How To Defeat Imposter Syndrome and Bring Success Into Your Life

Written By:

Written By:

How to defeat Imposter Syndrome 1

Have you felt undeserving of the compliments you got? Did you ever doubt your accomplishment? Or simply felt like youโ€™re not good enough? Itโ€™s an unpleasant way to live with an inner bully, isnโ€™t it? Well, youโ€™re not alone. A lot of people go through these negative thoughts, a phenomenon called imposter syndrome. But how to defeat this Imposter Syndrome?




My breath tightened in my chest, my stomach lurched, questions pummelled my entire being, I was about to step on stage. What was nagging at me like my old Yiddish grandmother? I love and believe in the message and Iโ€™m a good public speaker, yet the fear that trembled through my body ripped me apart. All I could think about was what if they see me for the fraud that I feel I am.

Now, I was no fraud. Having spent decades working, 1000s of hours training, and even more than that living out the very words I was about to share, I knew that I could stand there and be present articulating the message the audience had come to hear. 



So what was the problem?

Doubt. Doubt and Fear were the problems. Those nagging thoughts, โ€œWhat if I look foolish?โ€ โ€œWho am I to be sharing, anyway?โ€

How many times have those thoughts or a variation of them coursed through your body? Perhaps during a sales call, an important boardroom meeting, or an interview for your dream job, the echoes of doubt and fear stream across your consciousness creating anxiety and lack of assurance. 




Did you ever dream that the answer to defeating imposter syndrome would come from a childโ€™s tale?

Let me remind you of the emperor who loved new clothes, and the swindlers who took the whole kingdom for a ride. What were the words that they used to reduce even the kingโ€™s most trusted counselors? They would say to each one, including the king, โ€œIf you donโ€™t see the fabric, you are foolish and unfit for your position.โ€ Each one was so terrified of being โ€œfound out,โ€ that none of them spoke up.

None of them except a child on the parade route. He was a game-changer! I want to be like that kid. That childโ€™s message has reverberated through my life, teaching me many things.

โ€œBe humble โ€“ Not knowing something doesnโ€™t make you a fraud, it makes you a student.โ€ โ€“ย Marie Forleo

What are they and how do they defeat imposter syndrome?

1. Know yourself

imposter syndrome

Remember how I began this article? Decades of work, 1000s of hours of training, a lifetime of living the talk, learn how to hold onto the effort and space you have taken to become that which you are. The child had nothing to lose, it wasnโ€™t afraid of being โ€œfoolishโ€ and โ€œunfit.โ€ The child just was, the child saw what was true. See what is true about you! 

Related: Traumatic Bonding: How A Narcissistic Relationship Is Similar To Stockholm Syndrome




2. Speak up

Amidst the crowd, the child raised its voice. Iโ€™ve learned to listen and discern the truth of those voices that come with the statements of self-doubt and fear. I have a strategy full of one-liners. I say back, โ€œYup, I am afraid and Iโ€™m going to show up anyway.โ€ โ€œPerhaps, some of this confidence is a mask, that is okay, that gets to be here, too.โ€ โ€œI am anxious.โ€ โ€œI do want this job, life wonโ€™t end if I donโ€™t get it.โ€ 

3. Pause

Donโ€™t get caught up in the noise and focus on what is going on. Every one of us needs to learn how to pause, take a deep breath, and step forward discerning out what is really happening. Donโ€™t take the proverbial swindlersโ€™ voices as truth. Pause!

โ€œItโ€™s not what you are that holds you back, itโ€™s what you think you are not.โ€ โ€“ย Denis Waitley

Beyond the message of the story, my work as a yoga therapist has taught me a few things, mainly getting into your body!

What? Yes.

Get into your body

How? 

From a place of standing:ย 

Bring your feet a little bit further than your hips distance apart. Press down through the soles of your feet. Not to the point of causing injury, but lock out your legs. Pressing down through the soles of your feet, lift through the top of your head.

FEEL your body in space. TAKE a deep breath. Arms are by the side of your body, not just hanging there. Bring intention into your arms. Lower your shoulders away from your ears. Push tips of fingers to the ground. BREATHE! Inhale in from the nose, exhale with the sound of โ€œhaโ€ from your mouth. Repeat that a few times.




Notice shift in your body, in your being. Take your meeting, phone call, or interview from that space.

Related: 6 Yoga Mudras To Heal Common Ailments

From a place of sitting:

Place your feet down on the floor, about hips distance apart. Place your body about halfway in the seat, notice your sit bones in the base of the chair. Lift through the crown of your head, lower shoulders away from your ears.

Place hands on your knees or thighs. Closing eyes or leaving them open, take some breaths that are longer both in the inhale and even longer upon the exhale. Take your meeting, phone call, or interview from that space.

