Conquering Imposter Syndrome

Imposter Syndrome. It's the ugly monster that lives inside us waiting for its moment to creep in and make you doubt your accomplishments. It leaves you feeling like you are undeserving of your successes. It often leads to feelings of anxiety, self-doubt, and even depression.

After my divorce and subsequent layoff shortly after, imposter syndrome seeped in as I tried navigating my next move. I experienced days at a time of what felt like mental paralysis of doubt.

It's not easy, but I have experienced various successes overcoming imposter syndrome to launch my "Conversations with Nick Thompson" podcast, human connection coaching program, and recently a guided journal titled "Rebuilding You: 8-weeks to Help You Reconnect with Yourself."

Overcoming imposter syndrome takes time, practice, and a number of strategies.

Check out some of the tips and tricks I use when feeling the onset of imposter syndrome.

Recognize & Name IT

The first step in overcoming anything, including imposter syndrome, is recognizing you are experiencing it. Acknowledge your feelings and name your thoughts associated with them.

Challenge Your Negative Thoughts

Imposter syndrome is negative self-talk. As you start to doubt yourself, try to challenge those thoughts by asking yourself, "What evidence do I have to support this thought?" or "Is this thought helpful to me?" I recommend writing your answers down.

Seek of Support

It's dangerous to put too much emphasis on outside validation, but talking to someone you trust about your feelings is helpful. Talking with a friend or loved one supplies validation, perspective, and the reminder you're not alone.

Focus on Your Strengths

Instead of dwelling on your weaknesses or self-doubt, focus on your strengths and accomplishments. Write a list of your achievements and skills, and refer back to it when you need a confidence boost.

Practice Self-Compassion

Be kind and gentle with yourself. Show yourself some grace by embracing your shortcomings as learning opportunities. Treat yourself as you would a friend experiencing self-doubt or imposter syndrome.

Take Action

The paralysis I mentioned above makes this the most difficult step. Taking action can be a powerful antidote to imposter syndrome. Set small goals for yourself, and take steps to achieve them. Celebrate your successes, and don't be too hard on yourself if you stumble along the way.

Using the above strategies helps you conquer imposter syndrome and feel more confident and capable of your accomplishments.