Many accomplished women have a dirty little secret: They truly believe that their successes are not due to their abilities or talents. They live in the world of worry that they will be found out by others and kicked out of the \"success club.\"
\r\nThis limiting and unfounded mentality can make these accomplished women say no to promotions they deserve, push away from the table they deserve to sit at, and feel awkward among other successful people. This self-destructive thinking is known as impostor syndrome.
\r\nImpostor syndrome may sound like a great title for a television show, but for women who live with feelings of inadequacy, it is seriously disruptive and damaging. Impostor syndrome challenges its victims with an internal belief that they do not measure up to their accomplishments. The world around them offers proof that they are worthy of accolades, and yet they have a deep feeling that it is untrue.
\r\nThe great news is that it is possible to change this mindset and adopt one that is more accurate and supporting. Here are seven powerful strategies to help you step into your power and break free of self-doubt.
\r\nWhen feeling underconfident, many women begin thinking about the past and/or future. They will consider all the things in the past that support their feelings of underconfidence or have dooming thoughts about what may happen in the future. They are locked into focusing on what they cannot control.
\r\nA powerful and helpful strategy is the practice being present-focused. This can be a daily practice of spending time just being with yourself, such as by meditating, practicing yoga, doing breathing exercises, baking, golfing or going for a run – anytime you are connected to what is happening in the moment and not being pulled into thoughts of the past or future. The benefit is noticing your thoughts, emotions and physical sensations. This lens of experiencing yourself will help you disconnect from unhelpful ways of being. You will begin to notice things you have missed, leading you to make different choices about what you pay attention to or how you react to certain thoughts and emotions.
\r\nChallenge yourself to write down 100 of your accomplishments. Do not edit the list in your brain by giving credit to others or minimizing the successes. Most likely, you will begin to see that you are the common denominator in your listed accomplishments. Now, reflect on what traits enabled the achievement, such as being tenacious, detail-oriented, focused, a great communicator or innovative. This will disrupt your knee-jerk internal dialogue of negating your successes and give you a high-level view of your achievements.
\r\nAsk friends and trusted colleagues to identify your top five strengths. This will provide you with a different viewpoint and make it harder for you to dispel your positive qualities. Seeing yourself through someone else's perspective will give you a fresh sense of yourself. Make sure to ask for examples; those specifics will make the feedback harder for your brain to negate.
\r\nWhen others compliment you, you receive a promotion, or you win an award, practice stopping the negative tape in your head by saying to yourself the specific attributes that contributed to the achievement. While driving, looking in a mirror, or getting out of bed, say verbatim to what others said to you. For example, repeat, \"You did an extraordinary job with X project\" or \"You did a fantastic job presenting at the offsite management meeting.\" The more often you do this, the more readily available these positive thoughts will be to you.
\r\nMany of us believe that our thoughts are all true. We give each one attention and follow them, often down the rabbit hole of negativity. Have you met your thoughts? Most fall into what are known as \"thinking traps.\" Thinking traps are thoughts that you believe but are not true or helpful. For instance, there are \"should\" thoughts, such as \"I should know how to do that already.\" Shoulds can make you feel inadequate and insecure, because they create a world where the bar is impossible to meet.
\r\nYou might also have \"mind-reading\" thoughts, such as \"She must be thinking that I don't know what I'm talking about.\" Mind-reading thoughts can make you believe you know how others are perceiving you. You may base your emotions and actions on this \"mind reading,\" without any way of knowing whether this is reality.
\r\nHow do you break free of thinking traps? Start by noticing them. What are you saying to yourself? Is there a pattern? (For example, who is around you when you have these thoughts?) Next, challenge them. What is the evidence for or against the thought being the truth? The more often you apply this test to your thoughts – particularly the ones that provoke strong feelings like insecurity, fear or anxiety – you will begin to see that most are not true.
\r\nWomen with impostor syndrome often are not kind to themselves. They judge themselves against impossibly lofty standards. When they achieve something, they just move the bar higher. They say negative and hurtful things to themselves. They leave little room for being soothing, kind and supportive to themselves.
