Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
Women in business have it a little harder than most. We’re constantly fighting trying to prove our expertise or show the world that we belong in any room. But what happens when we don’t feel like we belong or we don’t feel qualified to be doing whatever it is that we’re doing? Imposter syndrome is when you feel like you’ve only been skating by, personally or professionally, due to luck or chance despite your hard work. It’s a psychological phenomenon that usually affects women more than men. Black women especially are affected the most by imposter syndrome and have a harder time accepting their places in society. So what can you do about it? If you are being affected by imposter syndrome, here are three things you can do to overcome it. Remind yourself of your wins Imposter syndrome will make you feel like you aren’t supposed to have what you have or be where you are. The only way to fight those feelings is to consistently remind yourself of what you have accomplished. Do your best to push past the negative thoughts of “I just got lucky.” Look at the work that you’ve put in and celebrate that regularly. This helps create an environment where you can actually see who you are and the work you’ve done. Remove negative self-talk It is so easy for us to tear ourselves to pieces and speak negatively. This is a symptom of imposter syndrome and the only cure is to reverse the narrative. You can do this by replacing the negative self-talk with positive and upbuilding words. Tell yourself daily that you ARE worthy, you have talent, and that you have what you have because of the work that you chose to put in. Keep moving forward. When we make mistakes, it’s easy to fall into a cycle of harping on those mistakes. This can often keep us down and hold us back. Imposter syndrome can sometimes trick you into believing that your shortcomings are bigger than what they really are. As hard as it sounds, you have to push past those feelings. When you mess up, acknowledge it and get over it. There’s no need to harp on it. Just do your best to keep moving forward. Imposter syndrome can negatively impact our lives if we let it. The most important thing to remember is that it’s not real and that it has no power over us. Remind yourself of how great you are, speak highly of yourself, and keep moving forward. Have you suffered from imposter syndrome?