The feeling that makes you feel like a fake- as if any minute someone is going to come by and pull the rug right from under you. Or you could be waiting for the other shoe to drop on this new great thing.
The good news is that Imposter Syndrome is made up of feelings and emotions and feelings and emotions can be Managed. Changed. Accepted. Moderated. And that’s why you are here so that you can gain some skills to kick Imposter Syndrome to the curb.
There is a part of you that knows that you’re doing well. You see it, you even feel it. And you want to believe it you may just be thinking who am I to deserve this when there are so many other people? But you are deserving and worthy, so why not you.
I know this feeling and I’ve experienced it as well. I get it. So know that you aren’t alone in this, and it’s okay to talk about it.
But let’s get to why you are here for the 3 ways to kick imposter syndrome to the curb.
#1 Stop making If/Then statements
You may be thinking what are if/then statements. It can sound like the little bets that you make with yourself. Like, “If I take this training, then I will be able to call myself a trainer” or “If I hire a staff, then I can call myself an expert”.
Do you find yourself having these thoughts? When you think about it, it makes sense we are trained since our youth to reach different benchmarks. And that works well when you are a kid but once you graduate High School there aren’t any real makers and milestones that must be hit. Which can make life pretty scary for your perfectionists.
#2 Admit you don’t have all the answers
Because how could you. No one has all of the answers and pretending like you do isn’t helping anyone in the short-term or long-term. Showing people that you are human and have flaws goes a long way. That inspires people! It shows that yes, I too am human, and I continue to learn each day. Just because you are unsure of the answer at that time does not make you an imposter.
#3 Accept Compliments
Think about it, do you find that you actually accept compliments or do you find that you kind of deflect and talk about something else. I would like for you to practice accepting compliments from others. You can even write down these compliments and then when you feel the feelings of Imposter Syndrome creeping back in you can say STOP I am not a fraud or a fake and these compliments can be part of your proof. Because honestly it can be easy to forget how badass you are with everything going on in the world and in your life. So with that being said collect your wins, compliments, and the good.
If you want to learn more about stopping Imposter Syndrome then head over to www.masterplanthinkery.com for the course Imposter Syndrome: When the Perfectionist Feels like a Fraud.
-Torre Boyd LPC
Master Plan Therapy