Is Imposter Syndrome Holding You Back in Business?
You’re ambitious, and deep down, you know you have the potential to make a big difference. You can already envision how amazing your life will be once you apply yourself to your full potential. You’ve probably also taken all the right steps to be successful:
- You’ve acquired the right certifications and training.
- You’ve attended networking events.
- You’ve marketed yourself.
- You’ve pursued personal development.
Despite your efforts, however, you’re not quite where you’d like to be yet.
This is something I often observe with my clients. They come to me seeking clarity, whether they’re struggling in their life or business. They often don’t realise that the real issue is impostor syndrome. Through deeper inner work involving the subconscious mind, we uncover that it’s not a clarity issue; it’s about self-trust and knowing who they are.
Even with the best quality service and marketing strategies, if you don’t fully trust yourself and embrace how amazing you already are, others will feel it. You are also at risk of sabotaging yourself because part of your mind believes you don’t deserve to be successful, which will hinder you from reaching your true potential. Trusting yourself enables you to trust the decisions you make, eliminating the need for constant reassurance from others.
Awareness is the first step in overcoming impostor syndrome. Recognising its presence in your life allows you to take proactive steps towards healing and growth.
So, what is Imposter Syndrome?
Imposter syndrome is when you feel you don’t deserve the successes and achievements you’ve earned. You doubt your abilities and capabilities, fearing that you’ll be exposed as an imposter. Symptoms of this emotional condition can include self-sabotage, overworking to achieve, constant fear of not meeting expectations, anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem.
Here are some ways it may manifest (I’ve experienced every single one of these):
- Feeling uncomfortable charging what you’re worth, fearing people won’t want to work with you if you increase your prices.
- Hearing a voice in your head telling you that you need more skills, certifications, and diplomas to feel confident and competent.
- Over-working and over-giving, constantly trying to prove your worth, leading to stress and burnout.
- Struggling to ask for help, believing you should be able to do it all on your own.
- Having unrealistic expectations of yourself, feeling like a failure when things don’t work out initially.
- Knowing you need to be visible but fearing judgment from colleagues, peers, or family members.
- Sitting on ideas due to a lack of self-trust to pursue them.
- Constantly striving for more without recognising or celebrating your achievements.
- The most frustrating part is seeing others who seem less qualified or skilled further ahead in business.
Sound familiar?
Don’t worry; you can escape the impostor syndrome trap faster than you think. You already possess everything you need within you to be successful; you just need to unlock that power.
What causes Imposter Syndrome?
You were not born an impostor; quite the opposite. Have you ever observed babies or infants? They radiate confidence, love being the centre of attention, demand what they want and need, and have no concept of being less capable than others. Then, as we grow up, life experiences shape our self-perception.
Here are some examples that either I or my clients have experienced contributing to developing impostor syndrome:
- Snide remarks from a school teacher or being told you’ll never amount to anything.
- Parental pressure to achieve high grades and you feeling not loveable unless you meet their expectations.
- Inconsistent parenting, praised for something one minute then criticised the next.
- Bullying at school or feeling the need to pretend everything is okay.
- Situations causing doubt in your own decisions or reality, such as abuse or toxic relationships.
- Being compared to a sibling or pretending to be someone else to fit in.
- Making wrong decisions and feeing bad about it which resulted in you feeling like you can’t trust yourself.
- Feeling deceptive in achieving success, leading to a belief that you’re a fraud. For example, cheating in an exam or lying about something which led to you getting a job.
Impostor syndrome leaves you with a deep belief that you’re not good enough, always putting on an act to hide perceived inadequacies. It’s exhausting, but remember, it’s just a protection mechanism—a collection of beliefs and behaviours that can be transformed.
Success is not reserved for a select few; in fact, all of us can be as successful as our minds allow us to conceive. That’s why it’s crucial to address it.
What steps can you take to overcome Imposter Syndrome?
- Practice Self-Compassion: Start by treating yourself with the same kindness and understanding you would offer to a friend. When you make mistakes or face challenges, acknowledge them without harsh self-criticism. Remember, everyone encounters setbacks on their journey to success.
- Challenge Negative Self-Talk: Pay attention to the negative thoughts and beliefs that contribute to impostor syndrome. When you catch yourself thinking things like “I’m not good enough” or “I don’t deserve success,” challenge those thoughts with evidence of your accomplishments and abilities.
- Celebrate Your Achievements: Take time to recognise and celebrate your successes, no matter how small they may seem. Keep a journal where you can write down your achievements and reflect on the skills and strengths that helped you reach them.
- Set Realistic Goals: Break your larger goals into smaller, achievable steps. By setting realistic expectations for yourself, you’ll build momentum and confidence as you make progress toward your aspirations.
- Seek Feedback and Support: Don’t be afraid to ask for feedback from trusted mentors, colleagues, or friends. Hearing positive reinforcement from others can help counteract feelings of self-doubt and validate your skills and contributions.
- Focus on Growth, Not Perfection: Shift your mindset from seeking perfection to embracing growth and learning. Understand that making mistakes is a natural part of the journey toward mastery and use them as opportunities for growth and improvement.
- Develop a Supportive Network: Surround yourself with supportive individuals who uplift and encourage you. Having a network of like-minded peers who understand your struggles can provide invaluable support as you navigate challenges and setbacks.
- Embrace Vulnerability: Allow yourself to be vulnerable and authentic in sharing your experiences with others. By opening up about your struggles with impostor syndrome, you create space for connection and empathy, and you may find that others can relate to your experiences.
And if you’d like support, my 1:1 program gets to the root cause of your impostor syndrome, healing patterns of sabotage, procrastination, and limitations. It helps you dream big, trust yourself, and be open to receive more. Once you do that, get ready for a massive upgrade in your life and business!
If you’re ready to upgrade your life and business, book a free breakthrough session to find out more.
