Overcoming Imposter Syndrome as a Coach

Do you feel like you don’t deserve to be a coach or healer, that you’re not good enough or qualified enough to help others? If so, you’re not alone. Many coaches and healers struggle with imposter syndrome, a feeling of being a fraud despite their expertise and experience.

In this blog post, I want to share with you several practical ways that coaches and healers can overcome imposter syndrome and embrace their skills and abilities. It’s time to release self-doubt and start serving the world as the capable and confident coaches and healers that you are meant to be.

What is Imposter Syndrome & How Does it Affect Coaches?

Imposter Syndrome is that nagging voice in our heads that tells us we’re not good enough, that we can’t do it, and that everyone else is already doing it.

It stems from the worthiness wound, from a small part of ourselves that believes we do not deserve success. As coaches, this feeling can severely impact our ability to serve our clients and can hold us back from reaching our full potential.

It’s important to remember that imposter syndrome is just a part of us, not who we really are. It’s an illusion that we can move through once we realize this.

So if you’re reading this blog, chances are you’ve dealt with imposter syndrome before, or you may be experiencing it right now. But don’t worry. In the following sections, we’ll explore practical ways to overcome imposter syndrome and start embracing your gifts as a coach or healer.

How to Identify Imposter Syndrome: The Most Common Signs

Imposter Syndrome is a tricky beast. It can be hard to spot at first, but you know it’s there when you feel like an imposter despite your expertise and experience.

Here are some of the most common signs:

Procrastination and Feeling Stuck

One of the most common signs of imposter syndrome is procrastination and feeling stuck – or like not knowing what to do next. This can include a paralyzing fear of failure or anxiety about how we’ll be received. It can also show up like feeling unable to take action, even though we know what we’re meant to do to keep moving forward.

A Sense of Burden or Heaviness

People with imposter syndrome often experience a sense of burden or heaviness related to their work. It can feel like their body and energy system are going into collapse or depression. They may feel overwhelmed or overworked, even if they are not necessarily doing anything more than usual.

Anxiety and Negative Self-Talk

Anxiety and negative self-talk are also common symptoms of imposter syndrome. This can include thoughts like “I’m not good enough”, “I’m not the one”, or “It’s all been done before”, which can wreak havoc on one’s self-esteem and creativity.

Inner Child Feelings Related to Thoughts of Not Being Good Enough

Imposter syndrome can trigger inner child feelings related to thoughts of not being good enough. This can include feelings of inadequacy, insecurity, and a lack of self-worth.

Chaotic and Negative Internal Emotional Experiences

The emotional experiences of imposter syndrome can often feel chaotic and negative. This can lead to feeling “stuck” or “trapped” in the cycle of fear, self-doubt, and comparison.

Beating Ourselves Up and Keeping Ourselves Small

Finally, imposter syndrome can take the form of beating ourselves up and staying small. We beat up the creative part of us, the loving part of us, and the part of us that wants just to express ourselves. This can result in a fear of trying new things and taking risks, which can harm personal and professional growth.

Do I ever have to overcome imposter syndrome still personally?

The short answer is YES – I know what it’s like to deal with imposter syndrome. That little voice inside of me that tells me that I’m not good enough or that everyone else was already doing what I want to do. It comes from this part of me that believes I am not worthy. It was initially confusing because it felt like a part of me until I realized it was just an illusion. It isn’t who I really am.

But that didn’t mean the feelings of inadequacy go away. Whenever I try something new or push myself out of my comfort zone, those inner child feelings can return. My clients ask me if I ever dealt with imposter syndrome, and I always answer honestly: I still feel it sometimes. I don’t think it ever completely goes away.

However, I don’t need it to go away. I’ve learned to work with it. When a new creative idea comes up, or I want to try a new expression, I anticipate that those feelings of not being good enough or not reaching my dreams will come up. But I realize that those feelings are just trying to keep me small. They’re not the truth of who I am.

Sometimes those feelings manifest as procrastination or that heavy feeling of being stuck. It can be an emotional experience that feels chaotic like I’m beating myself up. But I’ve learned to recognize it and overcome it. And now, I can help you do the same…

4 Practices for Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

1) Breathwork for Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

Breathwork is a powerful tool for releasing the pressures we put on ourselves. Breathing consciously helps us move energy through our body, calming our minds. This can help us to make room for our highest self to emerge.

Here is my favorite breathwork practice to use:

1. Start with the Tri-Active Breath, which involves breathing into the belly, then in again but up into the chest, and out through the mouth.
2. Practice tri-active breath for about three minutes.
3. Then, take a deep breath in and hold it at the top.
4. While holding your breath, visualize the thing you’re worried about completely working out. Imagine it going well, being received positively, and making an impact.
5. Believe that it’s already done.