\r\nHow can you be more self-compassionate? Think about a situation where you are being unkind to yourself. Now replace yourself in the scenario with your best friend. If she were in this same situation, what would you say to her? Would you be unkind and judgmental, or would you offer her kindness, graciousness and forgiveness? (The latter is most likely.) Now, put yourself back into the scenario and say those kind things to yourself. Try this practice every time you are harsh and judgmental to yourself.
\r\nJust watch a child during pretend play. They assume a role with joy and ease. Even more interestingly, they play it with fierce clarity and confidence. They become a doctor and self-assuredly place a Band-Aid on their injured doll. After watching a basketball game on TV, they bounce a ball and swish it in the air with absolute conviction that there is a crowd roaring in approval.
\r\nFor women with a low threshold of confidence, practicing belief in themselves is key. Think of a confident woman to play. First, write down her characteristics, positive attributes and achievements. Practice being her at home first. How does she speak? What are the words she uses to describe herself? How does she accept praise and compliments? How does she walk into a room? What are her nonverbal gestures? How does she feel when she has a success?
\r\nAfter playing her for a while, take your show on the road! Begin to incorporate the way she sees the world into your own personal lens. This is not an exercise in pretending, but in creating new ways for your brain and heart to perceive and experience your life.
\r\nToo many accomplished women are grappling with this silent disrupter that makes them feel as if they are walking on a tightrope, close to falling at any time. Committing to these seven confidence-boosting strategies will bolster your well-being and increase your faith in yourself.
\n","docType":"article","guid":"articles_ea0fc3cb133be18ad40d7585b18b882f","lastModified":"2020-07-17T17:39:00.000Z","published":"2020-07-17T17:39:00.000Z","structuredData":null,"subtitle":"Many accomplished women believe that their successes are not due to their abilities or talents. Here are seven strategies to help you step into your power and own your successes.","template":"v1","title":"7 Powerful Ways for Accomplished Women to Stop Self-Doubt","type":"article","author":{"avatar":null,"bio":"Phyllis Reagin, Founder of At the Coach’s Table, is a doctoral-trained Leadership Coach who has guided thousands of Entertainment/Media leaders with leading with greater influence, meaning and impact. Phyllis has a unique lens into this demanding industry, as a former leader with a Fortune 500 Entertainment/media company. Phyllis provides her clients with high-performance leadership strategies that move them from leading well to leading with excellence. For more high-performance leadership strategies, follow Phyllis’ blog, At the Coach’s Table.","name":"Phyllis Reagin","image":null,"slug":null,"social":{"facebook":"https://www.facebook.com/phyllisreagin/","linkedin":"http://linkedin.com/in/phyllisreagin","twitter":null,"website":"http://www.phyllisreagin.com/"},"status":"enabled","title":null,"type":"New BDC Member","user":{"imagePath":"https://staging.business.com/images/uploads/user/profile/17a869fa8dec2ad9c7950f5503c1f4deccc30.jpg","profile":{"company":"At the Coach’s Table","jobTitle":"Founder and CEO","website":"http://www.phyllisreagin.com/"}}},"breadcrumbs":null,"channels":{"primary":{"name":"Career","slug":"career"},"sub":{"name":"Women in Business","slug":"women-in-business"}},"meta":{"robots":"index, follow","description":"Here are seven ways that women can fight impostor syndrome, take credit for their achievements and reclaim their power.","title":"How Successful Women Can Erase Self-Doubt in Business - business.com"},"parsedContent":{"toc":[{"id":"what-is-impostor-syndrome","title":"What is impostor syndrome?"},{"id":"1-be-present-focused","title":"1. Be present-focused."},{"id":"2-write-down-all-your-accomplishments","title":"2. Write down all your accomplishments."},{"id":"3-confirm-your-strengths","title":"3. Confirm your strengths."},{"id":"4-disrupt-your-negative-stream-of-thoughts","title":"4. Disrupt your negative stream of thoughts."},{"id":"5-get-to-know-your-thoughts","title":"5. Get to know your thoughts."