Imposter Syndrome Woes Be Gone!

Are you sure you are good enough, smart enough or educated enough to start that new project you've planned for 2022?

OF COURSE you are! If you can dream it, you can achieve it.

But wait... if you hesitated, maybe you suffer from a case of imposter syndrome. Yuck! Let's kiss imposter syndrome goodbye. Let's do this.

The term 'Imposter Syndrome' was coined in a 1978 study by two psychologists, Drs. Clance and Imes.

It can be defined as doubting your abilities - and feeling like a fraud. It disproportionately?affects high-achieving people, who find it difficult to accept their accomplishments.

Can I just add that this is a 'diagnosis' often given to women. There is a lot wrong with that.

Last week, I hosted Kristen Daukas as the first guest of Strategy Talks my new talk show, right here on LinkedIn. As we dove into the topic of imposter syndrome, we started off saying that we both suffer from imposter syndrome. Say whaaat?!

Our conversation went like this.

Dorien:

You and I were having a conversation last week about me starting this new show.

Kristen:

"And we were talking about what topic should we talk about. Right. And the first thing that came out of me was like, gosh, it's been so long since I've done blah, blah, blah. I'm not sure if I could really be qualified as an expert on that. And that, my friends, is exactly where the imposter syndrome came from. You and I have been doing this long before the majority of people in our industry have. I think I'm looking at 15 years at this point. 15 years ago, social media was not even a thing. Right? So why in the world, if I have 15 years of experience, would I even have an iota of imposter syndrome? Why?

One of my favorite memes that I saw on this topic was, "have as much confidence as a mediocre, middle aged white man". And, if you stop and think about that, it is very true. It's also very well known that a woman, if she's looking at a job post, and again, don't come at me because I know some men have it, but it, again, it is largely a female thing. If you have a man and a woman looking at the exact same job posting, a woman will look at it and if there's 20 criteria, right? She'll go, "Hmm, I've only got 15 or 16 of those, I'm not qualified." A man will look at it and say, "I can do five of those. And I'm qualified." That's a huge discrepancy.?"

Kristen was ON FIRE and had so much good stuff to share with our live audience!

Kiss Imposter Syndrome Goodbye

If you have ever felt like an imposter, watch the full episode of this show right now, to learn how we both put these misplaced feelings of inadequacy behind us, hopefully for good.

In addition, I found a great resource for you if you want to learn more about, and overcome imposter syndrome. Here are 9 ways to cope.

1. Focus on the facts. Like Kristen mentioned, if you have the experience, the education, the knowledge, focus on what is true. What you know to be true right now in this moment. For me, that means I focus on the fact that I've hosted live shows for clients for over 4 years. Why the heck should I NOT do it for myself. The fact is, I am good at it!
2. Acknowledge, validate, then let go. Letting go is tough, but you have to in order to move forward. So acknowledge how you feel, potentially by talking to your mastermind group, a trusted colleague, a spouse, or team member first, then validate the facts. Last but not least, let it go!
3. Share how you are feeling. Go beyond acknowledging and in addition, share how you feel. I have to say it was freeing to admit to feelings of imposter syndrome in the first episode of my new live talk show. I feel so much better already.
4. Look for evidence. I recommend you take action immediately anytime imposter syndrome sneaks up on you: go reread your LinkedIn recommendations, job performance reports, client feedback, testimonials and emails from satisfied customers. THAT is the evidence you need to know you got this!
5. Reframe your thoughts. And watch the words you are using. Use words that ooze confidence. There is power in words, whether they come out of your mouth, or are in your head. When things go wrong, don't wallow on the mistake(s), but learn the lesson and give it a positive spin.
6. Look for a mentor. There is power in listening to, and working working with someone you look up to and who has walked the same walk before you. Walking in someone else's footsteps makes the road just a bit easier! Paved roads, you know! As an entrepreneur, social media professional, agency owner... we can learn so much from a mentor.
7. Learn from your team members. Don't forget to communicate with your team members and learn from them too. Peer to peer communication only works if you stop comparing yourself (and your skills), and instead, be open to learning!
8. Anticipate Imposter Syndrome to reduce its effects. Being aware of how imposter syndrome makes you feel, alerts you when it sneaks up on you (again). Awareness brings power. Reduce the effects of imposter syndrome by recognizing it quickly and taking action immediately to counter negative thoughts.
9. Toot your own horn. Last but not least, tell people when you achieve success. Small successes, large achievements. Share when you learn a new skill. When you've completed a project and done something scary. It will help drive imposter syndrome away.

Know this truth. You sharing your success publicly, will help someone who looks up to you who might be suffering from undiagnosed imposter syndrome.

Pass on your confidence. You got this!

Dorien Morin-van Dam

?? Organic Social Media Specialist + Chief Strategist @?More In Media

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