How to stop feeling like an imposter in your industry

Feel like you’re constantly faking it?

Me too! I’ve been there, I get it and what’s more, it’s got a name, ‘imposter syndrome’.

Wait, what is imposter syndrome?

You feel like a fake, a fraud, and like someone is always about to call you out on your big secret, that you’re just not good enough. You mind questions “who am I to do this work?”, “I’m not qualified for this”, “everyone’s going to find out that I’m faking it”. All these swirling worries actually get in the way and block you, or at least limit your energy for actually just getting on and doing what you so madly, deeply, and passionately want to do. 

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I’ve learned a lot from my studies and personal experience of imposter syndrome that it sadly occupies so many of us. I’ve worked with literally hundreds of women, and whether it be via one of my programs, workshops, yoga classes, or corporate settings, the majority have all experienced feeling like a fraud at work in one way or another. 

But, it is totally possible to overcome and you can work through it.

Here are my top tips for beating Imposter Syndrome: 

Identify how it’s showing up 

Once you recognise how it is acting out in you, you’ll be better able to mindfully work through it. 

Make friends with it

The same way we befriend our anxiety when we acknowledge something is there and can become friends with it. All your feelings are valid, hold your imposter fears with kindness and respect, and try not to ignore or push them away. By using this technique you should find the feelings become easier to deal with.

“Oh hi, perfectionism, you again. I see you, you are totally valid. I know you can be helpful sometimes, but I’m going to be more effective without you today.” 

Accept that it’s not you

Imposter syndrome is a feminist issue as the majority of people it affects are women. It is a result of deep social conditioning that we do not belong. We feel like imposters a lot of the time because up until recently we were imposters in a traditional workplace. It may be 2021 but women taking a strong role in a workforce was quite literally non-existent or uncommon at best until the last century.

This is a reason why it can strongly show up in our work, and why it disproportionately affects women.

Focus on what you know

When it shows up use the three steps:

Identify

Acknowledge

Accept

I really hope these tips and thoughts might help you to better understand Imposter Syndrome and how it appears in yourself. If you fancy doing some further reading I wholeheartedly recommend ‘Secret Thoughts of Successful Women’ by Valarie Young.