Imposter Syndrome: Finding a Role Model
Imposter Syndrome can be overcome when you find the mental strength.
In our quest to find role models who inspire us, we often look for individuals who embody a harmonious blend of physical vigor and mental acuity.
Plato’s vision of the ideal citizen as a ‘scholar-athlete’—someone who cultivates both their intellectual capacities and athletic prowess—remains relevant today.
One such modern-day exemplar is Admiral William McCraven, whose life story echoes this balance.
His 2014 commencement speech at the University of Texas was not just another address but a testament to his journey from admiring superheroes as a child to becoming one himself through leadership—a real-life scholar-athlete.
Self-Creation Through Action
McCraven’s narrative aligns with George Bernard Shaw’s philosophy that life isn’t about finding oneself but creating oneself.
The concept here is about self-creation through disciplined thought and action—the essence of being a scholar athlete.
This approach could serve as an antidote to the anxiety, depression, or feelings of worthlessness plaguing many young people today.
Internal dialogue plays a pivotal role in shaping our sense of self-worth and direction in life, as Tom Shea highlights in his book Unbreakable.
Learning self-efficacy—believing in one’s ability to do hard things—is crucial for building resilience and confidence to overcome imposter syndrome.
It helps us stand firm against external influences that seek to divert us from our chosen paths.
Imposter Syndrome - Take Control of Your Thoughts
Consider Ron Johnson, Harvard Business School alumnus and former CEO of JCPenney.
His experience at Harvard taught him invaluable lessons on trusting his judgment amidst diverse opinions—an attribute essential for any leader striving towards success while balancing scholarly reflection with decisive action.
But what does it mean practically?
For individuals seeking personal growth or professional advancement, embracing the scholar-athlete mindset entails rigorous self-discipline and continuous learning.
It involves engaging your body through regular exercise—a practice shown time again that enhances physical health and so sharpens mental faculties—and challenging your mind through reading, critical thinking, debate, or creative pursuits.
Aspiring leaders can learn much from Johnson’s example—to listen carefully but ultimately trust their intuition after considering various perspectives before taking bold steps forward.
Living out this balanced lifestyle requires rejecting false notions propagated by so-called experts whose confidence might be misplaced or unsubstantiated by facts, as Vinod Khosla’s study on expert predictions vividly illustrates.
Therefore, cultivate your internal dialogue consciously: What thoughts dominate your mind? Who influences these thoughts?
Doing so will take control back into your hands—shaping yourself into the kind of person you admire—one decision at a time.
10 Action Steps
1. Embrace the idea of being: Strive for balance in your life by developing both physical prowess and intellectual depth.
2. Be inspired by leaders like Admiral William McCraven and Ron Johnson, who have shown that personal belief shapes success.
3. Develop self-efficacy: Prove to yourself that you can do hard things without relying on others’ opinions or validation.
4. Regularly question your internal dialogue: Identify what thoughts dominate your mind and consider who is influencing these thoughts.
5. Trust in your own judgment: Listen to others’ views but ultimately make decisions based on what you believe is right.
6. Avoid blindly following ‘experts’: Remember that expertise often comes from confidence rather than actual knowledge, so don’t be swayed by authority alone.
7. Take control of your own learning journey: Don’t wait for knowledge handouts; actively engage in learning new things to foster self-esteem and independence.
8. Create Your Own Reality Distortion Field: Believe strongly enough in your ideas that you influence those around you positively – but also be mindful not to misuse this power.
9. Be aware of whose influence guides you – always know why you’ve chosen a certain thought process or path.
10. Learn independently instead of waiting for external validation or expertise – engagement fosters self-esteem and ownership over one’s journey.
11. Get Support don’t keep trying to do things alone, get support and counseling to get to the next level.