Do you ever feel like a fraud despite your success? You’re not alone—imposter syndrome affects even the highest achievers. Discover how to recognise and harness it to unlock your true potential and achieve greater success. Dive in to learn more!
Have you ever felt like a fraud, despite your career success? You’re not alone! Imposter syndrome is a common experience that can leave us feeling doubtful, anxious, and guilty, causing us to sabotage our success and obsess over minor mistakes. It’s especially common when we take on new roles or responsibilities, and even high performers can feel it. The good news is that imposter syndrome is normal, and recognising it is the first step to overcoming it and unlocking our true potential. It’s linked to self-efficacy, the belief in our ability to perform tasks, and impacts our professional and personal well-being. The best part? Imposter syndrome can be harnessed to help us grow further.
Here are some ideas to consider:
Recognise where you are:
The first step in handling challenge is, often giving it a name. If you experience imposture syndrome, its ok, and you can do something about it.
Identify and address (development) Gaps:
If you’ve been given a new opportunity that’s “bigger” than before, it may be time to intentionally close the gap and gain new skills. Define the gap and work intentionally to address it. Be mindful of procrastination or delays in getting started.
Understand Your Strengths and Weaknesses:
Imposter syndrome can result from an incomplete view of your abilities. Gain clarity on your strengths and weaknesses by focusing on past achievements. This not only builds confidence but helps you focus your development. Ask yourself which strengths you can utilise in your future direction. Naming these is the first step towards a “personal audit” and a great confidence booster.
Seek Feedback:
People with imposter syndrome often lack feedback. Seek genuine, constructive feedback from people you trust. Ask them what they think you’re good at and where you need improvement. Expect to learn new things and accept that valuable feedback will include areas for improvement. It’s like someone not telling you about a piece of parsley stuck to your teeth—sometimes, we need others to point out things we might miss.
Anchor Yourself:
Some people need to feel safe before taking risks. Consider what you need to feel secure to take bold steps forward. This can impact the timing and context of your learning and the right people to engage with for growth.
Surround Yourself with (at least some) Positivity:
Seek out people who remind you of your strengths. Positive self-talk and having a mentor or confidant can boost your confidence and fuel your growth.
Remember, we need to be our own best supporters when starting something new, as there are already enough critics in the world. By understanding and addressing imposter syndrome, we can harness it to become our best selves. Recognise it, take action, and make it less limiting.
And remember – every day is a new day to grow!
The good news is that imposter syndrome can be harnessed to help us grow further. Here are some tips to consider:
It’s important to remember that we need to be our own best supporters when starting something new, as there are already enough critics in the world. By taking the time to understand and address imposter syndrome, we can harness it to become our best selves. Remember, high performers are often more likely to experience imposter syndrome, but by recognizing it and taking action, we can overcome it and achieve even greater success.
