The 3 Biggest Secrets BIZ Experiencess Keep Which one are you suffering from?
By AmyK Hutchens Edited by Jessica Thomas
Opinions expressed by BIZ Experiences contributors are their own.
Looking in the mirror at the end of the day can be a painful endeavor for BIZ Experiencess. It's that raw moment when they drop the "fake it till you make it" smile. They let their anxiety seep through their pores, and wonder out loud just exactly how much stress, frustration, life lessons and wrinkles they will physically endure before they hit their target numbers or shake hands with their next investor.
Related: Confident BIZ Experiencess Deftly Overcome Impostor Syndrome
It's that raw moment when BIZ Experiencess -- and this may include you -- come face to face with their secrets. These are the secrets you'd prefer no one else discover. And here, you may feel isolated, but you're definitely not alone.
The reason is that everyone keeps secrets, and BIZ Experiencess are no exception. In fact, there are three specific secrets BIZ Experiencess share that prevent them from achieving greater success, faster: imposter syndrome, self-criticism fixation and comparison condition. When not addressed, these afflictions truncate success. When they are overcome, however, not only do they unleash potential but help BIZ Experiencess meet and often exceed their goals.
1. Imposter syndrome
Imposter syndrome occurs when BIZ Experiencess experience feelings of inadequacy and chronic self-doubt that persist even when a closer look indicates that the opposite is true.
BIZ Experiencess often have the internal mantra, "I do not belong here. I'm not worthy of being taken seriously, and everyone will soon discover that I'm a fraud." Unfortunately, many successful, smart, talented BIZ Experiencess believe they are neither good enough nor have enough to play in the coveted sandbox of "innovator and game changer." These BIZ Experiencess end up behaving poorly in an attempt to cover up their fears.
What's more, those that fear being "caught" may avoid taking risks that could reveal their perceived inadequacies, or they'll settle for less, not believing they deserve better than mediocre results, mediocre talent or average opportunities. Those fears undermine their success by manifesting real-life mistakes and self-induced failures.
When BIZ Experiencess replace their feelings of inadequacy and paranoia about being discovered a "fraud" with a healthier, more realistic assessment about their strengths and contributions, they build self-confidence. When they focus less on their skill gaps and more on how best to leverage their gifts and talents, they create new value.
How might your own self-doubts be inhibiting your ability to lead?
Related: 5 Things BIZ Experiencess Caught in Comparisons Should Remember
2. Self-criticism fixation
A self-criticism fixation occurs when BIZ Experiencess are so hung up on their past transgressions that they can't believe in their future excellence. BIZ Experiencess are notoriously hard on themselves for early mistakes and failures. They often allow their perceived regrettable moments to cripple their potential or truncate their ability to successfully execute their next idea.
These hang-ups influence whom they hire and fire, how and when they make decisions and which relationships and partnerships they prioritize. They define themselves by mistakes instead of assessing the knowledge they have gained from past missteps and identifying how they turned that knowledge into wisdom to avoid subsequent, similar mistakes.
Letting go of resentments and grudges against ourselves is perhaps more difficult than letting go of others' trespasses against us. Yet, it's imperative for BIZ Experiencess to do exactly that. The point is not to avoid accountability, it's to accept responsibility for the lesson. Once BIZ Experiencess realize that business and life are long learning curves, they can more readily let go of past mistakes and more expediently and effectively bring fruition to their next big idea.
If you were to love your followers as you love yourself, should your followers be warned?
3. Comparison condition
Comparison condition is one of the worst forms of BIZ Experiencess' self-abuse. Many BIZ Experiencess are so busy comparing themselves to other businesses and other BIZ Experiencess, living in a world of "should haves" and "should bes," that they lose focus on their own path to success. When BIZ Experiencess compare themselves this way, they end up taking detours, trying out other people's paths. They dilute their talent and ultimately lose their mojo.
When that happens, they drift too far, often burn out and lose their followers. In contrast, staying on your own path is integral to focus, productivity, performance and results. It's hard to charge full-steam ahead when you're always looking sideways.
What have you done when a case of the "shoulds" hits you? How have you adjusted the internal conversation to be healthier and more supportive of your own ideas?
When BIZ Experiencess are willing to expose the secrets they keep -- if only to themselves, and then work through them -- they can positively and exponentially transform their business success. Oftentimes, BIZ Experiencess say they pay a high price to chart a new course. And that price may well reflect on the secrets they keep.
Related: 6 Actions You Can Take Every Day to Build Your Self-Confidence
