings of self-doubt or inadequacy as a leader or professional (or both!).
We all have moments of self-doubt
You may have a lot of feelings about impostor syndrome. You might be angry that you haven’t achieved more in your career, or frustrated by the fact that you feel like an imposter despite all the work you put into your job. But what’s important is that you acknowledge these feelings and recognize them for what they are—a normal part of being human. We all have moments of self-doubt, even if we don’t want to admit it.
But while acknowledging your own self-doubt is important, it won't help you overcome those feelings or move forward professionally. You need strategies for working through those negative thoughts and emotions so that they don't stop your progress toward achieving what matters most to you
We need to be a part of something bigger than us
Being part of something bigger than yourself helps you overcome the feelings that you're not good enough. When you realize that what you do matters, and that it contributes to something greater than yourself, it can be easier to put your own worries aside and focus on the larger picture.
You don't have to look far for examples of this type of community: your family, friends, co-workers and even people on Twitter or Facebook are all part of an online community that extends far beyond just the boundaries of one person's life. Even if they don't know each other personally (or at all), these people are still connected because they share common goals or interests with each other—whether it's supporting someone who needs help or sharing a funny video about cats who love broccoli salad.
Comparing yourself to others will hold you back
In the world of comparison, it's easy to get caught up in trying to be better than everyone else. But comparing yourself with other people is not a good idea and will only hold you back from getting where you want to go. There are many reasons why this is true:
You don't know what they've been through or how they grew into the person they are today.
The path that got them where they are will never be yours because it's not your journey—it's theirs!
The steps that got them there may have been difficult or even downright painful for them—and if it was hard for them, then chances are it will be hard for you too!
When we compare ourselves with others, we're essentially saying "I'm better than that person" or "I'm worse than so-and-so." Remember that everyone has their own struggles and challenges (we can't help but compare), but we all have different strengths as well! We're all on our own journey, so let's focus on supporting each other along the way instead of worrying about how far ahead or behind one another we might be.
Be kind to yourself
You may be feeling overwhelmed or even afraid to admit that you're not as smart or talented as you thought. But it's important to remember that the only way to overcome your imposter syndrome is by being kind and compassionate toward yourself. If you can learn how to give yourself space and allow yourself to make mistakes, then your imposter syndrome will begin to fade away. You might recognize that everyone feels this way sometimes—and it's okay!
Welcome fear into your life
Fear is the signal that you are pushing yourself. If you feel afraid, it means that something important to you is at stake and that your vulnerable self is involved.
The important part here isn't the fear itself—it's what we do with it. We can use our fears as an indicator of what to change about ourselves, or how to adjust our goals for greater success. Fear tells us when we're doing something worthwhile in our lives; even if there's no clear path forward, knowing where we want to go helps us determine how far along the journey we've come and where we need to go next!
Identify and stop negative self-talk
You can't change what you're not aware of. The first step in overcoming imposter syndrome is identifying your negative self-talk, so that you can learn to recognize it, and then stop yourself from believing it.
A common way that imposter syndrome manifests is through internalized self-criticism and guilt. You may find yourself thinking things like: "I don't deserve this opportunity," or "I'm going to mess up." If this sounds familiar, take note of the thoughts that run through your mind whenever a situation arises where you feel like an “imposter” at work (e.g., when presented with praise from colleagues). These thoughts are often automatic, but they can be replaced with positive statements as well (e.g., "This project is a great learning opportunity for me" or “Everyone deserves an opportunity like this now and then").
Your mindset sets you up for success
If you're constantly telling yourself that you're not good enough or smart enough, or that you'll never achieve your goals, then you'll never be able to overcome imposter syndrome. It's important to recognize the role of your mindset in achieving success and realize that your mind can be changed.
In order to overcome imposter syndrome, it's necessary to adopt a growth mindset—the belief that intelligence and ability can be developed through effort, rather than being innate qualities. People with a growth mindset will set themselves up for success by working hard and focusing on learning new things over time; those with fixed mindsets are more likely to avoid challenges because they believe their abilities are fixed (and thus may not invest in developing them).
Stop waiting for the 'right time' (there isn't one!)
The first step in overcoming imposter syndrome is to stop waiting for the 'right time' to start. There isn't one, and the sooner you start, the sooner you will see results.
It's easy to get into a negative loop where we tell ourselves that now is not a good time because we're too busy or stressed or tired. But what happens when tomorrow comes and all of those things still apply? You'll just find another excuse!
Procrastination feeds fear; fear feeds procrastination; they feed off each other until they've become an unstoppable force that keeps us from even starting projects we know would be good for our careers or ourselves.
You have to be willing to fail in order to succeed
You have to be willing to fail in order to succeed.
Failure is part of the journey and should not be seen as a bad thing. Failure can actually help you identify what you need to change, and it's a learning opportunity for growth. Just because something didn't work out doesn't mean that it was a total disaster—it just means that there was one step between where you were and where you wanted to go. The next time around, use what you learned from trying but failing at something as an opportunity for improvement!
Do not let imposter syndrome get in the way of your success!
Don't let imposter syndrome get in the way of your success!
Impostor syndrome is a feeling of intellectual fraudulence, whereby an individual doubts his or her accomplishments and has a persistent internalized fear of being exposed as a "fraud." It occurs across all populations, but women tend to experience it more often than men. If you have been feeling like there are others who are better than you at what they do, or that somehow someone will find out that this isn't really your job and oust you from it—you may be experiencing impostor syndrome.
The good news is that there are many things we can do about impostor syndrome:
Set goals for yourself and work hard toward them. This will give structure to your life, allowing for greater self-confidence as well as accomplishment.
Take time each day for self-care—exercise, eat well, meditate—anything that makes you feel good about yourself will help combat the negative thoughts associated with imposter syndrome! Self-esteem is key here; if we don't love ourselves then no one else will either!
If you are feeling like an imposter, it’s important to remember the following:
We all have moments of self-doubt. When we do, we need to be a part of something bigger than us—whether that means connecting with others who understand what it is like to feel like an imposter or reminding ourselves that we are not alone on our journey. Comparing yourself to others will hold you back from reaching your full potential because there will always be someone who is better than you at something and vice versa. Be kind to yourself by recognizing negative self-talk as just that—negative and unproductive! Your mindset sets you up for success (or failure) so choose wisely when it comes time for making decisions about where you want your life headed next. Welcome fear into your life; don't run away from it because overcoming challenges is where growth happens! Finally, do not let imposter syndrome get in the way of taking action today because tomorrow never comes without doing something today first!
