Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

Everyone has self-doubt, but those with Imposter Syndrome take their insecurity to a whole other level.  Do you secretly wonder if you might suffer from this common affliction?  Join the Wily Manager guys this week as they talk about how to self-diagnose and ultimately overcome this self-doubt, and be sure that you’re not an imposter.

Monday’s Tip: Question if you have a fear of failure. You need to convince yourself that failure is the path to success.  If you do not allow yourself to fail, you will always feel like an imposter.

Tuesday’s Tip: Question if you have excessive risk aversion. Taking calculated risks is a requirement for success.  If you have an extreme aversion to risk, you won’t take them, which may make you feel like an imposter.

Wednesday’s Tip: Question if you have perfectionist tendencies. Perfectionism paralyses you from getting important things done.  You don’t have the time or resources to get every single thing perfect.  If you insist on perfectionism, you will almost certainly feel like an imposter.

Thursday’s Tip: Keep an “I love (your name) file.” Keep a catalogue of your successes, and remind yourself of these successes often.  It is only ego-driven when you have a need to constantly tell others about your successes.

Friday’s Tip: Allow yourself some self-doubt. A reasonable measure of self-doubt is healthy, and will motive you to improve.  Like most other things, self-doubt is only healthy in moderation.  Don’t beat yourself up for healthy self-doubt.