Four Steps to Control Imposter Syndrome

Impostor syndrome is a debilitating thought pattern that limits a person's ability to perform best. It weakens confidence and results in the need to prove yourself by achieving unrealistic standards, which you establish as a person with impostor syndrome.

In the process, the syndrome reduces creativity because the person sees risk-taking or trying new methods as a threat to their ability to look their best. At best, impostor syndrome causes stress and tension, and at worst, it leads to anxiety that may disrupt your daily life. How can you learn to control impostor syndrome?

Most people think impostor syndrome is a feeling, which it is not. Impostor syndrome is a series of irrational thoughts, and here is the beauty of this fact is that you can learn strategies to control your thoughts. By doing so, you can reduce or eliminate the impact of impostor syndrome.

4 steps to help you think, feel, and act to the best of your ability

1. Replace irrational thoughts with facts

Our brains focus on what we ask them to focus on, and with impostor syndrome, our brains work by thinking of irrational beliefs and will look for any information to support those beliefs. So, to eliminate negative thoughts, we must replace those thoughts with facts, logic, and evidence. Resumes, career evaluations, and tangible accomplishments are all sources of fact-based data to replace the ideas created by impostor syndrome.

2. Building on proven practices and strengths

Individuals with imposter syndrome often believe they need to create new ways to get things done to succeed. They spend their time thinking about how to do things better or in unique ways to distinguish themselves. The fact is that there is no need to reinvent pre-existing things. Employing skills, behaviors, and methods that have worked in past situations can lead to success in current and future cases, so why not use tried-and-tested success strategies instead of creating new, untested strategies?

3. Talking to a trained employee

One of the most significant pieces of advice associated with imposter syndrome is talking to someone about your feelings. It often recommends speaking to your boss, colleague, or friend. This advice needs to be corrected. These individuals may be valuable when you vent your feelings, but they are untrained in methods that help you reduce or eliminate imposter syndrome. They are untrained in confidentiality guidelines. Searching for a coach specializing in brain or behavior areas will ensure that you get support from experts in a safe environment.

4. Give up perfection

Perfectionism is a source of energy for impostor syndrome. The idea of perfection or doing things perfectly creates many irrational and unrealistic criteria that contribute to impostor syndrome and ultimately undermine goals. Some people who seek perfection focus a lot of their energy and time on doing things perfectly so that they do not achieve their goals. Doing things well, using your strengths, and completing them on time can enhance your focus and be a way to reduce the impact of impostor syndrome.