Something tells me that from time to time you get this nagging little voice inside your head that tells you you’re a fraud. And it probably throws in a few little tidbits about why you can’t possibly do what it is you’re about to do.
How do I know…what am I…psychic?
While that would helpful for many reasons, sadly, I’m not the least bit psychic. The truth is, those fears about not being talented enough or smart enough are actually pretty common. We ALL feel that way from time to time. Even the most successful leaders and entrepreneurs.
It’s so common in fact, there’s actually a term for it: Imposter Syndrome. And believe it or not, somewhere in the neighborhood of 70% of us have experienced it at some point. Ironically, the ones who fall victim to Imposter Syndrome are high achievers – like you.
Now, let’s get one thing straight; feeling doubtful and unsure -especially when you’re stepping out of your comfort zone by doing something like, I don’t know…starting a business or advancing in your career is completely normal.
We ALL get those little knots in our stomachs sometimes (myself included.) It only becomes a real problem when you let them prevent you from taking the steps necessary to reach your goals.
So, what’s a successful woman-in-biz to do? Here are my 3 BEST tips to silence the voice of Imposter Syndrome once and for all:
- Stop comparing yourself to others.Nothing good comes from comparing your Chapter 1 to someone else’s epilogue. What we see when we’re faced with another person’s success is the highlight reel. We have no way of knowing how hard they’ve worked or what they’ve been through to get where they are. Comparing yourself to someone else’s achievements will stop you before you get started.
- Stop aiming for perfection.Doing your best andbeing the best are two very different things. Overcoming Imposter Syndrome starts with accepting yourself and acknowledging what you bring to the table. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: perfection isn’t a thing! If that’s what you’re striving for, you’re going to cause yourself a whole lot of frustration because you can’t hit a target that doesn’t exist. Believe me, I’ve tried!
- Own your accomplishments.It’s important to acknowledge your successes and the value you have to offer. It didn’t happen by chance! When you’re dealing with Imposter Syndrome, you have the tendency to chalk your accomplishments up to luck or other factors rather than your own abilities (and women are especially notorious for this, BTW.) Make no mistake–it was hard work, talent, and grit that got you to this point.
It’s scary to put yourself out there, try new things, and go after what you really want. But when fear and doubt don’t dictate your choices, you open yourself up to possibility and are able to discover your true potential.
Keep Hustling,
