Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
At some point (or more likely, multiple points) during the course of running a business, chasing your dreams and stepping into your power, you’re likely to feel like an imposter. In fact, the only people who don’t experience imposter syndrome are those who are actually imposters!
The good news is, you don’t have to shrink back into the shame, fear and darkness of imposter syndrome. Instead, you can choose a new way forward that will get you back to shining your light and moving towards your goals in no time!
Download the Overcoming Imposter Syndrome Worksheet here and follow the directions below to complete it!
QUESTION #1 - WHAT EVIDENCE DO YOU HAVE THAT YOU ARE AN IMPOSTER?
In order to overcome any negative beliefs or mental states we need to first need to understand all sides. Similar to a court case, we want to understand what “facts” the opposing council will submit in their argument.
So many people assume that having a thought means it’s true. To the contrary, our unconscious mind will present thought patterns that we have repeated over and over again, until we challenge their truth. Now is the time to challenge those thought patterns that lead you to feel like an imposter. To do so, we need to know the “evidence” that exists.
QUESTION #2 - IS THERE ANYONE ELSE, IN THE WORLD, DEAD OR ALIVE, THAT HAS EVER ACHIEVED YOUR CURRENT GOALS, WHO STARTED IN YOUR CURRENT POSITION OR WORSE OFF THAN YOU CURRENTLY ARE?
The incredible thing about the unconscious mind is that it doesn’t know the difference between you and me. Therefore, if we focus on those who have achieved our goals, who started in the same position (financial, educational, etc) that we are now (or worse off than we are), it shows the unconscious mind that we, too, can achieve that goal.
QUESTION #3 - WHAT EVIDENCE DO YOU HAVE THAT YOU ARE NOT AN IMPOSTER?
What we focus on expands. When Imposter Syndrome rears it’s ugly head, the tendency for most people is to get so focused on the negative thoughts coming up to prove they are an imposter, that they forget to ask questions and look at the flip side of the coin. What evidence do you have that you are good at what you do? That you do help people? That you do make a difference?
If you have testimonials, thank you text messages, notes, social media posts or cards - take screenshots or photos of these and save them in a central location that you can come back to any time you need a reminder.
If you don’t have these things yet, reach out to friends, current and past clients/customers and ask them what they feel you did well, what you’re good at and what they love about you. Save these answers to refer back to in the future.
Also get in the habit of asking clients for testimonials when you’re working with them and save their responses.
QUESTION #4 - WHAT IS THE NEW BELIEF YOU WANT INSTEAD? WHAT BEHAVIORS ARE ALIGNED WITH THIS BELIEF?
Now that you’ve gathered all the evidence, it’s time to change the way you perceive yourself. Because our beliefs influence our behaviors, we can also “hack” the belief change process by practicing behaviors that align with the new belief.
Listen to my podcast episode on Overcoming Imposter Syndrome here!