“How did I get here? I’m not as good as people think. I don’t deserve this opportunity.”
I believe we have each struggled with similar thoughts of inadequacy at some point in our lives. While we might think there are just negative thoughts, there are simply symptoms of a deeper issue – ‘The imposter syndrome.’
The year was 2019, Denise was set to travel to Washington D.C in America. She was extremely thrilled because it was her first time travelling and every single bill had been paid for by a big sponsoring company. During the flight, it was as if she was having out body experience, she was in disbelief. When she got to her destination, she made a bunch of many other talented youths that had come to represent their countries.
There was a battle in her mind on whether she belonged and if she would measure up to their zeal and talent. They were most close in age and yet seemed far off in experience and the bold dreams they were fearlessly pursuing. She couldn’t help but think of her fellows back home, who like her, seemed not to be as zealous to take on opportunities and even when they did, they wondered if they were good enough or worse still belonged.
According to the American college of Cardiology (JACC) journal, imposter syndrome is the phenomenon of feeling inadequate or fraudulent despite having the qualifications, accolades and attributes to succeed. Research shows that about 70% of the population experience this. I greatly believe that this lack of confidence or self-doubt is not of God and must be addressed if we are going to rise above it.
2 Timothy 1:7 [NLT] says “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love and self-discipline.” This is a clear indication that those feelings of inadequacy or insecurity that we grapple with are a result of the fallen nature of man and not because it is who God made us. If we don’t rise above it and show up authentically in to the spaces God has called us, then we are most likely not going to reach our fullest potential.
I know you might be wondering, now that we have named the issue, how do I overcome it? Let’s dive into some solutions.
Solutions to the Imposter Syndrome
- Acknowledgement is key
Never allow yourself to live in denial of how you are feeling or what you are going through. In order to overcome an issue, you must acknowledge it to be able to rightly address it. So name your feelings and counteract that with the facts. Focus on the aspects that propel you forward as opposed to those that bring you down. Don’t allow yourself to stay stuck.
- Practice believing and affirm yourself
There is power in the words we say and they have a way of shifting our mindsets. Have those mirror moments where you remind yourself of all the beautiful truths about who you truly are and how far you have come. Give no room for lies or insecurities lest their water down your beliefs. Pin these affirmations in little corners of your room, write them on your phone and create time to say them out loud to yourself until they sink in.
- Talk to someone about it
A burden shared is as good as solved. There’s beauty in talking about issues weighing you down because it allows you declutter as you get it off your chest. Find a support system with whom you have a safe space and can talk things over. These should be people that are able to hold you accountable whilst challenging to do better.
- Visualize success and keep a positive mindset
Allow yourself to dream, look beyond your limitations, insecurities and doubts and just dream big and bold. Write these down and begin to visualize their actualization. Then work on a strategy on how to achieve them and harness every opportunity that comes your way. This will help you get to your desired goal and allow you not to quit even when the journey gets tough.
- Exercise faith, show up anyway
You can’t afford to live your life running because what that does is simply keep you in cycles of unhealthy patterns. So as you address these insecurities and recognize the fraudulent feelings, focus on solution oriented goals that will help you show up regardless of the fear. The more you show up, the less scary it will become and this will help you track your progress. Growth is a journey and every step must be taken. Believe that God is on your side and keep at it!
- Whose report shall you believe?
Remember that before any acquired skills and abilities, there are God-given sense of value, meaning and purpose. In Him, you can be confident of yourself because you are a carrier of His image and likeness. After He made man, He blessed them and commanded them to be fruitful and to subdue the earth! This mandate means that we deserve the best by all means!
Go back to God’s word and as you spend time with Him in prayer, ask Him to re-echo His truths over you. Recite and mediate on these often till they become a part of you. So the next time the enemy presents you a report through thoughts that don’t align with God ‘s word, you will be able to discern who to believe.
“Sometimes the hardest part of the journey is believing you’re worth the trip.”-Glenn Beck
Choose to accept that you belong in the spaces God has positioned you because He predestined for you to walk in those paths. Then go ahead and enjoy every bit of the journey, you are meant to be there…JUST BELIEVE!
Best wishes!!!
