10 Tips to Tackle Imposter Syndrome
This is the last blog in a series of three on imposter syndrome. The first blog defined artist imposter syndrome and described some causes. You can check that out here . The second blog told the stories of 5 creatives who may have struggled with imposter syndrome, which you can find here.
This blog will review 10 ways that psychologists recommend we utilize to tackle imposter syndrome. These tips can also be effective for self-doubt as well, because the two conditions are very related.
Here we go.
10 Tips to Tackle Imposter Syndrome or Self-doubt
Recognize and acknowledge your feelings-
The first tip is to understand that imposter syndrome is a common experience and that many high-achieving individuals struggle with it. Recognizing your feelings and acknowledging that they are not based on reality is helpful in overcoming self-doubt.
This is why I decided to write this blog series in the first place. I know that I struggle with self-doubt, and I see that other artists also do on social media. Because of that, I wanted to look into it, learn about it, and figure out ways to tackle it. The first step in solving a problem is recognizing you have a problem.
Challenge negative self-talk-
That’s really what imposter syndrome is- negative self-talk. You know you wouldn’t talk to your friends with the same harsh words that you say to yourself. I do it too. I think everyone does, but it is something that we can work on.
Pay attention to your self-talk and identify negative thoughts and beliefs that contribute to imposter syndrome. When you notice these thoughts, challenge them with more realistic and positive alternatives.
Here’s an example of challenging negative self-talk using negative thoughts that creep up for me- “I should have gone to art school” and “I’ll never be as good an artist as so and so on Instagram”.
First, I recognize that there’s no sense in regretting not going to art school. Regret doesn’t do any good. I also remind myself that it’s easier than ever to learn how to improve my skills nowadays and that I can learn on my own, at my own pace, and for very little money. Next I’ll remind myself how much I have improved over the past few years as an artist, and that by intentionally learning new techniques and practicing I will continue to get better. The awesome artists on Instagram certainly didn’t pop out of the womb knowing how to draw like that. They had to learn and practice as well.
Negative self-talk is huge for me and I’m sure many other artists. We get into patterns of thinking that are very unhealthy. I’ve heard it said that thoughts lead to feelings, which lead to actions, which lead to results or even bad habits over time. It’s a negative cycle that can impact your life. The good news is that you can retrain your brain to think more positively by actively choosing to do so.
I am not a naturally positive person. I have to work on it. Everyday I am grateful for even little things. In the morning I spend time writing down a list of items, people, my dogs, or situations that I’m grateful to God for. I also read a devotion and say prayers which help me to put my head on straight and get my perspective right for the day ahead.
John Ortberg said, “Gratitude is the ability to experience life as a gift. It liberates us from the prison of self-preoccupation.” Truth.
I also try and think about positives that may occur along side of negatives in everyday life. For example, even if it’s raining while I’m at the beach, I think about how I can go shopping, work on my blog, draw, or read. In most instances, I can find a positive in a situation.
Reframe failure and mistakes-
Instead of viewing failure or mistakes as evidence of your incompetence, reframe them as opportunities for growth and learning. Embrace a growth mindset that recognizes that setbacks are a natural part of the learning process.
I have said before that when it comes to art, I try and look at my mistakes as learning experiences. If something doesn’t work, I think, "Oh well, next time I won’t be doing it that way…” and I move forward. This is a major way that I learn how to improve my art.
That’s not to say I don’t get discouraged, because I do. But I figure I have two choices: quit or suck it up, buttercup and keep going. I choose to do the latter.
Seek support and share your experiences-
Talk to trusted friends, family members, or colleagues about your imposter syndrome. Sharing your feelings can provide validation and support. It may also help when you realize that others have similar experiences.
This is why I wrote the second blog on famous creatives who struggle with self-doubt. You would think that people who have become famous based on their creative talent wouldn’t struggle with these feelings, but they do.
Understanding that others deal with the same struggles can impower us to help one another to move past self-doubt in order to keep creating.
Focus on your strengths-
Make a list of your strengths, skills, and accomplishments. Remind yourself of these regularly and celebrate your successes. Recognizing your capabilities can help counteract feelings of inadequacy.
One way that I do this is by keeping all of my pieces. Even the ones I don’t like or the ones I won’t finish because I think they stink. That way I can look back at them when I get better. Which will happen. Everyone will who chooses to work on their art can improve. I fully believe that.
Set realistic goals-
Break down your goals into smaller, manageable steps. This approach can make your objectives feel more attainable and help you track your progress. Celebrate each milestone along the way, reinforcing your competence.
I finally bought a Legend planner last year, which has been very helpful in this regard. It has all kinds of pages where I can set weekly, monthly, quarterly, and yearly goals. I love that because I can set a long term goal and reverse engineer how to get there.
I will also note that I don’t always reach my goals, but I’m pretty good at not beating myself up about it. I figure I’ll readjust them and try again.
Embrace the learning process-
Shift your focus from seeking validation or external approval to embracing the joy of learning and growth. Emphasize the process rather than solely focusing on the end result.
I love to learn. I’m not sure if others are like this, but I find it so exciting that I can learn from other artists. As I mentioned before, I didn’t go to art school, and this is a way that I can discover and add new techniques to my own creative process. This is basically how I’ve learned how to draw realistic portraits of animals using colored pencils and pastels over the past few years.
Learning is empowering. By learning and practicing art, I know I am on the path to improvement.
Embrace self-care-
Take care of your physical and mental well-being. Engage in activities that promote relaxation, stress reduction, and self-care, such as exercise, meditation, hobbies, or spending time with loved ones. Prioritize self-care to maintain a positive mindset.
I do this in several ways. I walk my pups, read the Bible to remind myself what is important, exercise, and try and include time for fun things, like hiking with my husband or golf with a friend.
Keep creating-
Consistency is key. Maintain a regular artistic practice, even when self-doubt creeps in. The more you create, the more you learn and improve, which can help build your confidence over time.
Amy Porterfield, an online marketing guru, says to put your blinders on and keep moving towards your goals. I agree 100%. If I get down about my artistic journey or abilities, time to put my blinders on, stop comparing myself to others, and get back to work!
Seek professional help if needed-
If imposter syndrome significantly affects your well-being and daily functioning, consider seeking support from a mental health professional, such as a psychologist or therapist. They can provide guidance tailored to your specific needs.
Remember, overcoming imposter syndrome is a process, and it may take time. Be patient with yourself and practice self-compassion along the way.
Conclusion
In conclusion, tackling imposter syndrome as an artist requires a combination of self-awareness, mindset shifts, and supportive practices. By recognizing the presence of imposter syndrome and its commonality among artists, we can take proactive steps to address it.
Love to hear your thoughts.
