ISelf-devaluation is the act of putting yourself down and not giving yourself enough credit for the things you do well. It can make you feel like you’re not good enough, like you don’t deserve success, and like you’re just faking your way through life. When individuals constantly undervalue themselves, they often feel like frauds, and they believe that their accomplishments are not a result of their abilities or hard work but rather sheer luck. This negative mindset fuels the imposter syndrome, where individuals feel like they do not belong and that they are not good enough to be where they are. Individuals with the Imposter Syndrome often experience anxiety, self-doubt, and fear of being exposed as frauds, leading to a lack of confidence in their abilities.

The Imposter Syndrome is a psychological condition that affects people from all walks of life, including high-achieving individuals like famous actors, successful CEOs, and athletes. It can be tough to deal with as it can impact both personal and professional life, and even lead to mental health issues such as anxiety and burnout. Despite this, many people who suffer from the Imposter Syndrome syndrome don’t seek help as they believe their feelings stem from inadequacies rather than a psychological condition.

Self-devaluation often involves engaging in negative self-talk, where individuals belittle themselves and their abilities. This can lead to a belief that their accomplishments are not legitimate, contributing to feelings of fraudulence and impostor syndrome. In addition, they also set unrealistic expectations for themselves, leading them to feel like they are falling short of their own standards. This can make them feel like they don’t deserve their accomplishments and fuel Imposter Syndrome.

Another habit of mind that contributes to self-devaluation is a constant comparison to others unfavorably, believing that everyone else is more competent and successful. This can make them feel like they don’t measure up and contribute to feelings of being an impostor. And even when they are given praise, they can reject it, dismissing it as undeserved or insincere. Self-devaluers have the habit of discounting their accomplishments and telling themselves they are deceiving others, contributing to Imposter Syndrome.

If you’re dealing with the Imposter Syndrome, the first step to overcoming it is to recognize that it’s a real condition that affects a lot of people. You’re not alone, and you’re not inadequate or a fraud. You have accomplishments and abilities that are worth acknowledging and accepting. It is crucial to change one’s negative mindset by acknowledging and accepting one’s accomplishments and abilities. Surround yourself with people who support and encourage you and try to distance yourself from people who make you feel bad about yourself.

Another way to go from imposter to powerful is to seek help from an expert like myself who understands the mechanics of this syndrome and how to help people shift from imposter to powerful. Not all therapists and coaches do. Therapy and life coaching can help you recognize your Imposter Syndrome story and automatic negative patterns of thinking and give you tools to change your brain and shift from self-devaluation to self-affirmation. Retraining your brain with tools like mindfulness and the Match Game can also help you break free of the automatic negative thinking that keeps you stuck.

Remember, self-devaluation fuels the Imposter Syndrome, causing your brain to tell you that you don’t deserve success or recognition. But it’s important to recognize that this is your Imposter Syndrome story and not the reality of who you are, what you’ve achieved and your actual potential. Stop believing the lies you tell yourself that generate anxiety and emotional distress. You have the power to shift from Imposter to Powerful right now.