Own Your Greatness
Overcome Impostor Syndrome, Beat Self-Doubt, and Succeed in Life
byLisa Orbé-Austin, Richard Orbé-Austin
Book Edition Details
Summary
"Own Your Greatness (2020) is a guided workbook for people who constantly feel like imposters. Drawing on Drs. Lisa and Richard Orbé-Austin’s expertise, it helps you identify and overcome the triggers, habits and thoughts that activate your imposter syndrome, so you can beat self-doubt and succeed in life."
Introduction
Have you ever felt like a fraud, waiting for someone to discover that you don't belong where you are? That gnawing voice whispering you're not smart enough, talented enough, or qualified enough for your achievements? You're not alone. This persistent self-doubt affects 70 percent of high-achieving individuals at some point in their lives, creating a silent epidemic that keeps brilliant people trapped in cycles of overwork, perfectionism, and fear of exposure. The truth is, your accomplishments aren't accidents, flukes, or products of good timing. They're reflections of your genuine capabilities and hard work. This journey isn't about eliminating every moment of self-doubt, but about dramatically reducing impostor syndrome's power over your decisions, relationships, and dreams. You already possess the greatness within you. It's time to own it fully, step into your authentic power, and create the life you truly deserve.
Clarify Your Impostor Story and Triggers
Understanding the roots of your impostor syndrome begins with excavating your personal origin story. This isn't about blame or dwelling in the past, but about gaining the clarity needed to break free from limiting patterns that no longer serve you. Your impostor feelings didn't emerge in a vacuum. They were carefully cultivated through specific family dynamics, cultural messages, and early experiences that shaped how you view your own capabilities. Consider Lisa, a brilliant psychologist with a PhD from Columbia University who found herself paralyzed in a job far beneath her qualifications. Despite her impressive credentials and proven track record, she remained trapped by the fear that leaving would expose her as incompetent. Her impostor syndrome had convinced her that her achievements were somehow fraudulent, keeping her stuck in a situation that continuously reinforced her self-doubt. Lisa's story illustrates how impostor syndrome operates as a protective mechanism that ultimately imprisons us in our comfort zones. Through careful examination of her family history, Lisa discovered that she had been cast as the "emotionally intelligent" sibling while her brother was labeled the "smart one." No matter how well she performed academically, she could never earn recognition for her intellectual capabilities. This early programming created a deep-seated belief that her successes were due to social skills rather than genuine intelligence. Understanding this pattern was the first step in Lisa's transformation from a trapped, undervalued employee to someone who could recognize and own her considerable talents. Your triggers are the specific situations, people, or circumstances that activate your impostor feelings. They might include receiving compliments, starting new roles, making mistakes, or being in environments where you feel different from others. The key is developing awareness of these triggers so you can respond consciously rather than reactively. Begin by documenting recent situations where you felt fraudulent or feared being exposed. Look for patterns in the emotions, thoughts, and circumstances surrounding these experiences. Once you identify your unique trigger profile, you can prepare healthier responses that honor your true capabilities rather than reinforcing self-doubt.
Choose New Thoughts and Self-Care Practices
The path to overcoming impostor syndrome requires making conscious choices about how you think, speak, and care for yourself. This phase moves beyond understanding your patterns to actively disrupting them with healthier alternatives. Your automatic negative thoughts have been running your internal dialogue for years, but they don't have to continue dictating your reality. Cal, a marketing vice president, exemplified the transformation possible when we choose different thoughts. Despite securing multi-million-dollar accounts and being recognized as a Rising Star in his industry, Cal insisted he had no accomplishments worth mentioning. When pressed to identify his achievements, he became tearful, genuinely believing he had nothing to offer. This demonstrates how deeply impostor syndrome can distort our self-perception, making invisible the very evidence that contradicts our fraudulent feelings. Through patient work, Cal began to recognize his pattern of discounting positives and engaging in all-or-nothing thinking. He learned to challenge these automatic negative thoughts with rational responses. Instead of "I have no real accomplishments," he practiced thinking, "I have achieved significant milestones that required skill, effort, and capability." This wasn't about false positivity, but about seeing his reality more accurately. Gradually, Cal's confidence grew as he internalized a more truthful narrative about his competence and value. Your self-care practices form the foundation for sustained change. Impostor syndrome thrives when you're exhausted, overwhelmed, and isolated. Prioritizing your physical, emotional, and mental well-being isn't selfish or indulgent. It's essential for maintaining the clarity and energy needed to challenge long-held beliefs about yourself. Start with micro-habits that require minimal effort but create consistent positive experiences. Whether it's five minutes of morning meditation, a weekly yoga class, or regular conversations with supportive friends, these practices create space for your authentic self to emerge and flourish.
