Why Self-Doubt and Imposter Syndrome are good signs!

Do you suffer from Imposter Syndrome?

Are you always consumed by fear and worry when you make a decision in your career?

Are you plagued with self-doubt? Stopping you from moving forward and taking that crucial next step?

Do you take action and then feel like an imposter when you finally achieve the goal?

Maybe you have started your career and you feel out of your depth and feel like a fraud?

Sound familiar? You’re not alone.

In fact, there's one interesting theme I noticed when I interview high performing nurses-- either through my podcast or coaching. They also experience self-doubt and imposter syndrome.

Actually, we all do – to varying degrees. Those who are high performing and perfectionists tend to be consumed by imposter syndrome. Weird, huh? Those who are skilled and capable are scared to do it. But, the unskilled and dangerous believe they are invincible! Eek – scary!

So what is actually going on when we experience Imposter Syndrome?

I’m glad you asked. On the simplest of levels, your primitive brain (fight or flight centre) is trying to keep you safe from all the scary bad things that are about to happen. Which aren't, by the way. And, its telling you that you are “insert internal dialogue here” to stop you from moving forward.

You see, this mechanism was very helpful when we used to live in caves and chase animals for our dinner. But nowadays, we have no such fears to contend with on a day-to-day basis.

Yet our brain still believes this to be true – how frustrating!

Furthermore, we have been conditioned by society and our Western culture to not celebrate our achievements. Also, to diminish our abilities, in fear of standing out, being special or being considered narcissistic. It is our natural instinct to stay small and remain part of the pack.

So, if we have been conditioned to have self-doubt and imposter syndrome as a safety mechanism, we should expect it as part of the human experience.

What if you were to accept the fact that ANY time that you push your boundaries, that imposter syndrome and self-doubt coming up was a positive sign. A sign of growth. A sign of being closer to your goals. A sign of progress.

Because if it’s always going to happen and be there (which it will always be) why not learn how to manage it and take the action anyway.

So, you have a choice. When you go for those big goals and you CHOOSE to do hard things, I invite you to expect to feel imposter syndrome. But, do not be surprised by it rearing its ugly head! It’s a good thing!

What will you choose? Be plagued by imposter syndrome and stop in your tracks? Or accept it and use it as the power to propel you forward, reminding you that you are making progress? I would love to know your thoughts!

In the meantime, I know many of you are currently doing “hard things” and experiencing self-doubt and imposter syndrome. So I wanted to share some of my favourite quotes with you to keep you motivated and remind you that you can do hard things!

“Discomfort is the currency of your dreams”

“Growth lies at the end of your comfort zone”

“If you enter a room and you DON’T feel like an imposter, you are in the wrong room”

“Experiencing Imposter syndrome is a sign of growth and development”

“No one else can convince you that you are good enough, only you can do that”