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6 Mind Games Designed to Defeat Imposter Syndrome

Are you having trouble with imposter syndrome? If so, you’re not alone. It might surprise you to find out just how common imposter syndrome is.

Take a look at these quotes, which might surprise you when you find out who said them.

“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… I’m there thinking, ‘Oh my God, I’m rubbish, and everyone is going to see it. They’ve cast the wrong person.’” – Kate Winslet

“No matter what we’ve done, there comes the point where you think, ‘How did I get here? When are they going to discover that I am, in fact, a fraud and take everything away from me?’” – Tom Hanks

“You think, ‘Why would anyone want to see me again in a movie? And I don’t know how to act anyway, so why am I doing this?’ “ – Meryl Streep

“I have written 11 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

“I have spent my years since Princeton, while at law school and in my various professional jobs, not feeling completely a part of the worlds I inhabit. I am always looking over my shoulder wondering if I measure up.” – Sonia Sotomayor

Almost everyone you’ve met has been there at some point in time or another. The key is not to get caught up in the fact you’re feeling like an imposter. Instead, focus on how to get rid of these feelings. The key? Make a shift in your mindset.

Here are 6 mind games designed to defeat imposter syndrome:

#1 It Happens
The first thing you need to realize is just how normal this is. A recent Twitter survey discovered 87% of people had experienced imposter syndrome at some point or another in their lives. Think about this for a minute.

#2 Recognize You Can’t Know Everything
If your confidence is shaken by ignorance, it’s time to recognize a second, important truth: No one knows everything. It takes time to figure things out. If you don’t get something on the first try, it’s not the end of the world. Sometimes we all need more knowledge or a healthy amount of practice before we’re confident. Give yourself room to fail and accept it as part of the process.

#3 Fix the Self-Talk
This is probably one of the most challenging aspects of taking back control from imposter syndrome. Instead of constantly putting down your efforts or telling yourself you’re an idiot, you might want to try something most positive for your inner dialogue. Why not try writing down all the negative things you’re thinking and seeing if you can turn them around into something positive instead? Sure, this takes a heavy awareness of what you’re thinking, but until you can make this a habit, it’s crucial to take the time and effort to be more positive in the things you say. Otherwise, you’re never going to defeat imposter syndrome.

#4 Drop the God Complex
Well, so what if you’re not perfect? Instead of thinking this makes you some kind of failure, look at the other end of what this means. Who IS perfect? Imperfection is part of being human (and last we looked, you’re very likely human).

#5 Who Do You Think You Are?
Speaking of high aspirations, consider who else you’re comparing yourself to. Just because someone published a famous novel when they were a teenager doesn’t make this the norm. Thinking you’re a failure for not doing the same is likewise ridiculous. This is another place where correcting your self-talk is crucial to happiness. Remind yourself it doesn’t matter what someone else did. What matters is what you’re doing right now.

#6 Rename Your Bully
Take back your thoughts and make them your own again. Whenever you have a negative statement come up from your imposter, call it out as if you’re listening to someone else completely. Try giving this bully a name and say it out loud. “Oh, look, Gertrude, the Grouch is back to tell me I’m wrong.”

If you’d like personalized support while you find ways to deal with your imposter syndrome, book a call and let’s talk about how coaching can help. Read testimonials from satisfied clients.

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