A Friendly Guide in Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

If I had a $1.00 for every time I have heard the “I can’t do that”, “I don’t have enough experience/qualifications, to take on that role”.  “Clients won’t pay that much an hour for my services”, I would have a lot more money in the bank than I do!

If you hear yourself saying things like that or doubting your achievements for fear you’ll be exposed. That feeling that you are just winging it, and sooner or later, someone will find out you’re a fraud. That’s imposter syndrome talking.

Imposter Syndrome thought to be something that women felt more than men.  But that isn’t the case.  Men can feel imposter syndrome as well.  That old joke that a woman doesn’t apply for a new role until she is sure she can do 100% of it, and a man will go for it if he can do 20%, doesn’t ring quite so true today, as it did 15-20 years ago.

It’s more common than you think and affects people across all walks of life. It’s a widespread condition where you feel undeserving of your accomplishments.

There is a financial impact of Imposter Syndrome, so it is important to examine it.  If you feel like an imposter, you aren’t going to ask for, or receive your worth in an employment situation.  For business owners, you leave money on the table (do work that you don’t charge for), or you just don’t charge enough in the first place.

Let’s break down what it is, who it affects, and how to tackle it head-on

Here are the identified five imposter personality types:

1. The Expert: Always seeking more information, often feeling unprepared.
2. The Perfectionist: Focusing on flaws rather than celebrating successes.
3. The Soloist: Prefers to work alone, fearing that asking for help shows incompetence.
4. The Natural Genius: Feels shame if they can’t master something immediately.
5. The Superhero: Struggles to juggle multiple roles and feels shame when unable to do it all.

Despite their talents, many individuals, believe their successes are due to luck rather than ability. The pressure to be perfect exacerbates this feeling. However, recognising these feelings is the first step to overcoming them.

Here are some practical steps to tackle Imposter Syndrome

1. Talk About It: Sharing your feelings with friends and family can help separate reality from self-doubt.
2. Celebrate Your Achievements: I love a good celebration, from a custard square to celebrate a small goal achieved, to cracking open the bubbles for something special. We often forget this part in our busy lives. Keep a diary of positive feedback and accomplishments. Celebrate every win, no matter how small. This also helps debunk “it was just luck” story
3. Challenge Negative Thoughts: Don’t accept negative thoughts without question. Negative self-talk is the little voice in our head that can be helpful if you are planning to jump off a cliff into the sea and you don’t know how deep the water is. It’s the voice that says, “you can’t”, “you aren’t good enough”. This voice isn’t quite so helpful when you want a pay rise, and are too scared to ask.
4. Evaluate Your Environment: Are you keeping good company? You don’t want every whim pandered to (unless it’s your birthday of course) but surrounding yourself with supportive people who challenge you positively and believe in your goals is a great way to grow and beat the imposter in you.
5. Acknowledge Your Weaknesses: Whether we like it or not, we all have weaknesses. They are part of the package that makes us who we are. Sweeping them under the carpet, and ignoring them isn’t a great option long term, instead accept them and start addressing your weaknesses helps create a realistic self-image and we will be much more comfortable in our own skin.
6. Get a Coach or Mentor: If you are really struggling with the Imposter Syndrome, then an objective voice can provide valuable perspective and support, helping you develop strong habits and shift your mindset.

Everyone feels like an imposter at times. If you struggle with imposter syndrome, take control today. The key is not to let those feelings hold you back. Decide who you want to be and start making steps towards it. Whether it’s talking to someone, celebrating your achievements, or getting a coach, every little action helps. Embrace your journey, imperfections and all, and celebrate your unique path to success.