Imposter Syndrome

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Have you ever felt you’re not good enough at your job and you’ll be found out?

Despite being successful do you think you aren’t as capable as others think you are?

No matter how much evidence there is that we are successfully navigating our lives many of us hold these false beliefs.

 

This is called Imposter Syndrome:  a pattern of thinking that can have a powerful negative impact on your feelings of worth and lead to self-doubt and missed opportunities.

Recognising it and having the tools to overcome it can stop you from limiting your own success.

Do you recognise any of these symptoms?:

  • Crediting your success to luck.
  • Fear of being seen as a failure.
  • Feeling that over working/over delivering is the only way to meet expectations.
  • Feeling unworthy of attention.
  • Down playing accomplishments.
  • Holding back from reaching attainable goals.
  • Feeling burnout, unfulfilled and stressed.

Who are the likely contenders for Imposter Syndrome:

  • Hard workers
  • High achievers
  • Perfectionists

Even Einstein once said that he thought his research got way more attention than he thought it deserved.

Overcoming  Imposter Syndrome starts with recognising your own potential and taking ownership of your achievements:

  • What are your achievements? Create a journal of them as they happen so you can refer back and acknowledge that you have some great accomplishments.
  • Separate your feelings from the facts. Recognise that just because you think these things it doesn’t mean they’re true. If your mind says, ‘I don’t know what I’m talking about,’ remind yourself that you know more than you think you do.
  • Stop comparing. Focus on measuring your own achievements and don’t compare yourself to others. Remind yourself that it tends to be bright, high achievers who have Imposter Syndrome, which says a lot about you.
  • Talk to others. This can give you clarity that your emotions are normal but also irrational.
  • Take action and move forward. Seek coaching to enable you to recognise the feelings associated with Imposter Syndrome and create new beliefs and  behaviours to overcome it and allow yourself to flourish.

Remember success doesn’t require perfection. True perfection is practically impossible, so failing to achieve it doesn’t make you a fraud.

Offering yourself kindness and compassion instead of judgment and self-doubt can help you maintain a realistic perspective and motivate you to pursue healthy self-growth.

If you would like to learn more about Imposter Syndrome and how coaching can enable you to overcome it please drop me a line at louise.pode@proAbility.co.uk.   We are here to help.