Can we talk impostor syndrome?

Can we talk impostor syndrome? That nagging voice that constantly barrels around your brain. The voice that puts you down, keeps you small. The voice that says...

“Who do you think you are?”

“They’re going to find you out….“

“You should have prepared more…”

My take from clients? Impostor syndrome has THRIVED for many people in the last couple of years. Why? When you’re working from home without much feedback from others it’s easy to create a drama in your brain about what’s happening. And then when you tentatively put a toe back into the office it goes into overdrive. It can be hard to get the job done when your inner voice is beating you up in the moments that matter.

If you want to keep your impostor syndrome under control then there are two immediate actions that make a big difference:

1: Welcome your Impostor Syndrome inThis seems strange I know. But Impostor syndrome is actually a good sign because it tends to kick in when you are doing something new, challenging. When you are firmly out of your comfort zone. Impostor syndrome is a sign that you're in stretch. And because life is short a little bit of stretch is a very good thing, I’d say - wouldn’t you? Stuck is worse than stretch. So when impostor syndrome comes - know you’re in stretch - reframe the tingle as aliveness and growth rather than panic.

2: Say Thank you

Once you’ve welcomed your impostor syndrome, get it to pipe down. How? Say Thank you. Remember that you can be grateful for Impostor syndrome. It has a positive purpose.

It’s keeping you small.

In your place.

Safe.

So the first thing to do (slightly counter-intuitively I know) is appreciate it. Say thank you in your head - give a little appreciation that when you take that time to give that thank you, what you notice is that often the voice goes quiet. It has permission to stand down. You can breathe easy again.

And finally - the big lesson I’ve gleaned in a career that’s spanned A list actors, a monarch, CEOS of big businesses and politicians is that most of them have impostor syndrome too. You can be sure that in any room if an inner voice is telling you “they’re going to find you out” at least half of the room are experiencing the same thing. And you now have the comfort of knowing that you can say “thank you” to yours and quieten it down.
 

Do you get impostor syndrome?

Caroline x