This post is part of my special Coaching Tips Series. This series was inspired by my clients and the core themes in their challenges. When we can apply these tips, we bring a lot of ease into our lives and step into our leadership.
When it comes to conflict, we are most often in conflict with ourselves.
This shows up most clearly when we experience Impostor Syndrome – that feeling that we aren’t good enough.
This kind of internal conflict is more common than you think. Everyone at some point has doubts about whether their plan is going to work, and more specifically if they are enough to pull off that plan.
I don’t know enough.
Other people are more qualified.
I can’t do it the way it should be done.
I just need to learn X Y or Z first
And everyone manages to find a way back to their true self, the part of us that knows what we can do and that we are not perfect, but we are enough.
But how do we bounce back more quickly and easily? Here’s a coaching tip to help with that.
How To Stop Feeling Like An Impostor
TRANSCRIPT
You’ve got experience, you’re knowledgeable, and you have relevant qualifications. Yet you still feel like you don’t know enough and that people will realize that you don’t know anything. These are some of the things you think when you feel like an impostor.
I’m Amber from Amber Rahim Coaching and I’m a professionally trained coach.
I’m going to share with you how to stop feeling like an impostor.
Firstly, it’s natural to wonder if you are good enough, especially when you are doing something new or learning a new skill.
But when you are experienced and qualified, then the “Am I good enough?” thought is just your inner critic trying to keep you small.
So to stop feeling like an impostor, there are 2 steps.
Step One. Get to know your inner critic
What kinds of things do you say to yourself when you think you aren’t good enough?
What character in a film/book, or what animal, does this remind you of? Think about what they look like, what they are wearing, what voice they have.
Give them a name. Now you will be able to recognise them more easily when they show up.
Step two: shift into a positive mindset
Use the technique Observe – Name – Meditate
Observe: I’m telling myself that I’m not good enough
Name: that’s my inner critic
Meditate: Focus all your attention on your breathing for 10 seconds
These 2 steps: know your inner critic, and Observe, Name, Meditate, will help you to stop feeling like an impostor.
Let me know how these tips work out for you. And share your own tips with me, I love to share the learning.