Have you ever started down a path with visions and dreams and full confidence, and then stopped yourself down in your tracks with doubt? You start asking yourself – who am I to think that this will actually work out? Who am I to do the same thing that literally thousands of other people have done and do it differently? Who am I to dream big? Your questions really start to mess with your head when you end up at – who do I really think I am?
There is a name for these feelings of inadequacy, and it’s call Imposter Syndrome. I recently heard of this term, and decided to do a little research. Imposter syndrome is described as: “a psychological term referring to a pattern of behavior where people doubt their accomplishments and have a persistent, often internalized fear of being exposed as a fraud,” according to an article on Psychology Today.
It’s real in women, and it can keep us living small. The article continues with another kicker: “A tendency toward perfectionism, fear of failure, continually undermining one’s achievements are all indicators that you might be prone.”
Raise your hand if this just described you. [My hand’s in the air like I just don’t care.] But there are some things that you can do to help combat this when you find yourself in a self-doubt spiral.
See that all the “what ifs” and “why me’s” are just your fears coming at you and new creative ways. Thank them for trying to derail you but realize that most of your fears never come true.
Know that YOU bring something new, unique and authentically special to whatever it is your doing – no one will do it exactly like you. You are NOT a fraud.
Get comfortable on the journey! You might not know how this chapter ends [hint: no one does], but enjoy the risks and live a little more in the moment. You don’t need a crystal ball to show you the way – just trust yourself a little more.
Take credit for your accomplishments. You don’t have to shrink to fit other people’s ideals – you got the promotion, you ran the marathon, you wrote the book – be proud of your achievements and don’t undermine them.
Have a strong support group. When you have others that lift you up, they will help you realize you are truly worthy of all of your dreams, no matter how silly or massive they may seem.
The world needs your unique gifts, your experiences, your perspective. You are not only allowed, but fully encouraged to dream big and live bigger.
