Summary
Imposter syndrome is the NUMBER ONE mindset shift I work on with my clients. I work with writers, business owners, and content creators who all worry that their work isn’t worth the time and effort because they’re never going to be truly good at their craft. Imposter syndrome is that thing that says “Who do you think you are? Why does YOUR voice matter here? Others are doing it better. You don’t belong here. Just stop.”
I want you to tell that Imposter to shut up and get out of your way. Here’s how we’re going to do that.
1) Look for the evidence of your success. How have you already succeeded at the thing you’re going for? For example, when I feel like I’m not a real writer (whatever that means), I have to admit the fact that I have a book published and I’ve been paid for my writing and I got As on my papers in school and wrote for my college newspaper, and and and… What is YOUR evidence that you’re good at YOUR thing?
2) Find the fear under the self doubt. There’s always something deeper underneath the Imposter, usually based in fear. For me, it’s a fear of being publicly criticized for my writing. This goes back to the perfectionism problem, the idea that if I write the perfect, non-offensive-to-everyone article, or book, or whatever, that everyone will love it because it’s perfect and nothing bad will happen and no one will be mean to me on the internet. But I wrote an imperfect book, and there are bad reviews out there from people who didn’t like it, and I have survived. What danger is your Imposter Syndrome trying to protect you from? How can you give that fear space and process it?
3) Find your people. Self-validation is extremely important, but having a supportive circle around you is also important and very affirming. There are people out there who will root for you and believe in your work, no matter how long it takes you to reach your goal. And you find these people not by being perfect and making yourself palatable for everyone but by being yourself turned up to 11 and running like hell toward YOUR happy.
4)Revisit your evidence frequently, because the Imposter will be back! But you will gain confidence the more you continue forward in your goals.
Important Links:
FREE Burnout Breakthrough Webinar: bit.ly/stopburnoutwebinar
Join the Run Like Hell Toward Happy Facebook Community
Music by Leave Nelson B
Photography by Jen Hearn
Follow Caitlin Liz Fisher on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter
Run Like Hell Toward Happy 