Disbelief is our natural response to most situations. From “Should I get a pet?” to “Can I run this business?”, doubts come in every form and are probably more diverse than the entire insect species. In fact, we have also learned to give a person the benefit of the doubt that we’re having!
Doubt Isn’t Out – How It Affect Entrepreneurs
Naturally enough, as leaders are only humans, they can get as doubtful as anyone. So much so that they become uncertain of the success they have achieved. Entrepreneurs have been known to suffer from conditions such as “imposter syndrome”, in which they believe to have conned people into thinking that they’re deserving of the accomplishment of their businesses.
As the imposter syndrome isn’t restricted to the sharks of the business world, it can also affect you. Want to learn how to build the confidence that’s infectious? Read on.
Stay Away From The Imposter Syndrome
Here are a few points to keep in mind if you know that you suffer from the imposter syndrome, for a while:
- Acceptance: You just found out that you’re suffering from imposter syndrome. Fine — own it. Now that you know having negative thoughts is only a symptom of your condition, you should be prepared to fight against them. Let the feeling of inadequacy become an inspiration for you to work harder and achieve more.
- Introspection: It’s the success that’s making you doubt your position, isn’t it? So, take some time to retrace your path to becoming a sensation from your start as a garage business. When you remember all the struggles and the way you navigated your business through the tough times, you’d be a lot easier on yourself.
- Keep updating your CV: Making a list is always helpful. When you’ve written down all your accomplishments, it’s becomes more believable. Update your resume whenever possible to keep a tab of how you led your startup to stardom.
- Let go: Competitiveness is desirable but not a necessity. Stop trying to fit into other entrepreneurs’ shoes. It’s not healthy to keep a track of what every other business is doing. Also, try not to beat yourself down for a few mistakes. You can’t always win, relentlessly!
- Don’t try to time-travel: Don’t keep looking back over your shoulder; it’s going to affect your leadership qualities. Missed opportunities won’t return; maybe it’s good to learn from your mistakes by analyzing past situations in a new light, but don’t obsess about your shortcomings.
Doubt is only a feeling; it isn’t reality or a hallucination. It’s like an omen; since we’ve progressed from believing in superstitions, let’s get over doubt (and subsequently the imposter syndrome) in the same way.