You are enough
Have you ever looked around and thought "how did I get here"?
That creeping self doubt, the fear that you will be found out as a fraud, even when your qualifications, experience and reputation say otherwise. This is the hallmark of imposter syndrome. He and I are long term acquaintances. I remember well being absolutely petrified when representing an organisation as a key note speaker at an international conference. I wasn't scared of standing up in front of an audience, but rather that I would not say anything that the audience found useful. That what I had to share wasn't good enough, that I wasn't good enough. So many examples throughout my life of this in both my personal and professional life, this fear of rejection and not being good enough and having to learn to walk through and over this and move forward. There were definitely times I didn't, where I let that self doubt lead. Jobs i didn't apply for because I thought I wasn't good enough, only to watch others with less experience gain those roles. Things I didn't pursue because I thought I would fail. Relationships I settled for, Feeling like being in my comfort zone would keep be safe but also realising that this is such a self-limiting approach to life and that I am worth more than that.
Imposter syndrome shows up in many ways:
Dismissing praise with " I just got lucky or I was just in the right place at the right time".
Overpreparing and overworking to compensate for not feeling enough
Avoiding new opportunities because you feel your not ready.
Comparing yourself to others and coming up short
The paradox? Imposter syndrome is most common amongst high achievers. People who care deeply about doing a good job.
So what can you do?
Name it to tame it -recognise that what your feeling has a name and that you are only human and definitely not alone in feeling this way.
Challenge the voice - Ask: where's the evidence that I am not good enough. Often you will find that the voice of the imposter is not grounded in fact but rather in fear.
Talk about it- Talking to a coach or supervisor can provide space to explore the deeper roots of these feelings and help you build strategies to move forward with increased clarity and confidence.
Celebrate progress not perfection- acknowledge the steps you are taking not just the outcome. growth comes from action not from perfection.
You don't have to keep waiting to feel ready - you are ready now!
If imposter syndrome is keeping you stuck, the opportunity to work with a coach or supervisor can offer the reflection, accountability and encouragement you need to shift from self-doubt to self-trust.
Step into your own growth rather than being stuck in fear. You are not an imposter.