We’ve all felt self-doubt and unworthiness in our lives. It’s normal. However, it becomes a problem when you still feel like this in spite of your accomplishments and the efforts you have made in achieving them.
People who suffer from impostor syndrome often feel like frauds. They may feel like they’re underserving and unworthy of their current status even though there’s enough data to prove otherwise.
Overcoming impostor syndrome has a lot to do with your mindset. Here are 4 tips to help you get started.
Know the signs
It can be tricky to identify the signs of impostor syndrome. At times, we get so consumed with our fears that we forget how good we are at something. Do you find it hard to accept praise? Do you feel you don’t merit your achievements even though you prepared and have the qualifications for them? Do you have an ”all-or-nothing” mindset? Here are some questions to ask yourself if you’re always second-guessing yourself.
Silence your inner critic
Sometimes we are our own worst critics. Impostor syndrome often stems from negative thoughts we have about ourselves. Such thoughts could include downplaying our accomplishments, discounting the positive things in our lives, and envisaging dire consequences if we fail.Next time you feel like a fraud in your career or your personal life, take out time to replace your negative thoughts with positive ones. For example, if you have the thought that your life will be over if you fail at something, challenge that thought by asking yourself if that’s really true. Would your life truly be over? Or would you have the chance to try again and learn something from the failure?
Stop trying to be perfect
Perfectionism is the root cause of impostor syndrome. You start doubting yourself – despite all your accomplishments – because you feel you should never have bad days and should be perfect at all times. It’s understandable to be a high achiever and have high standards.
However, it becomes a problem when you always want a perfect outcome, instead of focusing more on doing the best you can. When next you’re comparing your outcomes to a high standard, ask yourself whether it’s realistic.
Know that you’re not alone
It can be comforting to know that even the most successful people suffer from impostor syndrome. Here are some quotes by successful people about their impostor syndrome.
Featured Image Source: HuffPost“I still have a little impostor syndrome… It doesn’t go away, that feeling that you shouldn’t take me that seriously. What do I know? I share that with you because we all have doubts in our abilities, about our power and what that power is.”
Michelle Obama
“I have written 11 books, but each time I think, ‘uh oh, they’re going to find out now. I’ve run a game on everybody, and they’re going to find me out.”
Maya Angelou
‘’In a lot of ways, I’m quite proud that I’m still getting jobs. Because of falling into a job, you always feel like you’re a fraud, that you’re going to be thrown out at any second.’’
Robert Pattinson
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