Have you ever had the feeling that you weren't good enough? Or felt like your accomplishments weren't worth celebrating? Or even worse, been riddled with the thought that you’re severely behind in life compared to others? Well, that feeling is known as imposter syndrome. And believe it or not, it’s more common than you think. 

Having these thought patterns can increase anxiety, depression and seriously damage your personal and professional lives. 

So, how do we switch gears to get over the debilitating feeling of imposter syndrome? By taking these three actionable steps to create new positive thinking habits that acknowledge your self-worth.

 

Step 1: Celebrate Your Own Success Without Comparison

To remind you, not only is comparison the thief of joy, but it’s also the root of imposter syndrome – especially when social media is involved. Social media provides a carefully curated insight into parts of people’s lives they “want” to show us. They don't show us their low moments – only their high ones, with a filter attached, of course. Which is why it's important to take everything you see on social media, whether it’s a new business launch or a viral reel,  with a grain of salt.

Learning how to celebrate your own success is imperative on the journey of overcoming imposter syndrome. Taking small moments out of your day to be proud of the achievements you’ve made will help you make gradual progress in raising your self-worth. If you need to, try keeping a document filled with all of the accomplishments you’ve made in your life and read them back whenever you feel a sense of doubt infiltrating your thoughts. It’s not about how other people see you – it’s about how you see yourself.

Step 2: Let Go Of Perfectionism

Perfectionism isn't a thing – we’re actually not even sure why it’s a word in the dictionary. Once you understand this you’ll realize that you have nothing to compare your success to because your success is built on consistency, not perfectionism. 

People who are high achievers or who set extremely high standards for themselves are typically ones who have a hard time grasping this idea. It’s important to adjust your standards of success to focus on progress as opposed to aiming for perfection. Standardizing your goals to a “perfect” outcome is unrealistic and leaves absolutely zero room for growth moments. And these are the moments you need to become a better version of yourself. It’s not about being “good enough,” it’s about doing the best you can do. 

 

Step 3: Realize You’re Not Alone

The most important thing to realize about imposter syndrome is that you are not alone. You’d be surprised at how many successful people (even celebrities) are suffering from imposter syndrome. And yes, we can honestly thank social media for this common occurrence. 

So, in knowing this truth it’s up to you to become comfortable with the idea that it’s time for a mindset change. Find ways, like the ones above, to create a new pattern of thinking that allows you to celebrate your success, let go of perfection and embark on a new journey of undeniable confidence. 

 

P.S. 

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