There is a theory, proposed by two American psychologists in the 1970s, known as “Imposter Syndrome.” It may be something you’ve heard of before. ??
It’s the idea that there’s something ‘wrong’ in our psychology that tells us that we’re not worthy of our accomplishments and somehow undeserving of success. The more we accomplish, the more we feel like a fraud. ?
In theory, this ‘syndrome’ can affect anyone with professional and academic accomplishments, but is often cited as being experienced more by women [the reference to WOMEN is important but not for reasons you may think].
Google it and you’ll find over 5,000,000,000 references to “imposter syndrome,” 99% targeted to women. ?
So for decades women have been self-diagnosing and worrying about what’s wrong with them and using hours of precious time and energy trying to fix it.
But consider this – it was just a psychological theory, and like all scientific theories, they exist to be disproven.
What if there is nothing ‘wrong’ with you? It’s just that no-one bothered to teach you what to do with all those thoughts and feelings when they surface.
Next time you doubt yourself or your abilities, interrupt the thought process and apply a new one. Hold yourself to a new standard and demand the truth be told, by you, and to you.
Replace “I don’t have the skills” with “Let me take stock and remind myself of all the frikkin skills I do have. This is a practice in Acknowledgement.
Instead of thinking “I don’t have enough experience” write a list of everything (that’s EVERYTHING) you have done. Review it and own it. Then really own it.
Is it really true you’re not good enough? Or is that just unruly habitual brain chatter? Only you can challenge yourself on the truth of this stuff.
Stop believing in the imposter syndrome and start a practice of believing in you. ??
