Imposter Syndrome is a Plague - But Totally Curable

They say 70% of the population has imposter syndrome. I say that the other 30% is delusional.

We all have doubts. There. I said it. Even me - and people who know me would question that. But in some test of “do you have imposter syndrome” I ended up with the grade “You may have imposter syndrome”.

Yes. I doubt myself sometimes. The question is what do I do with those doubts. I conquer them like Justin Fields evades the defense when rushing.

Do you go into inaction? That is the most common reaction.

I suggest that when you doubt yourself you ask yourself some questions:

• What is this fear protecting me from?

• How is this fear holding you back?

• What evidence do you have that you are not capable?

• Where did this insecurity come from?

• Why is this insecurity popping up now?

• What is a better message to tell yourself?

The gist is that the main thing getting in your way is YOU!

Agreed - social media doesn’t help. Seeing all those people that look like they are living their best life makes you be more critical of yourself. STOP! Social media is a lie. I remember a friend who looked to be happy as a lark in her marriage and a year later was getting a divorce. Remember, things are not always what they appear to be.

Great. So now you understand the purpose of this thought, how do you get past it?

The first step in getting past anything is to label it, which externalizes it. When your imposter syndrome rears its ugly head, say to yourself, “that’s my Doubting Thomas talking to me”.

And then, and most importantly, find a different message. If your thought is that you are not good enough, try turning that message on its head. You are good enough!

One of the foundational principles I learned from iPec, my coaching training organization, is:

"Each moment describes who you are, and gives you the opportunity to decide if that’s who you want to be"

Who do you want to be?

The successful person has the same inner critics as anyone else. They've just learned how to tell them to sit down and shut up! It’s time for you to do the same!