It seems like every time I turn around these days there's another "syndrome" being advertised on TV. This isn't one of those.
This is a term that was coined in the 1970's by psychologists and researchers. Impostor Syndrome informally describes 'people who are unable to internalize their accomplishments' -Wikipedia.
I learned about this from Nicole Walters, AKA "ScOprah", the creator of the highly popular $1K1Day Academy that I completed. When she talked to us about this "Syndrome", it resonated with me and I believe it's too important not to share, especially with my fellow entrepreneurs out there. I love empowering women to gain confidence...this can help.
Being in the blogging community I know what self doubt feels like. When you create a business and brand from nothing, it can be easy to downplay your success. I think most entrepreneurs have self doubt creep in from time to time. Most days I feel confident in my work, but then I'll have that moment when I wonder if what I have to say is good enough. Is it luck that got me here? Is what I'm offering actually helping people?
Nicole explained that Impostor Syndrome is most common among high achieving women and minorities. Men have it too, but won't embrace it for fear of being "found out". It can also be known as "Fraud Syndrome".
It was amazing to me that Nicole explained that this happens to someone at her level too and I think that was so honest. She is one of the most REAL coaches I've had and by her sharing that about herself...it helped me, so I know it can help others. I know the importance of choosing coaches who "walk the walk". Nicole is definitely doing just that. To hear that she sometimes questions herself, knowing that she earned six figures in one hour last week...says a lot. Don't get me wrong, Nicole is THE most confident woman I've come across in a long time. She just cares SO much that what she is offering is valuable, so just one person who may not understand or embrace what she's offering, can lead to Imposter Syndrome. That makes sense. Most of us who are entrepreneurs are here because we are living in our purpose and we care SO MUCH about delivering exceptional content for our audience. The difference is, when we are AWARE of it, we can get past it. That's exactly what she taught us how to do.
She often tells us, "You're good enough, go ahead" when we doubt and question ourselves...OR she guides us on how to be better;) Nicole has coached us to develop our own products, webinars, academies, and so many other ways to solve our reader's problems. There's a lot of Impostor Syndrome surrounding that process since this is a first step for many of us in her group....as you can imagine. The other students in the group are unbelievably talented and have so much to offer, but may become paralyzed in the fear and are unable to realize their success and accomplishments!
So what do we do when Impostor Syndrome strikes? Stop justifying your success. It's not dumb luck that you are successful. We need to GIVE OURSELVES CREDIT! But HOW? This is what I love about Nicole because she not only gives us the idea, she gives us actionable steps and tools to use...
How to beat Impostor Syndrome:
- When making ANY decision, create a strategy. Create a PLAN, STRUCTURE and OUTLINE for ideas and projects. This way when your idea comes to fruition, you can look back at the EVIDENCE of your strategy and this will make it more legitimate.
- She gave us homework...yes, she's big on homework. This is an I AM ENOUGH activity that you can use when Impostor Syndrome strikes. She had us write our TRUTH. She asked us to write our accomplishments up to today. We then shared that with our group. I must say this was a powerful activity for me. It actually brought me to tears. To sit down and write about my SUCCESS, what I've accomplished in my business so far, what I've created from absolutely nothing, along with the kind of person I am ...to see it on paper, made me no longer feel self-doubt. It made me feel PRIDE. This I AM ENOUGH activity will be a tool I continue to use. I encourage you to try it.
- Another way to be reassured and OWN your success is to BELIEVE THE PERSPECTIVE OF THOSE CLOSEST TO YOU. I'm talking about those people who you trust... your tribe, your team, your family. Decide to believe them when they compliment you! It's EASY to believe criticism and negative things about yourself. Start BELIEVING all the positive things!
I hope this resonates with you and helps you realize that yes, you may have self-doubt every so often, but it doesn't have to OWN you. Now you're AWARE of it and you can say to yourself, 'You're good enough, go ahead'.
To see the VALUABLE product that Nicole taught me to create to HELP so many people that NEED this information, click here. I've gotten messages and cards saying "thank you". That's special and I'm so happy I have the platform to share what I've learned with others who need it.
