Impostor Syndrome - Own it, beat it

'Trying is the First Step Towards Failure'

Homer Simpson

Have you ever turned your back on an exciting opportunity because 'obviously' the chance belonged to someone shinier and more... well just 'more' (capable, qualified, accomplished)?

Or, on the flip side have you ever taken that opportunity and then hoped like hell no one ever discovered that you were (clearly) the wrong person for the job?

Well my friend, the good news is you are not alone in your predicament. According to recent estimates, up to 70% of successful people have suffered from varying degrees of what is known as 'Impostor Syndrome' (Source - The guardian), Albert Einstein included!
Turns out, that nagging and sometimes paralysing fear that the world will discover you have been pretending all these years to be talented and capable..... but sadly, you are just NOT is, wait for it...common!

What is Impostor Syndrome Anyway?

My own Impostor Syndrome has been hitching a ride through my life for as long as I can recall and has most recently stuck it's unwelcome nose into my writing.

I have been happily blogging for years now, writing mostly about books and words and my love for both.

I have been however, restrained in my approach, and here I am very deliberate in my word use - 

restrained. 

I have chosen an active, limiting word, because that is what I have been doing. Actively limiting myself.

I have,  in promoting my Blogs avoided using my personal profile or even my own name in my work.

'Hmmmm', I hear you think, telling, isn't it?

Why would a blogger not want to promote their work? I mean, it's not like I have been writing porn or admitting I like Pineapple on Pizza!

Yet, there has always been a sense of shame, fear that someone I know would read my work and wonder:

 'Who does she think she is, telling me what to read (or try, or feel)?'

...and really who do I think I am? I am not famous, or rich, or 'insta-worthy' in any traditional way. What then gives me the right to be heard?

So, I have plodded on wards, not really committing or owning what I do, not giving myself the best chance of success or the biggest platform upon which to promote my work.

In a room full of Impostors, why not be you?

I know I am not alone in this particular form of self sabotage. Too many of us give into the twisted siren song of our Impostor Syndrome, sneaking along in the back ground of life's play, hoping that no one notices we are not supposed to be there in the first place. Desperate not to be called on to share, because, well shit, what would we say anyway?


It is only now that I have hit my forties that I have decided to call 'bullshit' on my own Impostor Syndrome and it's creativity sucking activities. I am sure beyond any shred of doubt that the purpose of life is not to be humble to the point of dishonesty. Especially, when that dishonesty is self focused.

Here are some of the strategies I am using to break the restraining embrace of 'Impostor Syndrome'.

How to Overcome 'Impostor Syndrome' and reclaim your talent!

1. Take Action! The most powerful step anybody can take to change their circumstances is the next one. I have learnt from hard experience that 'action' is the greatest weapon we have against bullshit stories and their accompanying chorus of doubts.

Believe you can't? Then do!

Believe you won't? Then do! 

Believe you are not good enough? Then do (and get the proof)! 

For me, even typing these words provides more proof of not only that I can, but that I will. What is you proof? 

Identify it.

Do It.

2. Record it! I know I have been harping on a lot about journal-ling, but only because it works. Just today I read back through my journal and was gob smacked at my own revelations. Go on, Gobsmack yourself, I bet the quality of your insights will amaze even the most sceptical part of your monkey mind.

Best of all, when you record your thoughts in a written form they become the basis of your 'evidence' of awesomeness.

3. Call your crap by it's name. That name is of course, crap.
I think even those of us who are deepest in the thrall of our own sense being an impostor have moments of clarity. Little snippets of revelation where we recognise our crap for what it is. Lies.
In those moments, don't let the opportunity pass to label those thoughts as they deserve, disparagingly.
Just caught yourself denying your own skills, smirk and say BULLSHIT! Trying to sneak a thought past your brain's auditor suggesting you cannot do it, a stern 'Well that's a bunch of lies' should do the trick.
We all know the nature of our poisonous thoughts, don't let them hide unchallenged in your mind. Shine a big sunny spotlight on those devious bastards and watch them wither and die.

4. Own it! Finally, though perhaps most powerful (for me anyway) is admitting that you are deluded. If you don't admit it, you cannot see it in action. If you don't admit it, you cannot confront it. if you don't admit it, you cannot change it.

For myself, it is a slow and sometimes confronting process. I suspect there are some comfortable corners in my mind that have enjoyed the enforced lazy life of the Impostor and my God can they fight back.

So, it is one step forward and half a step back. But right now, I am going to call this what it is.

 Progress. 

Hallelujah for that!

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