How do you make imposter syndrome vanish
Who do you think you are?
I have been asked to run Imposter Syndrome Workshops recently.
Thing is – there’s a lot of it about.
You Are Not Alone
Many of us sometimes feel we don’t belong, or are a fraud.
And if this happens to high achieving individuals we often call it Imposter Syndrome.
In one study 70% of successful people reported these feelings.
…so how do we ‘fix’ it?
Here’s the thing.
It’s not easy to ‘fix’.
Self-doubt is just…well…self-doubt.
It’s not a syndrome at all.
Just a term developed in 1978 - where it is first mentioned as Imposter Phenomenon.
Feeling a bit of Imposter Syndrome currently?
Consider the thing you are feeling imposter-y about.
My guess it’s a complex task, something new, or something you haven’t fully got the hang of yet…
And that’s the key.
You haven’t entirely grasped it - Yet.
But I bet you will still do a pretty good job.
Some things to bear in mind:
A bit of self-doubt can help boost performance.
Take these runners.
They probably felt a bit nervous on the start line, but the extra adrenalin may just give them the edge…
Stand back and ask yourself, ‘How logical are these ‘Imposter’ thoughts?’
Being the first person who looks like you to step into this role can be another trigger for feelings of self-doubt...
…so why not try visualising success?
Whose voice is saying you have Imposter Syndrome?
Yours? See above
Some else’s?
If so – why are they saying this?
Is this helpful or not?
If it’s not helpful, feel free to ignore their label.
So - with Easter around the corner and focus on spring growth – maybe this is a good time to pause and grow our Growth Mindset…
Talking of growth, I just potted on these little beauties…
Explore More
Here’s a fab podcast with the lovely Sarah Goulding and Rachel Morris discussing Imposter Syndrome.
And a website with some interesting info.
And in Other News…
Earth Day is just round the corner - on April 22nd.
I’m going for more plant based meals and less plastic use. (Yup, those are plastic free flowerpots in the photo...) – more ideas here.
Get in touch
Click below to book your Coaching Discovery Call
And some availability for Thrive Workshops
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If you’ve enjoyed this instalment of Thrive Well– please share the love and tell your friends!
And I’ll leave you with a quote
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out …where the doer of deeds could have done them better.
The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly, who errs…because there is no effort without error and shortcoming…”
-Theodore Roosevelt, 1910
(I love this quote, despite being a bit gendered, I’ll let Teddy off just this once as it is over a century old…)
What does your arena look like?
I’d love to hear your thoughts! Send me an email - I’m on theworkingwellexperience@gmail.com
Photo Credits – Photo 1 Photo by Nicolas Hoizey on Unsplash, Photo 2 – Me J, Photo 3 - Photo by Kieran Everett on Unsplash
