You’re Battling “Imposter Syndrome” Too?

Most times, I find it hard to accept compliments and my accomplishments. To be honest, I think it’s all the time. Any time the attention and focus are on me, instead of embracing it, I shy away from it and downplay it. I know I did it myself with little to no assistance; however, I still feel I’m committing fraud. I still feel as though I did not earn it. 

I’m the kind of person who likes to see everyone else shine and be glorified, but the thought of that for myself TERRIFIES me. 

It was not until I did a podcast interview earlier in the year with my guest Renay Althea. She began to talk about this thing called “Imposter Syndrome.” I always know my question ahead of time. And often enough, I know the directions of my guests’ answers. However, this time I was indeed at a loss for words because I felt like someone was seeing me and describing something I had been feeling for so long, but I couldn’t find the words to describe it myself. I had to ask her a bonus question and figure out what Imposter Syndrome was.

Renay is a Confidence Coach, and she described Imposter Syndrome, saying, “when you’re in a position and you and you feel I like you’re not qualified to be there and other people are going to catch that you frauded your way there.” Imposter Syndrome will have you wanting to seek approval and search it, but you continue to question it once you get it.

Like I said in the beginning, Imposter Syndrome is something that I battle. However, it is something that I’m working hard at overcoming right now. While doing some research, I visited impostorsyndrome.com and found 10 Steps You Can use To Overcome Impostor Syndrome:

1. Break the silence (you’re not alone).
2. Separate feelings from fact (what you feel about yourself [ex. stupid] does not result in who you are).
3. Recognize when you should feel fraudulent.
4. Accentuate the positive.
5. Develop a healthy response to failure and mistake-making.
6. Right the rules (unlearn toxic regulations).
7. Develop a new script.
8. Visualize success.
9. Reward YOURSELF!
10. Fake it ’til you make it.

Like many things, I like to remind people that nothing is an overnight fix. But, like many things, we have to put in the effort to fix what’s essential to better our lives. Do the research. Talk to someone. Allow yourself that grace and courtesy to mess up, adjust, accept what it is, and press forward.

Let me know in the comments if you do or have battled Imposter Syndrome. How do you manage it or how did you overcome it?

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Also, listen to the full episode “Women And Confidence” Ft. Renay Althea on Spotify.