How to Beat That Imposter Feeling
You might be surprised to learn that a lot of very accomplished entrepreneurs sometimes struggle with feeling like an imposter. I've certainly been there at different points throughout my journey and you might be facing the same challenge.
The first thing I want you to know...
It's actually a fairly common experience, especially when you start to move outside of your comfort zone.
That's right. The minute you decide to start building your business, charge more money, go after that high level client...this is when that imposter feeling can creep in.
It can feel like complete dread, wondering when you might get found out.
When I first started my career on Wall Street out of college, I remember constantly feeling like it's only a matter of time before they figure out I'm not like the other star analysts. This feeling was despite, starting college early (I graduated HS early), having spent three summers working at the company, and graduating with a degree in finance and a 3.5 GPA.
Sounds crazy, right?
There's actually a technical term for this imposter feeling. It's called Imposter Syndrome.
If you google the term, what you'll find is:
Imposter Syndrome is the persistent inability to believe that one's success is deserved or has been legitimately achieved as a result of one's own efforts or skills.
At this point in your life, you have for sure achieved some things you may have never thought you would, and worked hard to get to where you are. It wasn't luck or happenstance.
A study by KPMG found that 75% of executive women in the corporate world have experienced imposter syndrome at some point in their career.
As women, we tend to feel more self-doubt than men, and this is what can hold us back from being the leaders and entrepreneurs we strive to be.
Here are some tips to beat that imposter feeling and kick it to the curb:
1) Make a list of all of your biggest achievements and remember how far you've come and what you've overcome. You can put them on yellow sticky notes and keep them somewhere you'll see them often.
2) If you currently have clients, go back through the positive notes and comments they've shared with you, whether in a card, email, or a simple note. Keep these gathered in a box or if it's digital, in a folder on your computer, to make it easy to look through whenever you need it.
3) Declare to yourself that you know enough, you are enough, and you are more than capable of doing great things. Trust yourself to figure out or find the resources for whatever you need to know.
4) Surround yourself with like minded people who cheer you on and support you as you grow and move outside of your comfort zone. This can be a group of friends, colleagues, or even a private Facebook group...hint, hint...make sure you're in my private Facebook group,
Entrepreneurship Mentor Community.
I hope this will help you the next time you feel doubt creeping in. You have greatness within you and I'm cheering you on!
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