My name is TerryAnn and I am struggling to overcome feeling like an imposter. Do you experience the same? Have you ever felt like you don’t belong, or everyone is going to find out that you don’t deserve your achievements?
If you can relate to those feelings of chronic self-doubt, you too, may be experiencing imposter syndrome.
We are not alone – studies suggest 70% of people experience imposter syndrome at some point in their lifetime.
Overall, imposter syndrome stems from a high sense of self-doubt. Instead of attributing your success to your skills, perhaps you downplay your success and attribute it to luck.
It is time to change your perspective!
Here are some signs you might be suffering from Imposter Syndrome
- Perfectionism. You may set high goals for yourself. Because your goal is perfection, the smallest mistakes may make you feel like a failure.
- Attribute success to luck. You downplay your success because you do not believe you deserve the success, or you believe you are just lucky.
- Unable to recognize success. Instead of celebrating your accomplishments, you worry that others will see “the truth” about your skills and abilities.
- Fear of failure. Because of a fear of failure, you may set challenging goals and be disappointed when those goals fail. You might also take on limited tasks because you fear failure.
- Difficulty asking for help. You might have difficulty asking for help because you believe asking for help will show that you’re wrong or unqualified.
Living with imposter syndrome will often limit your confidence to go after new opportunities because you feel that you do not deserve it.
You can choose to change your perspective and overcome Imposter Syndrome. Changing your perspective opens new possibilities and helps you to realize you have choices.
Steps to Overcome Imposter Syndrome
- Acknowledge imposter feelings. On purpose, become aware when you start feeling like an imposter. Instead of engaging with your thoughts of self-doubt, acknowledge that it is a normal response.
- Understand the root of the cause. Explore within. What is the source of you feel like you don’t belong? Is it due to a fear of failure? Do you believe that you don’t deserve success? Why or why not?
- Focus on facts, not feelings. Change your focus. When you start feeling like a fraud, focus on positive facts. For example, accept that you were chosen for a job interview because of your qualifications.
- Ask yourself if that thought helps or hinders you. Does feeling like a fraud help or hinder you? Is that what you want to be? What kind of person do you want to be? Explore your thoughts.
- Reframe your thoughts. Now that you have recognized and explored your thoughts, it is time take charge of them. Instead of telling yourself that you don’t deserve success, change your perspective and reframe your thoughts to give yourself more credit and enjoy the experience.
Own your accomplishments instead of attributing them to “luck” or “help from others.”
Instead of setting impossibly high standards, set smaller goals so you can enjoy the process.
Remind yourself there will never be the “perfect time.”
Accept that we all have to start somewhere.
- Accept that it’s okay to make mistakes. Instead of fearing failure, develop a healthy response to making mistakes. Accept that it’s normal to make mistakes and learn from each mistake instead.
- Reach out for support. Having a safe space to receive support will help you reduce feelings of being an imposter. When you feel imperfect, make a mistake, or even receive a compliment, your first instinct may be to hide. Instead, start reaching out to an encouraging mentor, coach, or colleague for support. Who in your life would give you the support you need?
Say “thank you” when you receive a compliment.
Practice being honest when you feel imperfect, embarrassed, or have made a mistake.
Share and celebrate your achievements and successes.
Imposter syndrome can make you feel like you’re not good enough, you don’t belong, or you are undeserving. But it’s important to remind yourself that learning and making mistakes does not make you a fraud – it makes you human.
Instead of doubting yourself, take the above steps to build your self-esteem and self-worth.
By changing your PERSPECTIVE, you will find new POSSIBILITIES to explore with PATHWAYS emerging onto which you can choose (yes, you do have choices) to PROCEED. #lifecoachTA