COMBATTING IMPOSTER SYNDROME
By Madeleine Geach of The Good Life Coaching
Imposter syndrome hits anyone, anywhere, in any career path. And since hospitality is a profession that so many of us just fell into, it can often mean that we don’t believe our achievements are valid, or that our paths are deserved. It can cause serious anxiety or worse, completely cripple our work flow.
Madeleine Geach from The Good Life Coaching is here to tell us how to tune in to that all-important self-belief. This is for anyone questioning their own value in the workplace – whether you’re a biz owner, a manager, a supervisor, or entry-level.
Read on for the six invaluable pointers that’ll help you transform your negative story into an empowering one, and embrace imposter syndrome as a natural response that’ll help you smash through new challenges.
1. Embrace your imposter
Imposter syndrome (feeling like you are not qualified to do something) is NORMAL. It crops up more when we take on a challenge or in unfamiliar situations like a new job. These are times when we are outside of our comfort zone and feeling less secure.
Rather than being freaked out by it, EXPECT IT. The voice in your head may say things like you aren’t good enough to do this, you are faking it, you don’t have what it takes. We can’t completely control this voice. We may hear it. But we can choose whether or not to listen to it.
Some people even say we should all feel like an imposter every now and then. If you don’t, then you’re probably not challenging yourself enough in life. So, try welcoming in your imposter. It’s a sign you are growing.
2. Tell a new story
What’s the story you are telling yourself? The messages we repeat have a big impact on our confidence and happiness levels.
But telling a new story isn’t lying to yourself. It’s remembering that your beliefs are not facts. They are just a subjective interpretation of the world. It is very possible that your current ‘story’ isn’t true.
If you are having negative thoughts that are shaking your confidence ask yourself: is this story true? Can I be sure it is ABSOLUTELY true? What else might be true? If the story you are telling yourself isn’t helping you, write a new, more helpful one.
3. Internalise praise
You were chosen for this job. But maybe you don’t trust what others see in you – your experience, achievements, strengths, and skills. Internalising praise is really believing what others see in you.
Write a brag list: a catalogue of all the reasons you are right for this job. Big and small, get around 30 things on there. You might include feedback you’ve been given, compliments you’ve been paid, things you’ve accomplished, personality traits, what you imagine others see in you. If imagining is hard try asking a few trusted people how they see you and what they think you bring to the table.
If this gives you the ick remember this is not being arrogant. It’s shifting your mindset from self-doubt to self-belief.
4. Use mental rehearsal
Sports psychologists use a visualisation technique called mental rehearsal to help athletes build confidence and overcome anxiety.
Close your eyes. Picture the day ahead. Imagine a film of the day playing. In the film you are CONFIDENT AND KILLING IT. Notice how you move, what you say, the impact on people around you. Play the film through from the start of your workday to the end. Do this a couple of times. The whole process takes under a minute.
This isn’t woo-woo manifestation. It’s simply showing your brain where to go. Practising being confident in your head before you do it in real life can really help.
5. Get your confidence pillars in place
Focus on the daily habits that help you feel confident. For many people things like being organised, having time to plan your day, arriving early, being rested and not hungover, wearing the right clothes, exercising, can all help us feel self-assured.
When are you at your best?
What habits help you feel good?
What could you do more of?
What might you stop?
What is one thing you will commit to?
Choose 3 daily habits that will help you feel good. Think of these like pillars to support you and your confidence. Focus on taking small steps to build more of these things into your life.
6. Learn leadership
Leadership is not something we are born knowing how to do, but it can seriously help your self-confidence – no matter your role. The good news is it is a learnable skill. So, invest a bit of time learning it. As well as learning on the job, find what works for you. Speaking to leaders you like, consuming podcasts, reading books, working with a coach or mentor. Even if you’re super busy, you’ll want to regularly carve out time to step back. Even if it’s just 30 minutes on the bus to work.
Some resources to get you started:
Radical Candor Kim Scott – book and podcast on giving feedback and leading people
How to Have a Good Day Caroline Webb – book on mindset and more
How to Stay Sane Philippa Perry – a short book that covers internal stories and how to shift them
Diary of a CEO podcast
Squiggly Careers podcast
The Good Life Coaching, my own hospitality leadership blog