IMPOSTOR SYNDROME IS THE BIGGEST LIAR IN YOUR LIFE

PODCAST #223

In this episode of Confidence on the Go we’re chatting about:

• What impostor syndrome is and how it manifests itself in sneaky ways into your life, suffocating your happiness as it does
• The surprising reason why feeling “Imposture Syndrome” feelings can be a FANTASTIC sign
• 7 ways to stop believing the liars of Impostor Syndrome

As always, a quick hello to all of my Keep the Faith listeners, thanks for being a part of this extended community of contagious encouragement.

SPONSORSHIP NOTE:

I am proud to be an educator and consultant for Beautycounter, a B-Corp company on a mission to get safer products into the hands of everyone.   The lack of regulation in the personal care and cosmetic industry is astounding and it is harming our health in very serious ways. We need more voices to join up on our mission. If you want to put your passion to purpose while being generously compensated, then I would love to start a conversation with you about what it means to be involved in the #saferbeauty tribe that is Beautycounter. Join the movement of #betterbeauty and message me via email to make your voice really resonate for a cause.   Shop for your own Beautycounter collection at www.beautycounter.com/trishblackwell

DEFINITION OF IMPOSTOR SYNDROME

Impostor syndrome (also known as impostor phenomenon or fraud syndrome or the imposter experience) is a concept describing high-achieving individuals who are marked by an inability to internalize their accomplishments and a persistent fear of being exposed as a “fraud”.

Feeling like a fraud and like you are going to be “found out”

Feeling like you don’t belong and never will – that you’re just pretending in life

Feeling unworthy and less than, like you are faking it at life

Feeling afraid of being found out to be a fool or to look stupid

HOW IMPOSTER SYNDROME SUFFOCATES YOU

It makes you hide.

It makes you not want to take action at all.

It causes deep internal anxiety

IMPOSTOR SYNDROME IS SOMETHING EVERYONE HAS FELT – SO STOP INTERNALIZING IT AND REALIZE THAT IT’S A CHOICE WHETHER YOU BELIEVE IT OR NOT

“I have written eleven books, but each time I think, ‘uh oh, they’re going to find out now. I’ve run a game on everybody, and they’re going to find me out.’ “ – Maya Angelou

“Sometimes I wake up in the morning before going off to a shoot, and I think, I can’t do this.  I’m a fraud.” – Kate Winslett

So stop waiting for permission – life has given you permission because you are alive and because you have your own story. Your story and your willingness to learn and grow qualifies you RIGHT NOW.

When you see Impostor Syndrome as a friend – as a sign that you’re actually doing something with your life and you are in the ranks of those who pursue greatness – then you will learn to embrace it more openly and ignore it’s whisperings. Instead its whisperings will just be a sign that you are indeed on your way to doing something that matters … that, no matter the internal self-doubt and self-chatter in your mind, you are indeed on the right path.

7 WAYS TO STOP BELIEVING THE LIES OF IMPOSTOR SYNDROME

1. Give yourself some credit.

You are smarter than you think.

You have had a hand in your own success.

You have more self-efficacy than you think.

You have the ability to grow and adapt – trust that.

2. Keep your mind focused on contribution and value

Take action because you are destined to – not because it’s about you, but because it’s about others and helping them.

Stop worrying about “what people will think of you” – who cares?!

3. Compile a “power file”

Keep compliments, notes, feedback, praise, affirmation.

Make a list of your strengths, values, talents.

Stop minimizing yourself and thinking that you are “just average” or that you don’t have anything to offer the world.

4. Be open to being wrong and to “failure”

Having setbacks or hiccups along the way doesn’t mean you didn’t or don’t belong … it means that you are growing. Don’t interpret “losing” as prove that you were wrong to try – that you didn’t deserve to be a contender – it’s simply part of life.

5. Refuse to rob the world

When you hold back, you are robbing the world. It is better for you to venture out and feel like an impostor than to selfishly sit on the side – thinking about all the things you want to do and could do, but feeling inadequate to do them.

6. Decide to life regret-free.

Life is short – don’t allow yourself any room for the regret of not having tried or having put yourself out there. Most often it is fear of judgment or exposure that causes the lie of the impostor to ring deeply. Focus your thoughts and energy instead on your desire to leave a legacy – to do something that matters – and realize that the only day you have is today, so take action and do something!

7. Realize that nobody knows what they’re doing and take action on that!

Be empowered to know that you are not alone – and life is a puzzle that we get to piece together one day at a time. Live with boldness .

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

COLLEGE OF CONFIDENCE

Perfectionism leads to procrastination, procrastination leads to powerlessness.   I want more than that for you, which is why I’m dedication this upcoming month of coaching and strategic content in The College of Confidence to “overcoming perfectionism.”  If you join us now, I am confident that you will break the chains of perfectionism this month and you will leverage your inner power and strength in a way you never imagined possible. I want to help you find freedom from the toxic trap that comes with perfectionistic thinking and I want to help you personally move forward your goals in a massive way.  You’re the only thing standing in your own way, so get out of your way and come get into The College of Confidence before you miss out on any of this exciting upcoming coaching!

Think about it, The College of Confidence isn’t a “nice-to-have” kind of thing – I think it’s a “necessary-to-have” support network and coaching service, and at the price of less than the cost of a cup of coffee, just $1.50/day, you really can’t find anything of its caliber quite like it.  On top of that, with six months of archived coaching sessions at your disposal (valued at $2400), you are getting crazy bang for your buck! 

Say “no” to powerlessness and “yes” to the power that is waiting to be fired up within you … enroll today and trust yourself that this is indeed your next best step to take >>> www.trishblackwell.com/college 

LISTENER OF THE EPISODE:

Reva Shearman

Hey, oh my goodness I just read your book Insecurity Detox and I totally forgot your podcast until I read it and I got this email today. I loved your podcast today and I’m about to go through all of them. I’m on the road to transformation and transforming myself to be a woman of God where He wants me to be. I’m done with being afraid of speaking up. My husband and I have our own ministry brand new carrying a cross around our community early mornings even though we don’t have funds to do what we need to do yet. We are starting small. I have a photography business I don’t get much traffic because I don’t speak up so many people don’t know about it or some do but don’t get support. But my photography is gonna be for inspiration and for people who came a long way and stuff like that. Then we have started up a new thing called faithful harvest creations based on working for God and having prints on sell, signs and stuff like that. Also I’m in process of trying to write my own book my story of cutting myself and having other wring stuff on my mind. But also I want to inspire young kids and women that you can overcome anything. Right now I’m preparing myself to eat healthier, work out more, get my self-confidence in check and look forward not backwards. I would love for you to coach me but can’t afford it but I will be listening to your podcasts, your emails, and stuff that you write. Thanks for being an inspiration to many and being you. Praying everything that you set your hands on that God will bless you.