Speak to almost any high achiever and they’ll admit to feeling insufficiently qualified to do their jobs, especially when the stakes are high and they and their thinking are in front of an audience.
How can this be when they are clearly admired and respected by everyone? It’s to do with self-belief and our inability sometimes to look at ourselves objectively. Instead of thinking that we have reached our position on merit, we believe we are there by accident or to fill a quota or just to make up the numbers.
Coming from a background that was very demanding, having parents who were over-zealous in pushing you forward and intolerant of mistakes and failings makes you more likely to suffer the limiting self-beliefs which can convert into imposter syndrome.
Those critical voices from outside become our internal voice and, opposite to the intention of those who tried to spur us to greatness, these voices fill us with self-doubt which negatively affects our behaviour.
Did you have critical, demanding parents? Do you have negative voices in your head telling you you’re not worthy? It can be crippling. It can lead to a life unlived.
