Written by: Deborah Lynch, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Do you ever feel like an intruder or a fake?
Do you sometimes feel you don’t belong and it’s only a matter of time before someone realizes they made a mistake by investing in you?
Maybe you are an entrepreneur or coach feeling like an imposter in a world of shiny gurus. Consequently, you dare not post that video or speak your truth for fear of being exposed as a fake. So, you do nothing and keep watching others building their online empires and achieving their lifelong dreams.
In your heart, you know you too are an accomplished and educated high-flyer. You know you are a striver after excellence. Yet there you sit as quiet as a mouse, keeping your ideas to yourself because you don’t feel worthy of a place in that board room.
You see others confidently taking the stage, but when your turn comes you feel unworthy of stepping into the limelight.
And I’ll bet you modestly brush off compliments about your insights and achievements, saying: “Oh, it’s just luck” or “I did nothing special.”
That is Imposter Syndrome.
Who has Imposter Syndrome?
Research suggests that imposter syndrome most often afflicts those who should least suffer it — which is to say that high achieving, extremely hardworking, intelligent individuals are among those most prone to experiencing the condition. Why? Because it is in their very nature to constantly question whether they have enough of those core qualities to truly succeed. Sufferers are always asking themselves: “Am I really good enough?”
In addition, high performers striving for very ambitious goals repeatedly suffer the syndrome. Even as they reach the next level of success, they are likely to question whether their ability matches the newly created responsibilities engendered by their latest achievement.
Welcome to the vicious circle.
If you feel you are among the 75% of those experiencing imposter syndrome in the corporate world be assured, that you are not alone.
And know that the circle can be broken.
How to overcome Imposter Syndrome
The first step in overcoming imposter syndrome is to fully assimilate its causes and to admit that you are afflicted by it.
Before continuing, let’s eliminate from our discussion those who never suffered from imposter syndrome. Namely the psychopaths, energy vampires, and narcissists of this world — those unfortunate self-obsessed individuals who do not, or cannot relate to the feelings or opinions of anyone else.
In contrast, by acknowledging that you wrestle with bouts of self-doubt, you are showing that you do care about people. And you are demonstrating that you respect the feelings and opinions of others.
Equally, you care about what others think of you. Their opinions become a major source of self-evaluation for you and therein lie the seeds of the syndrome. Unfortunately, even the slightest negatively perceived opinion about you can consequently contribute to and exacerbate any feelings of self-doubt that you may have.
Thus, the circle turns.
So, having become aware of this psychological phenomenon within yourself, how can you alleviate it?
Awareness alone helps to some degree. But there are practical methods that will help:
Practice telling yourself that you are good enough. Doing this deliberate practice daily will keep you aware of your true value because no one will value you more than you value yourself (yes, read that sentence again).
Facts and Evidence
Take a sheet of paper
In one column list your big achievements in life. These are FACTS
In a second column list any compliments that people you trust and respect have given you. This is EVIDENCE supporting your desire for success
Pin these lists where you can see them every day as a reminder that you truly deserve those compliments. In this way, you will internalize the accomplishments that played such an important role in your success
Focus on Providing Value, via The Law of Reciprocity
Here is a healthy alternative to worrying about how others perceive us.
Practice the Law of Reciprocity which declares that in life, love, and business, you can only get back what you give out.
In other words, when you obsess about how you’ll be perceived, you are thinking: “What’s in it for me?” That is a taker’s mindset.
By contrast, focusing on offering good value so that others benefit from your contribution is a giver’s mindset. And the primary question is the opposite of “What’s in it for me?”
By contributing more, the universe gives you more in return
Recipients of your help often reciprocate, even though you gave without expectations
You stop overthinking about how you are perceived
You become more relaxed
Imposter syndrome begins to disappear organically
The Syndrome and Me
While experiencing imposter syndrome in my career, I turned a negative into a positive.
After working incredibly hard for many years, I proudly acknowledge that I achieved international success. I wasn’t a university graduate, but I enjoyed a career working alongside Harvard graduates and the rock stars of world-renowned FMCG companies. Along the way, it was all too easy to think that my contribution especially as a woman didn’t count at the corporate table. At that time, I felt like an imposter simply because I did not have the same academic credentials as others at the table.
In actuality, that situation gave me an edge. It led to me thinking differently which in turn prepared the way for my becoming an expert in my field. While collaborating with some of the smartest people in the corporate world, I remained humble and learned the lessons. Ironically, I spent much of my career persuading those same elite academics that training their people in product knowledge, sales, and soft skills brings about a massive Return on Investment.
In short, understanding imposter syndrome enabled me to formulate a coping strategy. Namely, to feel the fear and do it anyway!
Authenticity was key because when I decided to simply be myself, build my business on my values, and not worry about others’ opinions, everything fell naturally into place.
In my journey, many people questioned me including myself. But I knew the difference between facts and feelings and I can assure you, imposter syndrome is a feeling, not a fact!
So, next time you attend that important meeting, speak in front of an audience, manage a world-class team, or prepare for an interview don’t forget you are there because you deserve to be there.
You are not an imposter.
Need the motivation to start that something? Then please check out my new YouTube video released on Self-Doubt.
I believe in you!
Deborah Lynch, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Deborah Lynch is THE global expert on embodying your personal presence (both online and offline) to achieve your dreams, influence hundreds of thousands of people, and achieve self-actualization.
Her mission is to help you build a thriving personal Presence that helps you succeed in business, in relationships, and in every area of your life easily – almost effortlessly!
She has built a successful speaking business, a successful coaching company, a successful Youtube channel, a successful eCommerce store, and specializes in helping entrepreneurs succeed in today’s presence-driven online landscape.
Deborah’s Story
Deborah’s story is one of overcoming poverty to achieving triumph – and it is still evolving to this day! If she can do it, anyone can – including you!
At one point in her life, Deborah even found herself homeless, with nothing but a can of carrots to eat. At that point, she found a mentor who trained her on a specific set of skills and began her journey to success.
Deborah learned how to become a success both as an entrepreneur and in the corporate world, and eventually discovered the great power of Presence, which she used to become a professional speaker and present for over 150,000 people in 70 countries for 48 different luxury brands, including Dolce & Gabbana, Hugo Boss, and Gucci.
Upon reaching the height of her career, she realized she wanted something more. She wanted to use her Presence as a way to help others in every area of their lives – from personal to professional, and beyond.
That’s when Instant Wings was born, and along with it her Youtube channel Instant Wings1, where she now has over 51,000 views and over 5,000 hours of play time (and counting!)
Today
Now, Deborah has turned her attention to helping you discover your presence. Because people with a powerful, magnetic Presence – and a message that turns their adversities into a superpower – can experience nearly overnight success in almost endeavour.
Your powerful personal presence can be used to transform your business, your relationships, your results, your health, and your happiness. Because all of these things depend on how you show up. And that’s exactly what Deborah is here to teach you.
Ready to master your Presence?
