Overcoming Your Imposter Syndrome: The Power of Yet
Posted on May 13, 2024 by Laura Thoresen, One of Thousands of Executive Coaches on Noomii.
Using the power of the word yet to help you overcome your Imposter Syndrome.
Sometimes it’s difficult to have a positive mindset depending on what is happening in your life. Take a moment and think about the last time you felt overwhelmed. Did you ever start a new class or a new job and feel like an imposter? Did you ever feel like you were “faking it before making it”? Self-doubt causes anxiety, stress and often leads to depression. You are definitely not in a positive mindset rather you are in a negative mindset. When you have self-doubt you often have what is referred to as Imposter Syndrome.
Imposter Syndrome is when someone doubts their ability to do something (a job or a class or a project) and is concerned that others will discover them to be not worthy or less capable than previously thought. Studies have shown that Imposter Syndrome (IS) does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, religion, and/or socioeconomic status. It can affect up to 70% of the population at one time or another. Individuals with IS are unable to internalize their success and worthiness. This is very different from the moments of insecurity we all experience from time to time. This syndrome is a chronic condition, that even when one achieves success through hard work, the self-doubt remains.
In real terms, someone who has Imposter Syndrome may exhibit the following:
All successes are viewed as flukes or lucky breaks
Often procrastinates
Does not ask for help
Often over prepares
Has increased levels of anxiety/stress
Research has shown that social media has played an extensive role in the growth of Imposter Syndrome. Social media has grown how we “compare to others” in our daily lives. Some of us live our lives on social media. Posting every detail of our lives for others to see.
How do we turn these negatives into positives? During my research in social-emotional learning, I stumbled upon “The Power of Yet”. Simply put, by placing the word yet at the end of a negative statement or thought, the statement transforms into a hopeful, positive statement. I know. I hear you, it sounds way too simple. Let’s try.
For example:
I have no idea what I am doing. I have no idea what I am doing, yet.
I am not good enough. I am not good enough, yet.
There is no way I can do this. There is no way I can’t do this, yet.
I don’t know how to do this. I don’t know how to do this, yet.
All kidding aside, how many times do we hear our kids, family, friends, and/or ourselves say or think these types of negative statements. By training ourselves to add yet, we are reassuring ourselves as well as others that things will happen – it just may take a little time. We are moving from a negative mindset to a positive mindset. I have used this with almost anyone who I have had contact with. This has been a game changer with clients. I make them repeat their negative thoughts and add the word yet. We then discuss how different the one statement is from the other as well as discuss how we are going to make that statement reality. This same process can be implemented with someone who has Imposter Syndrome.
For example, “Rick” is an adult client who definitely felt like an imposter. Past experience of losing a job was clouding his trust in his own abilities. “Rick” would often make comments like “I am just waiting for my boss to realize, I am as good as he thinks I am” or “I am just waiting for them all to find out that I am not worthy.” I would turn those states from “I am not worthy” to “I am not worthy yet” or “I am not as good as they think I am” to “I am not as good as they think I am yet.” We would discuss why “Rick” believed these statements and how we could make them false. Often it would turn out that “Rick” was productive and effective. We just needed to make some minor adjustments in his strategies and planning which would have a major impact on his mindset. Using the tools and strategies suggested and practiced in our sessions, showed “Rick” that he was and is worthy.When I talked to parents or clients about BBS and executive functioning. I always use “The Power of Yet” when discussing the client’s areas of concern. The yet gives hope and let’s you know that all things take time and are possible. This simple word and strategy inherently provides a growth mindset. You have a goal, you make a plan and you are gradually making progress toward that goal. Now yet isn’t a magic wand that helps you solve the issue immediately. What yet does is help you realize you can – with some work, planning, and support.
So the next time you hear someone say something negative, add yet to the end of the statement. This is a good way to talk to the other person about how they can and what steps they need to take. This is a good opener to a conversation about self-confidence, self-advocacy, and seeking support.
