Conquer Imposter Syndrome: Self-Confidence Boosting Strategies

We envision getting an appraisal at work, with our bosses and colleagues appreciating the hard work that led to that moment. However, a thought pops up in our head, “Do we truly deserve this recognition? Maybe we made the wrong decision. It just happened to be a stroke of luck.” Interested in knowing what this experience is called? Read on for the particulars.

What Is Imposter Syndrome?

Have you ever started your day feeling inadequate or second-guessing yourself? It happens to the best of people, especially when they often overthink. Imposter Syndrome is a common experience that can make us feel like we don't deserve certain things in life, and there is a consistent fear of being exposed as fraud, even when they are not. It can be tough, leading to physical and mental burnout. As research states, after the COVID-19 pandemic, about 71 per cent of employees question their ability to work in a professional setting. 63 per cent of the same employees have been diagnosed with Imposter Syndrome. This goes beyond the workplace; 90 per cent of all Asian-American college students have been diagnosed with the same, mostly due to academic stress and not being able to fit in. Phew! Numbers can be so scary at times, but the good news is that there are ways to boost one's self-confidence!

Strategies to Boost Self-Confidence

Stop the Comparison Ordeal

They say that “Rome wasn’t built in a day’’, so for someone learning to tame self-doubt, it would take time. In the process, it is pretty common to compare ourselves to others. But next time we do that, we need to remind ourselves that we are not in competition with other people. It is important to appreciate the experiences we have had, good or bad, because they have led us to be who we are today. To bring about this positive change, writing down their accomplishments helps, as it allows them to reflect on how far we have come.

Interact with Positive People

Sometimes, we can’t choose our surroundings, and we may find ourselves surrounded by negative people. On certain occasions, we might not realise the negative impact some people could have on us. To keep a check on one’s environment, we should ask ourselves the following questions: “Are we happy with this friend?” “Are they contributing to our personal positive growth?” “Do we feel judged around this person”? From here on, let’s focus on surrounding ourselves with “GOOD VIBES’’.

Facing Fears Head-On

It could be scary for us to think about coming face-to-face with our fears. But, this is one of the best ways to achieve our desired self-confidence. Taking baby steps and conquering one scary situation after another is the right way to go. There might be obstacles or roadblocks in the journey, but focus on the goal to find the motivation to glide through the process.

Know When to Say No

The two-letter word, or rather a sentence, is crucial to cruising through life. Saying no to things as and when required will increase self-confidence because this prevents us from forcing ourselves to be stuck in uncomfortable situations. This instils in us a sense of respecting boundaries, making us more self-aware. The result is exemplary—a happy and confident person.

It is time to start focusing on “you” to achieve the “you” euphoric feeling of being liberated from self-doubt. Need help in the execution of these strategies? Head over to ?Heart It Out and book your session to empower yourself.