Hi there!! My name is Lori Lander, Confidence Coach for Women, and today I’m going to be talking about something that affects almost every woman at some point in their life. It is a sneaky, sneaky feeling of self-doubt and inadequacy that creeps up on you when you’re faced with a new challenge or opportunity. It’s that little voice in your head that says, “Who do you think you are? You’re not good enough for this.”
This sneaky small yet mighty voice that I am referring to is called imposter syndrome, also called imposter phenomenon or fraud syndrome, which is a psychological pattern where you doubt your own abilities, your accomplishments, and your successes, and you fear being exposed as a fraud. People with imposter syndrome often feel like they don’t deserve their achievements and that they have somehow managed to deceive others into thinking they’re more competent or intelligent than they actually are.
This is incredibly common and although many women struggle with this, it’s something that they simply do not want to talk about.
If you yourself have experienced this or are currently experiencing this, please know that you are not alone in feeling this way. In fact, imposter syndrome is common even among the most successful and accomplished people. It’s something that I have also struggled with myself, and I have learned a lot about it over the years.
Imposter syndrome commonly shows up in those who are facing new challenges or opportunities like a new job, or life changes, like becoming a new mom or transitions like going back to school or starting a new business, that require you to step outside of your comfort zone where you may feel pressure to prove yourself to others. These circumstances can often trigger you to feel as though you’re always on the verge of being exposed as a fraud or worried that others will discover that you’re not as capable or competent as you may appear and can lead you to feeling like you are in a constant state of self-doubt and insecurity.
But here’s the important thing to remember:: imposter syndrome is simply a voice in your head that is rooted in fear and is trying to hold you back from achieving your full potential. There is no truth to it. And the only way to overcome it is to recognize it for what it is, and take action to move past it.
So, how do you do that? I have a few strategies that have helped me and many of my clients move past imposter syndrome when it arises and I’m excited to share them with you.
But before I do I have a question for you. Are you a woman wanting to gain the clarity necessary to make a change in your life, but you’re unsure what your first step should be? If so, make sure and CLICK HERE to watch my FREE video training where you will learn the FIRST ESSENTIAL step to making a positive change so that you can prioritize what is most important to you, gain peace of mind and the motivation necessary to create an exciting new chapter in your life filled with confidence, purpose, passion, and connection.
So make sure and CLICK HERE to attend this mini-training. I am excited for you to learn this simple step-by-step process about how to make a positive change beginning today.
Now I want to share a few strategies with you to help you move past imposter syndrome so that you can stand strong in your confidence.
Recognize your strengths and accomplishments
When imposter syndrome sets in, it’s easy to focus on your weaknesses and the things you don’t know. But the truth is, you have a lot of strengths and things that you have accomplished that you should be proud of. So take some time to reflect on your past successes, and remind yourself of the skills and talents that have brought you to where you are today.
Talk to someone about how you’re feeling
Sometimes, just talking about your feelings can help you gain perspective and clarity and help you feel less alone in how you are feeling. I encourage you to reach out to a friend, a family member, or a coach and share your thoughts and concerns. Oftentimes, they can offer a fresh perspective and remind you of your strengths and abilities.
Take action
One of the best ways to overcome imposter syndrome is to take action. Instead of letting your self-doubt hold you back, focus on the things you can do to move forward. Set goals, make a plan, and then take small steps towards your objectives. Each little win will help build your confidence and your momentum.
Practice self-compassion
Remember to be kind to yourself. It’s easy to be hard on yourself when you’re feeling inadequate, but that only makes things worse. Instead, practice self-compassion and remind yourself that everyone struggles from time to time. Treat yourself the way you would treat a loved one who was going through a tough time.
These are a few tried and true ways that can help you move past imposter syndrome in the future. So I encourage you to test them out and then let me know what worked best for you in the comments below. Have a great week ahead!
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