Self-Doubt: Should You View This as a Strength or a Weakness?
Becoming a new life coach in the personal and professional realm can be rewarding, perhaps life-affirming, but for some new coaches there are common hurdles to overcome. One of these struggles is self-doubt, which can manifest as imposter syndrome.
Self-doubt can undermine professional attributes you offer your clients casting a shadow over your talents in guiding them to achieve their goals. We will examine self-doubt as it transitions into imposter syndrome and learn practical strategies to build self-confidence while overcoming self-doubt as a new life coach.
Understanding Imposter Syndrome and Building Confidence as a New Life Coach
Self-doubt can manifest into imposter syndrome plaguing new life coaches along with a wide range of people in every walk of life. Someone experiencing this struggle will recognize the characteristics as a persistent feeling of inadequacy, a fear of being exposed as a fraud.
Because you’re in the beginning stages as a new life coach, the intensity of self-doubt can prove crippling making you believe you unqualified to guide clients on their path to achieving success. One thing to keep in mind with this hurdle is that imposter syndrome is a genuine and common life experience for most people.
It doesn’t define your value or potential as a new life coach. Imposter syndrome has the potential to manifest in numerous ways, from worst case of feeling as if you don’t deserve to succeed or to be recognized for your abilities to doubting your skills qualifications and expertise.
This often results in self-sabotage, a sense of being in the wrong career, procrastinating in your duties. Recognizing that these ideologies are not a genuine representation of your abilities is critical.
It would help if you were to prioritize an understanding that these thoughts are a distortion resulting from comparisons to others and negative self-talk. Here are ways to help overcome self-doubt and be a productive new life coach.
Become aware of your talent
A primary step for coping with self-doubt manifesting into Imposter Syndrome is to become aware of the individual talents and qualities you bring to your clientele. Self-awareness allows you to recognize the value you offer as a new life coach and; you realize your strengths.
You have individual experiences and a skill set that no one else can offer, personal self-worth. Realizing this is essential for success.
Coaches need support too
In the same context as supporting clients as they evolve and grow, coaches need guidance. Address your self-doubt issues with your coach to remain effective for your group. It’s beneficial to speak with a seasoned professional who understands coaching challenges.
This person can offer a new perspective you might not have considered and guide you successfully through self-doubt and the manifestation of imposter syndrome. You’ll be reminded that you don’t have to struggle alone.
In that same vein, a coaching community will not only foster continuous learning but offer invaluable support. Among your peers you can share experiences and embrace the discomfort that accompanies personal growth. Seasoned professionals will provide insight, allowing you to learn from each other.
Adjust your perspective
Adjust how you view imposter syndrome. Finding this variation of self-doubt as a hurdle to overcome on the path to achieving milestones serves a greater purpose than viewing it as a personal weakness. Allow yourself to see it as a step toward personal growth.
It might take you outside your comfort zone but speaks to the level of commitment you have to develop as a new life coach and for your clients.
This is the ideal way to build confidence, eliminate the boundaries holding you back in your coaching business, and instead allow you to thrive. Use imposter syndrome as an inspiration instead of allowing it to hinder you.
Use your personal experience
The experiences you encounter with imposter syndrome can be invaluable as a life coach. You can use this to aid clients in trying to overcome self-doubt. This tells them even coaches struggle with these feelings; they’re not alone.
The shared experience can help establish credibility, earn trust and make you more relatable as a coach. It shows clients you genuinely understand their issues, humanizes the process.
Self-compassion/self-care
Many people especially life coaches tend to neglect self-care since their primary focus is in helping others. Personal wellness needs to be a priority including becoming self-aware, celebrating achievements, and gaining insight and input from those around you especially your clients.
Remember why you decided to become a life coach and the people you strive to serve. Self-compassion is key to maintaining mental and emotional well-being; it does not indicate weakness.
Be authentic in your practice
Sometimes self-doubt that manifests into imposter syndrome arises from a misalignment in the coaching practice. You could be mimicking a program you found helpful in a personal experience. Still, this style doesn’t necessarily work for you when guiding your clients.
You’re essentially trying to be someone you’re not. It’s important to reflect on how you view your unique strengths and align your coaching with a style that introduces your authentic self.
When adequately aligned, you can build confidence with your clients, eliminate obstacles, and coach from a place of genuineness.
Final Thought
Self-doubt is not an emotion restricted to individuals one might consider vulnerable. Most of us are helpless to it, including new life coaches and even seasoned pros. The thing to understand is it doesn’t genuinely define your talent or expertise in the field.
Overcoming self-doubt even that which manifests into imposter syndrome as a coach is possible with the proper support and the best tools. Many coaches turn to their peers who understand primarily because they’ve been in the same situations themselves.
You can change the perception by viewing imposter syndrome as a learning journey toward personal development and growth. You will constantly evolve as a life coach; it’s a dynamic field.
Counting this part of your development as a strength instead of a weakness, an opportunity instead of a hindrance, can boost your confidence and put the inner critic on mute.
Lisa Miller