How to Outsmart your Inner Imposter
“I’m not good enough to be here.”
“It’s only a matter of time before they realise I’m a fraud. I should just quit before I embarrass myself any further.
“Why does it seem like everyone else has it together, and I don’t?”
“How long until people figure out that I’m not cut out for this?
Does this sound familiar? I know it does to me. I have this constant sense of impending failure and an unrelentless fear that the fraud police is going to come get me any day.
You know, we’ve all been there at some point, that feeling of not quite fitting in. Maybe you missed a crucial deadline, took a financial misstep or a poor investment decision or just totally bombed a panel discussion. And when you’re in that self-nagging mode, it’s easy to lose your self-compassion and start feeling like a total fake.
In the bustling world of business and entrepreneurship, where success stories and accolades adorn the headlines, there lurks a silent saboteur that plagues even the most accomplished individuals – IMPOSTER SYNDROME.
Unveiling Imposter Syndrome: The Silent Saboteur
A term coined by psychologists Pauline Clance and Suzanne Imes in the 1970s, Imposter syndrome describes the persistent feeling of inadequacy despite evident success.
While not a mental disorder, it can be a debilitating experience. It’s like an unwelcome guest at a grand celebration, casting a shadow of doubt over one’s accomplishments, making it almost impossible to enjoy their successes.
This pervasive phenomenon, often concealed behind a veil of confidence and achievement, whispers doubts and insecurities into the minds of high-achievers, undermining their self-worth. It leads individuals to doubt their abilities and fear exposure as frauds, despite evidence of their competence.
When you’re overwhelmed, it’s natural to internalise these challenges. Your negative thoughts and self-doubt only serve to reinforce your feelings of inadequacy and insecurity.
High achievers like ducks gliding while paddling furiously beneath the surface, presenting composure while battling internal doubts about competence and accomplishments.
Notable Figures Affected: You're Not Alone
If you feel like a fraud sometimes then you are in good company. Imposter syndrome doesn’t discriminate; it can affect even the most renowned and successful individuals.
Albert Einstein, the genius physicist, once confessed, “The exaggerated esteem in which my lifework is held makes me very ill at ease.”
Despite his vast success in the film industry, Tom Hanks has spoken about feeling like an imposter . He often mentions feeling like someone was going to find out that he had no idea what he was doing.
Similarly, Maya Angelou, the celebrated poet and author, admitted, “I have written eleven books, but each time I think, ‘Uh oh, they’re going to find out now. I’ve run a game on everybody, and they’re going to find me out.'”
The High Achiever's Dilemma: Recognising the Signs
Like a skilled impersonator, imposter syndrome can manifest in various ways, often disguised as common entrepreneurial traits. Here are some telltale signs:
• The Perfectionist Trap: Entrepreneurs with imposter syndrome often set excessively high standards, striving for flawlessness in every endeavour. They perceive even minor errors as damning evidence of their ineptitude. This relentless pursuit of perfection can lead to burnout and hinder creativity.
• The Discounting Habit: Achievements are often downplayed or attributed to external factors such as luck, chance, timing, or the support of others, leading to a persistent feeling of unworthiness.
• The Comparison Game: Measuring one’s success against others’ accomplishments fuels a sense of inadequacy, overlooking one’s unique strengths and contributions.
• The Fear of Exposure: The constant dread of being “found out” as a fraud can lead to anxiety and hinder risk-taking, stifling growth and innovation.
The Hidden Costs: Impact of Imposter Syndrome
Imposter syndrome, if left unchecked, can take a significant toll on business owners, both personally and professionally. It can:
• Undermine self-confidence
• Hinder decision-making
• Breed anxiety and self-doubt hence stifling creativity and innovation
• Hinder networking and collaboration opportunities
• Foster overworking which leads to burnout
• Cause disengagement from work
Roots of Imposter Syndrome: Understanding the Causes
Imposter syndrome often stems from a complex interplay of factors, including:
• Early experiences: Messages received during childhood, such as excessive praise or criticism, can shape one’s self-perception and contribute to imposter syndrome.
• Societal pressures: The emphasis on external validation and comparison can fuel feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt.
• Personality traits: Perfectionism and a high need for achievement can make individuals more susceptible to imposter syndrome.
Coping with Imposter Syndrome: Strategies for Success
While imposter syndrome can be a formidable foe, it’s not an insurmountable one. Here are some effective strategies to combat it:
• Acknowledge and normalise: First and foremost, accept that it is common. You are not alone! And recognising that others (like Tina Fey, Sheryl Sandberg, Serena Williams) feel it too can help reduce its power over you.
(FUN FACT: Studies show that this psychological phenomenon affects about 70% of people at some point in their lives, making many successful individuals attribute their accomplishments to luck or external factors rather than their own skills.)
• Challenge negative thoughts: Question and reframe self-critical thoughts to cultivate a more balanced perspective.
Use the Post-It Note Strategy out of my playbook. Imagine your negative thoughts as post-it notes. Externalise them by writing them down and then scrutinise their validity. Are these thoughts based on facts or feelings?
• Celebrate your achievements: Take time to acknowledge your successes, big or small, and own your accomplishments.
Another trick for you – create a brag list to acknowledge your achievements, skills, accolades, talents etc and every time you feel like this imposter is sneaking up on you, pull it out your list and Evanesco* the fraud feeling away.
(*hello Potterheads)
• Get support: Surround yourself with supportive individuals who can provide encouragement and objective feedback. Build a supportive community, a tribe that values authenticity and vulnerability. Cultivate an environment where it’s safe to share struggles and where support and understanding prevail.
• Seek an Anchor: Mentors and coaches serve as guiding lights in tumultuous seas. Seek mentorship to gain insights and perspectives. Their reassurance and guidance can be a cornerstone in moments of self-doubt.
• Practice self-compassion: Be kind to yourself, understand that everyone makes mistakes and that learning is a continuous process. Imagine your life as an ever-evolving canvas. Embrace a growth mindset, seeing challenges as opportunities for learning and growth rather than as indicators of incompetence.
• Reassess Perfectionism: Consider perfectionism as a mirror that distorts reality. Reframe your view of success, acknowledging that perfection is unattainable and mistakes are part of growth. Celebrate progress over perfection.
Conclusion: Embrace Your Uniqueness, Unleash Your Potential
High-achieving business owners, the journey to overcoming Imposter Syndrome is about unmasking the fears that undermine your confidence and accomplishments. The path isn’t about erasing self-doubt but about learning to navigate it and thrive despite it.
