Paul O'Brien Coaching & Super-vision
Over the years I have worked with some great people, who were very talented in their field. Many of them were talented leaders and executives, who often looked at themselves to see how they could raise their leadership bar, others were talented experts planning their next career step.
What has been common with some of these people is an element of self-doubt, that inner critic that we all have inside of us, that can sometimes bother us at inconvenient moments.
When we have a lot of self doubt, this can lead to us getting stuck. Many people call this “Imposter Syndrome.”
The term refers to the internal experience of self-doubt, where we believe we are not as competent as others perceive us to be. My belief is that this inner critic can be worked with, influenced, and overcome, so that we can become better versions of ourselves.
So, whether you call it "imposter syndrome," or self-doubt, remember that you’re not alone in feeling this way. Below are some tips for your consideration.
Acknowledge the feeling not the thought:
Its important that we understand that self-doubt is a common experience. It doesn’t mean we lack competence; it’s a sign that we’re pushing our boundaries. Start by naming the feeling.
Stretch your comfort zones:
Think back to a challenge you have overcome in your life. You would have felt vulnerable and uncomfortable at the start, but you overcame it. If you did it then, there is no reason why you can`t now.
Choose where you focus
To improve our skill set means building on our strengths nearly as much as it does working on our development areas.
Celebrate small wins
Break down goals into smaller achievements. Celebrate each step forward, no matter how modest. Every race starts with a step.
Journal
Journal regularly to express how you are feeling. Sometimes just getting your thoughts out onto a page can be the difference between a successful week and a tough week.
Reflection
Regular reflection on your approaches, often with a trusted thinking partner, can be a great way to recognise your strengths, actions that have landed well, and pinpoint areas that can be improved without too much effort.
Self-Compassion:
Be kind to yourself. Perfection for a lot of people, does not exist. If a friend made a mistake that you had made, would you forgive them?
Treat yourself with the same compassion.
Seek Support:
Surround yourself with a supportive network. Choose mentors, coaches and friends that can all support you in building resources, self-awareness and skills that will enable success
