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Navigating your career can bring about moments of uncertainty, whether you're stepping into a new role or facing a challenging project. I know this all too well - two experiences that have come up time and again for me and my clients are self-doubt and imposter syndrome. While they might seem similar at first glance, understanding the key differences between them is crucial for effectively managing these feelings, feeling empowered in your career journey, and maintaining your overall well-being.
So how can you tell which one you're grappling with? Here are some telltale signs from my experience:
Self-doubt:
The uncertainty is tied to specific new or challenging situations, but subsides as you get more experience under your belt. You're open to positive feedback which helps build your confidence back up. And ultimately, that self-doubt pushes you to learn and grow, motivating you to enhance your skills.
Imposter syndrome:
Those icky feelings of inadequacy persist no matter the context or how much you objectively achieve. You constantly brush off your successes as just luck or timing, you don't recognise your achievements. And a nagging fear that you'll be "found out" as a fraud hangs over you, despite clear evidence of your skills.
How to Identify Which One You’re Facing
When It's Self-Doubt:
Context-Specific: If your uncertainty is tied to new or challenging situations and subsides as you become more experienced, it’s likely self-doubt.
Responsive to Feedback: Positive feedback and success help alleviate self-doubt, leading to increased confidence and improved performance.
Growth-Oriented: Self-doubt can encourage you to learn and grow, pushing you to enhance your skills and capabilities.
When It's Imposter Syndrome:
Persistent Feelings: If you feel inadequate regardless of context and these feelings persist despite successes, you are likely dealing with imposter syndrome.
Disregard for Achievements: Consistently attributing your successes to luck, timing, or other external factors indicates imposter syndrome.
Fear of Exposure: A constant fear of being "found out" as a fraud, despite clear evidence of your competence, is a hallmark of imposter syndrome.
Strategies to start navigating self-doubt and imposter syndrome
1. Reflect and Recognise:
Acknowledge Your Feelings: Recognising and naming what you're experiencing is the first step. Understand that self-doubt is a common reaction to new challenges, while imposter syndrome is a deeper issue that many high achievers face.
Journal Your Thoughts: Write down your thoughts and feelings to identify patterns and triggers. This can help you differentiate between temporary self-doubt and persistent imposter syndrome.
2. Reframe Negative Thoughts:
Challenge Your Inner Critic: Actively counter negative thoughts with positive affirmations and evidence of your achievements. Remind yourself of your skills, accomplishments, and the hard work that brought you here.
Focus on Facts: Make a brag list of your achievements and skills. Got an email of praise from your manager? Put it on there. Refer to this list whenever you feel doubtful or not good enough.
3. Seek Support and Build Confidence:
Talk to Mentors and Peers: Sharing your feelings with people you trust can provide new perspectives and reassurance. They can help you see your situation more clearly, offer valuable advice and remind you you're not on your own.
Set Realistic Goals: Break down your goals into manageable steps and celebrate small victories along the way. This can build your confidence gradually and help you see your progress.
Develop a Growth Mindset: Invest in your personal and professional development through courses, workshops, or coaching. Continuous learning can bolster your confidence and reduce feelings of inadequacy.
Understanding means better management
Recognising whether you are dealing with self-doubt or imposter syndrome is the first step towards managing these feelings effectively. When we understand what we’re facing, we can adopt appropriate strategies to address it. Self-doubt can be managed by building experience and seeking constructive feedback, while imposter syndrome requires a deeper approach, involving reframing negative self-limiting beliefs.
If you're struggling with either, I've got you. My 12-week coaching program is designed to provide you with personalised tools and support for understanding and managing self-doubt and imposter syndrome. We'll turn them from hurdles into growth opportunities!
Book your free discovery call with me so I can learn more about your specific situation and share how we can partner up. You've got this!
And of course, be sure to sign up for my Confident Compass newsletter to get regular tips, strategies and insights on building self-confidence and authentic leadership right to your inbox. Let's do this together!
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