This is reposted from an article I wrote for PurposeFairy.
For further discussion on this article, please listen to this radio interview on ways to overcome the Impostor Syndrome that I did with Jordana Green on CBS Minnesota.
We gain strength, and courage, and confidence by each experience in which we really stop to look fear in the face… we must do that which we think we cannot. ~Eleanor Roosevelt
According to Wikipedia, the impostor syndrome is a psychological phenomenon in which people are unable to internalize their accomplishments. Despite external evidence of their competence, those with the syndrome remain convinced that they are frauds and do not deserve the success they have achieved. Proof of success is dismissed as luck, timing, or as a result of deceiving others into thinking they are more intelligent and competent than they believe themselves to be.
Some ‘symptoms’ of Impostor Syndrome include:
Worrying that at any moment someone will ‘find you out’ and you’ll be fired or made to leave a group because you’re a fraud.
Believing that when people praise you, they’re just being nice or they feel they have to say good things about you.
Feeling that people with the same job title as you are more responsible or better at their job than you.
Not taking up new responsibilities, projects or stepping towards your dreams because you’ve already convinced yourself you’re unworthy or fail at everything.
Being unusually sensitive to constructive criticism.
If any of these look familiar to you, use these 5 tips to build yourself up and own your magnificence:
1) Take out your CV and write down all the things you’ve achieved- qualifications, promotions, successful marketing strategies, helping students, etc.
2) Now imagine you have to write a ‘life CV’- what are you really proud of? Your children, your husband, your gardening skills, your sense of humour, trying to eat healthily…you are incredible, go for it.
3) Reserve a day or afternoon to yourself- switch your phone off and really treat yourself. Have a massage, go and try on dresses with no intention of buying them or have lunch alone in a beautiful restaurant. You deserve it and yes, you deserve all the good feelings that come with it.
4) For goodness sakes, let go of the need to compare yourself to other people. It’s a huge waste of energy. You are never going to be that person, and you are better and more fabulous as you. Just concentrate on being grateful that you’re so flipping fantastic.
5) Ask a close friend to write a list of 10 reasons they they’re friends with you (and no, they’re not doing it just to be nice!)
If you’ve been nodding your head all the way through this article and you feel as if something has clicked, I’ll let you into a little secret. You are not alone. You are not alone in feeling like this- it is incredibly common. Many people know the feeling, but not many people share the feeling.
Use your fear and turn it into love. Love for yourself, love for others, love for your life. Love your Fear- you are worthy and truly deserving.
Love and being you,
Katie xx
Katie- I love your blog. I have gone back through all of the posts and have even reread some of them. I had to comment because I literally just pulled out a little book of quotes that I have called “encouragement” and was drawn to the exact same quote you posted here from Eleanor!! I was just about to write a post referencing it because I felt it resonated so much especially during the difficult crash periods that CFS can bring. I just wanted to say hello and thank you for the great stuff you post! -Laura
Wow, Laura- I can’t believe that you pulled out exactly the same Eleanor Roosevelt quote, that’s amazing! I’m so glad the post resonated with you. Make sure you sign up to my Facebook page for more updates- community is so important with CFS.
Have a beautiful day!
Katie xx
Hi Katie, I was nodding all the way through, and your tips are so helpful. I am going to write my life CV today.
best wishes Julie
Hi Julie- thank you so much for commenting. I hope writing up your Life CV helped you!
Katie x
So much power in that last paragraph! Own your fabulousness!
Yes- it’s so important to remember how fabulous we are! Thank you Shana- you’re amazing!
Katie x
Love your tips about how to overcome imposter syndrome. They also do work very well when there is insecurity, low self-esteem and self-worth in general. It’s always good to take stock of achievements/qualities and get reassurance.
Thank you Christiane- you’re right, they work for insecurity and love self-worth too. We all get a touch of this from time-to-time!
Thanks for commenting!
Katie x
Oooo, I love this! I hate when those feelings creep up and you have some wonderful strategies. Shared on FB! Thank you for your wisdom!
I know, and that’s exactly what these feelings do- they creep! So glad you enjoyed the article- thank you so much for sharing, Spirit Blessing! x