Letting Go of IMPOSTER SYNDROME
IMPOSTER SYNDROME is a term that wasn't so popular back in the day, but now we can READILY IDENTIFY it! It's safe to say that if you haven't experienced imposter syndrome you've probably felt the symptoms of it. For those of you who don't know what Imposter Syndrome is allow me to give you a brief description. Imposter Syndrome is defined by Merriam Websters Dictionary as, "A false and sometimes crippling belief that one's successes are a product of luck or fraud rather than skill." It's almost like the person experiencing the success believes that they don't deserve the accolades they receive because they believe that they haven't done enough to be in the position they're in. They don't feel worthy of the recognition, they feel like they're just posing trying to hide in plain sight so they won't get exposed! The symptoms of imposter syndrome consist of the following: Anxiety, Perfectionism, Self-Doubt, and Fear of Failure. Historically, imposter syndrome is birthed when an individual has gone through traumatic incidents were they're highly criticized. Many would say that it's a form of PTSD from the unrealistic expectations they've had placed on them. It can also stem from working in fast pace highly stressful careers. The desire to reach perfection can cause one to believe that they're never good enough.
First, I'll start by saying I'm so sorry if you're currently feeling this way or have ever felt this feeling before. Secondly, I want to let you know that although you're feeling this way and you're hearing these thoughts you can fight back! Thirdly, although you may not believe it right now, I'm here to tell you that you're not LUCKY you're LOVED! Everything that you have and that you're becoming was predetermined by GOD for your life. You just need some PRACTICAL SKILLS that you can implement STEP BY STEP to help you get centered when you have a sighting of Imposter Syndrome and when you're being attacked from the inside out! I personally haven't experienced full blown Imposter Syndrome, but I've definitely experienced the onset symptoms of it. I've also helped a lot of good people dealing with this issue to regain their strength. Based on my research and personal experience with others dealing with imposter syndrome, I've come to the conclusion that if you want to TAKE OWNERSHIP of your EXPERIENCE you must learn to F.L.I.P. THE SCRIPT. The acronym F.L.I.P. stands for:
F-REE YOURSELF
L-EARN THE PROCESS
I-NSPIRE OTHERS
P-ERSPECTIVE
STEP #1: FREE YOURSELF
This step is extremely important because this is the space that can cause you to be the most vulnerable and open.
EXAMINE your thoughts and feelings to find the triggers.
If you have a negative thought the first thing, you must do is ask yourself what sparked this feeling and where is this coming from?
If your feelings are heightened due to comparing yourself to others you must take a step back and focus on your own personal journey.
If your feelings are sparked by your own thoughts examine what needs to happen to resolve the issue.
CALL OUT those thoughts and feeling and give them a NAME.
Label the feelings and thoughts and then attach them to the trigger you discovered.
Make a statement expressing what your thoughts/feelings are attached to.
Example: I feeling (insert feeling/thought), because of ____________.
Examine and document how those thoughts and feelings impact your behavior. How do you act?
NOTE: If you can't readily identify the source of the thought or feeling, there may not be an issue. This will require you to dig a little deeper to ask yourself why this is happening? Are you creating an issue that's not real or is there a valid threat? (TOOL: Thoughts & Patterns Exercise info at the bottom of the blog)
STEP #2: LEARN THE PROCESS
REDEFINE IT your goal here is to take the information you've learned about yourself and put it into practice. Now that you have a name for your thoughts and feelings the mission is to keep the trigger you discovered but change the response or behavior.
If you can CALL OUT your thoughts and feelings by NAME you can find a resources or tool to help you fix it. This allows you to discover your patterns.
Examine and document how those patterns and behavior impact you in a journal so that you can refer back to them. This will allow you to become familiar with what it looks like when you are having an imposter syndrome moment. Being able to recognize when the symptoms are coming on gives you an opportunity to eliminate it before it takes on a life of its own.
Ask yourself if this is something you can fix or do you need assistance transitioning?
REVIEW IT look over your experiences and search for slithers of light and joy. Look for the WISDOM you've learned through your difficult seasons and your journey traveled. Then use all of the knowledge you've gained to inspire yourself to keep going. Find strength in being AWARE of what's happening and use it to your advantage.
Remind yourself of WHY you started this journey.
Remind yourself of the journey you've taken to reach this goal.
Remind yourself of the hours and time you've put into this project.
Remind yourself that what GOD has for you is for you and no one dictates that but GOD.
Remind yourself that you're an individual so you can't compare your skills or experience to anyone else's.
