Issue 11-Imposter Syndrome

THE LEAP

BY  QUANTUM  ORANGE

GROW, EXPAND & EVOLVE

ISSUE 11 | IMPOSTER SYNDROME

 

Each week The (Quantum) Leap summarises a key aspect of success into what you need to Think, Feel and Do to create a personal shift.

 

THINK

Impostor Syndrome is the idea that you’ve only succeeded due to luck, chance or overwork and not because of your talent or qualifications.

“It was just luck.”
“I’ve worked at this forever.”
“But I had help.”
“I feel like a fake.”

Acknowledging thoughts like these is the first strategy for overcoming impostor syndrome. Observe the thought rather than engaging with it - let it go and question it more critically. Ask yourself…

Does that thought help or hinder me?

To stop feeling like an imposter you have to stop thinking like one. Practice thinking like a non-impostor and understand that your feelings will be the last thing to change, but trust that over time you will begin to believe the new thoughts.

FEEL

“As a shame researcher, I know that the very best thing to do in the midst of a shame attack is totally counterintuitive: practice courage and reach out!” ~ Brene Brown

Strategy number two for dealing with impostor syndrome is to share with a trusted friend or mentor.

As difficult as it can feel to reach out, people who have more experience can reassure you that what you’re feeling is normal, and knowing others have been in your position can make it seem less scary.

Everyone needs help at some point - recognise that seeking assistance is smarter than not asking for help/guidance. Seek out a mentor or someone you can talk freely with and get a reality check from time to time.

DO

Visualise success!

Before you can let go of impostor syndrome, you have to see it in your mind first.

Imagine what a lack of self-doubt would be like…

Can you name that feeling?
Can you describe it?

Read. Watch. Listen.

the leap issue 11 imposter syndrome

READ

Here’s a transcript of a great interview Adam Grant did with Reese Witherspoon about turning impostor syndrome into confidence, on his podcast titled ReThinking.

WATCH

Have you ever doubted your abilities, feared you were going to be discovered as a "fraud"? That's called "impostor syndrome," and you're definitely not alone in feeling it, says entrepreneur and CEO Mike Cannon-Brookes. In this funny, relatable talk, he shares how his own experiences of impostor syndrome helped pave the way to his success - and shows how you can use it to your advantage, too.

LISTEN

Try our meditation on building inner strength here.

The Quantum Orange Team

The QO team work hard to make sure our blog is packed with awesome, actionable content for you to read. While some posts are an individual effort, others are brainstormed, reworked, and even debated over lunch. By the time they reach you, the whole gang has contributed to them. So being the emotionally intelligent lot we are - we agreed to simply share the content credit!