"Breaking Free from Imposter Syndrome: Empowering Strategies for Self-Acceptance and Success"

I challenge you to empower yourself………….

What changes can we instigate within our own self-consciousness that will insight a powerful and positive change to the way that we view ourselves and how we perceive that others think of us?

Over the years, I have presented many times on imposter syndrome, it is a subject that I am very passionate about, because I have been and continue to be a victim of Imposter Syndrome and I still to this day have to actively use strategies to overcome it.

Imposter syndrome: the lurking dreaded feeling of not belonging or being worthy of your achievements. That at any moment in time, you will be found out, discovered to be a fraud. That inner feeling of dread, that you only got to where you are because of luck, you certainly didn’t work to achieve it, you just ended up there by shear accident and sometime very soon, someone will realise you have no idea what the hell you’re doing and that you definitely should not be here!

Human nature is one of a constant drive towards acceptance, many of us seek the approval and acceptance of others in each and everything that we do in our lives, but the most challenging thing for us to achieve is the acceptance of ourselves and to believe in our own abilities.

Why are we so wrapped up in what others think of us, why do we strive to please other people continuously, yet we fail to put the most important person first, ourselves?

As a sufferer of imposter syndrome, I found myself constantly seeking the reassurance and approval of others. During my flying training, I would constantly self-sabotage, that voice in the back of my head, saying I wasn’t good enough, I haven’t done enough work to be here, I haven’t studied enough, trained enough, worked hard enough. For each set back I would face, in my mind I created more additional barriers, told myself I was not up to standard, I didn’t belong.

And it worked, I failed many times to achieve what I set out to do because I set myself up to fail by projecting the negativity inwards, by feeding the creature within, the Imposter Syndrome.

When we suffer from Imposter Syndrome, we have an intense fear of failure, so much so that we project that fear deep within ourselves, that eventually we will believe it enough to actually fail.

Overcoming Imposter syndrome is extremely challenging, but over the years I have found certain strategies that have worked for me.

I call these the Key Success Drivers to overcoming Imposter Syndrome.

1. Vision Boards

By creating a vision board for your goals you are creating a visual strategy that you can look at each day to motivate you. And, by writing down what you want to achieve you are formalizing your goals into real time and real actionable items. Remember a dream written down is a goal.

Always include your strategies on how you will achieve your goals, you could include a timeline or an end date by which you want to achieve each step and most importantly how you will celebrate when you get there! By creating a visual pathway we mentally prepare ourselves for what lays ahead, preparation is always a key success driver.

2. Mentorship

Pair up with a mentor or buddy who can support you, reassure you and embrace your journey with you. A person who understands your self-doubt and your need for reassurance and confidence building and someone who will celebrate the achievements with you each step of the way. Mentorship is a powerful tool for anyone who suffers with imposter syndrome. We need people to see us for who we truly are and for those to people to be able to share with us how incredible we truly are.

3. Self-Belief - I am Enough

Believe in yourself, believe in your dreams, and celebrate your achievements, every single one no matter how big or small. Each step towards your end goal is worth celebrating.

Self-confidence is one of the most difficult things to develop, especially if we feel that we are not deserving of our achievements, if we keep undermining ourselves we are bound to fail. Stop the self-sabotage.

4. Gratitude Journaling

Each day, take some time to reflect on the positive aspects of your life and write them down in a gratitude journal. This can help shift your focus from negative self-talk to a more positive and grateful mindset. It's easy to get caught up in the things we don't have or the areas where we feel inadequate, but by intentionally focusing on the good things in our lives, we can start to cultivate a sense of abundance and contentment.

5. Action and Accountability

Taking action towards our goals is a critical step in overcoming imposter syndrome. When we take steps towards our goals, we prove to ourselves that we are capable and competent. It's important to hold ourselves accountable for the actions we take towards our goals. By setting deadlines and measuring progress, we can see tangible evidence of our accomplishments and use that as motivation to keep going.

6. Embrace Failure

One of the biggest drivers of imposter syndrome is the fear of failure. But failure is inevitable on the path to success. Instead of seeing failure as a sign of inadequacy, we can choose to view it as a learning opportunity. When we fail, we can reflect on what went wrong and use that information to make better choices in the future. By embracing failure as a necessary part of the learning process, we can reduce the power it holds over us and approach our goals with more confidence.

In conclusion, overcoming imposter syndrome is a journey that requires intentional effort and a commitment to self-growth. By implementing these six strategies - creating a vision board, seeking mentorship, embracing self-belief, practicing gratitude journaling, taking action and accountability, and embracing failure - we can start to shift our self-talk and build the confidence needed to achieve our goals. Remember, you are enough, and you deserve success.