Overcoming Imposter Syndrome: Like a Hypnotist

Imposter syndrome is a sneaky intruder that can undermine even the most talented professionals, and hypnotists are no exception. Despite years of training, successful client sessions, and glowing testimonials, many of us struggle with self-doubt. We wonder if we’re truly skilled enough or if our success is just luck. These feelings, coupled with negative self-talk, can squash confidence and hinder our ability to help others effectively.

If you’re battling imposter syndrome, know this: you are not alone, and you can overcome it. Let’s explore how.

Understanding Imposter Syndrome

Imposter syndrome is the persistent fear of being exposed as a fraud, despite clear evidence to the contrary. It’s common in professions where success hinges on intangible skills, like building rapport and guiding others through transformative processes—skills that hypnotists use every day.

You might find yourself thinking:

• “What if my clients realize I don’t know enough?”

• “Am I really helping, or are they just being polite?”

• “What if my next show goes horribly wrong?”

These thoughts often stem from perfectionism or the pressure to constantly prove your worth. Left unchecked, they can erode your confidence and diminish your effectiveness.

Why Hypnotists Are Particularly Vulnerable

Hypnosis relies heavily on soft skills: empathy, intuition, and communication. These aren’t easily quantifiable, which can make it harder to gauge your success objectively. Add to this the misconceptions and skepticism many people hold about hypnosis, and it’s easy to see why self-doubt might creep in.

Additionally, the transformative results you help clients achieve may feel surreal, even to you. When clients credit you for breakthroughs, it might feel like their success happened by chance rather than through your expertise.

It’s strange, when you think about it.  We can help someone who has struggled with a bad habit for decades to overcome it, they can openly credit us for the help, and we can still doubt our skills.  It’s a pattern I struggled with for, well, decades.  Nowadays, I find myself more willing to accept my expertise and knowledge, but there are absolutely times when I need to be reminded of exactly what that is and how I can know it’s real.

Strategies to Overcome Imposter Syndrome

Overcoming any ingrained thought process is difficult and takes a concerted effort.  At first, it can feel like you’re lying to yourself or “faking it until you’re making it”.  Isn’t it funny how we’re so willing to see our positive attributes as falsehoods and our negative attributes as reality?

Let’s go over some steps to help with overcoming this.

Acknowledge Your Expertise

Reflect on your journey, your training, certifications (if you have them), and the hours you’ve dedicated to honing your craft.

Celebrate your wins. Keep a journal of them to revisit it when self-doubt arises. And if you’re like me and you don’t journal, use sticky notes or something. I like to take screenshots of my testimonials and look back at the footage from shows I’ve done, or listen to songs I wrote years ago.  It brings me back to reality and reminds me that I am better than I thought.

Reframe Negative Thoughts

•Replace self-doubt with self-compassion. Instead of saying, “I’m not good enough,” say, “I’m always learning and improving.”  We should always be careful about ‘I am” statements.  When you say things like “I am nowhere near where I want to be,” or “I’m just not good at this,” you are actually identifying with what you don’t want.

It’s fine to acknowledge that you haven’t reached your fullest potential yet.  None of us have.  So instead of using those phrases, use “I have” statements.  “I have a ways to go before I’m where I want to be” expresses being on your way, regardless of where you actually are in your journey.

Focus on the Process, Not Perfection

Life is a journey. Even the most seasoned, top-tier professionals in your field encounter challenges. Success isn’t about perfection; it’s about being present and adaptable.  Growth stops when you decide to stop it, and even that doesn’t have to be a bad thing.  We think often see “failure” as a bad word, but failing can also help you find your path.  Failing to meet the requirements for one career path helps us narrow down where we’re supposed to be.  For example, I do not have a degree of any sort, and I don’t want one.  So if a job requires a degree, I simply move on.  Furthermore, if a job requires a degree needlessly, I consciously decide I wouldn’t even want to work for that company.

Separate Facts from Feelings

When imposter thoughts arise, challenge them with evidence. For example:

• Thought: “I don’t know what I’m doing.”

• Evidence: “I’ve successfully helped X number of clients with similar challenges.”

Even if giving yourself evidence doesn’t make the feeling leave entirely, it does cause a shift and makes you question your negative self-talk.  That’s the first step in overcoming it.

Invest in Continuous Learning

Attend workshops, join professional communities, and seek mentorship. Expanding your knowledge base builds confidence and keeps you grounded in your expertise.

Embrace Vulnerability

Imposter syndrome often stems from a fear of being “found out.” Paradoxically, embracing your humanity and being open about areas you’re still growing in can foster deeper trust with clients.

Eliminating Negative Self-Talk

Negative self-talk is the fuel that powers imposter syndrome. To silence your inner critic:

• Practice Mindfulness: Stay present. When negative thoughts surface, acknowledge them without judgment, then let them go. My wife does this all the time with feelings and it’s very effective. “Oh, hello, resentment.” It loses power over you the moment you name it.

• Shift Your Inner Dialogue: Speak to yourself as you would to a friend. Replace harsh criticism with encouraging words. Ask yourself if your best friend would let someone else speak to you the way you’re speaking to you. Maybe your best friend should come beat up your inner voice if it’s too persistent.

Overcoming imposter syndrome takes time, self-awareness, and intentional practice. By acknowledging your expertise, reframing negative thoughts, and focusing on the transformative work you do, you can silence self-doubt and step confidently into your role.

The next time imposter syndrome whispers in your ear, remind yourself of this truth: You are not an imposter. You have what it takes. Your work matters, and so do you.