Picture this: You just got a promotion at work, or landed a huge client that you've always wanted. You've been putting in all of the blood, sweat equity, tears, and have been praying for this opportunity for quite some time. You finally get it, it's here! But you're not as elated as you envisioned you'd be, actually, you're a bit uneasy. You start to question yourself and look at the others who were competing for this spot, you question what's the difference between them and you? What makes you so qualified for this position? Should you really be in charge of something so large, so important, so sacred? Who are you after all...?
This uneasy feeling of self doubt is called "Imposter Syndrome". According to the Oxford dictionary, imposter syndrome is: "The persistent inability to believe that one's success is deserved or has been legitimately achieved as a result of one's own efforts or skills."
So now that we have a name for this dubious phenomenon, how do we combat it? Well first things first, lets take a look at the mind. What triggered this series of thoughts in the first place? Does this feeling/series of thoughts serve you in being your greatest self? How so, or how not? Next, we want to dig deeper by asking: "What about this story is true?" Oftentimes while examining this question, we realize that not much of it, if any, is actually true. This is coming from our ego. Now, our ego usually gets a bad reputation when it comes to the self help world, but it DOES serve us in quite a few ways (that's a whole other article lol), so the key is to know when our egos are talking and doing a disservice to us. Awareness is the first step to improvement.
Another way to combat Imposter Syndrome is by writing down all the steps it took to get you were you are today. ALL OF THEM! Even if it started back in middle school when you found out business was your passion, that led you into high school and majoring in it in college. Which then led to you getting your first job, etc. EVERY STEP that prepared you for this moment of success that you're in now. You will start to realize that not only are you qualified, but you have years worth of expertise to lend to your current position along with your unique perspective, you are valuable and have a LOT to contribute.
A few other quick tips:
These tasks work better when written down, our minds process things more efficiently and it sticks in our memories better when we write it down with pen & paper, not typed!
Also, in between tasks, giving yourself some powerful affirmations/ words of encouragement helps a lot as well. Some ideas are: I am capable; I am deserving of everything that I desire; I am valued; I am worthy; I provide things that no one else can provide in this world, it is unique to me, no one can replicate my gifts, experiences & talents".
Imposter syndrome is not a "one-and-done" type of situation, it comes back as it pleases. But just like a muscle group, as you practice these techniques, you get better at recognizing when it's coming & stopping it in its tracks.
If you would like some one-on-one help with combating Imposter Syndrome, or any other limiting beliefs that may be stopping you from being your best self, it may be time to book a consultation with a Life Coach! You can click on the booking link in the top of the page to set up a date today.
Hope these tips helped!
The only limits we have in this life are the ones that we place upon ourselves.
Signed, your local life coach, AJ.