2) Somatic Healing for Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

Somatic healing is a powerful tool for overcoming imposter syndrome. It helps us become aware of our body’s physical sensations, allowing us to tune into internal messages that may be related to self-doubt or not feeling good enough.

Here are the steps for using somatic healing to overcome imposter syndrome:

1. Locate the part of you that doesn’t believe you’re good enough. Where do you feel those sensations?
2. Place both of your hands on the part of your body where you feel this contraction. It might be in your throat, heart, solar plexus, etc.
3. Take three deep breaths.
4. Visualize the powerful, creative, and aligned part of yourself.
5. Let this aligned part of you reassure the scared and small part of yourself that everything will be okay.
6. Tell yourself that you are safe and loved and that you will get through this. Remind yourself that this powerful part of you will always be there to support you.

This somatic practice helps us meet the little ones inside of us that are afraid of being left behind. This is such a powerful practice for overcoming imposter syndrome.

3) Energetic Practice for Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

Movement can help amplify energy and break down the stuckness. Use this practice to transform density into divinity.

Here are the steps to transform your energy through movement and dance:

1. Stand up and move your body. Shake, dance, or do whatever makes you feel alive.
2. Put on a song that motivates you, like your favorite Taylor Swift song or ‘The Middle’ by Jimmy Eat World.
3. Spend a few minutes moving to the rhythm of the music.
4. As you move, use your breath to release any dense energy and visualize turning it into divine energy.

4) Journalling for Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

Journaling helps to reframe our thinking and build momentum. Use this practice to acknowledge your accomplishments, celebrate yourself, and prioritize self-care.

Here are some journaling exercises for overcoming imposter syndrome:

1. Write down your vision as if it’s already done – what you want to manifest in the future. That creative project, calling in that client, having a $15,000 month in your business. Whatever it is, get into the energy of it’s already done.
2. Write a letter from your future self to who you are today – acknowledging that it has already been accomplished.
3. The next thing is looking at your past. What are your celebrations? What are your accomplishments? List achievements and successes you’ve had so far – no matter how small or big they may be. What are the things that, what are the things that you’ve already done that are so epic? It doesn’t have to be these crazy, huge things, but acknowledging yourself for how far you’ve come. 
4. What are you celebrating yourself for? What are you loving about yourself? It could be, it could be so simple like, I wrote a new piece of poetry, or I posted that thing on Instagram, or whatever it is. Really take a moment and acknowledge your success because acknowledgment and celebration create momentum. When we have momentum, we get out of imposter syndrome, and we can actually begin to do the things we want with more energy. So celebrate yourself in writing for how far you’ve come!
5. Identify non-negotiable self-care practices like sleeping 8 hours or doing 20 minutes of meditation each day and put them on a checklist on the bathroom mirror as reminders to prioritize self-care each day. I cannot even begin to stress how important this is. Are you taking care of your physical body? Are you taking care of your emotions? Are you taking care of your spiritual connection? What is going on in your world? Are you hydrated? Are you eating beautiful food? Self-care is non-negotiable. We can’t do the things that we’re here to do in the world if we’re not treating our body like the temple It is. So really double down on your self-care. Maybe there are six practices you KNOW you gotta do every day to thrive. Write ’em out. Stick ’em somewhere, or get a habit-tracking app.

Bonus Tips for Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

Finally, here are a few bonus tips for overcoming Imposter Syndrome:

• Create a supportive environment – surround yourself with like-minded people who can give you reflections. Reach out and connect with coaches and healers who understand the struggle and can help remind you of your greatness. Or join a certification program like ours to be instantly plugged into a group of peers and mentors to support you on your journey. 
• Celebrate your successes – no matter how small they may seem. Take time to recognize your achievements and honor who you are becoming!
• Check in with yourself daily – how is your energy? Are there any feelings of Imposter Syndrome that come up for you? Be mindful and pause when necessary in order to give yourself the space to process anything that comes up.
• Practice trusting yourself – lean into the moments of uncertainty and discomfort. You have the strength and resilience to overcome imposter syndrome, so keep going no matter what!

To wrap it up…

Imposter syndrome can feel real and stop you in your tracks — but with a few simple practices, you can start to overcome it and celebrate your successes.

With an understanding of imposter syndrome, a commitment to self-care, and the courage to trust yourself, you’ll be on your way to reaching your goals. So don’t let fear or self-doubt take over – you are capable of greatness! Use these tools and practices to support yourself in overcoming imposter syndrome and living a life of joy, creativity, and abundance. Good luck!