Imposter Syndrome
I was recently asked by a client how you ‘get rid’ of imposter syndrome.
I’ve tried to banish Imposter syndrome many times in the past, but now, I believe that getting to know it is way more effective than trying to resist and deny it.
Here are my top Tips for managing Imposter Syndrome
1. Explore it
Let your brain explore your biggest, wildest impostery fears, approach this from a place of curiosity and openness, write it all down, don’t edit, it doesn’t matter how ridiculous some of it sounds.
Are there any facts in there (actual facts that could be proven in a court of law), then with an attitude of fascination, challenge what's left:
“Is it actually possible to be given a job by mistake? No.
Is it illegal to not have a degree but to have this amazing job? No.
Has anyone actually told me I’m doing it wrong (if they have, can it be helpful feedback?) No.
Why do I think I have to have a business qualification to run my own successful; business? Because someone once told me... some BS once.”
2. Give Equal Airtime to an alternative thought
Ask yourself ‘what if the opposite were true?’
“I don’t deserve to have this job”
Follow it with
“I do deserve to have this job”
This will help you to see there are other options, you will gradually begin to be less sold on your imposter story. Know that these thoughts of inadequacy are not fact, they are just optional thoughts that you have thought about quite a few times. No need to believe them and wrestle and resist them, instead get curious and know that they are not facts.
3. Write down all the reasons why it is possible that you might not be an imposter
Here are some queues that you might find helpful:
What are you great at?
What great ideas have you thought up?
What great things have you done?
How did you achieve those things?
How do you create value every day?
What are you really good at?
How do you show up for yourself everyday?
Imposter syndrome can be a bit of a bugger as you most likely crave acknowledgement and praise but when you do get it you feel uncomfortable, because you really don’t think you deserve the praise and you just want the ground to swallow you up.
Practice giving yourself that praise by acknowledging your value.
4. Write your own permission slip
Give yourself permission to be where you are, you do not need to be an expert to be a success.
You don’t need to do it the way everyone else is doing it. You are not an imposter, you are here, and you are real, and you are exactly where you are supposed to be.