},{"id":"6-practice-self-compassion","title":"6. Practice self-compassion."},{"id":"7-believe-like-a-child","title":"7. Believe like a child."}],"json":[{"component":"p","children":["Many accomplished women have a dirty little secret: They truly believe that their successes are not due to their abilities or talents. They live in the world of worry that they will be found out by others and kicked out of the \"success club.\""]},{"component":"p","children":["This limiting and unfounded mentality can make these accomplished women say no to promotions they deserve, push away from the table they deserve to sit at, and feel awkward among other successful people. This self-destructive thinking is known as impostor syndrome."]},{"component":"h2","props":{"id":"what-is-impostor-syndrome"},"children":["What is impostor syndrome?"]},{"component":"p","children":["Impostor syndrome may sound like a great title for a television show, but for women who live with feelings of inadequacy, it is seriously disruptive and damaging. Impostor syndrome challenges its victims with an internal belief that they do not measure up to their accomplishments. The world around them offers proof that they are worthy of accolades, and yet they have a deep feeling that it is untrue."]},{"component":"p","children":["The great news is that it is possible to change this mindset and adopt one that is more accurate and supporting. Here are seven powerful strategies to help you step into your power and break free of self-doubt."]},{"component":"h2","props":{"id":"1-be-present-focused"},"children":["1. Be present-focused."]},{"component":"p","children":["When feeling underconfident, many women begin thinking about the past and/or future. They will consider all the things in the past that support their feelings of underconfidence or have dooming thoughts about what may happen in the future. They are locked into focusing on what they cannot control."]},{"component":"p","children":["A powerful and helpful strategy is the practice being present-focused. This can be a daily practice of spending time just ",{"component":"em","children":["being"]}," with yourself, such as by meditating, practicing yoga, doing breathing exercises, baking, golfing or going for a run – anytime you are connected to what is happening in the moment and not being pulled into thoughts of the past or future. The benefit is noticing your thoughts, emotions and physical sensations. This lens of experiencing yourself will help you disconnect from unhelpful ways of being. You will begin to notice things you have missed, leading you to make different choices about what you pay attention to or how you react to certain thoughts and emotions."]},{"component":"h2","props":{"id":"2-write-down-all-your-accomplishments"},"children":["2. Write down all your accomplishments."]},{"component":"p","children":["Challenge yourself to write down 100 of your accomplishments. Do not edit the list in your brain by giving credit to others or minimizing the successes. Most likely, you will begin to see that ",{"component":"em","children":["you"]}," are the common denominator in your listed accomplishments. Now, reflect on what traits enabled the achievement, such as being tenacious, detail-oriented, focused, a great communicator or innovative. This will disrupt your knee-jerk internal dialogue of negating your successes and give you a high-level view of your achievements."]},{"component":"h2","props":{"id":"3-confirm-your-strengths"},"children":["3. Confirm your strengths."]},{"component":"p","children":["Ask friends and trusted colleagues to identify your top five strengths. This will provide you with a different viewpoint and make it harder for you to dispel your positive qualities. Seeing yourself through someone else's perspective will give you a fresh sense of yourself. Make sure to ask for examples; those specifics will make the feedback harder for your brain to negate."]},{"component":"h2","props":{"id":"4-disrupt-your-negative-stream-of-thoughts"},"children":["4. Disrupt your negative stream of thoughts."]},{"component":"p","children":["When others compliment you, you receive a promotion, or you win an award, practice stopping the negative tape in your head by saying to yourself the specific attributes that contributed to the achievement. While driving, looking in a mirror, or getting out of bed, say verbatim to what others said to you. For example, repeat, \"You did an extraordinary job with X project\" or \"You did a fantastic job presenting at the offsite management meeting.