Imposter Syndrome and Entrepreneurs

Many entrepreneurs experience imposter syndrome from time to time. 

Imposter syndrome is a cognitive disorder that causes people to doubt their skills, abilities and downplay their achievements. Sometimes it can be not just self doubt, but anxiety and depression.

Entrepreneurs are susceptible to the Syndrome because they face a lot different situations every day. There are many moving pieces, many variables in their daily work and existence. Whilst most people work in well defined scopes and limits of work, this group has dynamic scopes.

Entrepreneurs are also chasing higher goals daily, having to meet new people and new circumstances. They are also seen as a success by many around them, and this leads them to wonder if they are a fraud. Are they just a phony that will be revealed in the next level of the game, the next turn, the next day? This anxiety leads to the amplification of their imposter syndrome.

So how can they deal with it? We do not expect their circumstances to change, as entrepreneurs see themselves as the sky, endless opportunities. 

From a personal experience, when the anxiety attack related to feeling inadequate in the circumstance hits, I have found the following helpful;

• While in the attack, sit still and let the emotions be, look at them as something not yours but passing through you. Not my pain but pain passing through me in transition.
• Avoid making decisions or major pitches in this conditions
• Work on lowering your need for external validation by continuously learning how to self validate. And by offering yourself unconditional love, regardless of your mistakes, failures and inadequacies.
• Rework your goals by applying the simplification method as done with fractions. This way you can draft the shortest path to your needs rather than the decorated, external validating path. And thus enabling you to have more goals achieved, amplifying your self validation.
• Focus on specific areas of growth. Avoid working myriad of areas or giving focus to your inadequacies.
• Follow your chosen self care and spiritual renewal routine regularly and consistently. This could be meditation, prayer, solitude, nature walks, aromatherapy, a run, gym, etc
• Use essential oils in a diffuser, humidifier or by inhaling safely. The most commonly recommended essential oil for anxiety is Lavender and Frankincense. You can also try the calming blend of 100% pure Sweet Orange, Lavender, Ylang Ylang & Frankincense. This blend has been traditionally used in aromatherapy for the relief of symptoms associated with mild anxiety including nervous tension, unease and worry. 

In your journey, remember you are not alone, find a community to keep you in high spirits when down with anxiety. Remind yourself that you are a work in progress, you may not be perfect today, but you are getting there. Life, career, business growth, these things are a marathon, not a sprint.

One day at a time. One task at a time. Adios!