What if your imposter syndrome was right all along?

Imposter syndrome is that feeling that you don’t belong in a particular space. Usually, it’s because there’s some criteria you’re not meeting. I mean, honestly, who doesn’t suffer from imposter syndrome? People who feel entitled or like the world owes them something. These aren’t the sorts of people that we want to emulate because they take way more than they give.

Being generous by giving your time or your energy or engaging with your vulnerability means being in constant contact with your imposter syndrome. Today, I’m not going to tell you how it’s wrong or how you should ignore it because like a toddler in a supermarket, it’s only going to scream louder. Instead, let’s work with it, have a conversation with it, and see if we can’t call its bluff.

Ways we can deal with imposter syndrome

Here are some of the ways we can have a little tussle with imposter syndrome:

• Acknowledge and address it. It’s no good ignoring it – it’s only going to scream louder.
• Focus on what makes you unique.
• Do your research. Imposter syndrome thrives on uncertainty, so bloat it up with facts.
• Ask the five whys. Keep asking your imposter syndrome to you keep challenging it.
• Normalise mistakes as part of the learning process.
• View setbacks as opportunities to learn.
• Stay connected to your purpose and your passion.

What if your imposter syndrome tells you you’re not good enough… and it’s right?

Here are some questions to ask.

• Who decides what “good enough” is?
• How will you know when you’ve reached the mark? How do you know when you’re finished?
• Can “good enough” be reframed to “good enough for now?”

What if you’re good enough, but you’re just not putting in the effort or spending your time wisely?

Set your own standards and understand that you might not always hit them. That’s because you’re likely setting standards higher than others’ expectations of you.

There’s lots more

In the face of imposter syndrome, there’s one key question you should ask yourself. Listen to the episode to find out what that question is, and to hear how I battle my own unhelpful self-talk.