Imposter syndrome is real and you may not even know you are doing it! 

Have you ever second-guessed yourself?  Not a fear but a feeling of trepidation when learning something new, taking on a new role or signing up for a new course.  You realise you are out of your comfort zone and it may be a challenge but what do you do?  I know I’ve been there and it’s not fun.

Here are my top tips for overcoming imposter syndrome in your business.

You don’t need to know everything

When undertaking a new challenge, it’s easy to feel like an imposter because you don’t know everything there is to know about it.  Expecting that of yourself is unrealistic.  The truth is, you will never know EVERYTHING there is to know, even after a decade!  Albert Einstein said, “I don’t need to know everything, I just need to know where to find it, when I need it.”.  Instead of trying to know everything, sign up for relevant newsletters, connect with a mentor, develop a list of reliable resources and work on your learning skills so you can quickly pick up new skills and information as you need it.

Quit comparing yourself

Comparing yourself to others is never a great idea, especially if you struggle with imposter syndrome.  Every person is unique and so is every business.  You don’t know what others have struggled with behind the scenes or what mistakes they have made.  If you compare yourself with others, you are potentially preventing yourself from becoming the raging success you want to be.  Find your niche and allow yourself to shine in it and your target audience will flock to you like moths to a flame.

Ditch the negative self-talk

Your conscious mind is the goal setter and your unconscious mind is the goal-getter.  When you consciously allow yourself to talk negatively about yourself, that tells your unconscious mind that you want more evidence to support that.  Imposter syndrome generally comes with a lot of negative self-talk.  If you have been doing this for a long time, it may take some practice to change but just like building a muscle, you need to start somewhere.  This article gives you some great practical advice on how to fend off that shady self-talk.

Choose your tribe wisely

When you are starting something new, it’s exciting and you want to share it with everyone you know.  This can be a pitfall if you are surrounded by negative Nancys as they will only feed that imposter syndrome.  Initially, share your news only with those that you know will support you and pump you up. 

John Rohn once said, “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.”.  The people that you surround yourself with most of the time will influence you a lot so be sure to choose wisely.  If you want to become a wildly successful entrepreneur then take on a mentor or business coach that inspires you and collaborates with other successful business owners. 

Stop trying to be a superhero

If you are experiencing imposter syndrome, you may find you are overworking yourself to try and get ahead or make up for feelings of inadequacy.  The big fat truth is, the only thing that will achieve is running you into the ground and causing you to feel worse about yourself.

Instead, focus on creating healthy habits and schedule in what is important to you in all areas of your life.  This is a fantastic video demonstrating Stephen Covey’s concept of Big Rocks and may just shift your mindset around time. 

It’s important also to remember that you don’t have to do or be everything that others expect. Creating realistic expectations and setting boundaries both for yourself and others is key to avoiding overwhelm and triggering that negative self-talk.

Don’t let your ego get in your way – asking for help when you need it is not a sign of weakness but a sign of strength!

Back Yourself

Choosing to back yourself rather than buy into imposter syndrome may seem difficult at first.  Some ways you can do this include:

• Focus on how good it will feel when you succeed
• Consider what skills you do have that will help you achieve success
• Remember that everyone started somewhere
• If you do get a knockback, be sure to learn the lesson and chalk it up to experience
• Trust that your mentor/business coach backs you so you should too
• Commit to growth no matter how it may present itself
• Question your negative thoughts – are they really true?
• Practice gratitude for past success
• Celebrate the little wins
• Remind yourself of the challenges you’ve overcome in the past

Conclusion

Allowing imposter syndrome to control you is a sure-fire way to sabotage your own success. 

It’s time to stand in your power and get rid of those old habits that aren’t serving you. 

If you are ready to make lasting change and take action, I’d love to be the business coach to back you on your journey.  Book Your Free Discovery Call Now.