Did you know that apparently, over 70% of people experience Imposter Syndrome?  That is a very high percentage.  But some people would argue that everyone experiences Imposter Syndrome at some time or other.  And also that it is not just women who experience it, but men as well.


Now, in my early career, I had not heard the phrase before – I did not know what it was.  That’s because it was not coined until the late 1970s.  It took a few more years for it to become well known.  In fact, when I first hear the phrase, everyone was asking, “What is it” and “Do I have it?” and “Is this something I want?”

There are disadvantages in experiencing Imposter Syndrome, but can it be our friend too?
One definition of Imposter Syndrome is the persistent inability to believe that one's success is deserved or has been legitimately achieved as a result of one's own efforts or skills.
So, in real life, Imposter Syndrome can be the:

• Feeling like you are unqualified to do something.
• Feel like you lack talent, skill, creatively.
• Feeling like everyone else in the room knows more than you.
• Fear of being found out.
• Feel like someone will point a finger at you and say, ‘you don’t know anything, do you.’

Pauline Clance and Suzanne Imes coined the term.  I personally think it is a really harsh term.
A google definition of Imposter is a person who pretends to be someone else in order to deceive others, especially for fraudulent gain.

So, let me ask you…
Are you trying to deceive people?  Are you trying to achieve gain by being fraudulent?  No, No, No, – of course you are not. You are NOT an Imposter.

So, what’s really going on here.  There is a clear feeling of self-doubt while you question your abilities. Sometimes the perfectionist in us takes over.  We set unachievable goals and then beat ourselves up when we don’t achieve them. We are not Super Heroes.  We fear judgement and to be found wanting and of being discovered.  We don’t help ourselves by not giving ourselves credit where it is due.  Often, we hide our light under a bushel.  We don’t own your success and are often self-deprecating.  But sometimes, we found ourselves in a situation when we have to do something that we are not trained to do or have had little experience in.  It is so easy to forget our skills, the importance of what we have learned and to downplay our strengths.

But you can overcome Imposter Syndrome, and here are some tips to help you do that.

1. Recognise & Record what is going on
Recognise it, acknowledge what you are feeling.  Journal it and question it.

2. Review your wins
Look back at your successes.  Every time I read an old CV, I am pretty amazed that I am reading about myself.  Did I really do that?  Yes, I did, because there are no lies or exaggerations in my CV.  But just like everyone reading this, I too, forget what I have achieved and how amazing it felt to do that at the time.

3. Reach out & Resource
Upskill or gain experience if you feel you need to. Find a tribe that can support you and remind you of your achievements and how good you are.  Build case stories of your successes and keep testimonials so you can look back at them.

4. Reframe it
Recognise that it is healthy to check in with your abilities, as long as you keep it realistic.  Checking in with our abilities prevents us from making massive mistakes and helps us to recognise when to reach out for help.  Therefore, welcome Imposter Syndrome – make it your friend but keep it in check.
Know that you are Enough, just as you are, at this moment in your journey.  But being Enough does not mean you have reached the end of your journey.

5. Recognise Your Success
Own it – you’ve earned it – you deserve it.  Recognise that your successes are down to your hard work.  Don’t dismiss it, celebrate it instead.
If you would like more Tips about overcoming Imposter Syndrome watch my FREE Webinar on the 28th September.

​Register to watch here….
https://bit.ly/3kxWAoU
 

Is Imposter Syndrome Real?  This is a question that many potential clients ask me when they are trying to decide if they need help with their Imposter Syndrome, and the quick answer is a very loud, resounding “YES, ABSOLUTELY”. 

Imposter Syndrome was identified by Dr Clance and Dr Imes, who were working with high performing female students who just did not believe that their work was good enough.  You cannot see Imposter Syndrome, it doesn’t bring you out in spots like chickenpox, but you may notice some particular behaviours that tend to show up when we have Imposter Syndrome.

Imposter Syndrome affects how we feel about ourselves.  We think that our work is not good enough, or that other people are better than us.   And we think this even though we are doing well in our careers.  In fact, it is typical that high achievers feel Imposter Syndrome more than other people.  This also includes people who are under pressure to do well, such as elite athletes or salespeople.

The problem with refusing to believe that we are genuinely good at what we do, is that is causes us to doubt our abilities and our confidence to make clear and quick business or career decisions.  So, we risk letting amazing opportunities pass us by in our business, our career and in our personal life.

There is one piece of behaviour that others cannot see, and that is when we listen to our inner critic when it says things like;

‘You can’t do that.’

‘You’re not good enough to do that.’

‘What will other people think when you get that wrong’.

‘You don’t know enough.’

But when we listen to our inner critic and choose to believe it, we also can see certain behaviours.  These include avoidance and procrastination.  Putting off something that is a great opportunity or not saying ‘yes’ to something great because we doubt our abilities is likely to be down to Imposter Syndrome.

So yes, Imposter Syndrome is real and very much alive right now.  If you want to know some more, DM me or email me at jane@janephillipscoaching.

If you would like some FREE tips to help you to overcome your Imposter Syndrome, register to watch my free webinar about Imposter Syndrome being released on the 28th September.   bit.ly/3kxWAoU

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