All Growth Happens Outside the Comfort Zone

Yesterday on a coaching call with my client, we unpacked imposter syndrome.

Like most of my other clients, she is a rock star in her field of expertise. The problem starts when she has to work on a task or a project outside of her comfort zone.

The internal narrative goes something like this…

“I haven’t done this work before.”

“I must not fail. People will think I have been faking it all this while.”

“I must not fail…. Ohh.. where do I even start? I must work extra hard to make sure I don’t mess this up.”

Even when they do the job successfully, the negativity continues “I did it…!) "

“But what if I am a one-time success story?”

“I just got lucky… I only did it because I got help… I couldn’t have possibly done it on my own.”

“Why is my boss only giving me positive feedback? They don’t know what they are talking about.”

Another new project comes, and the self-doubt continues

“I haven’t done this work before.”

“Last time no one caught me.”

“I am a failure.”

Did you notice the negative habit loop? What starts as “I must not fail” slowly becomes “I am a failure.”

The stories we tell ourselves either help us become more self-confident or push us deeper into the self-sabotaging loop of doubt, anxiety, and feelings of fraudulence.

I have summarized these feelings in the illustration below.

Have you been telling yourself a similar story?

You are not alone. Research says that 70% of people have experienced Imposter Syndrome at some point in their careers, including highly accomplished doctors, lawyers, Silicon Valley CEOs, and entrepreneurs.

It is time to become comfortable in your skin and start owning your success. Here are three things you can do today to break the negative habit loop of Imposter Syndrome:

Attack the trigger

When tasked with a new project that you have little expertise in, instead of thinking “I need to prove yourself”, reframe the task “What a great chance to learn something new”!

Remember, you are not expected to know everything. You got here because of your ability to learn new things and deliver results, and you’ll be able to do the same for this project.

Alter your behavior

Next time someone asks you what made you successful, instead of attributing it to luck or external help, change your response to, “Because I am good at my job.”

Our brains are neuroplastic, i.e., by doing things differently, we have the ability to create new pathways and connections, and alter our thoughts and beliefs. Speak positively about yourself with conviction, and slowly you’ll start believing in your brilliance.

Accept the reward

Next time someone compliments you on the great job done, simply say “Thank you FULL STOP”.

Skip the urge to dismiss it to luck, help, long hours, or any other external factors that might come to your mind. It will feel very uncomfortable in the beginning, but hey… all growth happens outside the comfort zone.

Until next time.

Cheers, Richa Bansal

Career Coach and Founder, Pinkcareers