With so many people struggling with it, that means tips for overcoming imposter syndrome are critical.

But what is Imposter Syndrome? It is when you feel anxious or like a “fraud,” and you don’t acknowledge/feel your success despite being fully competent and successful. It seems like it’s an all-too-common affliction nowadays, especially in the business community.

Imposter syndrome feels like a heavy weight on your shoulders and overcoming imposter syndrome starts by recognizing what it is and what it does to yourself and your productivity.

Signs of Imposter Syndrome:

• You feel persistant self-doubt and inadequacy, despite there being clear evidence of success.
• You compare yourself to others and feeling less than or unworthy.
• You have a fear of being exposed as a fraud or impostor, even in areas where you’re skilled or experienced.
• You struggle with procrastination or perfectionism as a way to avoid being “found out.”
• You have difficulty accepting compliments or internalizing achievements.
• You downplay your accomplishments and attribute success to luck or external factors.
• You feel anxiety or stress related to your performance or the fear of failure.
• You feel like an imposter in various aspects of your life, such as work, relationships or personal development journeys.

But where does imposter syndrome come from? Overcoming it can feel impossible if you aren’t even sure what the root cause of it is. 

The root cause of your struggles is not always clear. It can also be difficult to admit. Overcoming imposter syndrome is therefore, a very personal journey. If you’re not sure where your imposter syndrome is rooted, review this list to see if something pops out to you.

• Perfectionism: You set excessively high standards for yourself and feel inadequate if those standards are not met.
• Fear of failure: You have a deep-seated fear of making mistakes or falling short of expectations, leading to self-doubt and avoidance of challenges.
• External validation: You rely heavily on praise or approval from others to feel worthy or competent, rather than recognizing your own intrinsic value.
• Overidentification with success: You tie your self-worth to achievements or external markers of success, leading to feelings of fraudulence when success is attained.
• Comparison to others: You constantly measure yourself against others and feel inferior or inadequate as a result.
• Cultural or societal pressure: You internalize societal expectations or cultural norms that emphasize achievement and success, leading to heightened self-doubt and insecurity.
• Childhood experiences: Your past experiences, such as parental expectations or academic pressure, contribute to the development of perfectionistic tendencies or fear of failure.
• Imposter syndrome in the workplace: You experience Imposter Syndrome due to workplace dynamics, such as imbalanced power dynamics, lack of diversity and representation, or a culture of perfectionism.
• Personal traits or temperament: Certain personality traits, such as high sensitivity or self-criticism, that predispose you to experiencing Imposter Syndrome.

It’s important to remember that societal expectations play a huge role in the development of imposter syndrome, especially when it comes to high-achieving individuals. Society demands a lot of us. It wants highly productive, high-performing, highly successful people all the time.

But that’s simply not how it works…

All it takes is one incident to cause you to feel like an imposter, but it can take a lot of reprogramming to truly experience overcoming imposter syndrome.

Overcoming Imposter Syndrome with Mindset Techniques

• Mindfulness meditation: Practice mindfulness meditation to increase your self-awareness and observe your negative thought patterns without judgement.
• Affirmations: Use positive affirmations to challenge your negative beliefs and reinforce your self-confidence. Repeat affirmations daily, focusing on statements that resonate with you.
• Visualization: Visualize your success and positive outcomes in various areas of your life. Create mental images of achieving your goals and experiencing feelings of confidence and empowerment.
• Gratitude journaling: Keep a gratitude journal to focus on the positive aspects of your life and cultivate a mindset of abundance and appreciation.
• NEE techniques: Explore Neural Energetic Encoding (NEE) techniques to release your emotional blocks and reprogram your negative thought patterns. Practice techniques such as Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) tapping or energy psychology exercises.
• NLP techniques: Use Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) techniques to reframe your negative thoughts and beliefs. Practice techniques such as reframing, anchoring or timeline therapy to shift your mindset and behaviour.
• Hypnosis: Explore hypnosis as a tool for accessing your subconscious mind and rewriting your negative scripts. Listen to hypnosis recordings or work with a certified hypnotherapist to address specific areas of self-confidence and self-esteem.
• Positive self-talk: Monitor your internal dialogue and replace your negative self-talk with positive affirmations and supportive statements. Practice self-compassion and speak to yourself as you would to a close friend.
• Challenge limiting beliefs: Identify and challenge your limiting beliefs that contribute to feelings of inadequacy or self-doubt. Ask yourself if these beliefs are based on evidence or simply assumptions or interpretations.
• Celebrate your achievements: Acknowledge and celebrate your achievements, no matter how small. Keep a list of your successes and accomplishments to remind yourself of your capabilities and strengths.

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These practical tips and exercises can help you reprogram negative thought patterns, boost self-confidence and cultivate a more empowering mindset. Experiment with different techniques to find what works best for you, and be patient with yourself as you embark on your journey of self-discovery and personal growth.

Cultivating Self-Compassion and Authenticity to overcome imposter syndrome

Self-compassion is the key to overcoming imposter syndrome. We feel like an imposter or a fraud because we lack compassion for ourselves. 

But think about it…

Self-compassion is the act of extending compassion toward yourself during moments when you perceive failure or inadequacy. Imposter syndrome is a constant feeling of failure or inadequacy despite actually being successful or fully competent. 

Developing a strong sense of self-compassion can stop imposter syndrome in its tracks before it takes root in our core.

Here are 5 quick strategies to practice self-compassion:

1. Reframe negative self-talk: Replace your self-criticism with understanding and kindness. Treat yourself as you would a friend.
2. Practice mindfulness: Be present without judgment. Notice your thoughts and feelings without trying to change them.
3. Prioritize self-care: Engage in activities that nourish your well-being, like baths, walks or yoga. Take time to nurture yourself.
4. Cultivate gratitude: Reflect on what you’re thankful for daily. Focus on abundance rather than scarcity.
5. Set boundaries: Honour your needs and values by saying no to draining obligations. Protect your time and energy for what matters most to you.

Ultimately, when you experience imposter syndrome you are not feeling authentically yourself. Vulnerability starts to pop up, and that’s a very uncomfortable thing to feel – just ask Brené Brown.

But when we can embrace our authenticity and stand in our vulnerability, overcoming imposter syndrome becomes a breeze; It doesn’t stand a chance. Imposter syndrome only exists because we begin to believe what it tells us.

Overcoming imposter syndrome is possible and something entirely in our control. 

With the right understanding, strategies and techniques, you can nip imposter syndrome in the bud when it starts to invade your thoughts.

XO,
Sarah

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