Hamish Mackay-Lewis shares his advice on how to understand your imposter syndrome, explains why it is actually an experience rather than a syndrome and some simple things you as a founder can do to manage those sometimes sabotaging thoughts that can come into your head when going out on your own.
Hamish’s advice:
- Impostor experience is very common: feelings of inadequacy which can come and go
- One advantage of these feelings is that you will prepare thoroughly and be highly motivated
- The disadvantage however can be feeling constantly anxious, doubting yourself
- It’s important to celebrate yourself, not to constantly compare yourself with others
- Don’t set yourself unreasonable goals
- Observe your thoughts; if you are noticing self-doubt, check in with others to get an objective opinion about your achievements - and trust their opinions
- Recognise where this self-doubt stems from (often from childhood) and come to terms with this
- Don’t bury the sadness / frustration / nerves; learn to accept and understand these uncomfortable feelings. Face up to what is causing them
- Consciously choose your response to life; practise daily to be in the moment
- Understand what is important about your business, its bigger purpose, quite apart from any financial rewards
- Keep a diary to record your satisfactions and frustrations and be attentive to what gives you energy and joy
- Be kind to yourself; remembering you are not alone with these feelings can give you resilience
- Accept that you will always have nagging doubts and may never feel good enough; and at the same time recognise that you are, of course, perfectly good enough!
If you'd like to contact Hamish you can reach him via hamish@hamishmackaylewis.com
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Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2023 MD & Founder of PR & Communications consultancy for startups Fallow, Field & Mason. Email us at hello@fallowfieldmason.com or DM us on instagram @fallowfieldmason.
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