Does it ever feel like your family, friends, teams or colleagues are going to discover you are a fraud and that you do not deserve your role and accomplishments?
Don’t feel alone! According to an article published in the International Journal of Behavioral Science, about 70% of people experience impostor feelings at some point in their lives. And many professionals and entrepreneurs suffer from impostor syndrome.
Impostor syndrome is the direct result of underlying beliefs like I am not good enough; emotions like fear, anxiety or doubt; negative self-talk; constantly comparing yourself to others, or constantly dwelling on your mistakes of the past.
The big question is: How can you overcome impostor syndrome?
Become aware of your feelings and thoughts
According to research, the average person has approximately 60 000 − 70 000 thoughts per day. And 75% of these thoughts are negative!
We are so often caught up in all kinds of actions that we do not pause to observe our feelings and thoughts. Make a habit of pausing every few hours to identify what you have kept your mind busy with and how it makes you feel.
Positive self-talk
As you become more and more aware of the conversation going on in your head when you are in a situation that triggers your impostor feelings, you can consciously change the internal messaging by telling yourself things like: Everyone who starts something new feels a bit uncertain in the beginning. I may not know all the answers but I am smart enough to find them. Everyone here is brilliant and I am going to learn a lot from all of them.
And say these positive messages out loud! You will be surprised how good it feels.
Share your feelings
Perhaps share your feelings with a close friend or colleague. If 70% of people experience impostor feelings at some point in their lives, it means that more than two out of three people around you have similar feelings. Just saying it out loud will already make you feel better.
Comparison
It is a good idea to compare your expectations of yourself with someone you trust. This will assist you in making sure that your personal expectations are realistic and achievable.
Recognise that you have just as much right as the next person to be wrong or have an off day.
Ask when you need help
Many of us feel that asking for help is a sign of being less perfect. It is important to ask for help when needed. It is not a sign of weakness, but rather a sign of maturity. When you have your own practice, it often feels like you should know all the answers. You don’t! Your teams would appreciate it to know that you are only human and sometimes need to find the answer.
Make sure that you build a network that you can lean on.
Visualise the successful you
Visualise success. See yourself being calm and collected and on top of your game. Before an important meeting, task, etc. you can visualise how it will play out in a positive way. The more you do this, the better you will become.
You can even spend a few seconds each morning and evening to visualise this successful you and before you know it you will become successful in your mind and in reality. Whatever your mind can conceive, you can achieve!
In conclusion
Imposter syndrome is real however, it does not have to impact your success.
No one can make you feel inferior without your consent − Eleanor Roosevelt
Author
Zuleka Jasper CA(SA), Leadership & Certified Master Life Transformation Coach, Hypnotherapist
(www.ZulekaCoaching.co.za)
