Feeling like a fraud, incompetent and incapable.

Here are five things you can do to overcome it.

Do you ever feel you’re hiding?
Not stepping up?
Not fulfilling your potential?
Not wanting to be seen?
For fear that people will find out the truth about you.

That you’re not capable.
Not competent.
That you’re a fraud.

You experience such a sense of self-doubt and lack of confidence that it starts to permeate throughout all areas of your life —
Whether it be in the workplace,
Or at home.
And forget about it if you want to start something new.
Better to quit it,
Then people potentially find the truth about you.
You would be exposed and vulnerable.
How would you ever come back from this if people knew?

What if I told you, you weren’t alone?
That up to 82% of people will experience this at some point in their lives.
And it has a name you’ve probably heard before.
But often reading or hearing a name of an idea or theory,
And knowing how it feels are two entirely different experiences.

Imposter Syndrome.

Impostor syndrome (IS) refers to an internal experience of believing that you are not as competent as others perceive you.
While this definition is usually applied to intelligence and achievement, it has links to perfectionism — internally, socially and professionally.
Imposter syndrome is a pattern of self-doubt that can lead to anxiety, stress and missed opportunities.
It can lead to giving up.
To lowering your standards.
And it’s more likely to affect professional women — in particular, female executives — than men.
75% of women executives across industries have experienced imposter syndrome in their careers, according to a KMPG study.

Photo by Christina @ wocintechchat.com on Unsplash

So when this is happening, what can we do?

1. Know you’re in good company.
   If 75% of women executives experience Imposter Syndrome, you’re among high achievers, and there is no need to be ashamed. Stop it with the cycle of guilt, shame & suffering. It’s not awesome to feel this way, not at all. But it’s normal. Common. And you’re not alone.
2. Separate feelings from fact.
   Even though you feel it, it’s likely not to be grounded in reality. Think about what matters to you. Think about what and who you’re a stand for in the world. Ask yourself:
   Is this true?
   What is the evidence that it’s true?
   Is there evidence of the opposite?
3. Each time you have this specific thought, ask yourself:
   What could be possible if I didn’t believe this?
4. Live in opposite land for a day.
   Ask yourself: What would be possible if I challenged this belief or thought and thought the opposite for a day? What new action could I take? What could the payoff be? Then do something new.
5. Fake it until you make it.
   Don’t wait until you feel confident to start putting yourself out there. Courage comes from taking risks.
   Change your behaviour and allow your confidence to build.