How to make friends with your imposter syndrome
Have you had this experience?
You have a great idea and get excited and enthused about it
BUT
Very quickly your imposter syndrome chimes in and that enthusiasm turns to fear and doubt
That can turn into procrastination, stopping you from doing what you know you truly want to do. And that can lead to retreating and not following through on your great idea.
OF COURSE YOU HAVE
If you're dreaming of making any changes in your life then the answer is yes, of course you have felt this. You may be feeling it in an area of your life right now.
This is a big block for us all which is why we spend two weeks and ten lessons working on Imposter Syndrome in the Good Girl Rebellion app and another two weeks on a related topic - Emotional Mastery
TIPS FOR NAVIGATING IMPOSTER SYNDROME
In the meantime, here are some tips for navigating imposter syndrome.
1. Know that imposter syndrome is not something to berate yourself over - it is simply a part of you trying to keep yourself safe.
So your first step is to feel gratitude and understanding for that completely natural instinct.
2. Spend some time thinking about what that instinct is trying to save you from. You can actually ask it in your head 'Wow, thank you for warning me about this. What do you think might happen?' Your imposter syndrome may then spin out with images and fears and possibilities. The key here is to stay open to this coming up. You may have noticed in life that the more you try to push fears and worries aside the more they come back up. It's like they realise they're not being taken seriously so it's time to shout louder! So let's hear them.
3. The next step is to calmly say to that part of yourself, 'Thank you for keeping me safe. You look exhausted why don't you take a break? I've heard what you have to say and you might be right. But this is what I am going to do (whatever your imposter syndrome doesn't want you to do!). I will be wary of those things you've warned me about but I believe that whatever comes up I will be able to handle it or change my direction if I need to. Thank you for all that you do for me'
I can't promise you that this will be the last time you hear from your imposter syndrome because it won't. Every time you start to do something new fear will come up. BUT the more you follow the steps above the faster you can move through this phase and turn that fear into exhilaration and that is where the magic happens.