\" The more often you do this, the more readily available these positive thoughts will be to you."]},{"component":"h2","props":{"id":"5-get-to-know-your-thoughts"},"children":["5. Get to know your thoughts."]},{"component":"p","children":["Many of us believe that our thoughts are all true. We give each one attention and follow them, often down the rabbit hole of negativity. Have you met your thoughts? Most fall into what are known as \"thinking traps.\" Thinking traps are thoughts that you believe but are not true or helpful. For instance, there are \"should\" thoughts, such as \"I should know how to do that already.\" ",{"component":"em","children":["Shoulds"]}," can make you feel inadequate and insecure, because they create a world where the bar is impossible to meet."]},{"component":"p","children":["You might also have \"mind-reading\" thoughts, such as \"She must be thinking that I don't know what I'm talking about.\" Mind-reading thoughts can make you believe you know how others are perceiving you. You may base your emotions and actions on this \"mind reading,\" without any way of knowing whether this is reality."]},{"component":"p","children":["How do you break free of thinking traps? Start by noticing them. What are you saying to yourself? Is there a pattern? (For example, who is around you when you have these thoughts?) Next, challenge them. What is the evidence for or against the thought being the truth? The more often you apply this test to your thoughts – particularly the ones that provoke strong feelings like insecurity, fear or anxiety – you will begin to see that most are not true."]},{"component":"h2","props":{"id":"6-practice-self-compassion"},"children":["6. Practice self-compassion."]},{"component":"p","children":["Women with impostor syndrome often are not kind to themselves. They judge themselves against impossibly lofty standards. When they achieve something, they just move the bar higher. They say negative and hurtful things to themselves. They leave little room for being soothing, kind and supportive to themselves."]},{"component":"p","children":["How can you be more self-compassionate? Think about a situation where you are being unkind to yourself. Now replace yourself in the scenario with your best friend. If she were in this same situation, what would you say to her? Would you be unkind and judgmental, or would you offer her kindness, graciousness and forgiveness? (The latter is most likely.) Now, put yourself back into the scenario and say those kind things to yourself. Try this practice every time you are harsh and judgmental to yourself."]},{"component":"h2","props":{"id":"7-believe-like-a-child"},"children":["7. Believe like a child."]},{"component":"p","children":["Just watch a child during pretend play. They assume a role with joy and ease. Even more interestingly, they play it with fierce clarity and confidence. They become a doctor and self-assuredly place a Band-Aid on their injured doll. After watching a basketball game on TV, they bounce a ball and swish it in the air with absolute conviction that there is a crowd roaring in approval."]},{"component":"p","children":["For women with a low threshold of confidence, practicing belief in themselves is key. Think of a confident woman to play. First, write down her characteristics, positive attributes and achievements. Practice being her at home first. How does she speak? What are the words she uses to describe herself? How does she accept praise and compliments? How does she walk into a room? What are her nonverbal gestures? How does she feel when she has a success?"]},{"component":"p","children":["After playing her for a while, take your show on the road! Begin to incorporate the way she sees the world into your own personal lens. This is not an exercise in pretending, but in creating new ways for your brain and heart to perceive and experience your life."]},{"component":"p","children":["Too many accomplished women are grappling with this silent disrupter that makes them feel as if they are walking on a tightrope, close to falling at any time. Committing to these seven confidence-boosting strategies will bolster your well-being and increase your faith in yourself."]