As I teach and coach, I learn so much.
And as I give, I receive.
I just came off a week where I participated in a Mastermind followed by a fabulous Teach Your Gift Live event, where I was invited to coach.
Both events were headed by Mirasee and masterfully presented.
It was inspiring to be surrounded by a coaching team with incredible energy, knowledge, and values.
What I enjoyed the most during the 3-day marathon event was helping the entrepreneurs.
Hearing the stories, the dreams, the fears, the incredible talents these brilliant individuals have, and the gift they wanted to share with the world was beyond inspiring and worth the early mornings & long days of work to help them.
It was an honor to listen to their stories and offer small steps and giant leaps they could take to improve their lives and business.
They shared with me where they were currently in both and where they wanted to go.
And that’s precisely where we start.
We have to meet ourselves where we are in the moment to move forward with our goals.
Our progress is unique to us, yet we often look outside ourselves and compare ourselves to others to define our success and worth.
I really love helping people find their way and getting them closer to their dreams.
And it is fascinating to notice the common threads regarding what was holding the entrepreneurs back from their goals, although the fields they were in were vastly different.
The common thread: impostor syndrome.
So, What Is Impostor Syndrome?
It is when we doubt our own abilities, our talents, and accomplishments.
Have you ever told yourself:
"I'm a fraud, and it's just a matter of time before everyone finds out."
"Who am I to deserve this promotion or success?"
Or when you're being praised, do you say: "It's nothing," or "I'm just doing my job," or "it could've been better if…" instead of saying thank you and accepting the compliment?
I have said a few of the above myself.
So if you can relate, here are three ways to deal with impostor syndrome:
Let Go Of Your Inner Perfectionism.
Are you a high achiever, and nothing is ever perfect enough?
Is the little voice in your head constantly saying: "Can do better"?
See, perfectionism feeds into imposter syndrome.
When you feel like what you do isn't good enough, it's usually because you're comparing yourself to some "perfect" outcome that's either impossible or unrealistic.
The truth is no one is perfect.
And sometimes, being perfectly imperfect is exactly what this world needs. It teaches us grace and empathy for one another.
Isn't it the world you want to live in?
So instead of beating yourself up for not being perfect, ask yourself, did I do the best I could with the time I had?
If the answer is yes, congratulations, you have moved the needle forward and are on your way to success! Success is not perfectionism.
Be Kind To Yourself.
Do you often criticize yourself for a mistake you've made, for not progressing fast enough, or for falling short on a goal you had set?
Next time you speak to yourself harshly (I'm so dumb, I'm an idiot for…, I hate myself, etc.) I invite you to imagine that you are talking to a friend who has made a mistake or thinks they have made the wrong decision.
Speak to yourself the way you would speak to them. For example, you probably would be compassionate towards yourself, encouraging, and forgiving.
Imposter syndrome fades away when you talk to yourself the way you would be to your BFF.
Celebrate The Small Victories.
When you feel like an impostor, one of the hardest things to grasp is how much of a role you have in your own successes.
Track ALL your wins and celebrate them.
There are no such things as small wins.
All wins are part of your big goal and need to be acknowledged.
Before each coaching meeting, one of my coaches asked me what we were celebrating today?
That forced me to think about all the little wins I had that week that I would not have recognized otherwise. It made me realize that each step is essential, moving me closer to my ultimate goal.
So let me ask you: what are you celebrating today?
(And by the way, that's how I start my meetings, too, Thanks, Brandy!)
