So you think you know what Imposter Syndrome is? Think again

I’ve been conducting some market research about how Imposter Syndrome is affecting women, and the results have really surprised me.

The number one question women had for me was:

1)????? What actually IS Imposter Syndrome, and why do I have it?

Given that I’ve been working in this area since 2007, and have helped hundreds of women to date break free of their Imposter, I thought it was time to set the record straight.

• I believe that Imposter Syndrome is the biggest reason you are not experiencing the results you want with your business or in your career right now.
• Imposter Syndrome is emotionally exhausting, causing you to waste valuable time with self-doubt.
• Imposter Syndrome is costing you thousands, if not millions, in lost income, just add up the cost of the opportunities you haven’t gone for, the times you haven’t backed yourself and taken a risk because of listening to your Imposter.
• Imposter Syndrome is pervasive, the latest studies suggest up to 82% of professional women struggle with Imposter Syndrome to one degree or another.
• AND that It is 100% possible to learn to break free of Imposter Syndrome, and start having the impact and income you desire

So what actually is Imposter Syndrome?

The most well-known definition of Imposter Syndrome is feeling like a fake, or a phony. Like there’s been a mistake (despite significant evidence to the contrary), and that at any moment you’re going to get found out.

(read to the end to understand the less-well known symptoms - these may surprise you)

It’s typically experienced by high-achieving individuals, professionals who have achieved something to feel fraudulent about.

The term originates from a 1978 study called The Impostor Phenomenon in High Achieving Women, by Pauline Clance and Suzanne Imes.

Although the original study focused solely on women, further research showed equal number of men struggled too.

?Until recently, research showed that up to 70% of professionals struggled with Imposter Syndrome, but the most recent numbers suggest up to 82% of women are experiencing Imposter Syndrome, to one degree to another, in their professional lives.

?Imposter Syndrome is often confused with fear. Fear of public speaking, fear of failure, lack of confidence.

There is an important difference between these kind of fears, and Imposter Syndrome. Imposter Syndrome is fear of being found out, of being exposed as a fake or a phony, despite clear evidence to the contrary.

In short, it’s obvious to see you are brilliant at what you do, at least to everybody else, it’s just that you can’t see it.

And why do popular tactics not work?

You might have been advised to ‘fake it until you make it’, to use willpower to refuse to give in, or to try to work your backside off to ‘out-hustle’ Imposter Syndrome.

These are sticking plasters and they don’t work, at least not sustainably.

Imposter Syndrome is fundamentally different from self-doubt, low confidence or fear, but often gets confused.

The whole deal with Imposter Syndrome is that it grabs ahold of you and gets its claws stuck in – despite there being clear evidence to the contrary, that you are no Imposter.

The whole world can see how brilliant, bold, qualified and accomplished you are. But you just can’t see it for yourself.

?This is a massive problem when it comes to your achieving your potential, whether that’s running your own business or flourishing in corporate.

?The whole essence of being successful requires you to claim your space, to be visible, to be audacious and take risks.

?I don’t care if you’ve been newly promoted to a senior role or have decided to scale your business.

If you’re a solopreneur or contractor, or the on the Board of a FTSE100 organisation, if Imposter Syndrome has its claws in you, you are only scratching the surface of your potential, only enjoying a tenth of all the gorgeous impact you have to offer.

I love helping senior women in particular because there’s so much pressure on you to be Superwoman.

To juggle all the balls, to have the perfect home life and accomplished career. It’s the perfect breeding ground for Imposter Syndrome to flourish.

?And if you’re not careful, Imposter Syndrome will take control of the driving seat, some days a little, some days a lot…

?And you’ll end up not reaching your potential, settling for ‘good enough’ instead of ‘great’. Sacrificing your dreams and vision, and instead settling for what you believe you can cope with.

And I don’t want that for you.

You see, I have a bit of a mission. I believe women rising up and stepping out of their comfort zone and reaching for the stars, I believe that this the way we change the world for the better (but let’s start with the economy).

There is compelling research that shows that women make better leaders, make better investment decisions, and that when women rise, they bring other women up with them.

The ripple effect of learning to take control of your Imposter can be huge, life-changing - I’m surrounded by the evidence of this daily.

But I also see so many brilliant, capable, inspiring women dampening down their dreams because they let their Imposter Syndrome run the show - and it frustrates the hell out of me because it’s so unnecessary.

And so I’m sharing this today in the hope that if I help just ONE woman who reads this, to take control of her Imposter and dream bigger, I’ll be thrilled.

Here are 10 symptoms (some may surprise you) of Imposter Syndrome

1)????? Feeling like a fraud or a phony

2)????? By trying to be superwoman

3)????? By trying to be the hero, and prove yourself again and again and again

4)????? By playing small and holding back

5)????? By relying on external validation, that pat on the head

6)????? By seeking permission to do the thing you feel called to do

7)????? When you deny your ability, and brush off praise

8)????? When stick to tried and tested, rather than being creative and innovative and taking risks

9)????? When you overreact to mistakes or criticism

10) When you buy in to the myth and think it’s something you just need to put up with

You may be resonating with these and thinking, yes Claire, but what should I DO about it?!

It’s literally my life’s work to help women break free from their Imposter - let me show you how easy and joyful it can be.

I’d love to invite you to Join me for the Imposter Bootcamp, a 5 day coaching series. I’m going to show you how to break free from Imposter Syndrome in 5 days - at zero cost.

Monday to Friday, 1pm, 5 super insightful and impactful coaching workshops. (Yes, they’re recorded if you can’t make it live). Check out the Bootcamp and register now - we start Monday 18th November -? see you there.

Have a great weekend,

Claire

P.S. you can also watch this article on AudacityTV or listen to it on the Audacity podcast. Check it out here.

?