Let’s do some mindset work. My mentor Dr. Dharius Daniels says that in order to change your life you have to go in “head first”. Our mindset may be to wait until a more opportune time like January of the new year. You know you don’t have to wait until the new year to make a change that alters your life exponentially, right? There is no better time than now to begin working on a mindset shift that can kick-start your next level. Let’s find out what limiting beliefs are keeping you stuck and preventing you from claiming all you have been uniquely designed to do. There is a thriving and authentic you on the other side of finding your purpose and identity. You owe it to your higher self to invest in you. You are definitely worth it.
Cultural expectations and familial pressures play a role in exacerbating imposter syndrome or confidence issues for women of color. We often struggle with finding a balance of traditional cultural values with professional aspirations. This leads to feelings of guilt or inadequacy. We find ourselves in this conflict of falling short of what culture says one should be doing and what one wants their life to look like.
I remember quite vividly being in junior high and already knowing what I wanted to do. During a visit at my aunt’s house one weekend, we were talking about my future endeavors. I mentioned I wanted to be a social worker. My uncle laughed and suggested, “social workers don’t make any money…you should go into nursing.” That became a foundational subconscious belief that if I wanted to be financially secure, I needed to go into the nursing or another medical field. Fast forward, while enrolled at a community college, I was on the psychology track but changed my major to nursing. It didn’t take very long for me to get out of the mindset of medical industry being the only certain way to guarantee being successful. Needless to say, I followed my heart and desire, I became a licensed professional counselor with emphasis on helping other’s bring their dreams into fruition.
If you can relate to my story or if anything mentioned in this blog resonates with you, feel free to give me a call. I’m here to assist you in overcoming any internal conflicts, so that you can live your life to the fullest.
Throughout my professional and personal life, I find that women play the comparison game. These women look at others’ achievements and accolades with the perception that their peers are more skilled and equipped to do ” a thing” or bring their dreams to fruition. A term used to describe this is illusory inferiority.
Strategies to overcome feeling inadequate as compared to others:
As a therapist and coach, I give my clients the task of noting all compliments given to them over a period of time, usually a week or two. Whatever the compliment, big or small, they track until we have a session to discuss the list. This strategy is done to get the client to conceptualize their positive aspects.
Another assignment I have clients to complete, identify strengths. Taking the time to reflect on one’s strengths, skills, and accomplishments through listing them down can greatly enhance an individual’s self-esteem and confidence. This simple yet effective exercise allows individuals to acknowledge their strong suits and feel more confident in themselves.
Tired of comparing yourself unfavorably to others? Let me help you find your unique path to a meaningful and satisfying existence.
Women who struggle with Imposter Syndrome often have symptoms or manifestations that indicate their lack of confidence: external locus of control, difficulty in self-recognition, hard to accept praise & accolades, and lastly, a skewed way of looking at other’s achievements.
Attributing Success to Luck or Deception: Individuals experiencing imposter syndrome often struggle to internalize their successes. Instead of attributing their accomplishments to their own skills and efforts, they may dismiss them as luck or believe that they’ve deceived others into thinking they’re competent. This tendency to downplay their achievements can stem from feelings of inadequacy and a fear of being exposed as a fraud.
Difficulty Recognizing Themselves: Women with imposter syndrome may have difficulty recognizing their own abilities and achievements. Despite evidence of their competence and accomplishments, they may perceive themselves as undeserving or unworthy of success. This lack of self-recognition can contribute to feelings of insecurity and self-doubt.
Struggle to Accept Recognition: Individuals with imposter syndrome often find it challenging to accept praise or recognition from others. Even when presented with accolades for their achievements, they may feel uncomfortable or undeserving of the attention. This discomfort may arise from a fear of being “found out” as an imposter or a belief that they don’t truly deserve recognition for their work.
Thwarted Perception of Others’ Accomplishments: Imposter syndrome can distort individuals’ perceptions of others’ accomplishments. Women who struggle with imposter syndrome may perceive their peers as more competent or successful, even when evidence suggests otherwise. This skewed perception can exacerbate feelings of inadequacy and reinforce the belief that they don’t measure up to others in their field or profession.
Addressing imposter syndrome often involves challenging negative beliefs and learning to internalize achievements and recognition. Encourage yourself to recognize your worth, celebrate successes, and support other women of color in overcoming imposter syndrome can help foster greater confidence and self-assurance.
My passion lies in empowering women of color to achieve their dreams and live fulfilling lives. To achieve this, I provide a welcoming and secure space for counseling and coaching. Through my coaching, I aim to motivate my clients to take small but consistent steps towards achieving their goals, enabling them to live a life of excellence and prosperity. I believe that everyone has the potential to live their best life, and I am dedicated to helping my clients unlock their true potential and achieve their dreams.
The Impostor Syndrome is a prevalent issue among high-achieving women, where we feel like frauds despite evidence of our competence. Us women attribute our successes to luck rather than skill, which reinforces self-doubt and undermines confidence in our abilities. By acknowledging these patterns and reframing negative thoughts, us ladies can work towards overcoming this phenomenon and embracing our true potential.
These journals/workbooks were created or birthed out of a “God idea” to help overcome Imposter Syndrome or lack of confidence through self-awareness, Biblical affirmations, and self-reflection. Get ready to start your adventure of discovery and confidence. Available to purchase now:
If you’re feeling like an imposter, please know that you are not alone. It’s common to doubt yourself and your abilities, but I want you to know that you are capable and deserving of the success you have achieved.
Some signs of imposter syndrome include over-preparing, attributing success to luck, distrusting others, dismissing positive feedback, feeling unworthy of success, and being afraid of being exposed as a fraud. To combat these feelings, try acknowledging your accomplishments and giving yourself credit for your hard work. It’s also helpful to talk to others about your feelings and seek support from friends, family, or a professional. Remember, you are capable and deserving of success!
We are on the verge of the last quarter of the year. If you are anything like me, maybe you are retrospectively reviewing what you have achieved or how productive you have been. Are you sick and tired of being sick and tired of your situation and/or relationships not being healthy? Or you just need an objective & empathetic person to process or confide in because you don’t feel like you can talk to anyone close to you. If you are feeling this way…It is time for a change!
Call Nekeshia Limuel, LPC at 832-779-3039 for a consultation today!!
Meraki Counseling 