Crush Imposter Syndrome and Other Thought Traps!

In our fast-paced, success-driven world, it's easy to fall into traps that hinder our progress and happiness. Among these traps, imposter syndrome, fortune telling, and mind reading are particularly insidious. They feed on our insecurities and distort our perceptions, often leading us to doubt ourselves and our abilities. By digging a little deeper, you can train yourself to escape these unwanted thoughts.

Imposter Syndrome Secret: Everyone Experiences It

Imposter syndrome is the buzzword term for self-doubt. In conversations with many successful business leaders, I was shocked to learn how many people doubt their abilities. Despite evidence of impressive competencies, imposter syndrome strikes many of us.

Imagine this: You've just landed a new job or received a promotion. Instead of celebrating, you start to worry that you're not qualified and that it's only a matter of time before you're found out. This is imposter syndrome at work.

To combat this, give yourself a pep talk. When you hear that internal voice telling you that you're not good enough, acknowledge it for what it is: ridiculous talk. Remind yourself of your achievements, skills, and the hard work that brought you to where you are. When this happens to me, I think about the big wins I’ve had, and then I tell myself, “I got this!”

Fortune Telling: Predicting the Worst

For some reason, when we start looking into the future, it’s often negative. It’s human nature to predict bad outcomes without any substantial evidence. This form of cognitive distortion makes us anxious and often paralyzes us from taking action.

For instance, before a sales call you might think, “I know this is going to be a disaster. Everyone will see how nervous I am, and they’ll think I’m awful.” This negative thinking can affect your performance and stress levels.

Challenge these negative thoughts! Ask yourself, "What’s the worst that can happen? What’s the best outcome? What’s most realistic?" More often than not, you’ll find that there is no evidence supporting your fears. I stole the method from a therapist and use it often. If you're reading this, thanks Brian!

I lead a lot of training sessions, and right before they start, irrational fears sometimes creep in. I take a breath, remember a program that went well, and push away the negativity. Recognize that these predictions have no basis, focus on positive outcomes, and keep working to turn weaknesses into strengths.

Mind Reading: I Know What You’re Thinking

It would be awesome if you could read someone’s mind, but you can’t. We all do it anyway, and again, it’s not always positive. This can bruise relationships and self-esteem.

When we assume, “John thinks I’m an idiot,” it ruins interactions with him. This is based on insecurities, not facts.

To counter mind reading, remind yourself that you can’t possibly know what others are thinking. Instead of imagining the worst, focus on listening and engage with people openly and confidently. By accepting that mind reading is another form of irrational talk, you free yourself from unnecessary stress and build better connections. Once you stop mind reading, you can be more present.

Moving Forward

When you catch yourself falling into imposter syndrome, negative fortune telling, or mind reading, acknowledge it without judgment. Label it as irrational and absurd, then shift your focus.

Acceptance doesn’t mean agreement. It means you understand that these thoughts exist, and you choose not to let them control you. Practice self-compassion and remind yourself that everyone struggles with self-doubt and negative thinking at times. The key is not to dwell on these thoughts and instead focus on what you do well.

Embrace your achievements, challenge negative predictions, and engage with others without assuming the worst.

And don’t forget about the internet! If you want to sharpen your skills, chances are there’s a video, class, article, coach, or book to help you.