Suffering from self-doubts? Here’s what you need to know

Have you ever felt like you don't know what you're doing despite doing everything you ever dreamt of? That nagging sense of doubting your intellect, skills, and accomplishments and wondering if you somehow fooled everyone into thinking you're smarter or more qualified??

Well, you are not alone. In fact, this behavioral health phenomenon is common among high-performing individuals, usually known as? Imposter Syndrome. According to a study by Asana, Inc., an American software company, nearly 62% of business leaders worldwide experience imposter syndrome.

For example, take Sheryl Sandberg, former Chief Operation Officer for Meta platforms, including Facebook, a globally renowned leader who has often opened up about feeling like an imposter. In her book, Lean In, she talked about how she did not think of herself as a deserving member of the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society at Harvard.?

"Every time I took a test, I was sure that it had gone badly. And every time I didn't embarrass myself -- or even excelled -- I believed that I had fooled everyone yet again. One day soon, the jig will be up." —she says

On the outside, she's perceived as a source of inspiration for many entrepreneurs as she has already achieved remarkable success with her new venture, Lean In, high-profile clients, and a talented team.??

Whether you're an entrepreneur, artist, leader, or really anyone putting themselves out there in a big way, imposter syndrome can strike hard. The more successful you become, the stronger that inner critic gets. However, since it is ridiculously common, especially among high achievers, it's essentially an inaccurate self-assessment of our competence compared to others. While it's a confidence killer at the moment, experts agree that navigating imposter syndrome is a positive sign of a growth mindset.

So how do you silence that demoralizing voice inside you and embrace the fact that you do deserve to be here? Let’s take a deep dive:?

• Understand the nature of Imposter Syndrome

Realize you are far from alone in this struggle. Imposter feelings are an inevitable byproduct of taking on new challenges and pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone.

• Celebrate your tangible wins?

Make a list of your tangible wins and accomplishments, those you are genuinely proud of, or positive feedback from clients or coworkers, and celebrate them.?

• Learn from others?

Reach out to those who have opened up about experiencing it before with the sole intention of communicating what you are going through, understanding what they went through, how they overcame it, and finding a mentor.??

• Reframe negative thoughts?

How you feel on the inside is often a determinant of how you think. The power of positive thinking is such that it can shape your reality, so monitor your negative thoughts and turn them into positive ones. One great example of this is affirmations, “I am worthy of success”.?

At the end of the day, imposter syndrome is that persistent myth that we all buy into at some point, but the reality is, that we are all improvising our way through this challenging entrepreneurial journey. The true mark of a successful entrepreneur or leader is the ability to accept that uncertainty and fight off those self-doubting mind games.?

So feel free to own your imposter feelings and then promptly show them the door. You've put in the work, taken the risks, and earned every bit of your seat at the table. And if you ever find yourself wondering whether you truly deserve to be here, just look around the room - you're in good company.?