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Writer's pictureIan Catterall

Imposter Syndrome - Part 2

I talked in my last post about how to recognise Imposter syndrome - the idea that simply noticing it and recognising it as an emotion rather than "the truth" is a very valuable way of stopping it from wandering around your brain unchallenged. When we challenge that feeling or those thoughts it can undermine the power it has to influence how you feel. It quickly stops making sense and in that moment there is an opportunity to move through it.


Personally, I am not convinced of the benefits of "positive affirmations". However, perhaps they work for you as a way of challenging the negative thoughts of imposter syndrome? Equally it might be possible to simply challenge the negative self talk. To ask yourself if this really is how things are? Am I truly this much out of my depth? A process of questioning these thoughts can really help give some perspective.


Another way of helping can be speaking to people you trust about your self doubt. Often when we say things to others - just saying things out loud - they lose their power. They can seem exaggerated or simply untrue. It wouldn't be surprising to me to hear you laugh at these thoughts as you express them to someone - they seem so much more powerful in our mind than when we actually say them. Its also helpful to connect with people we care about and who care about us generally - to realise that there are some things that are more important than work and so on.


Finally remember you are not perfect. That you are changing and learning all the time. That is enough - if you can only succeed when you are perfect then you never will - we are imperfect in a world full of troubles - you can only do the best you can. Not being perfect does not make you an imposter. Its how we all are.

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