Do you feel like a fraud?

‘5 easy steps to boost your confidence’

Two very DIRTY words…IMPOSTER SYNDROME

It’s fair to say many pet professionals feel like a fraud, they constantly compare themselves to others and don’t believe they are good enough. This is a well known psychological phenomenon, known as impostor syndrome.

It is often described as a feeling of being inadequate or not good enough, when really you are skilled and quite successful. In short, it’s damaging, makes us feel like crap. It stops us pushing forward.

So here’s how to boost your self confidence and STOP feeling like a fraud in 5 easy steps:

1. Goal setting

Often we try to set ourselves high goals, goals that are hard to achieve. If we don’t succeed this leads to self doubt.

How to help:

Set yourself smaller, more achievable goals, based on your skillset. It’s ok to not be the expert in everything. Define a clear niche, an area you know you excel in.

This week in our Member’s group we are helping each other find our niche, that special sauce that stands us out from the competition.

2. Stop comparing

“Comparison is the thief of joy” – Theodore Roosevelt.

Stop comparing yourself to others and instead celebrate your success stories.

How to help:

It’s good to be unique or different and bring something new to the table. As above find a niche area and start celebrating your case studies on this subject.

Our members are learning to ‘unfollow’ their competitors, it’s hard at first but makes the world of difference!

3. It’s ok to learn new things

Often we think when we have to work hard at something, you assume you are not good at it.

How to help:

Stop setting yourself ridiculous expectations and judging yourself based on getting things right on the first try. It’s ok to learn new things, but try not to overwhelm your brain with too many new things at once.

As a mentor I help my students break down tasks into manageable steps. Avoiding overwhelm and setting small goals.

4. It’s ok to ask for help

You may feel as though asking for help reveals your phoniness. You deeply fear being exposed as inexperienced or unknowledgeable.

How to help:

There’s no shame in asking for help when you need it. If you don’t know how to do something, ask a trusted professional. Remember sometimes people are quick to judge on groups or try to give feedback which ends up causing offence.

Sometimes they are answering in such a way as they themselves are suffering imposter syndrome so may act defensively. It’s also really hard to ‘read’ comments on social media as we can’t hear the tone of voice or see facial expressions. Often they are trying to help but come across being a little less tactful.

Stay away from vague questions and where possible explain the situation in full. If you can’t figure out how to solve a problem, seek advice from a supportive professional via pm or post in a more closed/confidential or members group. Mentoring or volunteering can be a great way to discover that you are actually an expert. When you share what you know it not only benefits others, but also helps you heal your fraudulent feelings, leading to having imposter syndrome.

Our members group is a safe place. No question is a stupid question and if you worried about posting you can always private message me.

5. Surround yourself with inspirational people

Positive, supportive people will help build you up and see you for your strengths rather than your weaknesses. Those who are having a hard time themselves and do not know you may be quick to judge.

How to help:

Set up a messenger group or Facebook group or even meet ups. Find your cheerleaders and step away from those constantly putting you down. If it’s friends or family it’s ok to speak out. Sometimes they don’t realise the negative impact they have or are suffering themselves.