In the last week, scratch that, in the last 15 minutes I have oscillated between thinking I can take over the world and this is just step 1 to; how am I going to make this work? Have I lost my mind? Who wants to read what I write let alone listen to what I have to say?
My self perception is going haywire even more than it usually does.
The saying “fake it till you make it” was something I didn’t pay any attention to until I was what I considered “an adult” and then I started to realize that there’s no manual, there’s no booklet welcoming you into adulthood with everything all laid out like how to check if a potato is boiled to how to change the contraption in the back of the toilet when yours breaks and what the contraption is even called. This little known secret that was apparently being kept only from me is;
NO ONE KNOWS WHAT THEY’RE DOING
We’re all making it up as we go along.
Luckily I’m surrounded by people who readily admit that we’re all flying by the seat of our pants on this one and part of the journey is to fail and fall flat on your face and then pick yourself up, dust yourself off and try, try again.
So what do we do with this new found empowering information that we aren’t alone in being lost and somewhat confused? For me it’s a constant battle with my old friend IMPOSTER SYNDROME. I have a voice in my head that yells “who do you think you are!?” Really loudly and insanely inopportune moments, like when I head into a meeting with VPs or when I meet new people for the first time JUST as they tell me their names.
While always a work in progress some steps to help mitigate imposter syndrome can look like this;
Acknowledge Your Feelings: The first step is to recognize and acknowledge that you are experiencing imposter syndrome. Understand that it is a common phenomenon and that many high-achieving individuals go through it at some point.
Normalize Imperfection: Accept that nobody is perfect and that making mistakes or not knowing everything is a natural part of learning and growth. Perfection is not a realistic expectation.
Celebrate Your Achievements: Keep a record of your accomplishments, whether big or small. This can serve as a reminder of your abilities and successes when you start doubting yourself.
Talk About It: Share your feelings with friends, family, mentors, or colleagues. Often, discussing your feelings of imposter syndrome with others can help you realize that you are not alone and that many people have experienced similar doubts.
Reframe Your Thoughts: Challenge negative thoughts and replace them with positive affirmations. When you catch yourself thinking you're not good enough, remind yourself of your skills, experience, and past successes.
Practice Self-Compassion: Treat yourself with the same kindness and understanding that you would offer to a friend. Be gentle with yourself and avoid self-criticism.
Set Realistic Goals: Break down your goals into manageable steps. By achieving smaller milestones along the way, you can build your confidence and feel a sense of accomplishment.
Focus on Learning: Shift your focus from being the expert to being a learner. Embrace the idea that there's always something new to learn and that growth comes from continuous improvement.
Avoid Comparisons: Comparing yourself to others can amplify feelings of inadequacy. Instead, focus on your own progress and development.
Seek Feedback: Ask for constructive feedback from trusted individuals. This can provide you with a more accurate perspective of your strengths and areas for improvement.
Mindfulness and Meditation: Practices like mindfulness and meditation can help you stay grounded, reduce anxiety, and increase self-awareness.
For more ideas or guidance on dealing with imposter syndrome please reach out and book an introductory session to see how we can work together.
Комментарии