What do you do if you're struggling with imposter syndrome in your professional life?

The first thing you want to do is acknowledge your feelings and have a tool that helps you differentiate between self doubt and truths about yourself. Sometimes, those voices are deeply ingrains and you have taken them on as truth from others. Not having the proper tools and strategies can lead to chronic overthinking and low self esteem. I like to tackle these areas first when supporting clients.

If you’re feeling imposter syndrome you absolutely must face those doubts head-on and never let them simmer in the background. I coach my clients to understand the roots of these feelings, and this enables the necessary mindset shift. I’ll always question the validity of my clients doubts and actively working to replace them with positive affirmations. I want to set the foundation for them to build, stronger, more confident self regard. It's a process, but it's definitely one that moves in the right direction.

In my experience, imposter syndrome could be triggered by a new challenge that feels overwhelming or by comparing oneself to others. It’s of primary importance to be in awareness of your feelings and look for similarities in your current circumstances that trigger you. Don’t deny the feeling or judge yourself. Feeling like an imposter is a common feeling among high achievers, so it’s also reassuring to know that you’re not alone; the feeling is common and will pass. To overcome the feeling in the moment, replace thoughts of inadequacy with a thoughtful list of your accomplishments and revisit your achievements to remind yourself that you earned the right to be in your position. Look at how far you’ve come and celebrate the present.

If you're grappling with imposter syndrome, it's crucial to first acknowledge that you're not alone; many high-achievers face similar challenges. Start by reframing your thoughts: recognise your accomplishments as evidence of your competence rather than luck. Embrace the learning process and focus on growth rather than perfection. Seek support from mentors or peers who can provide perspective and encouragement. Practice self-compassion and celebrate your successes, no matter how small. Remember, it's okay to feel uncertain at times, but don't let imposter syndrome hold you back from reaching your full potential.

Acknowledging your feelings is the first step towards overcoming imposter syndrome. I remember a time when I felt out of place in a leadership role. Instead of ignoring those feelings, I confronted them. By acknowledging my insecurities, I was able to address them head-on and work towards building confidence in my abilities.

I love to keep a folder in my phone and on Google drive that I call my "receipts" folder. It's where I place screenshots of text messages, emails, DMs, audio notes, videos, etc. that people have sent to me and directly articulate the impact or value of the work that I've done or are simply encouragement and compliments that I've received from others. When I'm having moments where I feel like an imposter, I take a few minutes to go find 3-5 receipts to affirm my ability to create, impact, problem solve, teach, etc. It never fails to help me to release some of the anxiety & tension that comes with feeling like an imposter and to change my perspective on my ability.

The work must be done within. You are more than enough regardless of the wins or losses. Write down 10 things you are grateful for and you will realise you need to be more intentional in gratitude giving. Share your wins with others. Accept compliments and never downloaded pay your abilities. Celebrate small successes and never stop showing up.

I ask my clients to actively keep a record of their achievements because it’s an effective way to visually confront the imposter syndrome. They then have a daily tangible reminder of their true abilities and hard work. I remind then to review their successes, especially during times of doubt, as this reinforces self-worth and competence. I’ll often encourage them to get comfortable sharing their achievements with supportive peers or mentors, because this invites external validation, further countering their feelings of fraudulence. This sounds simple but it's a powerful method to remind ourselves that our contributions are valuable and a result of our own effort and skills.

It's important to remind yourself of your accomplishments and the experiences that got you to where you are today. Use reflection techniques to write down and keep track of your achievements.

Celebrating achievements, no matter how small, is crucial in combating imposter syndrome. I recall a project where I initially doubted my capability to lead. However, by recognizing and celebrating each milestone achieved by the team, I not only boosted morale but also acknowledged my own contributions, gradually diminishing feelings of inadequacy.

Obviously as a coach I’ll give feedback, but yes I’ll also encourage them to seek additional feedback. Feedback is critical for growth and self-improvement, whether outright positive or constructive criticism , providing new insights and perspectives helps people see where they can enhance their skills. And let’s not forget that encouragement from friends and family substantially boosts our confidence. I’ll always remind clients that it’s important to balancing the feedback with their own self-assessment to ensures it does help their development without damaging their self-esteem. I find this approach not only helps tackle imposter syndrome but also creates a supportive network that encourages growth.

Being open to the feedback is important. I have seen people ask for feedback but really just want positive affirmation of what they have done. Being open to constructive criticism is important for self-improvement. It can be hard to hear, but learning from criticism can really help you grow as an individual, and as a professional. Every piece of feedback is not necessarily correct, so evaluate carefully and honestly what has been said and take action on things that move the needle in the right direction.

Seeking feedback and support is essential for personal and professional growth. I've always encouraged open communication within my teams. By actively seeking feedback, whether positive or constructive, I not only improved my skills but also gained reassurance from others, dispelling any doubts caused by imposter syndrome.

Be aware of your self talk, what is the story you tell yourself, that will form your mental image of who you are. Negative self talk fuels the story to your imposter syndrome.

