Fight the Doubt: Take Action and Say Goodbye to Imposter Syndrome
If you’ve ever felt self-doubt, you’re not alone. It’s not a feeling unique to women, everyone gets it at some stage! Imposter Syndrome is that sneaky voice inside your head telling you that you don’t deserve your achievements. It’s the nagging feeling that you’re just one mistake away from being exposed as a total fake. But here’s the good news: you can kick Imposter Syndrome to the kerb by becoming more action-oriented and by taking the time to reflect on your achievements, no matter how small. The more you focus on what you’re doing, the less time you have to worry about whether you should be doing it.
Why Action Trumps Overthinking Every Time
When you’re caught up in self-doubt, it’s easy to overthink every move you make. You might find yourself second-guessing decisions, replaying conversations in your head, or hesitating before taking action. But here’s the secret: overthinking is a thief of productivity. The more you stew in self-doubt, the less you actually accomplish. And ironically, the less you do, the more you fuel that feeling of inadequacy.
Action, on the other hand, is the antidote to overthinking. When you’re actively engaged in your work, your mind doesn’t have time to wander into doubt. Take some time to write a to-do list and prioritise- how you do it is up to you. You might like the Eisenhower grid, mind-maps or simply writing out a list of things to do as you think of time e.g. Notes app. Each task you complete is a small victory that chips away at the demons of self doubt. Suggestion- start with hardest task first. The more you do, the more confident you become. So, the next time you catch yourself spiralling into overthinking, snap out of it by taking action. Start with something small, and let the momentum carry you forward.
Embrace the Lumpiness of Progress
One of the biggest traps of Imposter Syndrome is the belief that you need to be perfect. Perhaps that’s why women are associated more with Imposter Syndrome; our society expects girls to be good, to be ‘sugar and spice, and all things nice’. You might think that to be successful, you need to have everything figured out from the get-go. But here’s the reality: no one has it all together. Progress is lumpy, and that’s perfectly okay. The sooner you accept that, the easier it becomes to move forward without fear.
When you’re action-oriented, you give yourself permission to be imperfect. You understand that mistakes are part of the learning process, not a sign of incompetence. When you make a mistake, take a look at it objectively and ask yourself ‘What have I learned from this?’ and just keep going…. By focusing on the process rather than the outcome, you free yourself from the pressure to be perfect. Every step you take, even if it’s a stumble, is progress. So, give yourself a break and embrace the messiness of growth. It’s all part of the journey.
Celebrate Your Wins, No Matter How Small
Imposter Syndrome loves to downplay your achievements. You might hit a major milestone and immediately brush it off as luck or a fluke. But here’s the thing: every win, no matter how small, is worth celebrating. When you take the time to acknowledge your successes, you reinforce your sense of accomplishment. It’s a virtuous cycle, improving your confidence and desire to achieve more.
Being action-oriented means actively recognising and celebrating your progress. Did you complete a challenging project? Take a moment to pat yourself on the back. Did you step out of your comfort zone? That’s a win worth celebrating too. By regularly celebrating your wins, you build a positive feedback loop that boosts your confidence and diminishes the power of the self doubt.
Take Action, Build Confidence, and Leave Imposter Syndrome Behind
Imposter Syndrome thrives in the absence of action. The more you dwell on your doubts, the stronger they become. But when you shift your focus to taking action, you starve those doubts of the attention they crave. By being action-oriented, you can break the cycle of self-doubt and build the confidence you need to succeed.
It’s important to remember that you don’t need to have everything figured out to start. Embrace the messiness of progress, celebrate your wins, and keep moving forward. The more you do, the less time you’ll have to worry about whether you belong. Because guess what? You absolutely do.
So, the next time Imposter Syndrome tries to creep in, remind yourself that you’re too busy taking action to entertain those thoughts. You’ve got things to do, goals to achieve, and a future to build.