Have you ever heard of Impostor Syndrome? This is the name given to the feeling of not deserving your own achievements and that you are not where you should be. Do you identify with this description?
One of the main problems with Impostor Syndrome is that it creates a limiting belief, making you feel inferior to other people or even start to sabotage yourself . This can distance you from your own goals and bring a lot of personal dissatisfaction.
So, how about understanding how to deal with this limiting belief and overcome the fear of success? Follow this post and see great tips!
What are the main signs of Impostor Syndrome?
Yes, you do feel bad sometimes, and some days you even think you don’t deserve to be where you are. But does that really mean you have Imposter Syndrome? In fact, that’s not how you can find out.
This is a more complex case than it seems and requires an analysis of your daily behaviors. That is why only a qualified professional, such as a psychologist, can tell you whether or not you have this syndrome .
However, you can take the initiative to discuss this subject with a psychotherapist, especially if any of the following signs are present in your routine. Check it out!
Task abandonment
Try to notice how easily you give up on a task, especially when faced with a more complex or challenging activity. Often, this abandonment comes precisely from the idea of being incapable of doing something, even before trying . The main question is whether this thought is really fair to you.
Overwork
Another sign of Impostor Syndrome is the tendency to accumulate tasks as a way to compensate for the feeling of inferiority that you constantly feel. The problem with this? Excessive work can generate a lot of negative consequences for your mental health, such as:
- accumulation of stress;
- increased anxiety;
- Burnout Syndrome;
- physical and psychological exhaustion.
Procrastination
Do you wait until the last minute of a deadline to start doing a task? Or do you think you can always leave something for tomorrow , but in reality, that day never comes?
This is another tendency that can be related to Impostor Syndrome. Procrastination, in itself, brings some problems with organization and commitment in your routine. However, in addition to observing the consequences it can have on your daily life, it is good to keep an eye on the causes that make you procrastinate.
Fear of criticism
One of the main fears of a person suffering from Impostor Syndrome is that other people will see them as they see themselves. Therefore, they tend to be very self-critical and put too much pressure on themselves , while at the same time being afraid that others will criticize them.
In fact, this may be one of the reasons why you avoid doing a task and give up when you see a challenge. Perfectionism and the fear of not achieving the best result can hold you back and lead you to give up before you even try.
How to overcome Impostor Syndrome?
Being aware that you might have Imposter Syndrome is good news because there are things you can do to get better. It won’t be easy, but if you take it one step at a time, you can get past these limiting ideas.
Want some tips? Check out some practices that can help you in your daily life!
Choose your priorities
The first step is to define what is really important to you at this moment. It is not always possible to do everything you would like, but it is good to prioritize starting the most urgent and necessary tasks .
This is a way of thinking that helps you to put procrastination aside and improve the organization of your routine. This way, you can focus more calmly on the activities you need to do and feel more satisfied with the results.
Avoid unnecessary comparisons
Another habit worth adopting: never compare yourself to others. Each person has their own path, experiences and choices. Therefore, there is no point in trying to measure your success based on others. The only reference you can have is your own progress.
Share your anxieties
How about letting out some of the things that are hurting you? You can try talking about your anxieties and insecurities with someone you trust . If that’s not possible, there are always professionals ready to listen and welcome what you have to say. It’s also worth noting that talking about what you feel is a great way to strengthen your emotional intelligence .
Celebrate achievements
Did you manage to complete an assignment without procrastinating or didn’t give up on an activity, even when that voice in the back of your head tried to convince you to abandon it? That’s a reason to celebrate!
It’s not just the big achievements that you can celebrate. In fact, every small victory throughout the day can be a reason to be happy and, most importantly, to motivate yourself in this beautiful process of self-development.
Keep a good relationship
Having a good relationship with yourself is another important step. After all, this is the only person you spend all your time with, and you can’t take a break. Avoiding judgments, excessive self-demands, unnecessary criticism, and other negative behaviors is a daily choice that can be made little by little.
Assess your skills
What do you like to do and do well? Recognizing your best skills is also a way to deconstruct impostor thoughts . So, over time, you realize that the merits of your qualities, socio-emotional skills and knowledge are all yours.
Respect your limitations
Another key point is not to exceed the boundaries that your body and mind impose. The same applies to accepting what you can do and what you know, and realizing that you are still learning and developing.
By honoring your limitations, you can become more emotionally balanced and eliminate the frustrations of attempting to do more than you are capable of. Furthermore, you can fully enjoy the personal and professional development process until you reach your desired goals.
One important thing that can help you get over Impostor Syndrome is to try to take more control of the feelings that it causes. You won’t let this trouble get in the way of your work or school life this way. Also, don’t forget that you can always get help from a professional through these times.