Crush Imposter Syndrome and Unlock Your Potential
Over the years, as a Career Coach and Therapist, I have helped hundreds of professional adults who often believe they don't belong, aren't enough, and are imposters. This belief persists regardless of their education, experience, credentials, and accomplishments. Their inner narrative is filled with self-doubt, insecurity, perfectionism, and a lack of confidence. This is called “Imposter Syndrome”. We all experience these feelings at different times in our lives. I noticed an increase in these imposter feelings for myself whenever I started a new job or pivoted to a new career or industry.
Imposter feelings stem from an inaccurate and unsustainable perception of what true competence involves. They also reflect an unhealthy reaction to failure, mistakes, setbacks, and constructive criticism. While imposter feelings affect all genders, women tend to discuss them more openly. Furthermore, they are based on the flawed belief that true competence and qualifications must always be evident when these feelings occur.
This involves undervaluing and underestimating our own worth compared to how others see us. It occurs when there's a gap between our internal beliefs about ourselves and the external evidence or perceptions. Most people experiencing imposter feelings are experts at hiding it! You might appear totally confident to others, but deep down, many self-defeating thoughts and self-criticism exist.
Imposter Syndrome exists on a spectrum. People experience these feelings to different degrees. Imposter feelings are associated with:
- Anxiety and depression
- Lower job performance
- Higher risk of burnout
Impacts of Imposter Syndrome include: persistent self-doubt and self-criticism, imposter feelings that hinder you from pursuing new challenges, and a lack of enjoyment or celebration of personal victories. Understanding the roots of imposter feelings can be very helpful. Our early life experiences, family and societal influences, and our personality traits all contribute to shaping these feelings. For example, they can originate from:
- Harsh or critical parents, siblings, partners, or managers
- Perfectionist tendencies
- Feelings of anxiety, fear, and worry
- Earlier roles within our family
- Cultural and societal expectations
Because imposter feelings and Imposter Syndrome are internal experiences, the inner work of understanding your authentic self and learning to reframe your narrative can stop Imposter Syndrome in its tracks. These are ten steps to put aside imposter feelings:
1. Acknowledge your feelings.
2. Challenge your doubts.
3. Reframe beliefs by creating a new narrative.
4. Avoid comparing yourself to others.
5. Show self-compassion.
6. Celebrate your wins.
7. Let go of perfectionism.
8. Adopt a growth mindset.
9. Embrace your strengths and authentic self.
10. Seek professional help.
The way we overcome imposter feelings and imposter syndrome is by changing our inner story, creating a vision, putting aside our self-doubt, and taking action. Need some help getting started? Schedule a complimentary consultation here.