You may not have heard of the term “imposter syndrome,” but you’ve most likely felt its grip. Imposter syndrome can be debilitating, holding you back from deserved rewards and promotions. It zaps your energy and leaves you feeling like you aren’t good enough, even though everything else would prove otherwise. Today, we’re going to talk about imposter syndrome and how you can get over it. Continue reading for more information.
What Is Imposter Syndrome?
You may be wanting to throw your name in the hat for that big promotion at work, but there’s a pit in your stomach holding you back and a nagging thought that’s on replay telling yourself that you aren’t good enough. If you build up the courage to walk to your boss’s office, this syndrome will remind you that you’re a fraud and everyone will soon find out if you take another step. “How did you even get your current position? You sure aren’t qualified for it,” your mind reminds you. “The one thing you’re good at, however, is fooling everyone around you.”
This paragraph above is what imposter syndrome can feel like. Once it has its grip on you, it’s hard to shake it. It’s not impossible, though. It isn’t always this harsh, however. Sometimes it’s the small thought in the back of your head that you can’t do something. Sometimes it’s there, sometimes it’s not. This feeling, however, is something that comes from within. You are most likely fully qualified for your current position and even that big promotion. Your brain, however, will tell you that you aren’t. That’s imposter syndrome.
You are not alone in this disconnect that you are feeling between what your mind is telling you and what the reality actually is. Many people struggle with imposter syndrome, including Meryl Streep and Albert Einstein. They, of course, are/were very talented and knowledgeable at their craft. Surely, they couldn’t feel like this! Except, they did. They probably dealt with some of the same exact things you are feeling, too. And just like them, you can get a handle on it and do wonderful things!
Cognitive Distortions
Cognitive distortions are your brain’s way of lying to you. There are many cognitive distortions, but here are a few that imposter syndrome relies upon to bend reality and increase your irrational thoughts:
- Disqualifying the positive
- Emotional reasoning
- Mental filtering
- Jumping to conclusions
- Magnification and minimization
What Happens If I Don’t Stop These Thoughts?
There are a few general things that people will do if they have lived with these negative thoughts long enough. If you aren’t able to counter the imposter syndrome, it will likely grow and you will probably do one of the following things:
- Hide out
If you’re afraid of being found out as a fraud, you are more likely to hide out completely. If you can’t do that, you’re more likely to try to blend in with the crowd so you don’t cause any alarm. - Burn out
If you’re doing all you can to be perfect, you’re probably going to find yourself burnt out. Trying to do a good job is great, and encouraged, but there’s no way to be perfect. Striving for perfection will lead you straight to burnout. - Freak out
If you’re bottling up the emotions that imposter syndrome leaves you with, you might find yourself about to blow your top at the drop of a hat. A blowup and freak-out isn’t what anyone wants, but that’s where you’re headed if you let your feelings overwhelm you.
How Can I Fix This?
There is no quick fix for imposter syndrome. You’re going to have to make a conscious effort and work hard at changing your thought patterns. Acknowledging the feelings you’re having is the first step toward getting over imposter syndrome. Once you feel your feelings, pause. This pause helps show you that you are in control of your thoughts, not that your thoughts are controlling you. Then, you’re able to act correctly, knowing that your brain is lying to you about not being good enough.
Another way you can try to overcome imposter syndrome is to give the thoughts a dose of rationality. This helps you notice that the thought is irrational. Replacing the negative, irrational thought with a positive, rational thought can work wonders. For example, maybe your imposter syndrome is telling you that you deserve the trauma that happened to you, so you do not deserve recovery. This thought may be obviously irrational to an outsider with a clear view, but to you, it’s the truth.
Once you identify the thought and feeling that comes with it, pause. Give it a second to help you realize that you are in control. Once you feel the power in your hands, put a rational spin on the initial irrational thought. You might say to yourself: “I am not to blame for the trauma that happened to me. I am more than the trauma that happened to me.
I deserve to recover from that trauma and live a happy and healthy life.” This is how you tackle imposter syndrome. Once you’ve rationalized the thought, proceed with caution. You can either act on the rational thought or dismiss the irrational thought. The longer you do this and the more you practice, the easier it will become.
The Guest House is here to help you overcome your imposter syndrome in your recovery. There are going to be times where you feel inadequate or like you don’t deserve recovery, but you do. Remember that the feeling of not being good enough is a lie your brain is telling you. We can help. Call us now at (855) 483-7800. We can’t wait to speak with you and help get you the help you deserve today. Call us now.