Conquering Imposter Syndrome

When it feels like everyone knows what they are doing except for you.

Learn how to appreciate your value and embrace your humanness.

We've all been there. That moment in our lives and careers when we're surrounded by people who seem to have it all figured out. They seem smarter, more experienced, more put together, and more talented, and we feel like we're just trying to keep up. That little voice starts whispering doubts, telling us we don't belong, that we're faking it, and any minute now, everyone will see us for the frauds we are. Sound familiar? You're not alone. That's Imposter Syndrome, and it's more common than you think.

Imposter syndrome feels like a nagging force, constantly whispering doubts in your ear, telling you that you're not good enough. It makes you question your accomplishments, minimize your successes, and live in constant fear of being "found out." But here's the good news, you can triumph over it. Here are some ways to help you with Conquering Imposter Syndrome…

10 Strategies to know your value and feel less like an imposter:

Your Best IS Good Enough: You're not competing with anyone else; you're doing your best, and that’s all you can do. Repeat it like a mantra: “My best is good enough.” You can't do better than your strongest effort.

It’s also ok to not always do your best as sometimes “just ok” or “actively trying” is good enough especially when it's what you need to survive and thrive.

Identify Your Strengths and Appreciate Your Value: You have your own unique strengths and it’s ok to not be good at absolutely everything. Make a list of your accomplishments and skills. Did you lead a successful project? Are you a great communicator? What value do you bring to your job or other areas of your life? Write it down! Focus on what you do know, not what you don't.

Recognize When Others Make Mistakes: We often put others on a pedestal, forgetting that everyone is human. The CEO who stumbled during a presentation, the boss who forgot a key detail, or the experienced friend or colleague who missed a deadline are the type of moments that can remind us that imperfection is universal. It's not about gloating, but about normalizing the fact that everyone, even those we admire, experiences setbacks, and it’s reasonable if you sometimes do too.

Acknowledge Your Limitations and Embrace Your Humanness: We are all “works in progress.” It's okay not to know or be good at everything. Embrace the learning process. Consider your “mistakes” to be “learning moments” or “little stumbles,” and forgive yourself for the less than stellar moments. No one can be the smartest, strongest, or most talented person. Our varied strengths fill the gaps where others may have weaknesses, which enable us to complement and support each other.

Ask for Positive Feedback: Do you struggle with knowing what you are good at or how others positively see you? Seek out positive feedback from trusted colleagues or mentors. What strengths and positive qualities do they see in you? What have they noticed you do well? Research shows that we often judge ourselves more harshly than others do, who tend to recognize our strengths and offer greater forgiveness.

Celebrate the Small Wins: Forget only counting your losses and focus on your wins. Did you successfully complete a difficult task? Were you able to finish a project quicker than expected? Reward yourself for a job well done. Small wins add up, and treating yourself for an accomplishment is a positive reinforcement for improving the ego.

Remember You're Not Alone: Chances are that many of the people you admire have felt the same way at some point. Consider asking the people you trust and support you when they have felt like an imposter in their life. You might be surprised on how many people in your life feel this way, which is why there’s an actual term for this feeling-imposter syndrome.

Embrace Excellence vs. Perfectionism: Perfection is an illusion. Focus on trying your best, not on being flawless. There’s no such thing as perfection, only being human. Strive for “excellence” rather than for “perfection.” We can try to be excellent in what we do but it's unrealistic to be perfect. Consider these articles from PsychologyToday.com on perfectionism: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/articles/202411/why-perfectionism-is-a-trap

Ask Yourself if You're Doing Too Much: Sometimes, imposter syndrome stems from feeling overwhelmed. If you are taking on too much, you may start to falter. It’s not that you aren’t good enough, it may just mean you aren’t superhuman and it would be impossible to balance all those plates. If you're juggling too many tasks, it might be time to delegate or prioritize.

It's Okay to Feel This Like an Imposter Sometimes: Feelings of being an imposter can come and go and can be a way to help us learn and grow. Don’t get mad at yourself for your feelings, try to understand what they are telling you. Acknowledge your insecurities and then work to overcome them. Recognizing our insecurities can make us stronger and better.

Remember, we all have doubts about ourselves sometimes and that’s ok. Imposter syndrome can be a powerful motivator if we try to understand and learn from it. It can drive us to work harder, to seek out new knowledge, and to push ourselves beyond our comfort zones. When managed correctly, it can be a catalyst for growth. Consider choosing one of these strategies and put it into practice. You are strong and capable, and you deserve to feel confident in your abilities.

Now go forth and confidently pretend you know what you're doing and let it drive you to seek knowledge and experience, making you even better than you thought you could be. You aren't an imposter, you are a wonderful you.