Ways to Overcome Imposter Syndrome – There is nothing as frustrating as the imposter syndrome. It is bad to the extent that one’s worth as an individual becomes doubted.
Imposter syndrome, also known as the impostor phenomenon, is a psychological condition which makes people doubt their accomplishments, skills, talents and abilities in general due to the feeling they get that their accomplishments are obtained by luck or fraud rather than their capabilities or hard work. Imposter syndrome affects many people in their careers. It makes them feel they do not fit in properly to the positions they occupy, or that their successes are temporary, and so, they ultimately lose the zeal to push further in their quest for success.
Do you know anyone who is battling with self-doubt, so much so that he or she becomes worried about how much they deserve success, or who simply feel guilty about how their success is achieved? This article will help you get through those feelings and move you forward in your career so that you can truly succeed and be confident about your eventual success.
Ways to Overcome Imposter Syndrome
1. Acknowledge Your Feelings
It is normal to feel like an impostor sometimes. If you are however struggling with this feeling of imposition to the extent that it now affects your day-to-day life, then it is time you gave yourself a pep talk. Try telling yourself that you are not the only one struggling with this feeling and that quite a number of people have felt the same way before and possibly there are some who still feel the same with you.
You need to talk yourself out of this feeling and address it the way it is, a pseudo feeling. More so, focusing on your accomplishments rather than your shortcomings will help you pull through.
2. Reframe Your Thoughts
Imposter syndrome is usually triggered by negative thoughts. If you therefore wish to overcome it, always remind yourself that the fear of being found out is what fuels the syndrome and you must shun that ill-feeling. As you get more comfortable with your skills and shun this ill-feeling of being found out, you will find it easier to believe in yourself and overcome the syndrome.
3. Build a Support Network
Building a support network usually helps one in life. Ensure you are surrounded by family members and friends that are supportive. Besides this, you should also make good use of social media. You can look for people who are going through impostor syndrome and rub minds with them. This will help you to overcome the syndrome in a good time. It is always good to know there is someone else out there who understands what one is going through.
Also, ensure you read blogs and books by people with experiences similar to yours. That way, when doubt arises on abilities and personality, you will be able to remind yourself of the other person’s success story and this will help to put things in perspective.
4. Set Realistic Goals
Fighting imposter syndrome requires setting realistic goals for yourself. You might not be able to change your skills overnight, but you can work on a few small things each day. Try breaking big tasks into smaller ones and accomplishing them one after the other will become easier.
5. Practice Positive Self-Talk
Overcoming imposter syndrome can be achieved through the practice of positive self-talk. When you are feeling like an imposter, remind yourself that you have had successes in the past and there are reasons why you are qualified for the position you currently occupy. Remind yourself of the areas where you excel brilliantly and focus on those successes.
6. Celebrate Your Successes
Whenever you accomplish something, take a moment and celebrate it. Set aside some time every day to recognize your accomplishments. If you feel the impostor syndrome is getting in your way, make a list of your achievements and hang it up where you can see it every day. This will help remind you of what you have accomplished and boost your confidence going forward.
7. Take Care of Yourself
The best way to overcome imposter syndrome is through self-care. Whether it is finding a healthy outlet for relieving stress, or listening to good music to unwind, or getting enough sleep, or taking time for yourself, do any of it. Everyone needs some type of self-care. The more you take care of yourself, the more grounded and confident you will feel in your abilities.
8. Challenge Yourself
Challenge yourself by starting something new which scares you everyday. Challenging yourself by taking small steps each day towards your goal, no matter how big or small those steps may be, will help you come out of the shackles of impostor syndrome.
Push past the fear of failure and take risks in order to achieve your goals. Remember that this is just one step out of many on the road to success and do not let anything stop you from pursuing what you want.
9. Practice Self-Compassion
Practicing self-compassion is an important way to overcome imposter syndrome. It means treating yourself with the same care and consideration as you would treat a friend or loved one.
Say things like I’m sorry this is hard, or I know you are doing your best, etc. to yourself. Be gentle and kind with yourself when you make mistakes, rather than beating yourself up. Treating ourselves well isn’t easy though, but it’s worth the effort.
10. Have Faith in Yourself
Overcoming impostor syndrome and staying confident in oneself, starts by having faith. Know that you are enough, even if no one else believes it. You do not have to be perfect or have everything figured out—you just need to know that you are doing the best you can with what you have got. Next, surround yourself with people who believe in your talents and not people who shatter your ego by making mockery of your talents.
11. Find a Support Group or Mentor
Many people experience imposter syndrome at some point or the other in their lives. It is important you find the support you need, whether it is from a mentor, therapist, or an online support group where you can talk about your feelings and work through them with others.
12. Be Prepared for Setbacks
Facing setbacks is never easy, but you can never throw in the towel because of setbacks. Do not give room for any setback to stand as an obstacle to achieving your goals. You just have to figure out a way around it. Take some time off and allow yourself time to recover and regroup.
When you do come back, don’t be afraid to ask for help if needed, and take things one step at a time. Remember, nothing worth doing ever comes easily or without some challenges along the way!
13. Don’t Compare Yourself to Others
Under no circumstance should you compare yourself to other people. You have your own strengths and weaknesses, so do not worry about what others are doing or saying because you can only do what is best for you.
You will never be as good as someone else because everyone has their own set of skills and knowledge. Do not feel like you need to live up to anyone’s standards but your own.
14. Accept Compliments Graciously
When you notice someone giving you a compliment, do your best to accept it with humility. You can say something like: ‘Thank you!’ ‘I’m really glad that you think so’ and so on. This will show them that you are appreciative of their words.
15. Seek Professional Help
If you are struggling with imposter syndrome and feel like you need some help, ask for it. Reach out to a professional that specializes in mental health, such as a therapist or psychologist. They will be able to talk with you about your feelings and help you work through the things that are making you feel like an imposter. It is important not to suffer in silence because it will only make your feelings worse.
Imposter syndrome is a terrible condition, do well for yourself by following all the points highlighted above to overcome it.
Stay healthy!
Stay strong!
