If You Want Ultimate Career Success, You're Going to Have to Ditch Your Imposter Syndrome
Imposter syndrome: it’s one of the most challenging hurdles we can face throughout our career.
It’s that nagging voice that says “you are not qualified for this role” and “someone is going to call you out one of these days” even though you ARE qualified and ALREADY do amazing work.
As a recovering imposter myself, I want to encourage you that you can overcome this feeling once and for all.
What is Imposter Syndrome and How it can Really Damage You
Imposter syndrome, by definition, “reflects a belief that you’re an inadequate and incompetent failure, despite evidence that indicates you’re skilled and quite successful.”
Though much of imposter syndrome is an internal battle, other people can reinforce your feelings of self-doubt too.
But the real truth is that there are no rules as to who should be doing what job, who is meant to land a specific role, or which specific breed or type of person is cut out for a unique job.
Ultimately, YOU create your own career happiness.
YOU create your own success.
No one else can do this for you, and no one else should be able to take it away from you.
How You Can Overcome Imposter Syndrome
The number one way to overcome imposter syndrome is to actually change the way you think about yourself.
Here’s the thing: feeling like an imposter is just a FEELING. That’s all there is to it.
If you are constantly doubting yourself as to whether or not you are living the life you deserve, then take a step back. Remember what specific steps you took to actually land the position you are currently in and how much blood, sweat, and tears you put into your career to get to where you are now.
If you’re feeling like an imposter, here are some life altering questions you can ask yourself to combat the imposter in you:
Think back and ask yourself WHY you went into this career route? Get crystal clear about why you are trying to accomplish in the first place.
Who are you surrounding yourself around to reinforce this feeling?
From an objective point of view, what have you been able to accomplish thus far? What are you most proud of in your career?
Write all of these answers down and logically (not when you are feeling irrational about yourself) reflect on your experiences. Pin these answers up on your desk or mirror and look at them every day. Share them with a trusting friend. Allow yourself to have an appreciation for your hard work. Let it sink in. Relish yourself with your accomplishments.
Should You Fake it Until You Make it?
Initially, yes. I’ve coached many imposters to “fake it until you make it.”
The truth is that, during the beginning phases of combating the imposter in you, faking it really works. Repeating steps 1-4 above is another important part of beating the imposter, and leaning into the “fake it until you make it” mantra to help you along the way.
If you take a step back for a second, and think how far you’ve come from, IT WILL hit you: you have grown into that confident professional you initially never imagined yourself being. People will start turning to you for advice because YOU are that expert, and YOU have earned yourself this role.
Self-confidence vs. self-esteem
Being self-confident comes from the belief that things can be done, that the capacity and ability to do it is present. It is also always related to performance. Most imposters lack self-confidence, but are unaware that COURAGE is more important than confidence, especially when you are trying something new.
Self-esteem is, contrary to self-confidence, belief in yourself. It is the belief that you are enough already and that you are the best of you in every moment. This supports the idea that even if you don't do anything right, you will still love yourself just the way you are.
Moving forward, can you practice being more confident + higher self-esteem? I bet your impost syndrome will dissipate from there.