For some of us, it feels like an old friend, always lurking in the background, while for others, it’s a relentless foe that threatens to derail our progress. But one thing we do know is that everyone has to face it in some form (and if you claim otherwise – it’s a downright lie!). That’s right, we’re talking about imposter syndrome.
Whenever we step out of our comfort zone and into a slightly new identity, those nagging feelings of self-doubt are sure to resurface. So today, we’re diving deep into the art of breaking free from imposter syndrome, empowering you to become truly unstoppable in business. To help us, I’m sharing the expertise of business coach and serial entrepreneur Suzy Oliver, who shared how, with the right mindset and approach, imposter syndrome can actually push us to become the best versions of ourselves.
The Importance of Celebrating Successes
In the whirlwind of entrepreneurship, it’s easy to find ourselves caught up in the constant pursuit of the next goal and the next milestone. We (and women especially) often overlook the importance of pausing to celebrate our successes along the way, grappling with the new identity that comes with each level of success.
But when we fail to take the time to acknowledge and celebrate our accomplishments, we inadvertently feed into imposter syndrome. We find ourselves moving from one milestone to the next without fully internalizing our progress, leaving us feeling undeserving or inadequate as we reach new heights.
And by neglecting to celebrate ourselves, we set ourselves up for future challenges. We may find ourselves getting two, three, or even four levels ahead of where we’re comfortable, triggering a sense of unease within our nervous system and identity. This feeling can show up in strange ways, like feeling super overwhelmed or guilty when we hit big financial goals.
No matter how tiny it might seem–whether it’s picking out the perfect font for a logo or getting the first person to sign up to your lead magnet–each step forward deserves a little celebration!
Using Imposter Syndrome As Your Superpower
Believe it or not, imposter syndrome can actually be your superpower. Instead of letting it hold you back, you can use it to your advantage by flipping the script on those feelings of self-doubt and turning them into motivation for growth and improvement.
Think about it: when imposter syndrome creeps in, it’s like a signal that there’s room for refinement and sharpening of your skills. Rather than feeling defeated, you can harness that energy to ask yourself, “How can I get better? How can I improve my leadership, mindset, or even my presenting and copywriting skills?”
In today’s business landscape, we’re not just salespeople; we’re also content creators, marketers, accountants, and so much more. And even if you have a team to handle some of these tasks, having a strong awareness of all aspects of your business is essential.
Most of us never feel like we’ve truly “made it” or that we’re done learning. And so rather than letting imposter syndrome tell you you’re not good enough, use it as fuel to propel yourself forward and ask, “What do I need to do to be the best I can possibly be?” in order to serve your clients more effectively and to provide deeper value and transformation.
Overcoming Imposter Syndrome When it Strikes
When I first started my agency, I was running Facebook ads for a big client, someone making multiple seven figures. And I would often catch myself thinking , “Who am I to do this? She should hire one of those big agencies instead.” I was so anxious, I was almost in tears every night. But then the sales started coming in, and I realized I was doing a good job. In fact, her friend–a Facebook ads guru–even called me up to find out what I was doing to get those results!
It just shows how crazy it is when we talk to ourselves negatively like that and doubt our abilities. We think other people have it all figured out, but really, they’re just like us. Those thoughts don’t help us at all. They just make us stressed out and affect our health.
So what do we do when we catch ourselves in that negative thought cycle? Suzy encourages us to focus on our “why” – our reason for doing what we do. Because when our drive to make a difference is stronger than our self-doubt, we can push through anything.
Making that decision to push through imposter syndrome is like a muscle. The more you use it, the stronger it gets. Imposter syndrome used to hold Suzy back for years, but now she can move past it in just a couple of hours.
When she’s feeling stuck, she pulls out her journal and reads her “future me” manifesto. It reminds her of the person she wants to become and the impact she wants to have. She tells herself, “This is bigger than you. You need to step up for your family, your legacy.” The more you do it, the easier it gets. You learn to recognize imposter syndrome faster, and you know which tools to use to overcome it.
Mastering Mindset: The Key to Conquering Imposter Syndrome
If you’re looking to make a shift or start something new, especially if it’s unfamiliar territory, chances are you’ll face imposter syndrome in some shape or form. So, what should you do in this situation? Well, it all comes down to your mindset.
Dedicating time to mindset work is crucial. It’s not something you can just pick up whenever you feel like it. It’s like trying to get fit by eating healthy only on Mondays – it just doesn’t work that way. You need consistent effort, just like with a healthy eating regime.
As Suzy’s coach says: “Your mindset work is your full-time business, and your business is your side hustle.” It emphasizes the commitment and dedication needed for mindset practice.
Suzy has worked with many women who’ve made significant career shifts – from teachers becoming money coaches to corporate professionals going freelance. It’s totally possible to recreate your identity. You can become an entirely new person in just a year.
It’s all about the mindset work – journaling, affirmations, writing your future manifesto. In Suzy’s group programs, she makes participants envision their dream business and earning their desired income. By getting them to feel what it’s like to achieve those goals, they can make strategic decisions to bring them closer to reality.
And remember, mindset work isn’t something you do only when you feel like it. You have to find ways to fit it into your day – like reciting affirmations while walking back to the car after dropping off your kids!
Commit to your mindset practice, find what works for you, and watch as miracles unfold in your life. Trust us – the results will be so worth it!
