"Cognitive reframing and squashing imposter syndrome"

7 practical steps toward boosting self-confidence & podcast episode

It’s my pleasure to introduce Melody Morris to you—artist, modern dancer and wise soul.

by Melody Morris

Hi, I asked a question on chat GPT and their feedback!

Hello. What’s the purpose of striving for self-confidence when the most successful people in the world are incredibly insecure?

This is the reply:

That’s a fascinating perspective! The purpose of striving for self-confidence, even in the face of widespread insecurity among successful people, could be seen as cultivating a foundation of inner peace and resilience. Self-confidence allows you to navigate challenges without being paralyzed by self-doubt, make decisions aligned with your values, and experience fulfillment beyond external achievements.

Would you like to explore this idea further? Great! Let’s dig deeper.

It’s true that many successful people wrestle with insecurities, yet they still achieve remarkable outcomes. This raises an important distinction: success can be built on performance, but fulfillment comes from alignment with self-belief. Here are some aspects to consider:

1. Insecurity as a Driver:

Some successful individuals use their insecurities as fuel to prove their worth or overcome perceived inadequacies. While this can propel them forward, it often leads to burnout, imposter syndrome, or a constant chase for external validation.

2. The Role of Self-Confidence:

Self-confidence doesn’t mean eliminating insecurity entirely—it means recognizing your worth despite it. It’s about trusting yourself to adapt, make mistakes, and grow without being derailed by self-doubt.

3. Sustainability of Success:

Success driven by insecurity may yield short-term results, but confidence lays the groundwork for enduring growth. It helps you maintain authenticity, nurture relationships, and find purpose in your achievements, not just in the results.

4. Freedom from Fear:

Self-confidence empowers you to let go of fear-based decision-making. While insecurities can push people to avoid failure, confidence encourages calculated risks that align with personal goals rather than societal expectations.

Reflective Question:

What do you think would happen if you pursued success not as a way to prove your worth, but as an expression of your unique talents and purpose?

Would you like to focus on practical steps to bridge the gap between insecurity and self-confidence? Or explore how confidence impacts long-term fulfillment? I would like a follow up on steps to bridging the gap between insecurity and self-confidence.

Certainly! Here are seven practical steps to help bridge the gap between insecurity and self-confidence:

1. Identify and Acknowledge Your Insecurities

Take a moment to reflect on what triggers your insecurities. Is it fear of failure, comparison to others, or past experiences? Understanding the root of your insecurity is the first step in loosening its grip on you.

• Action Step: Write down specific insecurities and reflect on why they might exist.

2. Reframe Negative Self-Talk

Insecurity often thrives on critical inner dialogue. Shift this narrative by challenging and replacing negative thoughts with empowering ones.

• Action Step: When you catch yourself thinking, “I’m not good enough,” reframe it to, “I’m learning and growing every day, and that’s enough.”

3. Focus on Your Strengths

It’s easy to dwell on weaknesses, but building confidence requires celebrating your unique talents and skills.

• Action Step: Create a “strengths inventory”—list accomplishments, talents, or moments when you felt proud of yourself. Revisit it when self-doubt creeps in.

4. Take Small, Consistent Risks

Confidence grows through action. Start stepping outside your comfort zone in small, manageable ways to prove to yourself that you’re capable.

• Action Step: Choose one thing you’ve been avoiding out of fear and commit to taking one small step toward it this week.

5. Set and Celebrate Achievable Goals

Building self-confidence doesn’t happen overnight. Break bigger ambitions into smaller goals and celebrate progress along the way.

• Action Step: Identify a goal related to your growth and create a step-by-step plan to achieve it. Celebrate each milestone.

6. Surround Yourself with Supportive People

The people around you influence how you view yourself. Seek out relationships that uplift and encourage your growth.

• Action Step: Spend time with individuals who inspire confidence in you, and minimize exposure to those who drain your energy.

7. Embrace Imperfection as Growth

Confidence isn’t about being perfect; it’s about embracing imperfection and learning from it. Each mistake is a stepping stone toward growth.

• Action Step: Reframe failures as lessons. At the end of the day, ask yourself: “What did I learn today that will help me tomorrow?”

Key Reminder:

Building self-confidence is a journey, not a destination. The goal isn’t to eliminate insecurity entirely, but to build trust in yourself to navigate challenges with grace.

However, I would like to add, because we live in a fix me culture where we depend on going to therapist etc to give us, in some cases a one size fits all solution. We cease to realise that any kind of self improvement requires time and patience. Investing ourselves( self-care, self- love etc) leads us to a sense of self- empowerment you'd hardly get from a traditional business orientated therapist, where you could spend years and lots of money talking about your issues and not really solving the problem. It takes courage to look in the mirror and see the vulnerable child within.

May this be your year to discover "the wonders of you."

Melody Morris’s article originally published here: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/cognitive-reframing-squashing-imposter-syndrome-melody-morris-jqemf

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