We all struggle with it...Imposter Syndrome. There isn't anyone immune to this and interestingly enough, the more achievements we have, the more this is likely to creep in.
Maya Angelou said “I have written 11 books, but each time I think: ‘Uh oh, they’re going to find out now. I’ve run a game on everybody and they’re going to find me out.’”
So you're in good company because we can all fall prey to this thought and it's especially common when we become an entrepreneur. Thoughts like "I need more education" or "who am I to..." will often pop into our minds as we start to create offerings and sell them.
However, as an Accidental Entrepreneur, you're on a mission to create a business that integrates into your life so you can live joyously and Imposter Syndrome doesn't fit into that. So we need to combat these thoughts with something else and my guest today shares that your intuition can help you with this.
What Is Imposter Syndrome
"People who struggle with imposter syndrome believe that they are undeserving of their achievements and the high esteem in which they are, in fact, generally held. They feel that they aren’t as competent or intelligent as others might think—and that soon enough, people will discover the truth about them." - Psychology Today
Business mentor, Jenna Holloway, expands on this idea of not feeling worthy of the high regards from others and explains her belief that imposter syndrome is our brain stopping us from trying something new or different.
Since our brains are wired to keep us safe, doing something different can signal the "stop" feeling. How this shows up in our businesses as entrepreneur's is when we are reaching for a new goal or striving for something, our brain sends the warning signal.
"Your brain doesn't care about your goals, it just cares about keeping you safe and alive." - Jenna Holloway
From the warning signal, we can then fall into the trap of thinking "I'm not good enough" or "I'm not smart enough" or many other thoughts. This is what leads us to feeling the Imposter Syndrome that can plague us from taking action and achieving our goals.
**This was also a podcast episode (episode #182. Use the player below if you'd prefer to listen to this message.
Allow Your Intuition To Help You Navigate Imposter Syndrome
Jenna shares that she encourages her students to tap into their intuition to help them navigate imposter syndrome. When we aren't feeling worthy or educated enough to take an action, we must look inward and trust our intuition as it will give us clues for taking the next step.
"We never get the big picture with our intuition, we only get the next step. But the more you follow it, the clearer it will become." - Jenna Holloway
"Your intuition is the same voice in your head as the overthinking, the difference is how you feel. If it's a fear-based thought, it's not intuition." - Jenna Holloway
As an entrepreneur the noise of all the "shoulds" and comparison with others can cloud our ability to tap into our intuition. However, if we are intentional about doing this, it can help not only our personal lives but also our business.
"You can't compartmentalize energy. When you thrive as a person, your business will thrive." - Jenna Holloway
How To Tap Into Your Intuition
"Any feeling we're having, like Imposter Syndrome or comparison, is linked to a limiting belief. And more often than not it's down to a feeling of not being good enough or not being worthy." - Jenna Holloway
"You have to believe you're worthy. Abundance is your birthright. If you are living and breathing, you are worthy." - Jenna Holloway
In order to hear/feel your intuition, you have to slow down and pause. When you're busy and doing many things, you'll be focused on your task list but if you want to know your intuition, slow down. Here are some questions to ask yourself once you slow down:
What have you been meaning to do?
What do you keep putting off?
Who's on your mind right now?
Based on those thoughts, it's time to take action. If "make a dentist appointment" is the thing you're putting off and it keeps coming into your mind, make the appointment. That's your intuition. If a friend pops into your mind, message them and say hello. That's your intuition.
"The key is that once you hear your intuition, follow it. If you don't follow your intuition you're giving yourself the message that you don't trust yourself." - Jenna Holloway
How To Combat Imposter Syndrome
Our thoughts become our actions so the best thing you can do is recognize the thought of "I'm not worthy" or "they will find out that I'm not....". When we are thinking these types of thoughts, it means imposter syndrome is in full swing.
From there, you want to interrupt the thought and counteract it by coaching yourself. You can do this by:
Asking "what am I scared of"
Make a list of things that you're scared of
Consider the opposite and ask yourself "what if this decision is the best decision I make"
Being an entrepreneur isn't easy and we often have to do hard/scary things that we aren't sure of but this is what it takes to achieve your definition of success. Not anyone else's definition, but yours because that's the only one that matters and it's your intuition that will lead you to taking actions that will help you get there.
"Trust yourself. You're doing what you're doing for a reason. And yes it might be hard at the moment but growth is hard but the other side is amazing." - Jenna Holloway
Take Away Message / Action
As soon as you wake up and before you go to bed, start picturing whatever you want to achieve. Play it like a movie in your mind.
Know that you are worthy, just as you are today. From that place, set whatever goal you'd like in your business and then take the action to go get it. When it imposter syndrome creeps in, remind yourself that it's just your brain trying to keep you safe and alive but you can continue to take action even if it feels scary. Trust your intuition all along the way.
About Jenna:
Jenna is a multi-award winning hypnotherapist and intuitive subconscious mindset coach for high achieving, soulful entrepreneurs. She uses subconscious reprogramming and intuitive mentorship to help spiritual and spiritually curious coaches and OSPs overcome their stubborn subconscious Upper Limits problems, self-sabotage and feeling unsafe in their business so they can reach their next level of success sustainably and have more spaciousness, freedom and joy in their life and business.
Jenna's Links:
Website: www.jennaholloway.com
Bigger Than You Podcast: https://podfollow.com/1610991762
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamjennaholloway/
Soulful Success Masterclass: www.jennaholloway.com/stepup
"Your intuition is the same voice in your head as the overthinking, the difference is how you feel. If it's a fear-based thought, it's not intuition."
- Jenna Holloway
Your Guide To Accidental Entrepreneurship
One way to combat imposter syndrome is to truly understand what success is for you. By defining success for yourself, you're able to stay grounded in that definition and know that you're on the right path.
I share more on this in my book, Why Not You? An Accidental Entrepreneur's Guide To Success. Order your copy using the button below.