If you’re wondering what exactly is “imposter syndrome”, it’s when…
✅ You feel like a fraud
✅ You focus on the one thing you did wrong and ignore everything you did right
✅ You doubt your accomplishments and convince yourself they’re a fluke
✅ You’re convinced everyone knows more than you do
✅ You let this complex drive your decisions, keeping you from taking risks or doing things you want to do
✅ You look for more evidence to further validate this notion you’re an imposter
Sound at all familiar?
I’ve suffered from imposter syndrome, and in researching this topic, there are tons of accomplished people throughout history who’ve also have (Michelle Obama, Albert Einstein, Tina Fey, and more). Roughly 82% of us have experienced this at some point in our lives. Do you see this irony, that a majority of humans are walking around feeling less than, compared to each other? We could just agree to STOP this madness and recognize our own greatness!?! I’m amazing, you’re amazing, we’re all amazing! 🙌🏼🌟😀
But if you’re looking for a more practical solution, here’s a simple 3-step solution…
1️⃣ Awareness. Recognize and admit you are feeling and thinking this way. You can’t solve a problem you don’t know you have.
2️⃣ Collect evidence. Just as you can gather evidence against yourself, you can also gather evidence in support of yourself. If you believe you are an imposter at work, start documenting all the things you have done right. Create an “evidence list” and write it down (e.g. I kept my cool even when I was mad, I love how I showed up for that meeting, I did a great job during the presentation, I wrote a great email, I got great feedback from a co-worker, etc). Begin building a solid case for why you are not an imposter. Remember, the brain only sees what it’s looking for. You’re building up your confidence in this crucial step!
3️⃣ Don’t buy into old thoughts. Resist the programmed thought patterns associated with imposter syndrome (e.g., that success was a fluke, others know more than me, etc). Consult your list of achievements and affirm to yourself, “I’m not buying into that thought, I’m amazing at my job” (or whatever thought works for you), and move on.
You are rewiring the filter in your brain so that when you do something well, you won’t filter it out in light of the negative. The more you believe in yourself, the more that little imposter voice shrinks… This process can be rinsed and repeated every time this comes up.
“Believe you can and you’re halfway there” – Theodore Roosevelt
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