I often hear this in my counseling sessions: “Natalia, I’ve been promoted, but I’m afraid that soon everyone will realize that I’m not that great,” “I started a business, but it seems like I’m deceiving everyone.” Sound familiar? This is the imposter syndrome. Let’s deal with it once and for all!
What is imposter syndrome?
Every day I meet successful people who, despite their achievements, constantly doubt their own competence. Executives, entrepreneurs, professionals – all of them sometimes feel “fake.”
An interesting fact is that the more we achieve, the more often we may encounter this syndrome. It’s a paradox, isn’t it?
Why do we devalue ourselves?
- Perfectionism (oh, my favorite topic!).
- Fear of not meeting expectations.
- Comparing yourself to others (especially on social media).
- The inherited Soviet mentality of “keep your head down”.
How to recognize imposter syndrome?
See if these thoughts are familiar to you:
- “I was just lucky.”
- “I don’t deserve it.”
- “Someday everyone will realize that I’m not that smart.”
- “Others are much better than me.”
We’ve already figured out what impostor syndrome is, and now you’re probably wondering what to do about it.
In this article, I will share effective techniques to help you deal with this feeling. We will look at practical approaches that will help you not only realize your own value, but also learn to accept your successes with confidence.
Techniques for dealing with the inner critic
- A diary of successes. Keep a notebook and write down three things every night:
- What did I do well today?
- What kind of compliment/thank you did I receive?
- Why can I praise myself?
- “Talk to a friend” technique : When in doubt, ask yourself: “What would I say to my best friend in this situation?”. I’m sure you wouldn’t tell her: “What kind of a boss are you? Sit quietly!”. So why are you saying this to yourself?
- A collection of evidence. Create a folder (physical or digital) with:
- thanks from customers;
- screenshots of achievements;
- diplomas and certificates;.
- photos from important events.
Review it in times of doubt.
It is important to remember
My dear, you are not alone! According to statistics, up to 70% of successful people experience imposter syndrome.
But you know what? It’s normal to have doubts. What’s not normal is letting those doubts run your life.
Your next step
Start small – tonight, write down three of your accomplishments. Anything! Maybe you gave a great presentation, cooked a delicious dinner, or were patient with the kids. It all matters.
With faith in you and your strength, your Natalia.