Create Your Dream Team and Optimal Conditions
The final phase of transformation involves creating an external environment that supports your growth rather than reinforcing your impostor fears. This means building relationships with people who see your value clearly and establishing conditions that allow your authentic capabilities to shine. You cannot overcome impostor syndrome in isolation, yet the shame and fear associated with it often keep you from seeking the very support you need most. Jeanine's story illuminates this challenge perfectly. As a successful corporate recruiter, she was everyone's go-to person for advice and support, spending hours each evening helping friends and colleagues through their challenges. Yet when she faced her own career uncertainty, Jeanine couldn't imagine asking anyone for help. She feared that seeking support would expose her as someone who didn't have it all together, potentially damaging her reputation as the reliable problem-solver. This one-sided pattern left her exhausted, isolated, and unable to access the wisdom and encouragement available in her network. With guidance, Jeanine began experimenting with the role of help-seeker rather than just helper. She started small, sharing a minor work concern with her best friend Gina during one of their regular brunches. Though initially awkward for both of them, the conversation opened new possibilities for connection and mutual support. Gina was honored to finally have an opportunity to give back to someone who had supported her so generously. This experience taught Jeanine that vulnerability, rather than diminishing her value to others, actually deepened her relationships and created space for more authentic connection. Your Dream Team should include mentors who can provide career guidance, cheerleaders who offer unconditional support, grounders who help you maintain perspective, action planners who assist with practical strategies, and big-picture thinkers who help you see beyond immediate challenges. Building this network requires intentionality and courage, but it's essential for long-term success. These relationships provide the external validation and practical support needed to internalize your worth and maintain healthy perspectives about your capabilities. Remember that reciprocity strengthens these bonds, so look for ways to contribute value to your supporters' lives as well.
Sustain Your Journey to Authentic Success
True liberation from impostor syndrome isn't a destination but an ongoing practice of choosing authenticity over fear, growth over stagnation, and self-compassion over self-criticism. Your journey will include moments of doubt and times when old patterns resurface, but these don't signal failure. They're opportunities to apply your new skills and deepen your commitment to living authentically. The goal isn't to eliminate every moment of uncertainty, but to prevent impostor syndrome from dictating your major life decisions. Understanding the difference between a lapse and a relapse is crucial for maintaining your progress. A lapse might involve briefly doubting yourself when starting a new project but moving forward anyway. A relapse would mean allowing those doubts to prevent you from pursuing opportunities or reverting to months of overwork to prove your worth. When lapses occur, return to your foundational practices: challenge negative thoughts, reconnect with your support network, prioritize self-care, and remember the evidence of your genuine capabilities. The most sustainable approach involves creating systems and habits that support your continued growth. This might include regular check-ins with mentors, ongoing reflection on your accomplishments, maintaining boundaries that protect your well-being, and continuing to experiment with new roles that stretch your comfort zone. As Michelle Obama wisely noted, "I still have impostor syndrome. It never goes away." The difference is that you now have tools to manage it rather than being managed by it.
Summary
Your impostor syndrome developed over years through specific experiences and relationships, but it doesn't define your future potential. By clarifying your origin story and triggers, choosing healthier thoughts and self-care practices, and creating supportive conditions and relationships, you can dramatically reduce impostor syndrome's influence on your life. Remember this fundamental truth: your accomplishments aren't accidents, and your capabilities aren't illusions. You have genuine value to offer the world, and you deserve to experience the full satisfaction of your achievements. Start today by acknowledging one accomplishment you've been dismissing, reach out to one person who could join your support network, and commit to one small act of self-care. Your greatness isn't something you need to earn or prove. It's something you already possess and simply need to own.
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By Lisa Orbé-Austin