In my own bouts with imposter syndrome, I found that the best way for me to overcome is to tell myself that I am here for a reason. I assess my own strengths and weakness and get to work on turning my weaknesses into strengths. I also tell myself that I am where I am for a reason. My talents and skills got me here. I need to trust myself and do my best. Focusing on sharing based on my strengths and not the strengths of others is important to building confidence. We're not all meant to have the same strengths. Understand that we all have something to bring to the table.

As a coach one of my objectives is always to shift my clients mindset. In this scenario I want them to see and recognize in themselves that they have the power to learn and achieve as opposed to feeling like an imposter. This often significantly shifts their perspective and overall outlook. The positive shift reduces the impact of negative thoughts and gives them a balanced view of their abilities and contributions. People need to be able to appreciate their own uniqueness and set realistic goals, these are powerful steps towards building confidence and eliminating those feelings of fraudulence.

We can all struggle with some sort of imposter syndrome at times. Recognizing that these thoughts are not truths but that little self-critical judge that we all have according to Positive Intelligence Research. When these thoughts come up, it's important to identify them and then replace them with actual facts that remind you that your experience, expertise and value is real. This works well as a written exercise. Our minds are quick to remember al the things we perceive as negative or wrong and rarely what's good and right, so start a list of your own "expertise receipts". All of the little wins, knowledge gains, contributions that come up each day. Write them down so you can remember them when you need to.

As an RTT therapist, I’ve seen how imposter syndrome can distort your self-view, magnifying mistakes and minimizing strengths. RTT helps you reframe your thinking by uncovering and addressing the root causes of these beliefs. Recognize yourself as a learner and achiever. Focus on what you can learn and do, rather than what you lack. Embrace your uniqueness and set realistic goals. Understand that growth comes from both successes and setbacks. By changing your perspective, you can transform your mindset and appreciate your true capabilities. This shift is key to overcoming imposter syndrome.

When imposter syndrome hits, I pause and jot down my achievements, big or small, to remind myself of my capabilities. Talking to supportive colleagues or a mentor also helps me gain perspective and reassurance. It's important to recognize that self-doubt is common, but it shouldn't overshadow our accomplishments and potential.

Yes, go out there and redeem yourself. Wade-off the fears of darkness. Look back at your last project, whether it was successful or it needed more efforts, you have learnt how to deal with situations. Remember, nobody is perfect. Appreciate yourself for getting the opportunity. Today is my day. I can do it. I'm the best. Reach out to your colleagues, friends for support. Accept the challenges and be a go-getter. If not this time then never. Motivation, self appreciation, knowledge, past achievements will encourage you to face & accept challenges. So be the hero you always dreamt of.

Embracing challenges is fundamental for growth and development. I've encountered numerous obstacles throughout my career, each presenting an opportunity to learn and improve. Instead of letting imposter syndrome hold me back, I embraced these challenges as chances to prove my worth and expand my skills, ultimately strengthening my confidence as a leader.

3 tips I would implement to overcome imposter syndrome in my professional life: 1. Shift Your Focus: Instead of comparing yourself to others and their achievements, focus on your own growth and accomplishments. 2. Reframe Self-Doubt: That nagging voice in your head telling you you're not good enough? Reframe it! Recognize self-doubt as a common human experience, not a reflection of reality. 3. Embrace the "Learning Mindset": View challenges and setbacks as opportunities to learn and grow. Approach every situation as a chance to become better at what you do.

Imposter syndrome is very common and a lot of people suffer from it in some way, shape or form. I think it's important to find a way to overcome it, if we feel it stops us in our life and / or career. Methods to do so can include coaching, talking therapy and also hypnotherapy which I personally find very powerful, because it allows us to dive into the subconscious mind, which is where a lot of those blockers sit.

1. Track Your Wins: Don't rely solely on memory. Keep a record of your achievements, positive feedback you've received, and completed projects. Review this logbook during moments of self-doubt to reinforce your competence. (Provides a concrete strategy for self-assurance) 2.Reframe Comparisons: Instead of comparing yourself to others, focus on your own growth trajectory. Celebrate how far you've come and the skills you've developed. (Shifts focus from competition to personal development) 3.Embrace the "Not Yet": Acknowledge that there will always be things you don't know. View challenges as opportunities to learn and expand your skillset. Embrace the "not yet" mentality, knowing you can acquire the knowledge or skills you need.

Imposter Syndrome is more common than people realise. It goes by many names: self-doubt, the voice inside my head, lack of confidence and many more. I struggled with it for many years and no matter what others said, I couldn't get over it. Eventually, I started studying it and working with accredited coaches. Only once I became self-aware (aware of my emotions and deep-seated values) could I understand where it came from and how to overcome it. Working with a coach to overcome it, is highly recommend.

?? Luego de recorrer estos pasos, hay que saber que el síndrome del impostor es bastante más frecuente de lo que pensamos. ?? Lograr reconocerlo y ponerle nombre es el primer paso. ?? Se trabaja durante mucho tiempo, quizás toda la vida. ?? Reconocerlo y elegir cuando gestionarlo y cuando no, nos da libertad, tranquilidad y confianza. ?? Siempre es recomendable trabajarlo con un profesional: Coach o Psicólogo.