Imposter syndrome blurs who I am.

May 30, 2023

At some point, if you compare yourself to others, feel your self-belief is at zero and that you are not good enough. This can be as a result of imposter syndrome.

As a growth mindset consultant working with small business owners in group and one-to-one sessions, I have encountered many clients suffering from imposter syndrome.  Sometimes it prevents you from taking opportunities when they arise or even prevents you from scaling your business even though you know the time is right deep down.

So, what is imposter syndrome? It is an internal experience where a person questions and compares themselves to others. With this, they believe they are not as capable as others no matter what they try, even though others say they are good enough. 

Many people suffer from this in their personal lives as well as in their professional lives. Many business owners face a common challenge regardless of their success.

 

Do any of the following resonate with you?

1. Feeling like a fraud: "I can't believe I've made it this far. People will discover that I don't know what I'm doing."

 

2. Comparing yourself to others: "Look at that guy; he’s so successful. Why can't I be like him? I must be doing something wrong."

 

3. Fear of failure: "What if I fail? What if I lose everything I've worked so hard for? Maybe I'm not cut out for this after all."

 

4. Self-doubt: "I don't know if I'm good enough to run a business. Maybe I should just give up and return to my old job."

 

5. Perfectionism: "Everything I do has to be perfect. If it's not, it's a failure. I can't handle making mistakes."

 

Well, you are not alone; over 70 % of people will suffer from imposter syndrome at some point. One of the main issues is people becoming this feeling, so much so that it consumes them and changes their identity.

You may find yourself putting on a brave front or hiding behind what feels like various masks from everyone you encounter. When this happens, you forget your identity even when you remove the masks. When they look in the mirror their image seems blurred.

The good news is that your life does not have to be this way. Remember, depending on your stage; you are a real person who needs to find the right path, purpose, or identity again. If not dealt with, it can lead to overwhelm and burnout. So, start acting today.

These are all valid concerns, and they can be overwhelming. But there are ways to overcome them. Here are some tips that can help:

 

1. Recognize your achievements: Write down all your accomplishments, big and small. Celebrate them and remind yourself that you are capable of success. Consider using a journal where you can look back at the end of each quarter or a whole year and see how much you have achieved.

 

2. Stop comparing yourself to others: Everyone's journey is different. Focus on your own goals and progress. Compare yourself to yourself the previous day and look to improve on this. You are the only person you need to compare with.

 

3. Embrace failure: Failure is a natural part of growth. Instead of fearing it, learn from it and use it as an opportunity to improve. Remember that your failures are only steps on the way to your success.

 

4. Practice self-compassion: You would never speak to a friend as badly as you do in your mind with negative self-talk. Therefore, treat yourself with kindness and understanding, just as you would a struggling friend.

 

5. Let go of perfectionism: Nothing is ever perfect, and that's okay. Embrace progress over perfection and allow yourself to make mistakes.

 

Remember, you are not alone in feeling like an imposter. By recognising your challenges and taking steps to overcome them, you can build a mindset of confidence and success.

 

If you feel you can’t achieve this on your own, reach out and together, we will get you moving forward and on the right path towards your goals and aspirations.

 

Tony Gordon

www.changingyourmindltd.com

tonygordon@changingyourmindltd.com

https://linktr.ee/acdg1