Saying goodbye to imposter syndrome

One of the hardest things about training, setting up a new business and doing something new, even when you are so excited and motivated and ready to go, can be actually BELIEVING that you can do it!

We can tell ourselves that:

I have not studied for so long, I won’t be any good at it
I am not a parent so why would parents want my support
I have never taught anyone anything, so how can I teach Antenatal
What happens if I don’t know the answers to questions
Why would anyone want to come to my classes when there are loads of other courses out there…

Do any of these sound familiar? Some of those are taken straight from how our own educators felt once, it is really natural to think and feel this way especially as you start your journey into antenatal work!

But what is Imposter Syndrome? Imposter syndrome can happen at any stage in a person’s life or career. It can show up when an individual doubts their abilities and achievements, feeling like they don't deserve their accomplishments and fearing that others will discover they are a ‘fraud’. The reality is, our brains want to keep us safe, and doing new and unfamiliar things can jeopardise that.

Our confidence coach Francoise wants you to think about the following if you are experiencing any of these thoughts and feelings…

Try using different language about what you are experiencing - imposter syndrome sounds very medical and like something is wrong but the reality is most of us experience it. Even Michelle Obama has spoke openly about her journey with imposter syndrome saying “It’s sort of like ‘you’re actually listening to me?’ It doesn’t go away, that feeling of ‘I don’t know if the world should take me seriously; I’m just Michelle Robinson, that little girl on the south side who went to public school’…”

So what should you do? Get curious with the imposter, what is it trying to tell you? See it as messaging rather than factual. While getting curious try and describe the imposter as a character, some find naming the imposter helpful or giving it a funny voice.

Imposter syndrome can increase when we get out of our comfort zone (and we know this is where the magic happens)

Thank the voice for showing up and say “thank you, but I got this”

When you sign up to study and train with us we don’t just give you knowledge we support your confidence and wellbeing also, as we all know exactly how it feels learning, growing and starting something new. It really sets us apart and you can find out more about that here