Feeling insufficient could be holding you back!

Do you feel convinced that it’s only a matter of time before everyone finds out you’re not as capable as they think? If so, you’re not alone. This feeling is sometimes labelled as imposter syndrome, and it affects many of us, regardless of our success or competence.

Imposter syndrome is a psychological pattern where individuals doubt their accomplishments and have a persistent fear of being exposed as a “fraud.” Despite external evidence of their competence, those of us experiencing this feeling are convinced we do not deserve our success or that we are competent to be on the path we wish to take.

Perfectionism, upbringing and cultural expectations and the pressure to succeed or adhere to certain roles can deepen these feelings. Facing new roles or responsibilities sometimes triggers self-doubt. This can be good if harnessed healthily through thoughtful processing and focussing on the desired outcome.

Recognizing that these feelings are restricting us is the first step towards overcoming it. Watch out for some of these behaviours: attributing success to luck or external factors, fear of failure (sometimes simply driven by genuinely caring about the situation), being exposed as a fraud, overworking to compensate for a misguided sense of inadequacy, and downplaying achievements while brushing off compliments.

To break through this limiting behaviour, it’s essential to acknowledge your feelings and recognize that this is something many of us experience. Reframe your thoughts by talking with someone, and get help with developing positive affirmations and looking forward to the desired outcome. Instead of thinking, “I don’t deserve this,” tell yourself, “I worked hard and earned this.” Take a moment to list your past success and accepting compliments and remembering past compliments can also be incredibly helpful.

Embracing failure as part of the growth process is important and can even be fun. You’ve probably heard it before “We learn from our mistakes!” – be open to learning, knowing that there will be a few mistakes. Setting goals that inspire you and celebrating small victories along the way helps recognize that it is all a journey, not a destination. Treating yourself with the same kindness, compassion and understanding you would offer a friend can significantly reduce feelings of inadequacy.

Overcoming these feelings is about embracing your true self and accepting your worth. By nurturing positive thoughts, seeking support, and celebrating your achievements, you can build confidence and truly appreciate your own abilities. Remember, you are not an imposter. You are a capable, deserving individual who has worked hard to achieve your success. Embrace your journey, celebrate your accomplishments, and believe in the incredible person you are.

If you’re ready to challenge your imposter syndrome experience, I’m here to help. Together, we can work towards building confidence and truly appreciating your worth.