Turning Imposter Syndrome into Something Positive

Imposter Syndrome can really be yucky.
It can throw you into a spiral, a thought pattern revolving around doubt, fear, and the persistent anxiety of being discovered as a fraud. 

However, I would like to pose that Imposter Syndrome CAN be something positive.

What if Imposter Syndrome becomes a tool for motivation?

For example: If I'm working on an acting project, I want to be surrounded by people who raise the bar. I want to feel like I have to keep learning, keep growing, keep demanding more of myself so that I can jump to their level. I want to be out of my league. 

NOW. The key here is to not let Imposter Syndrome paralyze you. But, with most things in life, looking your thought patterns squarely in the eye can help you untangle negative self talk (not based in fact) from something is steeped in truth. 

For example: If I'm feeling like a fraud surrounding a job or a teaching gig, I will ask myself--what can make me feel about this scenario?

If the solution is something that is impossible to achieve (like read ALL the books on acting EVER written), then I know it's negative self talk that isn't based in truth. 

However, if the solution is something that is possible to achieve (like taking a breathing workshop or learning a new technique in breaking down text), then I know that I can turn my Imposter Syndrome into something positive. 

It all comes down to the question: Can I take action on this feeling?

Below is an excellent Ted Talk about this very concept--taking Imposter Syndrome and turning it into something useful. 

Some Imposter Syndrome Resources:

​Time magazine has an excellent article surrounding imposter syndrome and all the ways it can pop up in your life. Are you a perfectionist, an expert, a natural genius, a soloist, or a superman/superwoman?
Check it out here!

One common symptom of imposter syndrome is self sabotaging. Lack of commitment, procrastination, and self criticism can all be signs of self sabotaging that is linked to imposter syndrome. Below is an article that gives 3 helpful steps on mitigating self sabotage! 
Check it out here!

This article goes into how imposter syndrome can affect your creative potential; I highly recommend it for anyone who feels like negative self talk is blocking their artistry.
​Check it out here!