It is often said that perception is the only reality. Perception is not real data. It is a belief based on a worldview that is probably not entirely objective. Many of the entrepreneurs I have worked with over the years told me that they felt like a fraud. They worry that it’s only a matter of time before people think they or their product isn’t that great. As a result, they steer themselves and their businesses away from opportunities that might have even the slightest chance of revealing anything “not so good” about who they are and what they have to offer. Impostor Syndrome has a deadly hold on growth, personal and professional, and on the ability to achieve higher levels of profitability.
What is?
Impostor syndrome is rooted in the insecurity that one is not smart enough or capable of doing something worthwhile. It’s a deep, dark pit of despair where you have this constant fear of being found out as a fraud and an impostor. Each achievement is seen as an opportunity where others can discover the “fraudulent” lurking somewhere under the guise of “achieving it”. It becomes a vicious cycle of self-loathing to overcome these feelings, one works twice as hard and then falls back into the destructive feeling of being found out as a fraud. It’s an emotional itch that slowly gnaws at your triumphs and turns them into sorrows of the deepest kind. Since most of this happens inside a person’s head, they don’t talk about it.
The symptoms
Impostor syndrome is often characterized by the fear of not being able to live up to people’s expectations. It is the fear of being evaluated and the refusal to accept praise and praise for one’s achievements. It could also be called the curse of the super achievers, as they refuse to believe in their own competence and attribute their success to luck, timing, or more importantly, tricking others into believing their intelligence. There is always an overwhelming feeling of not being good enough and being trapped by it. Anxiety and panic are the evil stepsisters of impostor syndrome and therefore always try to make it worse.
The answer lies within.
“Because you believe in yourself, you don’t try to convince others. Because one is happy with oneself, one does not need the approval of others. Because you accept yourself, everyone accepts you.”
•Lao Tse
What you can do about it
Learning to separate feelings from facts is the first step in combating impostor syndrome. Just because you have a certain feeling about something doesn’t necessarily translate into reality. You must trust your achievements and your strengths. You must believe that your success is the reward for your hard work and brilliance and not a fluke. Find a mentor who will praise your accomplishments, provide constructive criticism, and give you plenty of room to grow and improve.
As an entrepreneur, you have many opportunities to earn the feeling of impostor. Here are some things you can do to reclaim the full value of what you have to offer and your ability to bring it into the world.
1. Do something that scares you like a Beejeezus
We tend to avoid doing new things because we don’t want to be seen as inept in any way. The problem with that way of thinking is that it takes a lot of practice to get really good at anything. If you don’t do anything new, you can’t master anything new. Make a point every day to learn something new, tackle something new, or do something you’ve never done before. The experience will give you more confidence that you are on the right track toward excellence, even if you stumble and fall along the way.
two. own an achievement
Every day you accomplish big and small things. Own and acknowledge all of it. Provide your own validation. If someone compliments you, hug them. Too often, out of modesty, we deflect the praise offered to us. Note if your internal chatter is offering any justification as to why the keys are wrong. Put a sock in that comment between your ears.
3. Keep the bar high
Some entrepreneurs support themselves and their business by setting a low bar on milestone achievement. Stretch what you think possible. Go for it! Mitigate your risks along the way as you strive for ever higher levels of achievement. Accept the fact that mistakes and the lessons you can learn from them are an essential part of extraordinary growth. To be extraordinary you have to do extraordinary things, out of the ordinary.
Four. Fuck it, just do it.
When you realize you’re holding back, take the attitude to fuck it up, just do it. She must increase her moxie, her guts, her drawers and take a bold step. You will know when you are limiting yourself and your trading potential when you are finding excuses and reasons (FEAR) not to do what deep down you know you should or if you feel like you just want to F*#k Everything and Run (FEAR). As a smart entrepreneur, you’ll avoid the downside of any big risk as you keep going anyway. Fuck it, just do it? What is the worst that can happen? The worst that can happen is that it doesn’t turn out the way you expected. Something even better may come out, or at least you’ll discover a silver lining that will eventually be an essential part of your incredible ultimate success.
There is likely a little bit of the impostor lurking deep inside all of us. The key is to recognize yourself for what he is, and for what he is not, and never allow him to rule you.
5. dare to be real
Just as Oscar Wilde said “Be yourself; everyone else is already taken”. If you try to shapeshift to please everyone, no one in particular appreciates you. Trying to tailor your business and personality to what you think everyone will like is a recipe for mediocrity. Mediocre businesses cannot sustain. They are crushed by companies that take a bold stand and dare to upset some people. This doesn’t mean you have to build a big company. If a small business is what’s real to you, real to what you want to get out of your business experience, then fine. Many small businesses are great because they can serve smaller numbers of people even more. Be willing to stick with what you know will rock your world rather than what others think. about how you and your business should be. This means that you must be honest with yourself, authentic in your communications, and transparent in your branding. Not everyone will fall in love with what they see. That’s very good. Just continue to be a true one and provide a stellar experience to those you serve.
The bottom line is, if you see any signs of imposter syndrome in your actions and how you feel about your business, hit the pause button. Seek a new and better perspective, one that catapults you to confidence, courage, and total competence in all aspects of your life and your business.
