aaa
Imposter syndrome is common and causes self-doubt and anxiety amongst many. Even high performers experience it. Seeing it, recognizing when it happends and finding effective strategies to handle it can help you focus on unlocking potential for personal and professional wellbeing. Want to learn more? Keep reading!
Imposter syndrome is a feeling many of us have experienced at one point or another, especially when we take on new roles or responsibilities. This common phenomenon can lead to feelings of self-doubt, anxiety, and guilt, causing us to sabotage our own success and obsess over minor mistakes. However, it’s important to recognize that imposter syndrome is normal and that high performers are often more likely to experience it. It’s linked to the concept of self-efficacy, which is the belief in one’s own ability to perform a task.
aaa
Have you ever felt like a fraud, despite being successful in your career? You’re not alone! Imposter syndrome is a common experience that can leave us feeling doubtful, anxious and guilt, causing us to sabotage our own success and obsess over minor mistakes. It’s especially likely to pop up when we take on new roles or responsibilities, and even high performers can feel it. The good news is that imposter syndrome is normal, and recognizing and acknowledging imposter syndrome is the first step towards overcoming it and unlocking our true potential. It’s linked to the concept of self-efficacy, which is the belief in one’s own ability to perform a task which is continously shaped over our lifetime and career. It also has a major impact on our professional and personal wellbeing. The good news is that imposter syndrome can be harnessed to help us grow further.
Here are some ideas to consider:
- Identify and close knowledge and skills gaps: If you have been given a new opportunity that is “bigger” than what you have experienced before, it may be time to intentionally close the gap and gain those new skills to master it. This can be done by defining the gap and working intentionally and in a focused way to address those. Be mindful of procrastunation or the delay in even getting started.
- Gain clarity on your transfarable strengths and weaknesses: Imposter syndrome can be a result of an incomplete view of your abilities. To overcome this, try to gain clarity on your strengths and weaknesses and focus on past achievements and capabilities. By bringing these to your awareness, not only you have gained better clarity but also, the ability to focus your development investment. Ask yourself – which strengths can I utilise in my future direciton? naming those is a first step towards your “person audit” and a great confidence builder.
- Seek feedback: People who suffer from imposter syndrome often lack feedback. To combat this, seek genuine constructive feedback from people you trust (go easy..). Ask them what they think you are good at and what you need to improve. Expect to learn new things as a result of this conversation, and accept that valuable feedback will include areas you should improve in (a gift we are sometimes reluctant to accept), and not only things you are good at. Know the story of someone walking a whole day with a piece of parsley stuck to their teeth, without anyone telling them they look silly? It kind of like that, but in more fundumental things to your career journey.
- Anchor yourself: Some people need to feel safe before they can take risks (completely normal). Consider what you need to feel safe and secure in order to take bold steps forward. This can impact the right time or situation in which your learning can be optimised or the right people to engage with to help you grow.
- Surround yourself with positivity: Seek out people who can remind you of your strengths and qualities. Positive self-talk and having a mentor or confidant can help boost your confidence and fuel your growth.
It’s important to remember that we need to be our own best supporters when starting something new, as there are already enough critics in the world. By taking the time to understand and address imposter syndrome, we can harness it to become our best selves. By recognizing it and taking action, we can handle imposter syndrome and if not to overcome it completely, make it a little less limiting.
The good news is that imposter syndrome can be harnessed to help us grow further. Here are some tips to consider:
It’s important to remember that we need to be our own best supporters when starting something new, as there are already enough critics in the world. By taking the time to understand and address imposter syndrome, we can harness it to become our best selves. Remember, high performers are often more likely to experience imposter syndrome, but by recognizing it and taking action, we can overcome it and achieve even greater success.