Imposter syndrome cripples dreams
But it’s not an insurmountable barrier. How to conquer self-doubt effectively.
Whether you are a self-employed start-up, small business owner or seasoned corporate leader, self-doubt can be a persistent barrier limiting your potential.
70% of us experience impostor syndrome at some point in our careers.
Shocking, right?
But here's a twist: it's not always a bad thing.
Impostor syndrome, that nagging feeling of being a fraud in your success, is usually seen as a negative.
We're told to overcome it, squash it, ignore it.
But what if we're looking at it all wrong?
Consider this: what if impostor syndrome is a sign of humility?
What if it keeps us grounded, pushes us to work harder, and drives us to continue learning and improving?
What if our values instead shape our professional success?
Here's why values matter more than self-doubt:
Values guide actions
Integrity leads to trust. Acting honestly builds strong relationships. For example, a transparent manager earns their team's confidence, boosting productivity.
Passion fuels perseverance. Passion keeps you going despite challenges. A dedicated entrepreneur, for instance, works tirelessly to realise their vision.
Adaptability opens opportunities. Being flexible helps you seize new opportunities. An adaptable professional quickly learns new skills to stay relevant, for example.
Mindset shapes reality
A growth mindset fosters learning. With a growth mindset, you can develop abilities through effort, embrace challenges, learn from feedback, and persist despite obstacles. For example, tackling a challenging project becomes a chance to gain new skills rather than something to fear.
A fixed mindset inhibits potential. This perspective sees abilities as fixed and unchangeable. It leads to avoiding challenges and ignoring feedback. For instance, someone might decline new responsibilities, fearing failure, and miss out on growth opportunities.
Resilience ensures progress. Resilience is the ability to bounce back from setbacks. It's essential for continuous improvement. A resilient person learns from difficulties and keeps moving forward. For example, after a project fails, they assess what went wrong, adjust, and push ahead with renewed energy.
Values, therefore, are the silent partners in every decision we make.
Mindsets, therefore, like imposter syndrome, are perceptions, not our reality.
I interviewed five C-level executives to bring these ideas to life and provide further perspective. Here's what they said about their mindset and values.
Knowingly or otherwise, each of them held innate and optimistic beliefs, such as:
Fear of failure: Failing drives the desire to succeed and demonstrate competence.
Teamwork and trust are foundational: Leaders must cultivate teamwork and confidence to achieve a shared vision.
Ambition and hard work trump intelligence: Ambition and the drive to outwork others are more important than raw intelligence.
Real-world experience builds resilience: Real-world experiences teach essential life lessons that build resilience.
These beliefs underscore the importance of a growth mindset and how values shape one's professional journey.
I, too, was driven by achievement and learning from a young age. Inspired by my father's work ethic, academic accolades were milestones for me.
Like many, I aspired to be my own boss one day.
In the mid-90s, the booming tech industry attracted me. Companies like Microsoft and Cisco were everywhere, and the Internet revolutionised the world. This excitement led me to pursue a degree in computer engineering, aiming to become a sought-after software engineer and earn a high income.
After graduation, I joined a fast-growing tech company. The environment was vibrant, with perks like stocked kitchens and games, typical of 'fun tech' cultures. However, I soon realised that software engineering wasn't my passion.
My intelligent, efficient colleagues made me feel inadequate despite my hard work.
Over five years, I pushed myself to improve but felt unfulfilled and exhausted. My motivations needed to align with my job and my persistent desire to become my own boss, like my father.
So, I decided to transition from software to business by earning an MBA.
Studying for an MBA was one of my best decisions. It wasn't about the status but the knowledge that helped me transition to a role more aligned with my goal of becoming a leader and owning my own business.
Aligning personal values with career choices is crucial for fulfilment and satisfaction:
Personal values shape work behaviour, influencing how we approach tasks and interact with others.
Alignment of values with career leads to higher satisfaction, productivity, and motivation, Sagiv and Schwartz (2000)
Misalignment of values and work environment causes job dissatisfaction.
This dissatisfaction increases the likelihood of turnover, Dalal and Aguinis (2012).
Mindset and beliefs are crucial to overcoming obstacles.
A growth mindset encourages learning and resilience, helping to navigate career challenges effectively.
Aligning personal values with career choices and maintaining a growth mindset is essential for achieving fulfilment and satisfaction in one's professional life.
