Imposter Syndrome: 5 Steps to Overcome It at Work and Achieve Career Success

There’s a quote that's been floating around online for some time now:?

?“May your life be as awesome as you pretend it is on Facebook.”?

?Whether or not you're on Facebook, this quote pretty much sums up something that many of us are experiencing in the age of social media-- the intense desire to make ourselves out to be something we're not.???

?It's pretty common and even normal to worry about what other people think of us-- especially our friends and co-workers. But, sometimes, this worry can take on extreme proportions. People can be filled with anxiety and fear about not being good enough, smart enough, or worthy of the success they've achieved, even when that is very clearly not the case.??

?These individuals spend their days feeling like a fraud and are consumed with worry that their “hidden” incompetence will eventually be revealed.??

?This phenomenon, known as "imposter syndrome,” was first described in a study by psychologists Pauline Rose Clance and Suzanne Imes. Though this study was conducted over 40 years ago, imposter syndrome is more common today than it ever was. In fact, according to a recent study , 70% of people have, at some point or other, felt like an impostor, worried that they are in a position that is beyond their capabilities.???

?How Can You Tell if You Have Imposter Syndrome??

?Having occasional feelings of inadequacy is pretty normal. But, when those feelings persist over the long term, and they are combined with compulsive negative thoughts and behaviors, then it could be a sign that some form of imposter syndrome is at play.?

?Here are some common signs of imposter syndrome to look out for:?

• ?Possessing self-deprecating thoughts and beliefs?
• Having a hard time accepting praise and recognition?
• Obsessing over failures and mistakes-- even relatively minor ones?
• Persistently feeling inadequate?
• The constant fear of being exposed as a fraud?

?When individuals have imposter syndrome at work, it can hinder their productivity and level of performance and can negatively affect career development.??

?How Do You Overcome Imposter Syndrome on the Job??

?If you find yourself struggling with imposter syndrome, and it's impairing your performance at work, there are several steps you can take to get to a more healthy view of yourself and ultimately gain peace of mind:???

?Step 1: Acceptance.?

The very first step to breaking free from imposter syndrome is to recognize that it is even there in the first place. Denial will get you nowhere. So, if you are chronically experiencing some or all of the signs mentioned above, resist the urge just to ignore them. On the contrary, you can rejoice in the fact that your new found awareness means you are beginning the process of freeing yourself from these self-defeating thoughts and behaviors.?

?Step 2: Get some objectivity.??

Shame may have forced you to keep your thoughts and feelings to yourself, but now it's time to break the silence by confiding in a trusted friend, advisor, or peer. Tell this person what you are going through and how it is making you feel. Doing this will be beneficial in several ways:??

• First, the very act of expressing your feelings instead of suppressing them can be a cathartic process that can take the edge off of your emotions.???
• Second, the other person can offer a more objective view of the situation, pointing out things that you may not be able to see yourself.??
• Finally, this individual can be a source of support and encouragement.???

?

Step 3: Acknowledge and “own” your successes.??

Those who are struggling with imposter syndrome are often disconnected from their achievements and accomplishments. Where the success is too big to ignore, they chalk it up to external circumstances that have little to nothing to do with their abilities and skills.??

?At this step, you need to actively seek out and identify how you've contributed to your successes and accomplishments. To make the process more impactful and concrete, create a running list of all of your wins and achievements along the way. One significant benefit to this exercise is that whenever the self-doubt starts to kick in, and you're feeling low, you can return to this list and be reminded of all the things you've done to reach your current level of success.???

?Step 4: Accept and embrace your flaws.?

No one in this world is perfect. We all fall and make mistakes. We all have areas in our personalities and our lives that could be better but aren't. It's the human predicament to be flawed.??

?Luckily, success doesn't come from perfection. It comes from making the most of the resources and opportunities we have at our disposal. When a fall happens, it becomes a learning and growing opportunity, not just an unpleasant setback. By developing a new outlook and response to failure, you can turn the most challenging, frustrating experience into a springboard for future success. Thus weaknesses are not obstacles; they're only opportunities in disguise.??

?Step 5: Embrace and celebrate your unique path in life.?

Each individual comes into this world with his or her combination of life experiences, skills, talents, strengths, and weaknesses. The circumstances surrounding one person will never be like those of another. So, making comparisons is not only counterproductive; it's misleading. Instead of looking at others to see how you stack up, focus on achieving your goals, improving your performance over time, and beating your best performance.?

?In short, the only fraudulent thing about imposter syndrome is the group of irrational and incorrect beliefs that fuel it. If you can break free from these misconceptions, you'll get much closer to truly seeing yourself and be able to give yourself the credit you deserve for those wins along the way.??

??About the Author?

?Robert Moment is an experienced ICF Certified Executive, Leadership and Emotional Intelligence Coach, and author.?

?Robert specializes in coaching Next Gen Executives on how to achieve peak performance, transformational leadership success, and influence having both a rewarding career and a fulfilled personal life in 6 months or less. Without selling your soul.??

?Schedule a FREE 30-minute “Unlocking Your Potential for a Rewarding Career and a Fulfilled Personal Life” Coaching Call Today to Discuss Your Career and Personal Goals.?

?Click here to schedule?

https://www.calendly.com/robertmoment/executive-coaching ??

?Email:?

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