Could it be that it’s not actually imposter syndrome, but rather the world we live in and culture we work in that makes women feel like we do?
You may or may not have the word “executive” in your job title, but your life and career can still improve dramatically from working with an executive coach. Executive coaching is an asset for all sorts of leaders. Just as great athletes don’t hesitate to call on coaches, trainers, hypnotists and spiritual advisors in order to maintain their dominance, it’s a mark of wisdom and strength for leaders from all walks of life to seek professional guidance and support.
Imposter syndrome is a joy thief. It’s often worse than performance anxiety; it’s an internal dialog about whether you are worthy to be in the room at all despite evidence to the contrary. It doesn’t matter what expertise and credentials you have. In fact, you could have a wall full of degrees and still find yourself feeling like a phony.
Imposter syndrome is defined as the persistent inability to believe one’s success is deserved and has been achieved through skill and hard work. It is often accompanied with feelings of self-doubt, fear of success or failure and persistent self-sabotage. It’s also more common than one may think. In fact, according to the Journal of Behavioral Science approximately 70% of people will experience imposter syndrome in their lifetime.
If you’re one of that 70%, read on for eight tips to help combat imposter syndrome as well as a list of affirmations to lift yourself up when you need it most.