“I was having a serious bout of imposter syndrome yesterday, reading this has helped a lot”
My brilliant, determined client replied to me when getting ready for an elite global convention. A global event that brings together thought leaders from all facets of the industry - fast paced, high creative energy, high profile, high standards, highly competitive. He is already well known and respected in his industry and at this event - what's different is he is using this year’s event to launch his new business. He was hit with healthy doubts that grew into unintentional thoughts of fear that made him ‘put the brakes on’ when he needed to keep driving.
Raise your hand if you've had a similar experience, been gripped by the thought ‘I feel like a fraud’, envisioned ‘imposter’ in a bubble above your head, or told your nearest and dearest confidant ‘I don't think I belong here'. You can't see but my hand is raised.πβοΈ
Given that ~75% of people will experience at least one episode of this phenomenon at some point in their lives, it's a topic that comes up with my coaching clients. Most high-achieving, brave, stepping-outside-my-comfort-zone individuals have experienced what I refer to as the Imposter Monster. It is the thought that you are somehow not enough – the thought is the real imposter. Does this sound familiar?
βοΈ You have self-doubt in areas where you typically excel.
βοΈ You're comparing yourself to others and feel like you're not enough.
βοΈ You believe you'll be busted or “found out”.
βοΈ You may say to yourself, what am I doing I'm in over my head, why did I think I could do this, I shouldn't try this, what was I thinking.
βοΈ You agonize over the smallest things and feel nervous - helllllooo procrastination, come on in and have a seat.
βοΈ You downplay your own expertise, even in areas where you are genuinely more skilled than others.
βοΈ You attribute your success to external factors or luck.
Here's the paradox - you fear you'll be exposed as a fraud when you have evidence that suggests otherwise.
Healthy doubts left unchecked can turn into the unintentional imposter monster thoughts that carry a hefty cost such as anxiety, stress, procrastination, burnout, lower wages, not going after your dream, and can be a distraction from building the life you really want.
Take a deep breath then take a different look at the imposter monster hiding under your bed - or more likely in your head.π±
What if you are experiencing sensations that are EXPECTED and those healthy doubts are the natural response when taking brave actions like when you try something new, try on a new role, start a high-profile project, lead when your natural instinct is to take a back seat, show up in a way the audience is not accustomed to - as a leader with a new message, a business owner with a new approach, a boss not a peer, an independent, sovereign adult not someone's child.
What if you turned the lights on and see the imposter monster for what it really is – healthy doubts amidst the unknown and new.
What if your healthy doubts make sense…
NOT because it's not really who you are
NOT because you aren't capable, you don’t have the knowledge, or have the abilities
NOT because you aren't enough
but BECAUSE you are doing something that is upleveling your life, your business, your career, your relationships, your finances - you're expanding your comfort zone.
Inside 1:1 coaching my client got back in the drivers seat and shifted from doubting what he could do to producing a positive momentum for showing up as his greatest asset to present and market his new business at the most important event in his industry, and for his business today.
Want to stop feeding the imposter monster like my client did, book a consult and let's discuss how we can partner to create the life you want.
Click the link below to book a consultπππ
