Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

I had the privilege of attending the 'Rise and Raise Others' event in London last week and one of the things that stood out the most for me was that amongst amazing, successful, and powerful women, imposter syndrome is still a thing!

You see, this feeling of not being good enough tends to 'haunt us' from a very early age, and, almost as with everything, you can't make it completely go away, but you can minimize it and change it so that it doesn't stand in your way.

BUT...

Before diving into techniques to overcome it, let's ensure we are all on the same page - what is imposter syndrome?

Imposter syndrome is a psychological pattern where you doubt your accomplishments and fear being exposed as a fraud, despite evident success.

It's that little annoying voice in your head that tells you you're not good enough, despite your accomplishments.

As such, imposter syndrome can significantly impact several aspects of your personal and professional life.

In practice, imposter syndrome can stand in your way and neglect your progress:

??On Your Professional Development and Career Growth: The fear of not being good enough and failing at a new opportunity can lead to staying in your comfort zone and stagnating your career.

??Personal Relationships: You may be reluctant to seek help or support from friends and family, fearing that doing so will reveal your perceived inadequacies. This can strain relationships and prevent you from receiving the help you need.

??Mental Health and Well-Being: In an attempt to compensate for what you perceive as a lack of value to be where you are in your career, you might end up overworking yourself - always say 'yes' to a new project and end up with a heavy workload that is unsustainable.

Similarly, a secret fear of being 'found out' as inadequate can lead you to suffer from increased levels of stress and anxiety.

The list could be easily extended, but the above gives you a well-rounded view of how imposter syndrome can deeply affect you.

Now that you understand what this syndrome is all about let's focus on what can be done to diminish it and control it in a way that does not prevent you from your desired and well-deserved success!

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1?? Recognize and Acknowledge Your Feelings: The first step in overcoming imposter syndrome is recognizing and acknowledging your feelings.

Understand that it's normal to feel self-doubt from time to time, but it becomes a problem when it starts affecting your well-being and performance.

By acknowledging these feelings, you can begin to address them head-on.

It's like with any 'pain' - if you don't address the root cause of it, all you can attempt to control is its symptoms; but the 'pain' will never truly stop bothering you if you don't address it at its core.

2?? Reframe Your Thoughts: Imposter syndrome is often fuelled by negative self-talk and cognitive distortions.

Reframe your thoughts by challenging these negative beliefs.

Instead of thinking, "I don't belong here," tell yourself, "I earned my place here." Replace "I'm not good enough" with "I am continually growing and improving." This shift in perspective can help you build a more positive self-image.

3?? Celebrate Your Achievements: Take the time to celebrate your achievements, no matter how small they may seem.

Reflecting on your accomplishments can help you reinforce your capabilities and provide tangible evidence against imposter feelings.

You don't have to do anything major every time (although you certainly can, if you want ?? ), a simple moment of self-appreciation will do it.

4?? Practice Self-Compassion: Be kind to yourself.

Practice self-compassion by treating yourself with the same understanding and empathy you would offer a friend.

Recognize that everyone has moments of self-doubt, and it's okay to feel vulnerable.

This technique also addresses the 'I am not worthy' belief, head on!

Overcoming imposter syndrome is a journey that involves self-reflection, positive thinking, and the intention of treating yourself well.

By recognizing and challenging your negative thoughts, celebrating your achievements, and practicing self-compassion, you can reclaim your confidence and recognize your true value.

Remember, you are not an imposter! You are a capable, deserving, and continually evolving (amazing!) woman.

Embrace your journey and take pride in your accomplishments.

????I am currently looking for 4 women to work with me on overcoming imposter syndrome so that they can reclaim their power and success.

If you are READY to take action, to be intentional about your success, come and talk to me as I'd love to share with you the holistic framework I have to offer.

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