Imposter Syndrome: 5 realistic ways to overcome it

5 realistic ways to overcome imposter syndrome at work

“I got lucky."

"I don't belong here."

"I'm a fraud, and it's just a matter of time before everyone finds out."

Sound familiar?

Do you ever feel like you’re a fraud? As if any moment someone will figure out that you’re actually a phony who can’t do the job, let alone thrive in your current position. It’s an awful feeling. But it’s also perfectly natural to feel this way from time to time, especially if you are working in a new environment with high-performing colleagues and management team.

Most of us have experienced feelings of doubt and unworthiness at some point in our lives. But when your accomplishments are a result of your own knowledge, hard work, and preparation and you still feel inadequate ... you are probably suffering from impostor syndrome.

Imposter syndrome is a type of performance anxiety that people tend to experience when they are placed in new challenges or environments. People with imposter syndrome have the persistent belief that they aren’t as capable as others think they are. This can affect anyone regardless of their age, ethnicity, gender or career level.

THE EFFECTS OF IMPOSTER SYNDROME CAN BE CRIPPLING

"So-called impostors think every task they tackle has to be done perfectly, and they rarely ask for help,"

An impostor may?procrastinate, putting off an assignment out of fear that they won't be able to complete it to the necessary high standards.?Or they may over-prepare, spending much more time on a task than is necessary.?

Success from?over-preparation?reinforces the idea that the "impostor" needs to work extra hard for it, and would not have succeeded otherwise.?It can negatively impact careers because people may overproduce to prove that they are capable.?This can lead to burnout and ultimately be counterproductive.

People may also miss opportunities because they do not feel worthy or capable, despite being quite competent.

If you're ready to take on new challenges at work and want to conquer your imposter syndrome, read on for 5 tips to help you overcome this feeling.

5 ways to overcome imposter syndrome in the workplace

1. Acknowledge that this is a normal feeling and is part of growth.

Imposter syndrome can be paralyzing, but as soon as you are able to acknowledge this feeling and identify it as a natural part of a new environment, you can take steps to move past it and embrace the new challenges in your job. Feeling like you don’t belong in a particular environment is actually a sign that you are growing and stretching yourself out of your comfort zone. When you are in your comfort zone, you are not growing.

While imposter syndrome can be trying, it can also be a good sign that you are taking risks and challenging yourself to grow outside of your comfort zone.?Self-doubt and feeling like we have something wrong with us holds us back when actually its totally natural – everyone feels like this! but the environment has been constructed by those with power to make us feel that way?“the system’s not broken, it’s working exactly as it was designed”

2.?Set small, incremental goals

When you are feeling like a fraud and like you can’t meet your goals, it can be easy to get down on yourself and fall into a negative spiral. However, setting small, incremental goals can help you set realistic expectations and learn to celebrate even the smallest of successes at work.

One of the biggest issues we have with goals is setting them at a high level, that's not to say to not have big goals, dreams & ambitions, but setting just high-level goals can make them feel really far away and harder to achieve and it also can be difficult to measure how you're doing.?The best approach is to break down your bigger goals into smaller more realistic goals, that you can see as stepping stones to reach your goals.

Incremental goals gives you forward momentum, which makes your goal seem more attainable.?When you achieve these smaller goals, you can celebrate them and feel good about your progress. This can help you let go of imposter syndrome and start to believe in yourself and your abilities again.

As well as building steps towards your goal, take some time to assess and remove any roadblocks that may be holding you back.

3.?Celebrate your wins

Impostor syndrome often manifests itself as a voice in our heads, berating us with negative messages like "you're not smart enough" or "you're a fraud.” To help show yourself that you're actually doing well, keep track of your wins in a private document. Then, whenever you hear that voice in your head telling you that you're not good enough, counter it with a reminder of all the things you've accomplished and the positive feedback you've received.

Imposter syndrome can make it easy to focus on your weaknesses and overlook your strengths. Instead of focusing on what you are doing wrong, take a moment to reflect on what you are doing well.

If you find it difficult to find something you do well, try asking for feedback from others, co-workers or peers who may have worked with you in the past for feedback about how they perceive your strengths and weaknesses. While many people will likely be reluctant to give out honest feedback, there is no better way to understand where others think your strong points lie than asking them directly.

4. Re-frame your thinking

Imposter syndrome often rears its ugly head when you’re faced with a major challenge or milestone at work. The feelings of not being good enough and being a fraud can weigh you down, making you less effective and confident in your abilities. You might even start to underperform, which can make the situation even more difficult.

However, there are a few ways you can re-frame your thinking and get back to feeling confident in yourself and your abilities again. One way to re-frame your thinking is to accept that you are not perfect. You are human, and humans make mistakes. Even the most successful people have their moments of feeling like a fraud and making mistakes.

One of the best ways to combat imposter syndrome is to accept your mistakes and learn from them. When you feel like a fraud, it's usually because you're comparing yourself to some 'perfect' outcome that's either impossible or unrealistic.?Let go of the need to be perfect and embrace the fact that you are human and will make mistakes. Letting go of the need to be perfect can help you let go of imposter syndrome and start to believe in yourself again.

At some point you need to step back and ask yourself: When is good enough good enough?

5. Take care of yourself

It can be easy to get caught up in work and not take care of yourself. However, taking time out of your day to refuel, re-energize, and re-charge can help you avoid falling into the trap of imposter syndrome.

There are a few ways you can take care of yourself and avoid falling into imposter syndrome:

Take breaks when you need them - It’s normal to feel stressed and overworked at times. However, if you start feeling overwhelmed, take time out of your day to re-charge.

Get enough sleep - Getting enough sleep is important to your health and mental well-being. If you are feeling the effects of lack of sleep, it can be difficult to function and stay productive at work.

Practice self-care - Self-care can come in many forms such as meditating, exercising, journaling, reading, etc. Find ways to practice self-care on a regular basis to help reduce stress, re-charge and take care of your mental and physical health.

Bottom line

When you are feeling like a fraud, it can be difficult to stay positive and focused on your goals. However, imposter syndrome can be overcome with these tips. Remember, imposter syndrome is a normal feeling and something many people experience when they are new to a job or work environment. You can overcome it and move past it with a few small changes to your daily routine and self-care strategies.

Women in CTRL post a weekly jobs and opportunities board and work to bring you the best selection of new roles and opportunities out there. Reach out and let us know what type of roles you are looking for so we can keep bringing you relevant opportunities!

That's all for this week!?

Nadia

Founder of Women in CTRL