Do you suffer from imposter syndrome? The feeling that you’re going to be discovered to be a fraud. Someone might find you don’t have the skills, knowledge or experience needed for your work or calling.
These are all lies, but they sneak in very subtly to our thinking. As believers, we can embrace the truth that God is our power and He equips us for everything he asks us to do.
In this interview with Ian Anderson Gray, we explore how this issue cripples many believers and ways we can be set free to pursue God’s plans for our lives.
ABOUT THIS SHOW:
- What is imposter syndrome?
- How does it hinder our success?
- What steps can you take to overcome imposter syndrome?
WHAT IS IMPOSTER SYNDROME
“Impostor syndrome (also known as impostor phenomenon or fraud syndrome or the impostor experience) is a concept describing individuals who are marked by an inability to internalize their accomplishments and a persistent fear of being exposed as a “fraud”. (Wikipedia)
Imposter syndrome is a form of false humility (some call it a humble brag). There are insecurities inside all of us and the further we get in our careers the more apt we are to discover this.
The Upper Limit: In his book The Big Leap, Gay Hendricks shows how many of us have limiting beliefs that prevent us from reaching our potential. He also discusses our propensity to sabotage our success so people won’t expect too much of us.
Ultimately imposter syndrome is a lie. The enemy uses this to keep believers from reaching their potential and believing that God would use them in His plans.
HOW TO OVERCOME IMPOSTER SYNDROME
Here are some simple things we can do to overcome imposter syndrome.
#1: Trust God’s plan
The Apostle Paul reminds us in Phil 1:6:
“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”
We are works in progress and God is in charge.
#2: Believe God is creating a masterpiece in us (living poem)
“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)
Michael Card wrote a great song based on Ephesians 2 to remind us that we are living poems in the hands of God.
#3: Reflect daily on who God made you and what is true
Consider creating a notebook that reflect upon what is true about you.
Put time in your schedule to feast on God’s word regularly.
#4: Pray that God will expose the lie and remove it from our minds
#5: Spend time being grateful and collect notes of praise from others.
#6: Develop community with people who believe in you and with whom you can be completely honest
#7: Learn to laugh at your mistakes and celebrate your successes
QUOTES:
After I found initial success, I didn’t think I could do it again
The more success you have, the more exposed and alone you feel. (picture of king of the hill like this)
We tend to diminish praise and amplify criticism.
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)
EPISODES REFERENCED:
Angus Nelson: http://maninthepew.com/recover-rock-bottom-angus-nelson/
RESOURCES:
The Big Leap by Gay Henderson
Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis
The War of Art by Steven Pressfield
Thou Shalt Prosper by Rabbi Daniel Lapin
ABOUT IAN:
Ian is passionate about teaching and turning the techno-babble of social media, marketing, and the internet into plain English. Known as The Tools Guy, he speaks at conferences around the world on the topic of social media and marketing tools.
He is also trained as a professional singer at the Royal Northern College of Music. You can listen to him singing on his personal SoundCloud page.
He’s husband to Helen and dad to two lovely and lively kids and lives near Manchester in the UK.
He has a very wide musical taste from Opera to electronica, baroque to bluegrass and choral music to jazz. He loves good food (Indian in particular), wine, single malt whiskey and quality tea and coffee.
He also loves travelling and exploring new places.