It is estimated that 70% of people experience imposter syndrome at least once in their careers. While this feeling is normal, it can hold you back in terms of achievement. Shifting your mindset is no easy task. We asked ten thought leaders to answer this important question: “How do you shift from doubting your accomplishments to believing in yourself and your abilities?” Find encouragement in their answers below to help you excel in your career.
If Others Can Make It, So Can You
Imposter syndrome can feel isolating. Part of the problem is feeling like everyone else has it all together, except you. It is important to remember that you are not alone in these feelings of inadequacy. There are large amounts of highly successful people that are feeling the exact same way you do. It is important to remember that if all those other people got through it, then you can too.
Denise Gredler, Best Companies Arizona
Mistakes Happen
Remember that being wrong or making a mistake once in a while does not make you an imposter. Lots of qualified people make mistakes in their jobs every day! Don’t glorify the failure, but don’t let it make you feel like you’re not a real contender either.
Candi Luciano, Y Scouts
Make a List
Write down three things that you did well in your role every day. If you truly can’t think of something, write three things you learned. Do this every day for at least a month. At the end of the month, take a look at what you’ve written down and you will pleasantly surprise yourself with how much you have accomplished in just 30 days. Reflecting on the positive things you do is the best way to combat imposter syndrome.
Vanessa Molica, The Lash Professional
Remind Yourself That You’re Not Alone
I had to first remind myself that everyone feels imposter syndrome. It feels a bit like an oxymoron; the root of imposter syndrome is that I don’t feel I fit in with everyone else, so how can they feel it too? But, by reminding myself that, I remember why I am where I am in life. I didn’t just wake up one day with these responsibilities—I worked towards them.
Tara Thompson, Local SEO Company
Focus on Your Previous Accomplishments
You can’t be at 100% all the time. It’s impossible. You are bound to feel empty at times if you can’t face the facts. However, at such times, you should go over your previous accomplishments and draw out all you’ve been through to get where you are now. No one can take that away from you.
Alex Pesic, InvoiceQuick
Be the Best Version of Yourself
Plan your future, track your past and live in the present. Structure your time for the following day and week so you have clear goals to achieve. Keep a record of your activity so you can always look back on what you’ve done. Most importantly, be present– be the best version of yourself you can be at that moment. We can’t do more than that.
Alan Mitchell, Clarity Wave
Make a List
You’ve done many things, more than you know. Write all of them down and then rewrite them in the form of benefit-driven action. “What did I do” becomes “What benefits come with it.” Imposter syndrome is brutal and I know it first-hand but the best way to get over it is to visualize what you’ve done so far and realize that you’re not fooling anyone.
Jakub Kliszczak, Channels
It Is All About the Rebound
If we didn’t have the right tools in place before this all started, we wouldn’t have jobs either. We are set up to take blows like this and rebound successfully. We know as soon as this is over we will be able to hire those that lost their jobs and start the healing process for them as well. The idea is to keep growing so we can help those in need and do what we can to help society as a whole anyway we can, and that’s by doing our jobs the best we possibly can even though there are a lot of people without right now.
Ben Walker, Transcription Outsourcing, LLC
List, List, List
Self-confidence is hard to build, but not impossible. Start small. Make a to-do list for the week and finish it. Then, make a to-do list for the month and finish it. Soon enough, you’ll have a multi-year “to-do” list and you’ll be on top of the world.
Layton Cox, Marketing Consultant
Take a Step Back
I take a realistic look back at my achievements, silencing my inner critic for a bit. I am not someone who doubts in herself often but when I do, I take a moment to take a step back. Do I really need to be this hard on myself? Or are these feelings caused by some sort of an external factor, like the pandemic, for example? Being able to take a step back is an underestimated skill, which can go a long way.
Snezhina Piskova, Oliver Wicks
