Do you have the Impostor syndrome?
That persistent sense of inadequacy and self-doubt that overshadows all your triumphs? Feeling like a fake despite your expertise and accomplishments? Thinking you’re unworthy of them?
Imposter syndrome affects many. It is especially more prominent in women and minorities. And the root causes for that syndrome include but are not limited to racism, misogyny, and other forms of oppression that we may face during our lifetime.
Impostor sentiments are even more widespread in high achievers. People suffering from imposter syndrome find their progress stalled and productivity hindered due to feelings of inadequacy.
Impostor syndrome is real and it needs to be treated, just like we’d treat any other disease or ailment.
The first step to silence your inner critic is to recognize that you have the imposter syndrome. If you always attribute your success to others, fear you won’t live up to expectations, overachieve, doubt your own competence and skills, etc. you may have the imposter syndrome and need to take corrective action.
Here are some quick and easy techniques to put in place immediately.
- Stop being a perfectionist. You don’t have to hold yourself to impossible high standards. The fear of failing is the reason we become perfectionists but that’s also the reason for our lack of growth. Instead, we must recalibrate our ideals for a healthier, more balanced, and ultimately more productive attitude towards our work, our relationships, and our overall life.
- Celebrate success. Why are we so averse to celebrating our own success? We must learn to celebrate even the smallest achievement.
- Be kind to yourself. This is perhaps the most important skill we can all learn. Most of us are our worst critics. By being kind to ourselves, we can replace the negative inner talk that tends to berate rather than motivate.
- Develop high self-esteem. This comes from practice and application. Treat yourself each
morning with a “positive self-talk” breakfast. I am worthy, I know what I’m doing, I can do it, I have the skills to do the job, are all examples of positive self-talk.
- Seek a life-mentor. We all need a trusted someone to talk to – to brainstorm, explore ideas (however harebrained they may be), and or talk about our dreams. Or retain a therapist. They are trained to help us understand our emotions and set us on a better path.
“Thoughts are things.”
When we believe something, we manifest it into reality.
Let’s all work to reprogram our brain and change the inner dialogs that are holding us back. Let’s all become the best version of ourselves by rejecting/fixing/correcting the ailment called the imposter syndrome.
