How to Deal with Imposter Syndrome

OK, be honest… have you ever said this to yourself…Who am I to run this race?Who am I to start this business?Who am I to wear this fancy dress?Who am I to say I’m an expert?Imposter Syndrome friends. It’s real. And it can creep in when you least expect it!For many of us entrepreneurs, sometimes at the beginning, or when we make massive changes in our business, Imposter syndrome nestles in. But good news! There is science behind this.Have you heard of the Dunning-Kruger Effect?If you look it up, you’ll see a chart that looks like a half pipe. At the beginning there’s confidence, very little competency and we’re thinking, “damn, I’m awesome!”In the middle we have average competence, but we feel like we don’t know anything. But by the time we’re an expert it swoops back to feeling pretty good, but you know your limitations.The basis around this is that people with LOW ability of a task actually overestimate their own ability. And people that have high ability of a task underestimate their own ability.We don’t know what we don’t know.So when does imposter syndrome show up? Does it show up when we’re a newbie?Nope. Imposter syndrome doesn’t show up until you have a certain level of competence. Which means that the only people with imposter syndrome are people who actually do have a certain level of expertise! Mic Drop!But so many people consider Imposter Syndrome the moment that they should give up, and the moment they should pivot in a whole new direction.Rather than realize that when imposter syndrome creeps up, it’s only here because they are actually on the path of becoming an expert, and literally half way there!You literally can’t have imposter syndrome unless you do have an expertise. And it’s a sign that you are well on your way!So how do you cope with it?- Know the signs- Let go of perfectionism- Be kind to yourself- Realize this is a view no one else shares about us- Remember all of your strengths- Read a note from a happy customer- We’re all a work in progressStop comparingCheck us out on Instagram @thesocial.focus @angela.s.doyon and @natcaronphoto JOIN INSTAGRAM FOR BUSINESS NOW! (the online course and community where you learn to scroll less and sell more!)We love and use Buzzsprout to host Instagram for Business Podcast and they have made it easy and seamless (plus their customer service is by far one of the best!)This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.