LIFE COACHING TIP 003 - IMPOSTER SYNDROME

Did you ever experience the strange feeling at a job, a new one where you wondered what you were doing there and whether you will be able to manage or perform? That, you were choked with doubt and suspicion of failure. Or when you had to stand up and speak at a forum perhaps too senior or more experienced? This is not a strange behaviour at all. Happens to many people. It happens with married woman, men, mothers and many others.

Imposter behavior, often referred to as "impostor syndrome," is a psychological pattern where individuals doubt their accomplishments, feel like frauds, and fear being exposed as inadequate, despite evident success or competence. This behavior can manifest in several ways:

Perfectionism: Setting excessively high standards and feeling like anything less than perfect is a failure.

Overworking: Putting in extra effort to compensate for perceived inadequacies, often leading to burnout.

Undermining Achievements: Attributing success to luck or external factors rather than skill or hard work.

Fear of Failure: Avoiding taking on new challenges or risks due to the fear of not meeting expectations.

Self-Doubt: Continuously questioning one's abilities and feeling unworthy of recognition or success.

Comparisons: Constantly comparing oneself to others and feeling inferior, despite evidence of equal or greater competence.

This behavior can negatively impact mental health, job performance, and overall well-being. It's important to recognize and address imposter behavior to build confidence and foster a more positive self-image.

Would you like to explore strategies to overcome imposter behavior? Let me here relate a few situations and why they happen.

Imposter behavior can occur in a variety of situations, often when individuals are stepping outside their comfort zones or are in environments that challenge their self-perception. Some common scenarios where imposter behavior might manifest:

1. Starting a New Job or Role

Context: Taking on a new position, especially one with more responsibilities. Situation of taking on more on your plate than you can chew.

Manifestation: Doubts about being qualified or deserving of the role, feeling like others will soon realize they made a mistake in hiring or promoting you.

?2. Receiving Praise or Recognition

Context: Being acknowledged for achievements, awards, or positive feedback. I do not deserve such accolades or award; I am not worthy of it.

Manifestation: Feeling that the praise is undeserved, or that others are overestimating your abilities, leading to discomfort or anxiety.

3. Entering a Competitive Environment

Context: Joining a high-achieving team, attending a prestigious institution, or competing for a promotion. OMG! Such big stalwarts, I will be eaten raw. I can almost taste the dust in my mouth.

Manifestation: Believing that you are not as capable as your peers, leading to anxiety and excessive self-comparison.

4. Public Speaking or Presenting

Context: Giving a presentation, leading a meeting, or speaking in public. My knees are shaking, sea of faces – people will laugh at me, a bumbling fool.

Manifestation: Fearing that you will be exposed as unknowledgeable or unprepared, even if you have rehearsed extensively.

5. Pursuing Advanced Education or Certifications

Context: Enrolling in higher education programs, obtaining certifications, or engaging in specialized training. What the duffer am I doing here?

Manifestation: Feeling like you don’t belong in the academic or professional community, or that you’re not as intelligent or capable as your peers.

6. Taking on Leadership Roles

Context: Being promoted to a leadership position, managing a team, or leading a project. The boots are too big for me to step into.

Manifestation: Doubts about your ability to lead effectively, fearing that others will not respect or follow your leadership.

7. Creative Endeavors

Context: Engaging in creative work like writing, art, or design. Out of my league.

Manifestation: Feeling that your work is not original or good enough, fearing that others will criticize or reject your creative output.

8. Imposter Behavior in Academia

Context: Participating in academic research, teaching, or contributing to scholarly publications. What can I add value to in a place that has doyens and great people.

Manifestation: Worrying that your research isn’t significant, fearing peer review, or feeling unqualified to contribute to academic discussions.

9. Networking and Social Events

Context: Attending professional networking events, conferences, or social gatherings. People are staring at me.

Manifestation: Feeling out of place, believing you don’t have the qualifications or status to be there, and fearing that others will see you as an outsider.

10. Entrepreneurship or Starting a Business

Context: Launching a new business, product, or service. Can I do this? Its out of my league, level of competence and affordability.

Manifestation: Doubting your ability to succeed, feeling that you don’t have what it takes to be an entrepreneur, and fearing that failure will expose you as a fraud.

11. Gender or Minority Representation

Context: Being a part of a gender, racial, or cultural minority in a predominantly different group. I will be the center of ridicule and gender bias for sure.

Manifestation: Feeling pressure to perform perfectly to avoid confirming stereotypes, or believing that you’re only in the position due to affirmative action rather than merit.

12. Being Asked for Advice or Mentorship

Context: Being approached for advice, mentorship, or guidance. Who? Me?

Manifestation: Feeling unqualified to provide guidance, fearing that your advice will be wrong or inadequate.

Did you ever feel, like so? Do such thoughts come to you like these? Its not uncommon and you are not alone here. There are huge number of people who experience, like so. As a Coach I have dealt with few employed working Woman and Men too. So don’t feel encumbered by guilt and doubt.

In all these situations, individuals might experience imposter behavior even when there is ample evidence of their competence and success. Recognizing these scenarios can help in identifying when imposter behavior is occurring, allowing for strategies to be put in place to counteract it.

I am a Life and Business Coach who is not ashamed of having fallen down, not once but many times. I, too, have had bouts of self-doubt and imposter behaviour in many occasions. Well, if I can get over them, I guarantee – you will get rid of this harmful, toxic, enemy within, too.? After all, only someone who has fallen can coach you how to get up and pick yourself up. For other coaches it is just a simulation!

Call me for FREE 4 sessions, personal face to face if in Mumbai or Thane or Zoom/Teams for a virtual chat. One thing I guarantee is that you will not only see the magic but feel it, too. Whatsapp me at +919619713801.

Don't forget to catch up with the Part II of this subject – Imposter Syndrome! I have tips how to conquer this disease and eradicate the same.