Ever felt like an imposter? Here’s how to get rid of that feeling…
We often tell ourselves we can push through moments of insecurity, but sometimes those feelings turn into paralyzing anxiety. It’s called Imposter Syndrome.
Therapist and host of the “Light the Fight” podcast David Kozlowski helps us take it on.
For more information on this topic, listen to episode #183 of “Light the Fight” podcast, and visit davidkozlowski.com.
How to Overcome Imposter Syndrome
Imposter Syndrome affects a person who pretends to be someone else in order to deceive others, especially for fraudulent gain.
There are three common types of Imposter Syndrome I see:
- Social or social media Imposter Syndrome
- Professional Imposter Syndrome
- Family/parenting Imposter Syndrome
When it comes to these feelings of inadequacy, don’t make the mistake of entertaining Imposter Syndrome thoughts as truth. We can get trapped if we start to believe our thoughts and feelings are actually reality just because an imposter thought came into our head. Remember: “Your feelings are real and not necessarily reality.”
Keep in mind that fear always comes first. You have to be scared of something before you can summons courage and bravery. You would have no need for courage and bravery if you weren’t scared first. Remember: “Self-doubt is not a sin it’s a necessity.”
Having thoughts of imposter syndrome doesn’t mean you’re crazy. However, if you entertain the imposter thoughts as if you are an imposter, it will cause unnecessary amounts of self-doubt and add pressure to your ability to perform at a high level. Remember: “Imposter syndrome is not a unique condition it is a part of the human condition.”
Thoughts and feelings of being an imposter are really a self-assessment and a reminder to make sure you put in the hard work required to be successful and knowledgeable. If you haven’t put in the long hours and hard work those thoughts can serve as a notification that you still have more work to do.
Here are some tools to help you overcome Imposter Syndrome:
- Be a Public Self-Discloser
Expressing that you struggle with self confidence in the areas you are worried about, brings expectations of yourself to light, instead of believing perfection is the key to being well-qualified.
- Use Light Humor
Humor communicates that you are not perfect and you can handle criticism by criticizing yourself openly. This makes others feel comfortable and less likely to criticize you for not being perfect at your job or task.
3. Say “I don’t know.”
Saying you don’t know something in an area or field you want to be respected in can build trust. Real imposters would not exclaim they don’t know something and they wouldn’t typically ask for feedback and help.
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