Have you ever found yourself doubting your accomplishments, feeling like a fraud, or fearing that the people around you will suddenly discover you're not as competent as they believed you to be? If that resonates with you, you might be experiencing something called Imposter Syndrome. It's more common than you might think, and you're not alone (despite what your imposter syndrome might tell you). In today’s blog, let’s hash out what Imposter Syndrome is then provide you with practical strategies to work through it and hopefully gain more confidence in your abilities.

What is Imposter Syndrome?

Imposter Syndrome is a sneaky, inner belief that you're not as talented, intelligent, or capable as others perceive you to be. When you’re in imposter syndrome’s grip, you may feel as though you’ve just been lucky and that you don't truly deserve your achievements. This self-doubt can be a real confidence killer, holding you back from reaching your full potential and contributing to feelings of anxiety and depression.

Recognizing the Signs

Recognizing Imposter Syndrome is the first step to overcoming it. Here are some common signs:

1. Self-Doubt: Constantly questioning your abilities and fearing that you'll be exposed as a fraud and a screw-up.

2. Perfectionism: Setting impossibly high standards for yourself and feeling like a failure if and when you don't meet them.

3. Undermining Achievements: Believing that your success is due to luck or other people's help rather than your own skills and hard work.

4. Comparing Yourself: Always comparing yourself to others and feeling inadequate as a result.

Strategies to Combat Imposter Syndrome

1. Acknowledge Your Feelings: The first step is to acknowledge that you're experiencing Imposter Syndrome. Remember, it's a common phenomenon, and many successful people have faced and continue to face it.

2. Challenge Your Negative Thoughts: When you catch yourself thinking negatively about your abilities, ask yourself if those thoughts are based on facts or unfounded fears.

3. Talk About It: Share your feelings with a trusted friend, family member, or therapist. Sometimes, simply vocalizing your doubts can help you see them more clearly. Imposter syndrome is often closely tied to shame, and shame thrives when we keep it quiet and to ourselves. Shame dies when we expose it in safe places with people who care about us.

4. Set Realistic Goals: Instead of aiming for perfection, set realistic, achievable goals (ever hear of SMART goals?) that allow room for you to make mistakes. You can’t grow if you’re not meeting yourself where you’re at and giving yourself some grace. Learn to recognize when you are piling too much onto yourself so that you can remind yourself to back off.

5. Celebrate Your Wins: Don't downplay your successes. Embrace them! Celebrate them and give yourself credit for your hard work.

6. Practice Self-Compassion: Treat yourself with the same kindness and understanding that you'd offer to a friend facing similar challenges. Literally speak to yourself as though you were talking to someone you love. This helps combat negative self-talk. And the wonderful thing about compassion is that we can give it to ourselves whether we are struggling or succeeding. There are no conditions that need to be met to offer yourself tenderness.

7. Seek Professional Help: If Imposter Syndrome is severely affecting your life and well-being, consider reaching out to a therapist or counselor who specializes in self-esteem and confidence issues (hi, it’s me). A therapist will work with you on further developing the strategies listed above and dealing with any barriers that make it hard for your to implement them. You can identify the underlying roots of your low self-esteem and begin to heal from them.

Finally, remember that overcoming Imposter Syndrome takes time and practice. You won’t suddenly be perfectly confident! Be patient with yourself and stay committed to building your self-confidence with small, gentle practices everyday. You have the abilities and potential to achieve your goals, and Imposter Syndrome should never stand in your way.

Believe in yourself, because you are capable, talented, and deserving of all the success that comes your way.

(You can listen to the podcast episode I recently did on Imposter Syndrome here!)

If you need help with imposter syndrome, low confidence, or poor self-esteem, reach out to schedule a free consultation with me to learn how we can work together to help you feel better.