"I am not good enough' (imposter syndrome) stops here." That's just a belief, not a fact.
Here is how to rewrite your story - crush self-doubt:
Shatter your limiting beliefs. Too often, we cage ourselves in our thoughts. To say to ourselves, 'I can't succeed' is a lie. Believing 'I don't deserve happiness' is a myth. Thinking 'I am not worthy of love' is a false narrative. It is time to break free from these chains.
Education unlocks potential. The longest journey starts with the first step of self-belief. Each small win builds confidence. Knowledge gives power. Action overcomes fear. Growth is inevitable. Believe in your capacity to evolve.
The power of perspective cannot be overstated. Your view of the world shapes your reality. Challenge your perceptions and change your story—transition to empowerment.
Learning leads to liberation. Self-worth is where it all begins. Knowing your worth is vital. Accepting yourself is everything. Chase your vision. Your goals are attainable. Believe in yourself.
Defeat the mental barriers that cause you to fail. Doubt is the destroyer of dreams. If you feel 'I'm not smart enough,' jump over that hurdle. If you think, 'I'm not experienced enough,' navigate this obstacle. The 'I'm not resourceful enough' wall is one to break. Leap into your greatness.
Tear down the walls of worry. Anxiety builds walls around our dreams. 'I'll fail' is a wall to break. Thinking 'I'm not ready' is a wall to climb. Believing 'It's too hard' is a wall to break. Climb over to the side of achievement.
Embrace the journey of self-discovery. Knowing your authentic self is liberating. Delve deep into what you believe and where your limits come from. Step into a new chapter of awareness."
Key takeaways
Aligning your values and mindset with your professional aspirations is essential for success and satisfaction.
Embracing a growth mindset, staying adaptable, and building resilience are the only steps in creating a business or advancing your career. Challenging your limiting beliefs and taking consistent steps towards your vision requires feedback and learning new skills.
Have you ever tried to do something difficult without help?
It could be something as simple as trying to move a heavy piece of furniture – like a desk – all by yourself. You probably knew in the back of your mind that it was better to ask a friend or family member for help – but you became impatient and gave it a go, to see if you could do it yourself. Sadly, shortly after trying, it became clear that you couldn't do it. The desk was WAY too heavy. Not only did you knock over the nearby lamp, but you've now got a stabbing pain in your lower back… and the desk is still stuck right where it was.
If only you'd asked for help.
Well, the truth growing a business and your career is a lot like that. It can be very difficult – or even impossible – to advance without any assistance.
Of course, there is one huge difference.
Advancing is more complex than moving a piece of furniture.
No, there is a LOT more to it than that.
And the consequences could be far more costly than hurting your lower back or putting a scratch on the wall. Not only could you cost yourself thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of dollars, but you could also set yourself back years on your journey. You could end up further away from achieving your goals than you are right now.
Sadly, ambitious professionals experience this all too often. Instead of seeking expert help, they try to go it alone and fall well short of achieving their goals.
It can be challenging to find business growth opportunities, particularly when facing issues such as a business mission that motivates no one, product offerings that are not as profitable or in demand as they could be, marketing efforts that fail to produce results, operations strategies that amount to organised chaos, a sales methodology that does not close sales, and the constant threat of running out of cash.These six issues are the root causes of most small business disasters!AND
It can be challenging to find career advancement opportunities, particularly in managerial or senior leadership roles. Managers often prioritise their own work and career progression, and assisting others with their career development can be too time-consuming. Unfortunately, despite claims by some companies and leaders to support career development, opportunities often go to those who are favoured by management. This means that you may be overlooked and not given priority.In both scenarios, seeking expert advice to achieve your goals is essential.
I have 25 years of experience in the tech industry, during which I have transitioned roles and companies and navigated mergers and acquisitions.
I have worked as an electrical engineer, software engineer, software team leader, solutions engineer, BDM, product manager, sales manager, VP, and GM.
I am not limited to tech. I have also co-founded and built a small business outside of tech with seven-figure annualised revenues. I have helped hundreds of people achieve their desired professional and business outcomes. I can help you avoid common pitfalls and costly mistakes and achieve your dream path in the shortest possible timeframe.
Why risk being stuck in a stagnant business or missing out on lucrative opportunities when you can use my expertise and proven systems to get ahead?
If you want to learn more or need assistance, message me for a complimentary 30-minute discovery session.
That’s all for now - see you next week
-Lindsay
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