What does having imposter syndrome look like?
Have you ever wanted to do something but you just can’t get up and do it?
You won’t do it because you have all the legit reasons.
‘I’m not well-spoken.’
‘I don’t look good on camera.’
‘I don’t know what to say.’
‘ I don’t have all the right tools or the plan written out yet so I should wait.’
I can totally relate. These were my excuses. I was functioning with a full case of imposter syndrome. I know, you’ve heard this term before and maybe you even proudly call it ‘my imposter syndrome ‘ ( naming and claiming for yourself .. tsk tsk )
Do you know why I was feeling this way, and why you’re feeling this way too?
Deep down I believed I was fake: I wrongly believed that once I got out there people would ‘unmask’ me or that I would be ‘found out’. I believed that I was coming off as more put together than others and so I would be found out as just the same as everyone else. But isn’t that true? that I am just like everyone else and I shouldn’t hide? That maybe I give off an air of expertise that I just don’t have..? I also ( really deep down) believed that I didn’t deserve recognition. Can you relate?
My success was just down to luck: I believed that my success was all about luck and not about the time I put in. Disregarding compliments in the name of being humble and attributing my success to some external reasons. Do you do this too?
As I like to talk about on the podcast, I had to confront myself big time and find out what I needed to do to overcome this.
The things that helped me were
- talking about my feelings with loved ones.
- breaking down my ‘impossible task’ into smaller chunks so I can have small victories ( chipping away at the huge block of fear bit by bit)
- taking the plunge ( if chipping away didn’t help… I did like Nike ‘JUST DO IT’
Imposter syndrome can be defined as a collection of feelings of inadequacy that persist despite evident success. Read that again. Despite evident success! Despite the fact that you have proved over and over that you’re that girl! That you are the man! Imposter syndrome has you sitting on the sidelines sipping a drink that is too sugary for your health, cheering on other people when you could be in the game HAVING A GOOD TIME!
What was I afraid to do? I was afraid to do video. I was comfortable with you just hearing my voice on the podcast and not seeing my face.
I took the leap.
Presenting, my first youtube video.
Smash that like button and subscribe! It’s about to be a fun ride!
my best,
Twaaambo
ps – Want to learn how to get over your mental and emotional hang-ups even if you don’t have it all together, feel overwhelmed by all THE THINGS, and have no idea where to start? Sign up for the waitlist for the coaching program starting January 2020!
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