Imposter Buster: Recognising and Beating Imposter Syndrome
Dec 09, 2022
So you finally got promoted, started a new role, joined a new team or perhaps you have been invited to speak on your first panel alongside experts in your field. How exciting!
Suddenly, doubt and panic strike. (Cue imposter syndrome). Eeeek!
“Wait, can I actually do this?”
“Am I able to deliver?”
“Do I have enough experience?”
“What actually qualifies me for this?”
“Maybe I should bow out before I embarrass myself”
Sound familiar? You're in good company if so - it happens to the best of us!
Defining It
Let's look at a definition of Imposter Syndrome:
anxiety or self-doubt that results from persistently undervaluing one’s competence and active role in achieving success, while falsely attributing one's accomplishments to luck or other external forces.
Impostor syndrome Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com
In other words…being unable to reconcile your talents, skills and accomplishments with your acquired success.
The good news is if you’re feeling the above, it’s highly likely you’re the exact person incapable of being an imposter. Actual frauds typically do not have guilt or remorse regarding what they’re doing. The important thing is each of us being able to sidestep those internal voices instead of being incapacitated by them.
Beating It
On that note, here are our top tips on overcoming the dreaded Imposter Syndrome:
- Embrace ambiguity - it’s your friend not your enemy. Let go of the notion that you need to know everything or tick every box - accept that in life you are constantly learning and that is normal! Adopt a growth mindset so that when you find yourself feeling stretched, you push through the challenge and enjoy the process of growth. You may not know everything or have all the listed qualifications or experience but you certainly know and have enough of what's needed to take the next step. Anything you don’t know can be learnt along the way!
- Find your cheerleaders (aka your cheer squad) - there'll be challenges along the way; times when you get knocked down. At this point you'll need your tribe - the group of people that'll lift you up (not a group of 'yes' people but those that will have your best interests at heart) no matter what.
- Stop comparing yourself to others - comparison is the thief of joy. The more time you spend looking around, the less time you have to focus on you and getting ahead. Recognise that success is a result of time and opportunity - appreciate other’s moments to shine and also your own journey. Your time will come.
- Be prepared to ask for help - it's not a sign of weakness or defeat. No one gets anywhere without the help of someone. You'll go a lot faster (and get farther) with others than just yourself.
- Keep track of your accomplishments - this will ensure that when self-doubt creeps in, you don’t let it linger because you have a record you can refer to remind you of all your wonderful abilities. Rest assured: YOU BELONG HERE. Download our Wins & Misses tracker from our resources library to start recording your key moments.
Have you experienced imposter syndrome in the past? How did you navigate through it? Leave a comment below to let us know.
Interested in joining a workshop on this topic? Great, we can help! Please register your interest here and we’ll get in touch.
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