IMPOSTER SYNDROME and SINGING

​If I had a buck for every time I hesitated moving forward with a creative project due to imposter syndrome, well I’d have many more cats and tattoos by now. I have decades of experience, decades of knowledge, training, performing, writing, teaching, you name it… and still sometimes I feel like a fraud.
 
But what is Imposter Syndrome?
 
Imposter Syndrome is a term used to describe when you feel like a ‘fake’ or ‘phony’ despite any knowledge and successes you may have had. It is a feeling that one day you will be ‘found out’ and people will realise you are a fraud. It can be absolutely debilitating at worst and annoying at best and it can strike anyone,
 
“I have written 11 books, but each time I think, ‘uh oh, they’re going to find me out now. I’ve run a game on everybody, and they’re going to find me out.’” Maya Angelou
 
As a singer, or someone who might be considering taking some singing lessons, you might feel like it isn’t a step you are ‘allowed’ to take. Maybe someone has told you can’t sing (they’re wrong), or that they don’t like your voice (who cares?), or they might think you are wasting your time (you’re not).
 
Maybe you believed them?
 
Maybe you want to act, or write, or perform in some way, but again who are you to do that? Well, you are YOU and there is only one you. There is only one person in the world with your knowledge, your expression, your voice, your passion, your dreams, your way of connecting.
 
There is only one you! And you are freaking awesome.  
 
If you think everyone who is showing up, putting themselves out there and moving forward with their passion thinks they are all that, well, let me let you in on a little secret. Nine times out of ten they don’t, they are bluffing.

But what they ARE also doing is showing up, they ‘feel the fear and do it anyway’. That’s the trick, you keep going, you take the next step, you quieten the voice nagging you in your head (or is that just me?) and you just do it.

HOW TO OVERCOME IMPOSTER SYNDROME

I don't think Imposter Syndrome ever goes away but there are some steps you can take to quieten that voice a little.

• ​IGNORE THE NAYSAYERS - They aren't the one putting themselves out there.
• BREATHE- Sounds simple but taking some deep breaths and relaxing your body can help you deal with any stress you may be feeling.
• HUM - Humming activates the Vagus Nerve (the main nerve of the parasympathetic nervous system) Breathing does this too!
• FOCUS ON FACTS - Is your brain telling you the truth? or have you achieved more than you give yourself credit for.
• FIND A MENTOR OR COACH - Have someone positively reinforcing the steps you are taking and encouraging you keep moving forward. 
• CELEBRATE YOUR WINS! - Reward yourself, celebrate when things go well, or even when they don't. Just keep moving in the direction of where you want to be.

Remember, even the most outwardly confident of artists can suffer imposter syndrome... even Lady Gaga!
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​‘I still sometimes feel like a loser kid in high school and I just have to pick myself up and tell myself that I’m a superstar every morning so that I can get through this day and be for my fans what they need for me to be.'

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Now if she can feel it, anyone can, so don’t beat yourself up about it, and don’t let it stop you either. Remember, you don’t have to be Lady Gaga, you just need to be you.

I’m here to remind you and give you permission if you need it, to follow your creative heart wherever it may lead you. Enrol in the acting class, the art class, start writing that novel, pick up the guitar, or even book a singing lesson!

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