Anyone Can Suffered From Imposter Syndrome - Here’s 3 Ways To Manage it

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Who's the real enemy

You might have come across a situation where you constantly feel that you do not deserve your success or your well-established career, and fate has been somehow kind to you and that your current success has been solely dependent on being “lucky”. You may be walking through life being weighed down by the fear of being found out by others at the workplace as a “phony”, leaving you anxious at all times. However… 

You aren't not alone

Initially, this phenomenon, coined by high-achieving women, has now seemed to be affecting all people irrespective of their age, color, gender, or profession. As it stands, people from all walks of life suffer from Imposter Syndrome at work. From top CEOs to salespeople, academics, athletes, or artists, all have felt like you at some point in their lives. In fact,  a survey result in the UK indicated that around 80% of professionals suffered from some aspect of the syndrome.

Symptoms:

• A constant feeling of being incompetent.
  
• Not considering yourself worthy of accolades.
  
• Over Reliance on external reassurance.
  
• Attributing one's success to luck. 
  
• Doubting oneself.
  
• Overworking and over-preparing to prove yourself.
  
• With more achievements come greater feelings of not deserving the position. ​
  

How to overcome it?

The good news is that this affliction is indeed beatable. Speaking from my own personal experience, I can assure you that Imposter Syndrome can be cured and below you will find your guide to overcoming this all too common phenomenon. So let’s start with tip #1:

1.  Self-affirmation:

As it stands, a person suffering from Imposter Syndrome is their own worst critic and their own worst enemy, leading to self-doubts, low self-esteem, and low confidence. Self-awareness, improvement, and holding yourself accountable are essential traits as, without these, one would struggle to identify one's weaknesses and areas they need improvement. The features mentioned above also include knowing what you are doing right and what you personally excel at. This not only encourages you, but grants you the unique ability to boost your confidence in excelling in areas that you are quite gifted in. 
If it were otherwise, the world would not have been in the position where it stands today. Instead, it would be full of people too scared to face challenges or pursue their dreams and realize their ideas. 

Practicing self-affirmation:
For those suffering with Imposter Syndrome it can be quite difficult to identify and take ownership of that which you do exceedingly well. So, I task you to ask 5 of your colleagues to write ten words they associate with you and explain why they chose them to describe you. The results will amaze you, help raise your self-esteem, and know your own worth.

2.  Define what success is to you

Imposter Syndrome typically leads to having unrealistic expectations. Hence, overworking to achieve challenging goals they set for themselves (and failing) and the aftermath may lead you to constantly compare yourself to others. 
However, it would be in your own best interest to remember that every person is unique, with capabilities and conditions different from others. Comparing yourself with others can be detrimental to not only your mental health, but physical wellbeing as well. Practice setting your own realistic goals without the need for any external approval, and don’t be afraid to list the smallest to grandest achievable goals. Achieving your little goals will be your success (that only matters to you) and with each accomplished goal, feel free to take a moment to celebrate yourself for the amazing and successful person you are.

​3.  We work to live, We don't live to work

Unfortunately, people suffering from the syndrome put much stress on themselves to achieve their self-created challenging milestones. Contrary to your own belief, it is crucial to remember that no success in the world equates to one's happy mind and healthy body. 
‘Plenty of people miss their share of happiness, not because they never found it, but because they didn't stop to enjoy it.’

So, stop and sink deep into the little things of life that bring happiness.

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Final Note,

​I do hope that this quick little guide not only helped you, but assured you that you are not alone in your own feelings of self doubt. But remember that success and self transformation takes time and don’t be too quick to assume that your feelings of doubt will just subside overnight. These things may take time, but always remember that you are worth it!

One great way to assist you in your journey to Self-love would be to take our EQ Test to help with this process of eradicating Imposter Syndrome and other Emotional Intelligent techniques that we offer here at emotified.  We are here to help so feel free to fill out our contact form.

Author: Kevin Allen - Chairman of Emotified