In this blog Deborah Hulme explores the concept of Imposter Syndrome and provides an overview of Minerva’s Imposter Syndrome (IS) workshop developed in response to observing an increase in people reporting feelings of inadequacy and inability to fulfil their role.
Imposter Syndrome manifests when there is a mismatch between who we see ourselves to be and who we think we need to be to achieve our goals. This leaves us feeling out of place, as though we arrived in our role by mistake and that one day soon, we will be found out. The resulting anxiety creates havoc with our system,  and creates a spiral of self-doubt.
IMPOSTER SYNDROME IMPACTS MANY MEN AND WOMEN ON A REGULAR BASIS
Imposter Syndrome is not a diagnosed medical problem, it is a pattern of thinking, a way of being that is rarely openly discussed and often misunderstood. It is interesting that when we suffer from it, we believe it impacts only us and that everyone else is super confident and effortlessly amazing at what they do. Yet research suggests this is a myth; that IS impacts many men and women on a regular or daily basis, affecting wellbeing, performance, productivity and team dynamics. Unfortunately, the more we believe it is isolated to only me, the less we want to discuss it and the more of a problem it becomes, creating a circle of unhelpful silence.
They will find me out
WHEN ACTIVE IT LEADS US TOWARDS SELF-SABOTAGE AND REDUCES OUR POTENTIAL
It can come and go, stay with us for months and sometimes years or only trigger in certain circumstances. However, when active and unchecked, it leads us towards unconscious self-sabotage, playing havoc with our potential and our lives. It is debilitating, affecting us in different ways. Some of us push on through when IS strikes, often to the point of burn-out, whereas others might swerve opportunities to shine, side-stepping promotions that come their way.
TACKLING IMPOSTER SYNDROME INVOLVES QUIETENING THE INNER VOICE AND ADDRESSING THE BELIEFS THAT HOLD US BACK
The good news is that we don’t have to suffer it in silence or fight through it, exhausting and damaging ourselves in the process. There are more beneficial ways to loosen its impact and, in many cases, clear it away altogether. Certainly wishing, pushing, ignoring or fighting it away does not work. In fact, the more of that we do, the stronger and more powerful it can roar back. Tackling IS involves engaging both the mind and body as we work to quieten the internal chatter whilst at the same time identify and address maladapted deep seated beliefs, that subconsciously direct what we think and what we do.
THE WORKSHOP
With knowledge, tools and consistent practice over time we can unbundle Imposter Syndrome, kick it out of the car and experience it only from the perspective of the rear view mirror. Our Imposter Syndrome workshop focuses on:
- Clarifying what Imposter Syndrome is and what it is not
- How to recognise and manage the triggers
- Strategies to re-program the internal system (brain/mind/body)
- Understanding how to recognise and clear maladapted beliefs
- Tool/techniques for practice to release the grip of imposter syndrome
This full day workshop is a valuable experience for those who want to work on themselves to reduce the impact of IS, for those who want to extend knowledge to better recognise Imposter Syndrome in themselves/others and for those who are purely curious with a desire to learn more.
Click here for more details or get in touch with us at engage@minervaengagement.com