}]},"resource":null,"sponsorship":{"sponsorType":"no-sponsor","name":null,"thumbnail":null,"bio":null,"slug":null,"status":null,"social":{"website":null,"linkedin":null,"twitter":null,"facebook":null}},"thumbnail":{"path":"https://staging.business.com/images/content/5f1/1c6ab9c658a72338b4567/1500-0-","caption":"fizkes / Getty Images","isBlurred":false},"bestPicks":null},"related":{"relatedArticles":[{"title":"How Women-Owned Businesses Can Use Social Media Marketing","canonical":"https://www.business.com/articles/women-owned-businesses-social-media-marketing/","slug":"women-owned-businesses-social-media-marketing","thumbnail":"https://www.business.com/images/content/5e3/098185a215e82798b4582/1500-0-","dek":"Social media is an invaluable tool to help businesses grow their brand awareness and customer base. Women-owned businesses should use it to highlight the unique aspects of their businesses as well.","lastModified":"2020-01-31T15:00:00Z","published":"2020-01-31T15:00:00Z","sponsored":false},{"title":"No More Playing It Safe: Why Female Entrepreneurs Need to Take More Risks","canonical":"https://staging.business.com/articles/no-more-playing-it-safe-why-female-entrepreneurs-need-to-take-more-risks/","slug":"no-more-playing-it-safe-why-female-entrepreneurs-need-to-take-more-risks","thumbnail":"https://staging.business.com/images/content/55d/342182f87b1092e8b457f/1500-0-","dek":"To be truly disruptive, you need to purposely shake your personal status quo. Women in particular need to find the confidence to take risks.","lastModified":"2015-08-18T16:00:00Z","published":"2015-08-18T16:00:00Z","sponsored":null},{"title":"How to Say 'No' in Business","canonical":"https://www.business.com/articles/how-to-say-no-in-business/","slug":"how-to-say-no-in-business","thumbnail":"https://www.business.com/images/content/5a7/4bc2492a3a4420a8b4577/1500-0-","dek":"Drawing firm but friendly boundaries leads to greater satisfaction, for you and clients.","lastModified":"2018-02-02T08:00:00Z","published":"2018-02-02T08:00:00Z","sponsored":false},{"title":"Ask the Market Experts: Which Female Entrepreneur Inspires You & Why?","canonical":"https://staging.business.com/articles/ask-the-market-experts-which-female-entrepreneur-inspires-you-and-why/","slug":"ask-the-market-experts-which-female-entrepreneur-inspires-you-and-why","thumbnail":"https://staging.business.com/images/content/560/167fc3087b10f558b457b/1500-0-","dek":"We asked 12 market experts which female entrepreneur they are inspired by, and the answers may surprise you!","lastModified":"2019-07-31T20:57:11Z","published":"2015-09-22T15:00:00Z","sponsored":null},{"title":"Ask the Market Experts: Which Female Entrepreneur Inspires You & Why?","canonical":"https://www.business.com/articles/ask-the-market-experts-which-female-entrepreneur-inspires-you-and-why/","slug":"ask-the-market-experts-which-female-entrepreneur-inspires-you-and-why","thumbnail":"https://www.business.com/images/channel/business-basics.jpg","dek":"We asked 12 market experts which female entrepreneur they are inspired by, and the answers may surprise you!","lastModified":"2015-09-22T15:00:00Z","published":"2015-09-22T15:00:00Z","sponsored":false},{"title":"MLMs Are Preying on the Dream of Entrepreneurship","canonical":"https://www.business.com/articles/mlms-target-women-and-immigrants/","slug":"mlms-target-women-and-immigrants","thumbnail":"https://www.business.com/images/content/5d5/c6cb59c658a6b298b45aa/1500-0-","dek":"Multilevel marketing companies target women, immigrants and low-income minorities.","lastModified":"2019-08-22T20:00:00Z","published":"2019-08-22T20:00:00Z","sponsored":false},{"title":"40 Inspiring Quotes From Trailblazing Women We Admire","canonical":"https://www.business.com/articles/40-inspiring-quotes-from-trailblazing-women-we-admire/","slug":"40-inspiring-quotes-from-trailblazing-women-we-admire","thumbnail":"https://www.business.com/images/content/5eb/c802b5a215e61568b457b/1500-0-","dek":"These inspiring quotes from trailblazing women serve as a reminder to us all that we can overcome daunting challenges, both personal and professional.","lastModified":"2020-05-11T14:16:00Z","published":"2015-09-22T14:00:00Z","sponsored":false},{"title":"4 Incredible Things That Happen When Women Entrepreneurs Prioritize