Have you ever heard of Imposter Syndrome? It’s a real thing, and many people suffer from it. If you’re like many 6-7 figure course creators and coaches, you may feel like you are an imposter in some way.

You might have this deep feeling that you don’t belong in the same room as your peers or clients or worry about being found out for the fraud that you are. Imposter syndrome is real, but it doesn’t have to rule your life. Let’s find out how to slay this dragon and get back to living your best life!

What is Imposter Syndrome?

If you’re feeling like a fraud in your field – like you’re just pretending to know what you’re doing and one day everyone will find out – well, my friend, you may be experiencing the dreaded imposter syndrome. But don’t worry. You’re not alone. We’ve all been there, even the most successful among us have felt like imposters at some point. But the good news is, you can shake off those imposter feelings and become the confident, kickass professional you were meant to be.

First things first, let’s get real…

Imposter syndrome is not some made-up nonsense, and it’s a real thing! In fact, studies have found that up to 70% of people experience imposter syndrome in some form.

Imposter Syndrome is a psychological pattern in which individuals doubt their accomplishments and fear they will be accused of fraud. It’s that nagging feeling that you’re not good enough, that you don’t belong, and that you’re going to be found out as the fraud you feel like you are.

The term was coined by Dr. Pauline Clance in 1978 the pattern manifests as a belief that one’s accomplishments are not real or deserved and a fear of being exposed as a “fraud” amongst peers or colleagues. People with imposter syndrome may experience chronic self-doubt and insecurity about their skills and talents, leading them to neglect or undervalue their accomplishments and persistently compare themselves negatively with peers.

The negative impact of these mental cyclic thought patterns on personal well-being has been well documented by psychology researchers, with findings that individuals suffering from imposter syndrome were more likely to experience lower levels of life satisfaction and engagement than those who did not have this experience. This can lead to feelings of anxiety, depression, and anger which can seriously disrupt personal development at work or in other areas of life.

The fear of failure can lead to people not trying things they believe they could accomplish because they feel unworthy or incapable of success. And this is common among high achievers because we often set our standards so high that it becomes difficult to reach them without feeling like an imposter—even if we are actually successful.

But here’s the thing, everyone feels this way at some point. It’s not a sign that you’re not good enough. It’s a sign that you’re human. And what’s more human than feeling like a fraud? Nothing, that’s what.

How Do I Overcome Imposter Syndrome?

So now that we’ve established that imposter syndrome is real let’s discuss how to conquer it.

Overcoming imposter syndrome is an essential step towards achieving success, whether in the workplace, in school, or any other aspect of life. It is important to recognize and acknowledge the feelings of self-doubt and inadequacy that so often accompany imposter syndrome and to strive to find practical ways to address them.

Fortunately, there are several steps people can take to overcome imposter syndrome. The first step in overcoming Imposter Syndrome is recognizing it for what it is—a mental obstacle standing between you and your goals. Once you recognize the feelings of unworthiness or inadequacy for what they are, it’s time to take action and start slaying that dragon!

Here are some tips for conquering Imposter Syndrome:

1. Recognize That It’s Normal

Knowing that you’re not alone in feeling like an imposter can be comforting. Remember, even the most successful people have felt this way at some point.

2. Focus on Your Strengths

Make a list of all the things that make you unique and special. These could be skills, talents, knowledge, experiences—anything that sets you apart from others. This will help remind you of all the amazing things YOU bring to the table!

3. Celebrate Your Wins

Don’t forget to give yourself credit for all your successes no matter how small! Keep a list of your accomplishments, big and small, and refer to it when you’re feeling down. This will remind you of all the things you’ve done well and help you see that you’re not a fraud, but a capable and accomplished professional. Celebrate every win by doing something special for yourself like going out for dinner or taking a day off just for fun!

4. Embrace The Awkwardness

You know that feeling when you’re in a new situation and you’re not sure if you’re doing it right? Embrace that feeling! It means you’re learning and growing.

5. Surround Yourself With A Supportive Squad And Talk About Your Feelings

Find people who will lift you up and remind you of your awesomeness when you’re feeling down. Surround yourself with people who understand what impostor syndrome feels like and can talk openly about these feelings without judgment. Talking about your struggles can help normalize them so that instead of feeling ashamed or embarrassed about having these thoughts, it becomes easier to manage them.

6. Set Realistic Goals

Focus on setting realistic goals that are achievable within a certain time frame instead of setting lofty goals which can become overwhelming quickly when faced with obstacles or setbacks. Small wins add up over time and create positive momentum toward bigger goals!

7. Don’t Compare Yourself To Others

It’s easy to look at others and think they have it all together. But remember, you don’t know what’s going on in their heads. Focus on your own journey and progress.

8. Fake It Till You Make It

Just kidding, that’s terrible advice.

Instead, act as if you are a confident person, and soon enough you will become one. It’s all about mindset and perspective. When you act as if you’re a confident person, you start to believe it yourself. It’s like a self-fulfilling prophecy. You’ll be amazed at how much more assertive and capable you feel when you adopt this approach.

When you take actionable steps towards overcoming this issue, you can begin to rewire your brain into thinking positively about yourself instead. Building your self-confidence takes time, but by challenging yourself regularly, you will soon start noticing improvements in your outlook on life!

Ultimately the key is believing that you are capable enough, even if you don’t always feel it. Remember that success results from a combination of commitment and hard work!

The Short

Impostor Syndrome doesn’t have to rule your life!

Its power comes from feeling alone in your struggles – but if we work together, we can break through these barriers. When we focus on our strengths, celebrate our wins, talk honestly about our feelings, and set realistic goals, we can overcome Impostor Syndrome together and live our best lives!

You need to take your time to remind yourself that it’s ok to feel this way! 

Don’t let negative voices in your head shade who you truly are. Embrace your strengths and remember success does not happen overnight. It’s important to recognize that inconsistencies don’t make you an imposter. Conquer those imaginary dragons and move forward with courage and determination. And most importantly, find a squad of supportive friends and mentors that can help lift you up! 

Speaking of which…

If you feel like the imposter in the room and want to be in a safe place to talk and sort out your struggles and how you can overcome them, then come and join our Facebook group today. Be part of a warm and uplifting community where we share our experiences. It’s a community where you can share your struggles and triumphs, and get the support and encouragement you need to keep pushing forward. You’ll find an amazing squad of like-minded individuals who will be there to support you without judgment every step of the way.

The future is yours – are you ready?