Imposter Syndrome. What keeps you safe, keeps you small

Imposter syndrome. We’ve all been there. Most likely you experienced some version of imposter syndrome in the last month. Or week. Or hour for that matter!

How do you handle imposter syndrome? Do you employ a “fake it til you make it” attitude? Do you let it stop you from pursuing your purpose and path?

What if I told you that feelings of imposter syndrome are connected to your inner critic? Your inner critic is often referred to as the voice that holds you back, but it also is what keeps us safe. It is connected to the stories we tell ourselves, the labels that we have carried since we were young.

You are not qualified.

You are too old.

You are not creative.

You are not a numbers person.

You are not management material.

You are not athletic.

You are too opinionated.

You are too friendly.

What happens when you try something new, something outside of the box? You declare yourself an imposter. You can’t be a healer if you went to school for marketing. You can’t write a book if you don’t have a master’s degree. You can’t ask for a promotion because you haven’t earned it.

Feeling like an expert starts inside of you. There is no such thing as perfection, why not try showing up as all parts of you? What if you believed in yourself? Why not challenge the labels that have been put on you by asking “Is this true?”.

As a coach, I live for the moments when my clients break through those barriers. Run small tests and see what it would be like to live your life as an imposter! I guarantee it will be a lot more rewarding than playing it safe and sticking to what is expected of you.

Go on warrior. I’ve got you.

xo Ali

Currently Reading: Mind Map Mastery by Tony Buzan (literal out of box thinking)

Current Mantra: Show up. Pay attention. Be open. Tell the truth. (Adapted from The Four Fold Way by Dr. Angeles Arrien)

Currently Eating: Bowls. Or stuff inside of bowls. Buddha, poke, smoothie. Don’t care, as long as it is in a big bowl.