If they only knew...

#impostersyndrome #poser #worthy #iamgoodenough

Imposter Syndrome

 I am not a writer. I’ve been fooling myself and other people.

—John Steinbeck

I have written 11 books but each time I think ‘Uh-oh, they’re going to find out now. I’ve run a game on everybody, and they’re going to find me out.’

—Maya Angelou

“She explained that many people, but especially women, feel fraudulent when they are praised for their accomplishments. Instead of feeling worthy of recognition, they feel undeserving and guilty, as if a mistake has been made. Despite being high achievers, even experts in their fields, women can't seem to shake the sense that it is only a matter of time until they are found out for who they really are - impostors with limited skills or abilities.”
― Sheryl Sandberg, Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead

If they only knew…..

Imposter Syndrome is self-doubt, doubting your abilities, and feeling like a phony. You feel like people are going to find out you are a fraud. You may have feelings of failure or pretending.

Do you feel like you do something well, but your beliefs about yourself don’t change? You may find it difficult to accept your accomplishments. You are not alone. 70% of people experience imposter syndrome at some point in their lives.

Imposter syndrome doesn’t discriminate. Anyone can get these feelings. Some common symptoms are:

• Perfectionism
• Not living up to expectations
• Self-doubt
• Setting unrealistic goals
• Self-sabotage
• Believing your success is based on external factors
• Inner-critic berates your performance

Your beliefs about your ability to succeed impact how you feel. Perfectionism is not attainable and you can’t reach it. Anxiety and insecurity are related to feelings of inadequacy.

Getting past the imposter syndrome requires one of those deep dives into yourself and your feelings.

What beliefs do you hold about yourself?

Do you think you are enough? Worthy? Loved?

Does being perfect really affect the way people feel about you in a positive manner?

Working on yourself isn’t easy.

• Be helpful and kind to others
• Do things reasonably not perfectly
• Question your thoughts about being a fraud
• Stop comparing yourself to others
• Acknowledge your feelings so you can start to change inaccurate beliefs
• Talk about your beliefs and feelings with someone you trust
• Keep moving forward 

You are good enough. You are worthy. Don’t let yourself or anyone else tell you otherwise.

#muchlove

Nancy