Smash Through Imposter Syndrome

“They must have made a mistake.”
“Soon they are going to realise that I am not as competent as they think I am.”
“How can they possibly believe that I am good enough to do this?”

These are the kinds of stories we tell ourselves when our success and accomplishments feel too good to be true or trusted.

Men and women with Imposter Syndrome find it hard to believe that our achievements and abilities are due to anything other than luck and possibly some smoke and mirrors; we feel that we have managed to keep the illusion of competence going for long enough to fool some people some of the time, but this will surely end soon.

No matter how much we achieve, we don’t feel confident or competent. Sadly, we also don’t allow ourselves to feel the joy of success and achievement because we are always expecting to be exposed as inadequate.

I believe that those of us who tend to judge ourselves without mercy and constantly seek approval and affirmation (so-called ‘adult children’) are vulnerable to experiencing Imposter Syndrome. Even when we are recognised for a job well done or are given a promotion or asked to lead an important project, that small insecure child inside us can’t allow us to believe that we are seen as anything other than inadequate and possibly even pitiful.

We tell ourselves the praise is because they feel sorry for us, or the promotion because there were no other candidates.

We live in constant fear of being discovered or outed as incompetent or inadequate.

Imposter Syndrome is an indication of how badly we want to do well at our work. If we didn’t care about our jobs or our performance, we wouldn’t experience any apprehension about not being good enough.

Paradoxically – and punitively – perhaps the worst aspect of the condition is the way it can prevent us from growing and finding meaning in new and rewarding projects that are offered to us at work. When our fear of failure is all-encompassing, it spoils all the enjoyment and sense of achievement we should bask in when we are recognised and given new opportunities.

Imposter Syndrome is one of the panes in the glass ceiling that so many of us put above ourselves, limiting our growth and creating an imagined obstacle to the success we deserve and are capable of.

How do we show imposter syndrome the door, and allow ourselves to believe in and celebrate our achievements?

The most important and powerful way to move past Imposter Syndrome is to acknowledge that you are a member of the very large Imposter Syndrome club.

• Speak your fears out loud to yourself so you can hear how silly they are.
• Look back at all you have achieved to remind yourself how competent you are.
• Be kind to yourself – ask yourself what you can do differently rather than berating yourself.
• Ask for help from a mentor or a coach.

If at times you struggle with Imposter Syndrome and you want to get to the root of it – Smash Your Own Glass Ceiling will help you break through the barriers that are in the way of your happiness and success. Find out more and sign up here.

Tags: be happy | be yourself | imposter syndrome | personal development