Imposter Syndrome: is it just doubting yourself?

Doubting yourself.?

Questioning whether you're good enough. What if people don’t like me??

Thoughts like this hurt your confidence. Stopping progress at work. Harming your career.

If I feel doubtful, should I just ‘get on with it and knuckle down?'

I read a post the other day on Linkedin

It frustrated me.?

It went, “Imposter Syndrome? It’s just doubting yourself”.

Basically saying: we all feel doubtful, just get on with it…?

Dismissing Imposter Syndrome altogether. Almost to say, it affects everyone, and don’t worry about it.

I disagree.?

My view is this: the Imposter Syndrome ‘phenomena’ shouldn’t be underestimated.?

I believe it’s holding many workers back from fulfilling their potential. Being doubtful is just one of many symptoms it creates.?

Imposter Syndrome is deeply rooted. It’s your confidence, your upbringing, and your belief system.?

It often starts in childhood. By how you were parented, how you were schooled. Just to name a few…?

What is Imposter Syndrome?

It’s a belief system that makes us THINK we’re not good enough. Imposter Syndrome is the feeling of being a fraud at work.?

Around 70% of business professionals have experienced it at some stage of their career.?

And I find it interesting that high-performers often suffer the most.?

Those who've achieved the promotions, earned the money, the ones that have the desired job titles we crave.

The ones who win big promotions and suddenly don’t accept themselves.?

And yes, doubt is a part of it. But like I say, Imposter Syndrome is far more nuanced than simply ‘doubt’.

What if you knew it was stopping you from fulfilling your true potential in life…?

How can Imposter Syndrome affect you??

Can you recognise any of these symptoms:?

• I’ve stopped speaking up in meetings, I fear giving my honest opinion because I’ll be exposed
• I’m procrastinating all the time. I just fear messing up all the time so I don’t end up doing anything
• I feel like I need to work crazy hours to prove to my boss that I am good enough to work for the company
• I’m overly critical of myself, I kick myself if I say something wrong or make a mistake for days

Did you recognise any?

When you’re in this mindset, it can be very hard to accept compliments. You can’t celebrate your success anymore.?

Giving yourself a hard time

These are just some of the many effects of Imposter Syndrome.?

And over time this phenomenon has a crippling effect on what you go on to achieve in your career.?

Whether that’s more promotions, a change of industry, and ultimately bigger rewards for your efforts.?

The reality?

And what’s more frustrating is the reality of the situation is you ARE good enough. The evidence proves you wrong.?

But you continue to believe that you’re not good. Or someone’s going to find you out at some stage.?

We create our own ‘glass ceiling’. And it’s hard to break without intervention.?

I’m an Imposter, what can I do?

To start with, recognise it’s not just 'doubt'.?

If you’re consistently feeling this way, it’s time to get this fixed.?

Understand what type of Imposter you are. In what situations does it come up?

Being more conscious of how you're feeling and why you feel that way is a great first step to ditching your Imposter.?

This is rooted in your belief system. What you think you can and can’t do.?

It started in childhood?

Through coaching, my clients acknowledge their Imposter Syndrome started somewhere.

These could be harsh standards their parents set, or the unrelenting standards school put them through. Overly critical teachers. Even bosses.?

And once they realise where their feelings of being a fraud come from, they’re able to move on from this limiting belief system. ?

There is a process, and it works.?

And to help this, I’ve created a New Online Course.?

If all of the above resonates with you, I think you’ll benefit from watching.?

How to Beat: Imposter Syndrome.?

5 x Training Videos over 50 minutes hosted by myself.?

You'll learn:

• Coaching techniques to give you more belief and self-confidence
• Tools & techniques to overcome Imposter Syndrome?
• Discover what is it and where does it come from?
• Learn about my experiences with IS
• Understand what Imposter you are
• And the effects it’s having

You can buy the course here:?