Imposter Syndrome or imposterism loosely defined means doubting your abilities and power.
We all feel like an imposter at times. However more often than not, it’s the high achievers and more particularly women who question their skills and accomplishments, doubt their abilities and often feel like a bit of a fraud.
Imposterism goes hand in hand with perfectionism. If you are a perfectionist you will often get in your own way because everything has to be perfect to get started and you won’t delegate for fear it won’t be done right.
People suffering from imposter syndrome are often workaholics and feel the need to work harder that everyone else in order to not be discovered as a phonies They just can’t take their foot off the pedal.
This can be very damaging to relationship all around. If you feel like an imposter you will be constantly worried that your partner, boss or business associate is going to find out you are not as amazing as they think you are.
But there are strategies to get over imposter syndrome;
· Let go of perfectionism – don’t wait for everything to be perfect to get started.
· Celebrate your successes. Make a big deal of your achievements so they don’t just come and go. Put value in what you have done.
· Have a little self-compassion – look at yourself the way the world views you.
· Realise you are not alone – most of us feel like an imposter at some point. Acknowledge this and let it go.
The beautiful thing about getting older is that you gain experience in whatever you do.
Never disregard your skill experience and talents. Someone somewhere looks at you and thinks you are amazing.
Stop listening to the white noise in your head and get out of your own way.