Community","canonical":"https://www.business.com/articles/when-women-entrepreneurs-prioritize-community/","slug":"when-women-entrepreneurs-prioritize-community","thumbnail":"https://www.business.com/images/content/5eb/583bb7b4374e05f8b4576/1500-0-","dek":"Women entrepreneurs face unique obstacles, from a lack of networking opportunities and mentors to the challenge of balancing work and family. But amazing things can happen when they come together to grow their businesses.","lastModified":"2020-05-08T20:07:00Z","published":"2020-05-08T20:07:00Z","sponsored":false},{"title":"Advice for Women Interested in Launching Their Own Business","canonical":"https://staging.business.com/articles/advice-for-women-interested-in-launching-their-own-business/","slug":"advice-for-women-interested-in-launching-their-own-business","thumbnail":"https://staging.business.com/images/content/56a/bbaa63087b15c7b9d66cc/1500-0-","dek":"Since 1997, women-owned businesses have increased in number by 74 percent and grown revenues by 79 percent. Be a girl boss with these tips!","lastModified":"2019-07-31T20:55:58Z","published":"2016-02-01T21:00:00Z","sponsored":null},{"title":"Advice for Women Interested in Launching Their Own Business","canonical":"https://www.business.com/articles/advice-for-women-interested-in-launching-their-own-business/","slug":"advice-for-women-interested-in-launching-their-own-business","thumbnail":"https://www.business.com/images/channel/career.jpg","dek":"Since 1997, women-owned businesses have increased in number by 74 percent and grown revenues by 79 percent. Be a girl boss with these tips!","lastModified":"2016-02-01T21:00:00Z","published":"2016-02-01T21:00:00Z","sponsored":false},{"title":"40 Inspiring Quotes From Trailblazing Women We Admire","canonical":"https://staging.business.com/articles/40-inspiring-quotes-from-trailblazing-women-we-admire/","slug":"40-inspiring-quotes-from-trailblazing-women-we-admire","thumbnail":"https://staging.business.com/images/content/560/0a3133087b1b0518b4567/1500-0-","dek":"In honor of American Business Womens' Day, here are 40 inspiring quotes from the most powerful women throughout history.","lastModified":"2019-07-31T20:57:11Z","published":"2015-09-22T14:00:00Z","sponsored":null},{"title":"5 Feminine Traits That Make Leaders Great","canonical":"https://www.business.com/articles/feminine-traits-for-leaders/","slug":"feminine-traits-for-leaders","thumbnail":"https://www.business.com/images/content/5d8/bf9529c658a9d448b457b/1500-0-","dek":"Learn how to leverage these five feminine leadership traits for business success.","lastModified":"2019-09-27T15:00:00Z","published":"2019-09-27T15:00:00Z","sponsored":false}],"relatedReviews":[{"doc_type":"category","thumbnail":"https://staging.business.com/images/rz/5e8747da54d26d471c8b457c/cat-image1.jpg","canonical":"https://staging.business.com/categories/stg-new-megabestpicks-040320201027/","title":"STG New Mega Best Picks Category 04-03-20-10-27","dek":"This is a test meta description for a new Mega Best Picks category that was added on 04-03-20-10-27","slug":"stg-new-megabestpicks-040320201027","lastModified":"2020-04-03T07:00:00Z"},{"doc_type":"category","thumbnail":"https://staging.business.com/images/rz/5e7e2d0c54d26dba1c8b456b/cat-image1.jpg","canonical":"https://staging.business.com/categories/stg-new-seo-032720201242/","title":"STG New Seo Category 03-27-20-12-42","dek":"This is a test meta description for a new Seo category that was added on 03-27-20-12-42","slug":"stg-new-seo-032720201242","lastModified":"2020-03-27T07:00:00Z"},{"doc_type":"category","thumbnail":"https://staging.business.com/images/rz/5e7e2eb454d26dbd1c8b456d/cat-image2.jpg","canonical":"https://staging.business.com/categories/stg-new-megabestpicks-032720201249/","title":"STG New Mega Best Picks Category 03-27-20-12-49","dek":"This is a test meta description for a new Mega Best Picks category that was added on 03-27-20-12-49","slug":"stg-new-megabestpicks-032720201249","lastModified":"2020-03-27T07:00:00Z"}],"relatedSponsoredArticles":null}},"pageContext":{"displayModified":"2020-07-17T17:39:00.000Z","template":"v1","title":"7 Powerful Ways for Accomplished Women to Stop Self-Doubt","meta":{"robots":"index, follow"},"docType":"articles","slug":"ways-for-women-to-stop-self-doubt","canonical":"https://staging.business.com/articles/ways-for-women-to-stop-self-doubt/","skipTOC":false}},"staticQueryHashes":[]}