Damon Lembi is CEO of LearnIt, a leading L&D organization helping business leaders throughout the world develop their teams.
Fear and self-doubt can be crippling, preventing individuals from achieving their goals and realizing their full potential. They come in many forms and can be incredibly inventive, yet the feeling is always there, lurking in the back of one’s mind.
Fear can manifest in different ways and is often triggered by specific contexts. For instance, one may get anxious whenever they need to give a presentation or speak in front of a group, have hard conversations or worry about not being good enough.
Then there’s imposter syndrome, which takes it a step further. It’s a psychological phenomenon in which an individual doubts their abilities and feels like a fraud, even after achieving great success.
In this article, let’s explore the relationship between fear and imposter syndrome and provide practical strategies for overcoming them.
Overcoming Fear
Fear doesn’t have to hold you back. With the right tools and mindset, you can face it head on and live the great life you want and deserve.
To overcome fear, it’s crucial to identify what scares you and work toward overcoming it.
1. Put things in perspective. When you find yourself sweating the small stuff, you can bring to mind the way others have faced much larger challenges. This perspective helps you find the strength to conquer your fear, not pretend that it isn’t real.
2. Imagine everything that can go wrong in a situation. This is known as “purposeful awfulizing.” By doing so, you identify the worst-case scenario and realize that it isn’t as bad as your vague fears make it out to be. It reminds me of the great quote by one of my favorite authors, Michael Hyatt: “You’ve made it through 100% of your hard days. If you’re still standing, you have made it over and over and over again.”
3. Take classes. Try out role-playing with colleagues and gain experience to build confidence.
4. Name the fear. Naming a fear helps bring it under control, and it also provides an opportunity to try out some tricks for managing it. Managing fear frees the imagination to do something more inspiring.
Navigating Imposter Syndrome
Sometimes, fear takes the form of imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is more of a pattern where an individual doubts their accomplishments. They’re highly fearful of being perceived as incompetent or unqualified despite all they’ve achieved.
Imposter syndrome can affect anyone, from the most high-achieving thought leaders to entry-level professionals. Many people, especially high achievers, feel the negative effects of imposter syndrome on their mental health, career progression and relationships.
To overcome imposter syndrome, it’s crucial to identify and work around the inevitable feeling that you are not good enough.
One effective strategy is to reframe your thoughts. Instead of focusing on your perceived weaknesses or shortcomings, focus on your strengths and accomplishments. You can also learn to take credit for your successes and acknowledge your contributions to your achievements.
Here’s a proven, three-step approach for overcoming imposter syndrome:
1. Work hard. You don’t need to work a 14-hour day, seven days a week, but you do have to put in consistent hard work. The old cliché is true: There are no shortcuts on the road to success, but more importantly, putting in the effort builds not just the skills you’ll need but also your confidence in those skills.
2. Focus. It’s hard to feel confident about anything when your attention is being pulled in every direction. Whether it’s through external interruptions or internal resistance, there are always obstacles in your way as you try to achieve your goals. Maintaining a laser focus on those goals helps build the self-confidence needed to leave impostor syndrome behind.
3. Learn. Keep learning top of mind and constantly look for ways to improve to reinforce your confidence. A passion for learning and the persistence to follow through on gaining the skills that you need to reach your goals will go a long way toward defeating imposter syndrome.
It’s also important to recognize that perfectionism can fuel imposter syndrome. It’s OK to make mistakes and learn from them. Embracing failure as a necessary part of growth can help individuals overcome imposter syndrome and achieve their goals.
On that same note, practice self-compassion. Treat yourself with the same kindness and understanding that you would offer a friend. Instead of berating yourself for your perceived failures, practice self-care and remind yourself of your worth.
Fear and imposter syndrome can be debilitating, preventing individuals from achieving their goals and realizing their full potential. However, by identifying what scares you and working towards overcoming your pattern of self-doubt—putting things in perspective, reframing your thoughts, seeking out support, embracing failure, and practicing self-compassion—you can overcome these negative feelings.
Whether you are entering the workforce for the first time in this uncertain economy, have been recently laid off or even promoted into a position in which you are unsure of your ability, stick with it and learn to trust yourself. You can do it!
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