You've done it. You've finally achieved one of your biggest greatest goals and it feels amazing! You're flying high and life is glorious! And then... something happens that shakes your confidence. The ugly negative self-talk starts to creep in, saying, "You don't belong here," or "You don't deserve this," or "Everyone is going to see right through you," or "Who do you think you are?"
How do I know these horrible statements? Because I've asked myself every one of them at one point or another over the past year.
I'd left a career where I'd felt confident and knew where I stood. It was... well, boring. I was no longer pushed out of my comfort zone. Then I quit and entered the world of being a writer and speaker. I've never felt more alive, free, joyful... and fearful of not being "good enough."
While heading to an author's cocktail party at my first Hay House "I Can Do It!" speaking engagement, I had to repeat in my head, "I belong here," dozens of times as I met authors whose books rocked my world, like Dr. Wayne Dyer, Dr. Robert Holden and Anita Moorjani. I felt like there was no way I could measure up to those amazing people or even deserve to be in their presence. Self-doubt crept in and nearly took over... but my true voice, that powerful voice within, came through for me. I went in, head held high, took some deep breaths and had some of the most amazing and meaningful conversations of my life.
Self-affirmation has to become a practice. You deserve all the amazing things in your life. You truly ARE worthy!
Self doubt and having moments of feeling like an imposter happen to everyone -- and I mean everyone! Think of the most accomplished and successful person you know. Yep, they've felt that way too. It's human nature.
Here's what you can do today to believe in yourself and know you completely deserve all the wonderful things that you have experienced and are doing to experience:
1)Write down the top three accomplishments that you are most proud of, and under each, describe how hard you had to work and what you had to sacrifice to achieve of those amazing things. Let it sink in how very much you deserved every one of them!
2)Come up with a positive affirmation to combat the statements of self-doubt that pop into your head. So, if the thought, "What if they find out I'm an imposter and I don't deserve this?" creeps into your head, then write down affirmations such as: I am worthy; I am enough; I am talented; I deserve this. Find what most directly combats your thoughts of self-doubt. Write it down and read it countless times each day.
3)When in a place where you feel insecure or out of place, start repeating in your head, "I belong here." Then reach out to one person at a time and connect with each person as an individual. Don't beeline for the most important person in the room, but rather connect with whomever you are most drawn to! Once you are comfortable and in your zone, feel free to casually walk over to the "big shots" in the room and give them a sincere compliment. That should start a nice conversation right there!
Everyone struggles with self-doubt from time to time, and awareness is the first step to overcoming this pervasive problem. Once you are aware, you can come up with a strategy to reassure yourself that you are exactly where you belong. Let go of your ego and strive to become more fully and authentically yourself, and these feeling will slowly dissipate. In moments of weakness or self-doubt, try the three tips I mentioned here and keep moving forward.
Have you ever struggled with feeling like an imposter? What strategies do you use to overcome self-doubt? Please share below or visit my website to participate in the conversation, read interviews of powerful, hot mamas and to check out my book, mentoring sessions, and more!
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