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When Imposter Syndrome Happens in the Life of a Coach or Counselor

May 30 / Dr. Janice R. Love
This week I want to share with you something helping professionals do not like to talk about…. Imposter Syndrome! You know the feeling when you have tried unsuccessfully to help a client and begin to doubt your own abilities. The worst part is when you believe the voice in your head that has the nerve to suggest you might be a fraud. Sure it is okay when thoughts of not being good enough exists in the minds of our clients because you know how to help them. However, when these destructive thoughts enter your own mind do you take the same medicine you dish out to our clients?

Since you already know what imposter syndrome is I will spare you the details. However, I do want you to know that when you experience such thoughts you are not alone. If you are in the workplace you may recognize it in yourself or the person sitting next to you. According to an article Despite Professional Successes Many Women Still Experience Imposter Syndrome” the Survey Center on American Life reports young women struggle the most. They reported “More than 55% of young women report that they have felt that they are not good at their job at least once or twice in the last week.” This exists even among those with educational achievements, credentials and professional success.

The good news is that the thoughts and feelings associated with imposter syndrome seem to lessen as we age. Most likely this is the case because the older we get the more likely we are to be able to look back over our lives and recognize our accomplishments and where we have made a difference. Or maybe at a certain age we are more confident in our abilities and the gifts and talents God has blessed us with.

Women are reluctant to share accomplishments.

One of the greatest ways to overcome imposter syndrome is by recognizing your accomplishments. However, as women we are sometimes reluctant to share our accomplishments because it may be perceived as self-promoting. In the Forbes article The Soul- Crushing Truth About Women and Self-Promotion, author Jo Miller, award winning speaker and researcher states “It’s been well documented that women tend to be reluctant to share their own accomplishments, and at the same time they are eager to celebrate and promote someone else’s.”

In the workplace, women benefit from having work friends. According to the Survey Center on American Life “women who say they are supported by their coworkers are also less likely to report doubting their professional accomplishments.”

When I think about my own workplace experiences I remember receiving an international award from a software company that according to them was a pretty big deal being selected from over 500 organizations. In preparation for receiving the award the vendor sent their marketing team out to do a photo shoot and interview me in person. After attending the convention and receiving the award I returned back to work excited about the accomplishment not just for me but the organization I worked for. Imagine my surprise when I was accused of self-promoting. This experience left me gun shy about speaking up about my achievements. As I look back I am thankful God gave me a temperament that is not driven by punishment or reward.  

Entrepreneurs are especially susceptible to imposter syndrome.

Being an entrepreneur in most cases you do not always have a coworker to encourage you which means you can be especially susceptible to imposter syndrome. Both men and women are challenged but men have more intense feelings. That makes sense in so many ways. Afterall, when a woman goes into business for herself she has most likely already checked off all of the boxes before she made her final decision to become an entrepreneur and is pretty confident in her decision.

Overall, Imposter syndrome can be a daunting challenge for any professional, particularly those in client-facing roles. Take a few moments and think about any self-doubt you have in your own abilities. Are you aware of the types of situations that bring on this type of thinking?  Maybe it is when you are speaking with a potential client. Maybe it is when you are asked to speak to a large audience. But I have learned over the years the sure-fire way to experience imposter syndrome is by comparing yourself to others.

5 ways professionals can overcome imposter syndrome

Regardless of when it happens here are 5 ways you can overcome imposter syndrome and keep it from holding you back from being all that God created you to be.  

1.    Know yourself. Do you know what causes you to have feelings of insecurity? One of the ways I help my clients is by having them complete a temperament assessment. Why? Because the results help individuals see how God has wired them, how they gain and lose energy, and how they might be challenged in certain situations. Knowing my own temperament has saved me much heartache and frustration. If you are interested in taking a temperament assessment contact me at info@janicerlove.com.

2.    Tap into your Faith – Some people use affirmations and positive thoughts to help with confidence. Nothing reassures me like reading scriptures reminding me I was created in the image of God. In tough times I focus on scriptures like Philippians 4:13 reminding me “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” The Bible contains many scriptures to strengthen your faith and recognize God’s willingness to help you. I don’t have enough space in the article to list all of my favorites but what’s stopping you from putting your favorite scriptures in a place where you can access them regularly.

 

3.    Recognize God’s hand in your success. - Have you ever taken the time to document your life experiences and how God worked things out for your good? One of the ways I help my clients is to have them to complete what I call a God Resume. If you are familiar with a resume you know it describes your career accomplishments. When you complete a God Resume you not only have an opportunity to think about your own accomplishments but you also take the time to see God’s hand in your life. Did you know that God predetermined what your gifts and abilities would be?  Having a God resume helps you to realize who is ultimately in control. Don’t have a God Resume? You can complete your very own in 5 days or less. Click the My God Resume link and complete it for free.

 

4.    Tell your story  - Have you written your memoir or written a book designed to help others? Sharing my story in the three books I have written and published is a constant reminder that my life experiences good or bad can help someone else. I love hearing other’s stories of triumph and success and how they are giving back. This is one of the main reasons I created my weekly streaming show, “Asking for a Sister Friend” which airs every Sunday evening at 7:00 p.m. CST. Follow me to receive notification when I go live. Each Sunday, I interview a mental health and wellness professional on their expertise and how they show up in the world. Are you ready to share your story? Complete a contact form and let’s chat.

 

5.    Share your knowledge  - Nothing gives you confidence and confirmation like sharing your expertise with others. Whether you write a blog, a book, teach, have a podcast or another creative way to share your expertise, you probably have resources which would be useful to others. That’s why I created the PPI Client Learning Portal. Our client learning portal acts as a centralized repository of resources and information, providing you with the tools and knowledge you need to combat imposter syndrome head-on. By creating a wide range of educational materials, including training videos, articles, guides, and e-books you can help your clients to learn outside of the one-on-one session. By creating this continuous learning journey for your clients it not only enhances your expertise but also instils a deep sense of confidence in your abilities. Click here to learn more.

Pearls Perfected Institute is on a mission

Unfortunately, from time to time as professionals we will experience imposter syndrome. I hope the solutions mentioned above can be helpful to you as you continue to navigate your professional journey. As always, Pearls Perfected Institute is on a mission to transform mental health and wellness professionals into “experts” with user-friendly technology that keeps clients learning long after their sessions.”

 

See you next week and feel free to Like and Share!


Blessings,

 

Dr. Janice R. Love

Founder CEO Pearls Perfected Institute


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