Last week I had the pleasure of speaking at the first annual  UNLV Alumnae Conference. I chose to speak on the topic of self-doubt and imposter syndrome because I see so many of my clients struggle with this issue and so do I. 

What is Imposter Syndrome? According to Pauline Clance and Suzanne Imes (1978), It can be defined as "a collection of feelings of inadequacy that persist despite evident success. “Imposters” suffer from chronic self-doubt and a sense of intellectual fraudulence that override any feelings of success or external proof of their competence". Originally it was observed in high performing women, however, after further research, it was discovered that anyone can suffer from it. 

Unchecked it can impact our emotional and physical wellbeing and evolve into anxiety and/or depression. In our personal lives, it can get in the way of connecting with our loved ones. Many Mothers feel like imposters because they are damned if they do and damned if they don't. A Mother might fear sharing her approach to parenting for fear of negative feedback.

It can stunt our professional growth if we are too afraid to speak up with new ideas due to fear of judgment or criticism. I, as a perfectionist, don't like to make moves or comments until my ideas are fully formed, but everything including ourselves is always a work in progress. The crazy thing about imposter syndrome is that it's usually the most successful people in their field and lives that experience it. 

Whether it's a fear of public speaking or taking a promotion because you don't feel deserving, there are many ways that self doubt can manifest in our lives. Below I've listed three ways to combat self-doubt and imposter syndrome. Leave a comment below if you've ever dealt with any of these issues and what you do to help you manage it. 

1. Get out of your head and into your body by practicing mindfulness and meditation regularly 

2. Seek support from family and friends 

3. Reframe failure as an opportunity for growth 

I hope my blogs are a helpful source of information. That they might help you to find comfort and solace in knowing that you’re not alone. That you matter and someone’s thinking about you. Submit blog topics and questions you'd like me to address here and subscribe below to stay updated. Until next time my friend.