How to Beat Impostor Syndrome at Work.

How to Beat Impostor Syndrome.

Impostor syndrome- we all know it, I certainly do. Dealing with that persistent feeling of inadequacy and self-doubt despite evidence of our accomplishments can significantly impact our professional and personal lives. Impostor syndrome doesn’t discriminate, it affects professionals across various industries, from entry-level employees to seasoned professionals and CEOs.

Recognising and managing impostor syndrome can be an important gamechanger when it comes to unlocking your true potential, achieving success, and finding a far happier sense of self at work. While it can feel like impostor syndrome is difficult to tackle, there are easy practices that can help us break down the barrier and begin to work on empowering ourselves to overcome self-limiting beliefs, build confidence, and thrive in our careers.

Understand Impostor Syndrome:

To effectively manage impostor syndrome, it’s crucial to understand its nature. Impostor syndrome often manifests as a fear of being perceived as undeserving of success, but it isn’t just for people starting out something new. Many high achievers experience it, attributing their accomplishments to luck or external factors rather than acknowledging their own capabilities. Recognising that impostor syndrome is a common phenomenon for most can help normalise the experience and reduce its power over you.

Recognise The Wins:

I’ve found a great way of combatting impostor syndrome starts with acknowledging your achievements. Make a list of your skills, experiences, and accomplishments, regardless of how small they may seem on the surface. From there, it’s about reflecting on your successes and the positive impact you have made in work or in life. Celebrating the everyday milestones becomes a way to remind yourself of what you can do. Although it may feel awkward at first, what you’re doing is building a stronger sense of self-awareness, better able to objectively see your value can help counteract feelings of inadequacy.

Cultivate a Supportive Network:

Surrounding yourself with a supportive network of colleagues, mentors, and friends can also make a significant difference in managing impostor syndrome. Once you understand that most people are probably feeling or have felt the same, talking about it with trusted individuals can be a way to access encouragement, perspective, and reassurance. Seek out people who can share their own experiences with impostor syndrome. Those connections and perspectives can not only remind you that you are not alone in your struggles, but give you the much-needed reality check when your vision becomes skewed.

Embrace the Learning Journey:

Being open to growth is another powerful tool in combating impostor syndrome. Embrace the belief that your abilities can always develop through dedication, effort, and learning. Letting go of the idea that you need to be your most developed self now can help reframe a setback or challenge into an opportunity for improvement. Your best self is not the version of you who makes no mistakes and has nothing to learn, but rather the version of you who uses mistakes to push for learning and development.

Practice Positive Self-Talk:

You already know everyone makes mistakes and faces challenges, not to mention that those can lead us all to feel undeserving. Actively putting in effort to replace self-critical thoughts with positive and affirming self-talk can feel awkward but make a big difference. Talk to yourself the way you would a friend, and support that with self-care and prioritising your physical and mental well-being. Engaging in activities that bring you joy and relaxation can help reduce stress and increase self-confidence. Here’s a few things that might help.

Ultimately…

Impostor syndrome may be a common experience, but it doesn’t have to define your professional journey. By understanding where it comes from and making an active effort to challenge it, you can take control of your mindset and open the opportunity for growth. Own your strengths, build a supportive network, push for learning, and practice self-compassion. Remember, you are worthy of success no matter what that silly voice in your head says.