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Linda Ng, Low Entropy Volunteer Writer 

 

I have never felt more like a fraud in my life. Today, I completed my 200-hour yoga course. I am now the proud owner of a yoga teacher certificate. That means that I am qualified to teach yoga. Honestly, it feels great. I am proud of this accomplishment. But on the inside, I feel terrified. What do I do with this certificate? Can I stand in front of a group of people and lead them through a complete yoga sequence, correctly naming all the yoga asanas in Sanskrit? Just this very thought drenches me in sweat! It is a typical case of imposter syndrome.

 

If you have never experienced imposter syndrome before, it is a bad case of self-doubt. Although I have been certified, I do not believe that I have the necessary skills. Despite my accomplishments, there are still feelings of incompetence and uncertainty. Fortunately, I have had these feelings before. I recognize it when the symptoms manifest. Through experience, I have narrowed down some ways to banish imposter syndrome. They may not work for everyone, but they might make a good starting point.

 

Write Out Achievements

There is just something about the act of writing. It somehow allows you to focus more effectively and holds you accountable. Start this by listing all your achievements. Before you know it, you are looking at a list of accomplishments that you can admire. Instead of focusing on negativity and self-doubt, you can focus on all of your achievements. These accomplishments show your hard work and highlight your competence.

 

Focus on Your Accomplishments 

An effective way of banishing those nagging self-doubts is to focus on the positives and accomplishments. Although I feel like a fraud, I legitimately completed all the course modules and passed the tests and assignments. I received a passing mark and a certificate to mark my achievement. I didn’t cheat or pretend to know the answers. 

 

Avoid Comparison

It is natural human behaviour to compare yourself to others. Other people always have something better, while we are always inferior. It is easy to gravitate towards negativity. There will never be an end to the comparison because what we have is never enough. Each person is a unique individual. Comparing yourself to others holds no merit and throws you down a deep rabbit hole.

 

Talk to Others

It is almost always beneficial to talk to someone about your concerns. Tell them you feel like a fraud and share your worries. It does not have to be a formal therapy session. It can be a casual conversation with a trusted family member or a close friend. Gaining a new perspective is often a great way to guide you to positive enlightenment about your situation. 

 

Visualize Your Success

Instead of focusing on the negative, we can use the principles of manifestation and visualization, and perhaps even the law of attraction. Instead of imagining my awkward embarrassment in front of a yoga class, I can start by envisioning success and a sense of accomplishment. Every time a negative thought comes by, turn it into a positive one. Attract positivity. It is simply a process of training your mind, and that is the first step. 

 

Consider Worst-Case Scenarios 

Try imagining the absolute worst scenario in each case. When you drill down into the details, you can see how ridiculous you have been. If I say something wrong in the yoga class, will a student leave the class and ask for a refund? Will they shout at me, voicing their displeasure? Likely not. I might be a little flustered, but I will learn from my experience. When you keep thinking about the worst thing that could happen, it will be evident that your fears have been unfounded. 

 

Transform Thoughts, Feelings and Behaviour

In cognitive behavioural therapy, the premise is that our thoughts translate to feelings, which translate to behaviour. It is also true the other way around. If you use positive associations to reinforce behaviour, you can positively affect your thoughts.

 

No matter what method you use to rid yourself of imposter syndrome, understand that self-doubt and incompetence are useless feelings. They serve no purpose. We need to believe in ourselves and remove self-doubt. Attract confidence and success. 

 

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My name is Linda and I’m from Canada! When I’m not writing, I enjoy travelling, playing badminton and spending time with my pets. I have a strong passion for self-improvement and mental health topics. I’m hoping to share that with you here at Low Entropy!