A 2019 study of 14,161 individuals reported that up to 82% of people deal with impostor syndrome.
But, as an individual, how can you keep from seeing yourself as a fraud?
The imposter is not you
To combat imposter syndrome, let’s first understand what it is. A simplified definition of Imposter Syndrome is when you believe that you are not intelligent, competent, or successful enough, despite all the things you have achieved. Often, when things don’t go the way you expected, you may question your worth.
Confidence is key
When we feel like we’ve failed – when we didn’t get the interview, were passed up for a promotion or the project we were working on didn’t have the expected results – our confidence can be dramatically impacted. Feelings of failure can be the biggest culprit in creating imposter syndrome. But, if we nudge those feelings away with other positively reinforcing thoughts, it can keep you from going down a rabbit hole of self-defeating uncertainty.
Confidence in ourselves is best reinforced when we stop comparing ourselves to others. We can amplify our feelings of inadequacy when we draw comparisons to people who we may perceive as more successful, more skilled or more personable that we are. However, what we see is usually just a small window into their lives. Their lives may also be riddled with fears and feelings of inadequacy that they, too are dealing with.
Here are 5 tips that can help you deal with self-doubt as a professional.
1. Acknowledge the feeling.
Self-doubt is a feeling most of us have dealt with at some point.
Accepting that you feel that way gets you half-way to your solution.
This feeling can be triggered by perceived failure. But remember – FEELING like you failed doesn’t actually mean you did. It is important to remember the framing that Thomas Edison used as he worked methodically through thousands of experiments to develop the electric light bulb. He said, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” Sometimes you don’t realize how close you are to success, so don’t give up.
2. Discuss your struggles with someone.
It could be your partner, friend, family, etc. Keeping all that troubled emotion inside of you can become a very heavy a burden. If you put self-created shame aside, you’ll realize that feedback from others can help you shed the confining grip of your own harsh judgements.
3. Don’t run a one person show. Ask for help when you need to.
The right people in your life are there to complement your weaknesses. They could be work colleagues, other professionals in your entrepreneurial field, or mentors that can help guide you throughout your career. They are also there to encourage your efforts and highlight your strengths. As discussed in point #2, you won’t be able to experience this liberation from your own judgement if you don’t share your struggles with someone you trust.
4.Challenge your doubts.
Applying the above steps may not stop thoughts of inadequacy from resurfacing. But, if they do, look for pieces of evidence that have demonstrated your ability to create positive outcomes in your life.
Put any sense of failure into context. Ask yourself what happened, how did it happen, what role did I actually play. Also consider what, if anything, could you have changed to achieve a different outcome? When we put what we perceive as failure into context, we can begin to confront our fears.
5. Keep getting better.
The previous step sets you up for this last key one – improving yourself by analyzing your actions and your results in a constructive light. As repeat this process, and get better at what you do, you will naturally grow in confidence. Don’t be afraid to fail. See it for what it is, the impact it had and how you can improve through these experiences.
Use these steps to create a positive mental environment for yourself – one where you embrace all experiences as opportunities to grow and become a confident, accomplished individual.
