3 Tips to Squash Imposter Syndrome
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Squash imposter syndrome.
Imposter syndrome is real, and it's strong. Whether you're starting a new job, stepping into a new role, or trying something that stretches you, that little voice shows up and yells "somehow I don't belong here because I'm not perfect."
It's a real struggle, and honestly, all of us deal with some level of insecurity. Deep down we want to be accepted, liked, and on some level ‘impressive’ to the people around us.
Here are three simple mindsets that can help you shut down imposter syndrome the next time it shows up.
#1. People less capable than you are already doing it.
“Somebody less capable and competent than you is already doing the exact thing you’re afraid you can’t do or don’t belong doing.”
This is the strongest one for me, and it’s not meant to be mean, but it's true.
Here's the deal: somebody less capable and less competent than you is already doing the exact thing you're afraid you can't do or don’t belong doing.
We tend to build up this idea that the person in this role we want, or doing the thing we are stepping into has it all figured out. They know everything. They're brilliant, wise, and completely put together.
But I guarantee you that whatever you feel like an imposter about, there is someone out there doing that same thing successfully who is not as sharp or capable as you are. Someone worse than you is being successful doing it, and by golly so can you.
Keep that in your back pocket. It's a good reality check and confidence reframe.
“You were not born brilliant at anything.”
#2. Everything you're good at, you used to suck at.
This one is all about growth mindset. You were not born brilliant at anything. Nobody was.
There's this self-imposed pressure to start perfect or look impressive at anything we do right out of the gate. Imposter syndrome convinces you that if people find out you're not already an expert, you'll be exposed as a fraud who doesn't belong, and be criticized and rejected.
But that's not how learning works. You cannot start perfect at anything. You have to learn, grow, and get better, which means you have to start out being bad at it. That's just the process.
If you're stepping into something new and thinking "I don't know if I'm going to be awesome at this," give yourself permission to not expect perfection right away. It’s unrealistic. If you hold onto the idea that you need to start out great, you'll never let yourself take chances or try anything new. Anything you want to improve at is on the other side of a desert. And the only way through it to the other side is to start crawling.
Embrace the mindset of "yet." You're not good at this yet. You're not an expert yet. That word changes everything.
“We assume that if people see or observe us doing anything, they’ll judge us, criticize us, and clap when we fail.
That is not reality.”
#3. Nobody is sitting around hoping you fail.
This one might be my favorite. Nobody is watching you and hoping you mess up.
As humans, we have a hard time assuming good intent from the people watching us. That's a big part of why so many people hate public speaking. We assume that if people see or observe us doing anything, they'll judge us, criticize us, and clap when we fail.
That is not reality.
I taught improv for a long time, and this comes up constantly with newer improvisers who fear audiences. Here’s the reframe:
When you watch someone else on stage, you're not hoping they fail. You're not being critical. You want them to feel confident and have a good time. You're cheering for them. Audiences are not full of horrible, mean people, they’re full of people just like you. They’re benevolent.
So flip the script on your imposter syndrome. What if every single person watching you was fully in your corner? What if everyone was hoping you succeed, cheering you on, and wanting you to knock it out of the park? Assign that energy to the invisible audience you're afraid of.
Imposter syndrome comes from the fear of being judged. But if you choose to believe (in this made up world where everyone is watching you) that everyone wants you to be wildly successful, that changes everything. It means you can ask questions. You don't have to be perfect. You can be flawed and make missteps and learn as you go.
If you're going to assign an attitude to some invisible observer, why not make it a positive one? It costs you nothing, and it changes how the whole process feels.
“Step into a new thing and just be there. Humbly doing your best, whatever that may look like in that moment.”
The bottom line.
Imposter syndrome is real, but you are capable and awesome, and you don't have to start off that way.
Step into a new thing and just be there. Humbly doing your best, whatever that may look like in that moment.
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This article was created by Galen Emanuele for the #culturedrop. Free leadership and team culture content in less than 5 minutes a week. Check out the rest of this month's content and subscribe to the Culture Drop at https://bit.ly/culturedrop
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