Are you used to doing things well, with certain skills coming naturally to you?
Often, when you do come up against something that is more of a struggle, or you have to work harder to accomplish your aim, you then doubt your worth and whether you really are good enough. If something is difficult, then are you not as good as you thought?
Embrace the struggle
A strategy to overcome this persona is to embrace the struggle. The truth is, if you are not experiencing struggle, then you are not growing at all.
When we experience difficult situations, it is a sign we are learning new skills and expanding our knowledge. It is important to remember that struggling at something is not a sign of lack of competence or inability, but just a learning phase.
Leap of faith
You should never wait until you feel confidence to start taking action – confidence and competence will only come through action and taking that leap of faith, so it is about changing your behaviour first.
You are a work in progress, and no one on earth knows everything or is skilled in every walk of life.
Strategies
Do you feel like you have to know everything before you can start a project or take action. Perhaps you are endlessly looking for new certifications or training to improve your skills and knowledge? Maybe you only apply for jobs where you meet every bit of criteria, or you may not speak up or ask a question for fear of looking stupid.
Sometimes this can lead to crippling self-doubt where you are letting opportunities pass you by or you miss the boat.
If you say “I should be able to do this”, this could be another sign of impostor behaviour.
Some strategies exist that could help – although this first one is pretty tough, especially if you have the “I should know” mindset.
1. Get comfortable in learning
The first strategy is to get comfortable in learning when you need to learn. Not before, but at the time, when it is needed. Many people would find this stressful, but it is super time efficient and prevents you learning things that are not needed in the now.
Think to yourself: “I will acquire skills and knowledge when I need them, not just in case I need them.” How much time would that free up?
2. Ask for help
Are you someone who has to accomplish everything solo? Do you feel like a failure if you have to ask for support or help? Perhaps you see vulnerability as a weakness, and that if you ask for help it means you have failed or are not good at what you do?
The main tool for overcoming this line of thinking is remembering that vulnerability does not equal failure. In fact, not asking people for help, support or an opinion robs a colleague of being someone of contribution and value.
Flipping this to another perspective, what could you learn from others? How could you improve what you do by getting another perspective and insight? It could save you considerable money, time and pain down the line, even if its makes you feel weak in the moment.
Asking for help is really empowering, as it means you are allowing someone to shine.
3. Have a ‘trusted other’
One tactic I have found that helps overcome impostor syndrome is to share that feeling with a trusted other – it actually weakens its power over you.
An impostor syndrome is usually made up of secret self-talk and thoughts. Giving it a voice can free you up – plus, often saying it aloud will make you realise its triviality.
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