Do you have imposter syndrome?

Do you have imposter syndrome?

Do you have imposter syndrome?

She walked onto the court, nervous, apprehensive, and insecure. She thought, “What am I doing here? I don’t belong. I’ve just been lucky.” Despite holding numerous Grand Slam titles and being known as one of the greatest athletes of all time, Serena Williams admits she struggles with the phenomenon known as the imposter syndrome.

Do you have imposter syndrome?

If so, you’re not alone.

Imposter syndrome occurs when you doubt your strengths, skills, and accomplishments, have a fear of being perceived as a fraud, and feel inadequate, even though there is plenty of evidence that proves otherwise.

If you feel fear and self-doubt, you are in good company. So do I. So do most people, regardless of age, culture, or gender, education, and experience. In fact, it’s estimated that 70% of the population suffers from imposter syndrome at one point or another.

Imposter syndrome isn’t a mental illness or moral weakness. It is a pattern of thinking, a habit that serves as a coping mechanism, even if it’s not helpful.

When I experience imposter syndrome (which happens all the time), here are a few things I try to remember:

The first step is recognition. Pay attention to people and situations that trigger your feelings of inadequacy. When you can train yourself to recognize it’s happening, you can proactively create a plan before going into those situations. For example, if meeting with senior executives brings out your insecurities, how can you prepare for that meeting differently? Coach yourself before you go into the discussion. Breathe, remember that we all put our pants on one leg at a time, and give yourself some grace.

Cultivate a growth mindset. Rather than trying to look smart, someone with a growth mindset focuses on getting smarter. Rather than striving for perfection, you strive to become better than you were before. A growth mindset allows you to use fear as fuel and the feeling of discomfort as a catalyst for growth. This doesn’t mean you don’t have self-doubt but that you learn to use it to improve.

Learn to talk to yourself, not just listen to yourself. We all have self-defeating voices in our heads. Having them is normal. Listening to them is a choice. Create a habit of speaking to yourself as you would with a friend or someone you care about. I have a picture of me as a little girl on my bathroom mirror. If I wouldn’t say it to little Annie, I shouldn’t say it to myself now. This helps you normalize self-doubt and recognize that these feelings are completely normal and part of the human experience.

Look at the evidence. There is plenty of evidence that you are not, in fact, an imposter. You’re no slouch, and you wouldn’t be where you are if you were incapable. Remember your strengths, accomplishments, and the things that matter most to you. The people who love and care about you know you are pretty incredible. Trust them.

Take action. Is there a skill you can learn, a stretch project you can volunteer for, a class you can take? Sometimes the best antidote to insecurity is to tackle something that scares you, learn something new, or build a new set of skills. All of these things add to self-confidence and remind you that you are more than capable.

Don’t forget to celebrate and reflect on your successes along the way. We are all a work in progress. Your teammates are insecure. The senior executives at your company are insecure. Even Serena Williams is insecure. Just remember, we are all doing the best we can each day to navigate this journey called life.

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Anne breaks down the daily habits and skills needed to grow and cultivate RESILIENCE.

Having friendships and a sense of belonging is considered a core psychological need and has a big impact on our physical and mental health.

In fact, it has been proven that social connection is one of the best predictors of longevity, which is why I`ve dedicated an entire module in the Resilience Reset Deep Dive to the importance of social connection to build resilience. Learn more 👉👉👉 https://www.annegradygroup.com/deepdive/

Here`s what my girls Wendy and Daisy have taught me about the importance of connection 🎥
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Let’s face it - life is stressful. The lines between our personal and professional lives have blurred, we are overwhelmed by increased workloads and decreased resources, and there is an unprecedented amount of change and uncertainty.

Uncertainty often leads to anxiety because the brain tends to fill in the gaps with worst-case scenarios. You can help your brain cope with anxiety by practicing these skills 👇

1️⃣ Cultivate a Growth Mindset
2️⃣ Practice Mindfulness
3️⃣ Control the controllables
4️⃣ Break it down
5️⃣ Maintain Healthy Habits

More tips and strategies are in this month’s blog post. The link is in my bio!
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Did you know that resilient teams have:

⭐️ 74% less stress AND 75% greater productivity
⭐️ Higher engagement and performance
⭐️ Improved Innovation and creativity
⭐️ Stronger relationships & Greater well-being

Using the latest research in neuroscience and psychology, the Resilience Reset Deep Dive provides a road map to developing resilient leaders, teams, and organizations. Interested in learning more? Here`s a sneak preview of one of the modules. 🎥👀
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#ThrowbackThursday to a Tiger King Halloween 🐯 ...

Realistic optimism is a mindset that combines a positive outlook with a grounded understanding of reality. It involves maintaining hope and confidence while acknowledging and accepting the challenges and uncertainties of life.

Rather than denying or minimizing difficulties, approach situations with resilience, flexibility, and a belief in your ability to navigate obstacles effectively. You’ve got this. #mindfulmonday
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We’ve all had those days where everything seems to go wrong. You wake up late, your coffee spills and your car won’t start. It’s easy to let a lousy morning spiral out of control and ruin your entire day.

Wherever we direct our attention becomes our reality. In other words, we find what we look for. Here are 3 things you can do to create a bad moment boundary:

1️⃣ Accept It: The sooner you can give it a quick “It is what it is” label, the better.

2️⃣ Put It in a Box: You can revisit the box later, but for now, the box holds this experience, and you don’t need to carry it.

3️⃣ Reset: Rather than jump into the next task or activity, take three deep breaths, extending the exhale.

For weekly resilience-building tips, tools, and strategies, sign up for my newsletter here 👇
https://www.annegradygroup.com/strong/

*Link is also in my bio*
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ANNE GRADY IS A SPEAKER, AUTHOR, AND #TRUTHBOMB DROPPER!

Anne Grady is a Speaker, Author, and #TruthBomb Dropper.

Anne shares practical strategies that can be applied both personally and professionally to improve relationships, navigate change, and triumph over adversity. And she’ll make you laugh while she does it. Anne is a two time TEDx speaker, and her work has been featured in numerous media outlets, including Harvard Business Review, Entrepreneur, Forbes, Fast Company and Inc. magazines, CNN, ESPN, and FOX Business. She is the best selling author of 52 Strategies for Life, Love & Work and Strong Enough: Choosing Courage, Resilience and Triumph.

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