STEP #3: INSPIRE OTHERS
TALK ABOUT the experience with people you trust. Find a safe space and just release your feelings. Speaking it can allow you to hear and see the situation from a totally different perspective. The last thing you want to do is stay silent and keep everything bottled up in your head. You need to hear a different voice other than yours, so hearing from other people can help you have a breakthrough. Also talking to someone else can allow you to see that you're not alone. Many people have experienced this before so being vocal can help you find a great support system. BUILD A VILLAGE FOR YOURSELF AND OTHERS.
Talking about it also helps other people that may not understand why this is happening to them. Some people haven't heard the term imposter syndrome before but hearing you speak could really inspire them and help them to overcome the symptoms and fight.
Use your wisdom to bring awareness to the issue. The more conversations, content, and connections we create the more clarity we get. Helping someone else might be the key to helping you get over the hurdle.
Sometimes we can't see the forest for the trees so it's vital that we let our friends and loved ones be there for us. They can pull us out of our funk by helping us confront the lies with truth.
STEP #4: PERSPECTIVE
REMEMBER WHO YOU ARE IN CHRIST Ok so look GOD created you in his image and he also crated you to BE GREAT. At times you won't be able to directly identify why you're experiencing success or failures. We all have a journey to travel that is filled with highs and lows, but there's this amazing thing call GOD'S FAVOR. His FAVOR is more powerful than a degree, connections, partnership, etc. When GOD SPEAKS his words are final. That means that nothing and no one can get in the way of his miracles and blessings. Pray and ask GOD to help you see yourself like he sees you. Ask him to help you get out of your own way so that you can LIVE. Ask GOD to cover you and help you accept the things you can't understand and remember that you're a KING'S KID. Refer to the bible to see what he says about you and the plans he has for your life.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Genesis 1
Jeremiah 29:11
Jeremiah 17:7-8
Matthew 7:7
REMEMBER GOD ALMIGHTY IS YOUR TRUE SOURCE
When you recognize that your strength comes from him you tend to understand that some extraordinary things have that ability to happen in your life. You also start to understand that REJECTION IS YOUR PROTECTION, when things don't go your way. GOD opens doors and makes a way out of no way. He also grants you strength when you fall and experience failure. Highs and lows are all a part of the journey so don't be afraid to experience both. It's not the end of the world, the sky is not falling and GOD IS STILL GOD in the midst of trials so just trust him and stick beside him he has you.
Acknowledge that GOD has a plan for your life. You won't always understand the methods but as long as you understand the assignment, you're on the right track.
Acknowledge that you've put in the work to be where you are. You've made sacrifices, you've studied, you've logged the hours, you've planned and you've executed. Give yourself some credit.
Acknowledge that sometimes you will experience GOD'S FAVOR but you still have to do your part to be in alignment. If GOD placed you there, he already gave you everything you need to thrive in that space.
Acknowledge that no one has the power to expose you or cause you to fail except for you. You are the only one that can ruin what you have. Have confidence that GOD will provide.
Acknowledge that MISTAKES will happen but there's growth and gems in the failures. Character is built in the struggle and you can recover after a setbacks. PERFECTION isn't REAL.
Acknowledge that there is no one in the world like you. Comparing yourself to others won't serve you it only distracts you. There are a number of GREAT PEOPLE with GREAT TALENTS but no one can do what you do like you do. You can coexist with other GREAT PEOPLE. Your journey is yours and yours alone. Stay locked in and be sure to stay the course.
Please acknowledge and define your own definition of SUCCESS and your reason WHY. These two things can help you get back centered when you mind is bombarded with negative questionable thoughts. Remember who's truly in control. GOD has you covered and your story has already been written! What will be..... WILL BE. Your job is to live as FREE as you can and seek GOD to discover what his plans are for your life. You'll have to adjust and shift often that's the name of the game, but as long as you TRUST GOD, you'll always find your footing. FLIPPING THE SCRIPT is understanding that you can CHANGE THE NARRATIVE because you know the AUTHOR.
INSPIRATIONAL SONG: IF WE HAD YOUR EYES BY: MICHELLE WILLIAMS FEAT. FANTASIA
INSPIRATIONAL SONG: HANDS IN IT BY: EVAN AND ERIS
BLOG INSPIRATION: I’m Gon’ Need My Shirt Back: Inspirational Workbook for Student Athletes “F.L.I.P. METHOD” (pg. 98). “THOUGHT EXECISE” (pg. 59-60). Refer to these pages if you need more information. Visit our shop to pick up a copy of this workbook for more concepts and techniques! Shop | level27 (level27coaching.com
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