Related: Meditation For Beginners: Everything You Need To Know About Meditation




Learning how to be in your body, showing up authentically, standing in the excellence and the training of you, taking deep and long breaths, being honest, speaking the truth, are the tools that will defeat imposter syndrome and bring success into your life. 

If you found the post helpful, let us know in the comments.


Written by:Elle Miller
Originally appeared on: Addicted2success.com

Republished with permission.

Defeat Imposter Syndrome Pin
How to defeat Imposter Syndrome PIN


— Share —

Published On:

Last updated on:

, ,

— About the Author —

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Up Next

Power Colors For Zodiac Signs: Learn To Supercharge Your Life!

Power Colors For Zodiac Signs Interesting Hues

Ever felt drawn to a certain color without knowing why? Or maybe youโ€™ve noticed how certain colors boost your mood and energy. Below are 12 power colors for zodiac signs. Find a hue that aligns with your strengths and helps supercharge your life. 

Wearing the zodiac sign power colors can help you feel more centered, confident, and in sync with your true self. 

So, do you want to learn more about the colors that can enhance your energy and success? Letโ€™s explore the power colors for zodiac signs!

Up Next

10 Subtle Signs Youโ€™re Secretly Becoming Your Best Self

Signs Youโ€™re Becoming Your Best Self

We always hear about green flags in relationships, but what about green flags in yourself? The truth is, youโ€™ve probably grown more than you realize. Itโ€™s easy to focus on what still needs work, but if youโ€™ve been showing up for yourselfโ€”whether in your mindset, habits, relationships, or careerโ€”youโ€™re already on the right track.

Becoming your best self isnโ€™t about waking up one day with everything figured out. Itโ€™s about the small shifts, the quiet wins, and the moments where you choose growth over comfort. So if youโ€™ve been wondering whether youโ€™re heading in the right direction, take this as a sign: Youโ€™re doing better than you think.

Ahead, weโ€™re diving into the green flags that prove youโ€™re stepping into your happiest, most authentic selfโ€”because real growth is happening, even if you donโ€™t see it yet.

Up Next

The Script is Yours: 7 Ways To Be The Leading Lady In Your Own Life

How To Be A Leading Lady Of Your Own Life? Best Ways

Every so often, a movie line sticks with you. In The Holiday, Iris (played by Kate Winslet) has a pivotal realization: โ€œYouโ€™re supposed to be the leading lady of your own life!โ€ This hits home for women in their 20s and 30s, a time when life can feel like a balancing act of dreams, relationships, and self-doubt. 

But what if you decided to step into the spotlight of your own story? Learn how to be the leading lady in your own life and reclaim center stage!

Up Next

How To Break The Habit Of People Pleasing?

Clear Signs Of People Pleasing And How To Stop It

Do you say โ€œyesโ€ to avoid conflict, but deep down, you feel drained? Recognize people pleasing behavior as itโ€™s time to set boundaries and reclaim your peace!

First we must care for ourselves. When we do, we can better care for others.

Key points

When we people-please, it creates a relationship that is not really honest.

We cannot meet everyone else’s needs.

When we become more OK with being ourselves, people will likely be drawn to us because we are being authentic.

Up Next

The Power of Solitude: Does It Lead To Inner Growth?

The Power Of Solitude Important Points

Learn the power of solitude as it gives you a chance to reconnect with yourself. And in these quiet moments, you can truly grow. So, let’s explore more!

Connect to your soul and quiet your busy mind.

Key points

We all need solitude and silence, and we all need social connection.

Solitude helps us put things into perspective and gain clarity.

Solitude can help us to not be reactionary and instead be responsive, open, and more flexible in our thinking.

Up Next

How Do We Practice Compassionate Communication?

Practicing Compassionate Communication Great Ways

What does it take to truly connect with others? Learn to practice compassionate communication in everyday life to ease their pain.

Five principles for compassionate communication.

Key points

Compassion can be thought of as an empathetic, conscious effort to relieve the suffering of another.

Mirror neurons allow us to experience one another in our minds.

Embrace an openness to thoughts and experiences that may challenge your usual way of doing things.

Up Next

Learn To Honor Your Feelings: Your Hard Week Mattersโ€”Even If Others Have It Worse

Learn To Honor Your Feelings Great Ways To Do It

It’s okay to feel overwhelmed, even if others seem to have bigger struggles. Learn how to honor your feelings – they are valid, and you deserve acknowledgment!

How to honor your feelings without comparing them to othersโ€™ challenges.

Key points

Your emotions are valid no matter their scale or how they compare to othersโ€™ challenges.

Acknowledging your emotions builds your strength to support others with authenticity and genuine care.

Comparison of struggles creates a false hierarchy that undermines the importance of your own experience.

Research shows that acknowledging th