Do you ever worry that you aren’t good enough? It doesn’t matter how much you do or what you achieve, feeling like a fraud robs you of focus, clarity, and the pleasure of enjoying your hard earned success.
Wish you had that special something to stop that negative inner voice and embrace confidence?
Great news, YOU DO.
A whopping 70 percent of us will experience at least one episode of impostor syndrome in their work life. That means there are hundreds of millions of smart, capable people trapped in self-doubt, not living their best lives.
All of your skills and strengths are right there in front of you. Sometimes that reality is hard to see when life doesn’t feel calm. That begs the question – How do I create more calm?
Living your best life is so much easier when you make the choice to stop arguing with yourself.
When was the last time you changed someones opinion by arguing with them? Chances are never.
This always reminds me of politics. If you are on one side and I’m on the other, it doesn’t matter how many reliable facts, charts, or sources you have to prove your point. Chances are the more you argue your point, the more I’m going to dig my heals in and not believe you. It’s called the ‘backfire effect‘- the tendency to resist accepting evidence that conflicts with deeply held beliefs.
Instead of trying to argue or just give in, take a step back try listening to yourself with an open mind. What is this belief all about? Where does it live in your body? What is it trying to do for you? Giving yourself compassion and empathy opens the door to change.
The next step is to offer yourself a different viewpoint.
If your brain is trying to convince you that you always screw things up, take a moment to remember something that is easy for you. It doesn’t matter how big or how small that thing is. Notice how good it feels on the inside to simply flow. The more space we give ourselves to remember the good, the better we feel.
Being more objective about yourself lays the foundation for more confidence and better self-esteem.
It’s not about trying to convince yourself that you’re the best and greatest at everything. It’s about being comfortable with the reality of who you are and what you can do. Letting go of the stress that self-doubt and judgement creates frees you to live your best life with more energy and focus.