Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

by | 22 Oct 2024 | Positive Resilience, Unleashing You

Imposter Syndrome can feel like an unwanted shadow that follows you around, whispering doubts about your abilities. But the truth is, you are capable, you do deserve your success – you can overcome Imposter Syndrome and build confidence and self-esteem.

Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

Overcoming long held feelings of low-confidence and self-doubt won’t happen overnight, but with a few practical strategies, you can start to feel more confident and let go of that fear of being “found out.”

  • Recognise and Acknowledge Your Imposter Feelings

The first step to overcoming IS is simply acknowledging that these feelings exist. Understanding that many people—especially high achievers—feel this way can help you see that you’re not alone, and these feelings don’t define you.

When those feelings of doubt creep in, remind yourself that many successful people feel the same way. It’s not just you, and it doesn’t mean there’s something wrong with you.

By recognising that IS is a common experience, you can start to remove some of the shame or isolation that often comes with it.

  • Challenge Your Negative Self-Talk

Our thoughts are powerful, and for people with IS, negative self-talk is a big problem. You might tell yourself things like, “I’m not smart enough,” or “I’m just lucky,” but these thoughts are not facts.

The next time you catch yourself thinking something negative about your abilities, challenge it. Ask yourself, “What’s the evidence for this?” Chances are, you’ll find there’s plenty of evidence that you’re actually quite competent! Write down your achievements and remind yourself of your capabilities.

By actively challenging your negative thoughts, you start to rewire your brain to think more positively and realistically about your skills.

  • Celebrate Your Wins

It’s easy to brush off your achievements when you’re stuck in an imposter mindset, but celebrating your successes, no matter how small, is crucial to building confidence.

Keep a “success journal” where you write down your achievements, big and small. Reflect on how your skills and effort led to those accomplishments. When you’re feeling doubtful, revisit your journal to remind yourself of your capabilities.

Celebrating your wins reinforces a positive self-image and helps you recognise your contributions and skills over time.

  • Set Realistic Expectations

People often set unrealistic expectations and put themselves under pressure to handle multiple tasks simultaneously, which can contribute to feelings of overwhelm. It effectively sets us up for failure, which we can then use as futher evidence that we are not good enough.

Review how you prioritise and delegate tasks to help alleviate the burden of perfectionism and overwork.

  • Find a Support System

IS thrives in isolation. Talking to someone you trust about your feelings can help break the cycle of self-doubt and give you a more objective perspective on your abilities.

Seek out a mentor, friend, or family member to talk about your feelings. They can provide encouragement and remind you of your strengths when you’re struggling to see them for yourself.

Hearing validation from others can be incredibly powerful, helping to confirm that your achievements are real and not just a product of luck or external factors.

  • Adopt a Growth Mindset

Instead of focusing on perfection, adopt a growth mindset—the idea that abilities and intelligence can be developed through dedication and effort. This mindset helps reduce the fear of failure because mistakes are seen as opportunities to learn, not proof of inadequacy.

Shift your focus from “I need to be perfect” to “I’m always learning and improving.” When you make a mistake, ask yourself what you can learn from the experience rather than seeing it as a failure.

A growth mindset encourages resilience and allows you to approach challenges with curiosity rather than fear, which ultimately helps to build confidence over time.

  • Seek Feedback and Focus on Continuous Development

Feedback can play a crucial role in building confidence and addressing areas of self-doubt.

Rather than avoiding feedback out of fear of criticism, try actively seeking constructive feedback from trusted colleagues. Understanding how others perceive their strengths can provide perspective and help mitigate feelings of inadequacy.

Linked to a growth mindset, working to continuously improve supports progress and career development.  It is about recognising what we do well and areas for further development – which is not the same as not being good enough now!

  • Practice Self-Compassion

We’re often much harder on ourselves than we are on others. Practicing self-compassion means treating yourself with the same kindness and understanding that you would offer to a friend.

When you catch yourself being self-critical, pause and ask, “Would I talk to a friend like this?” If the answer is no, try reframing your thoughts in a kinder way. Remind yourself that everyone makes mistakes and that this doesn’t define your worth.

Self-compassion helps to reduce the pressure to be perfect and allows you to accept your imperfections, making it easier to move forward with confidence. There is extensive evidence on the benefits of self-compassion for wellbeing and performance.

  • Seek Professional Help

If IS is seriously affecting your well-being or your work, seeking professional help from a coach can be a game-changer (I can help!). They help identify the symptoms of IS and develop tools to manage self-doubt and build lasting confidence.

A coach can help you work through the underlying beliefs that fuel your self-doubt, helping you develop a healthier mindset and increase your confidence over time.

Conclusion

IS can be frustrating and impact wider confidence.  For some it can develop to feel overwhelming, but by using these practical strategies, you can start to challenge your self-doubt and build the confidence you deserve.

Remember, you’re not alone in feeling this way.  Change won’t be immediate as you have likely be living with these thoughts and beliefs for a long time.  However, with time and effort, you can move past those feelings of being a “fraud” and fully embrace your achievements.

Start small, be kind to yourself, and feel your confidence grow.

#Impostersyndrome #Buildingconfidence #selfdoubt #selfconfidence

Get in touch to learn more about how we could work together to overcome imposter syndrome through coaching and training for individuals and organisations.  Also remember to look at the Unleashing You programme for personal growth, enhanced wellbeing and performance. 

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