This week sees the launch of my new book - Ditching Imposter Syndrome. It's the culmination of fifteen years of specialising in helping leaders to clear Imposter Syndrome and other self-imposed glass ceilings, plus the findings of the 2019 Imposter Syndrome Research Study.
It is already being described as a 'ground-breaking', 'revolutionary' and 'unique' approach to setting yourself free from those secret 3am fears that someone might 'find out' you're not good enough, that you don't know as much as we 'should', that you only got to where you are by fluke or luck.
But there's a big part of me hoping that you're one of the 2% that doesn't need this book, because being stuck with Imposter Syndrome stinks. And when you add in the super-common myth that it's both inevitable and incurable, it's a recipe for stress, anxiety, and trashed dreams for our personal and professional development.
We shut down; we play it safe; we live in secret fear.
Here are the stats to back up that 2%. In the research study, we asked people how often they had experienced Imposter Syndrome in the past twelve months. We took out the people who ticked that they didn't know what it is. Of the remaining respondents, a tiny 2% said 'never' and only 9% said 'rarely'.
That means that 89% of respondents had experienced Imposter Syndrome in the past year at a level that could be affecting their performance, their productivity and their mental and emotional well-being - and their life dreams.
Now here's the cosmic joke about all of this:
The single biggest thing that makes Imposter Syndrome so potent is that people think they are the only one with it - that everyone else has their act together.
We convince ourselves it's just us - and there's nothing we can do about it.
But, based on the data, if you look around your office or train or social media feed right now, chances are that a big proportion of the people you'll see have also had that 3am self-talk about not being good enough, keeping them awake worrying, at some point in the past year.
You are not alone!
And - as Ditching Imposter Syndrome will hopefully prove to you - struggling with Imposter Syndrome is neither inevitable nor incurable.
I wrote Ditching Imposter Syndrome for all action-takers out there who are hungry to make a bigger difference in the world, who know they have been secretly getting in their own way.
I wrote the book because it breaks my heart to hear people feel they have to put up with feeling like a fraud - or even defending their need to beat themselves up as some kind of way to stay humble or be a high-achiever.
Ditching Imposter Syndrome guides you through five simple steps to clear Imposter Syndrome, once and for all, with inspirational exercises that create breakthroughs in minutes, not months.
And, as if that weren't already enough of an incentive to dive in and get your copy today, I'm throwing in some launch week bonuses.
1. For this week only, when you order the hardback version of Ditching Imposter Syndrome, you get the Kindle version as my gift.
So that means when you buy the fabulous, so-gorgeous-you'll-want-to-stroke-it hardback version to read at your leisure, you also get the Kindle version on your phone, to take with you wherever you might need it - with it's life-changing exercises, inspirational strategies, and emergency quick fixes for Imposter Syndrome and self-doubt.
Also, I know what it feels like to make a decision to take action on changing your life... only to have the passion fizzle as you wait for the postman. I don't want you to have to wait for Ditching Imposter Syndrome to arrive before you dive in, and I also don't want you to settle for the eBook version, if you - like me - prefer a book you can hold and bookmark / cover with sticky notes / scribble in, when you're on a mission to change your life.
If you buy your hardback copy via Amazon, this process will be (hopefully!) obvious. If you order Ditching Imposter Syndrome from your favourite local bookstore, reply to your Readers' Resource Vault welcome email to let me know and we'll email you a Kindle / ePub version.
2. You are not alone!
I'm running a 30-day pop-up Facebook group for readers of Ditching Imposter Syndrome, where we'll have fun going through the book together. I'll be in there every day (weekdays) to answer your questions and be the virtual cheerleader to your successes. And I'll be running a weekly live stream Q&A where you can get on-the-spot mentoring from me, without paying my regular consulting fee.
Details for how to join the group will be in your welcome email, once you've registered for the book's Readers' Resource Vault (URL is in the book).
3. Ditch Your Imps To Win!
As I was writing Ditching Imposter Syndrome, I mis-typed the phrase 'Imposter Syndrome' so often that I had to set up a shortcut in my writing software to get it right for me: 'Imps' became 'Imposter Syndrome'. And Imposter Syndrome feels like a bunch of imps in your head, pouring ice-cold water over your ambitions and dreams.
So that's the book's launch hashtag: #ditchyourimps - on Facebook, Instagram, Linked In and Twitter
When you join the Facebook group, you'll find ten ways you can enter to win a share of over £2,500 of prizes during October - hint: one of them is joining the Facebook group - with the added bonus that you'll be changing your life, too, in a way that's fast, fun and forever.
Unless you're part of the 2% (or perhaps 11% if you include those who only struggle 'rarely') who don't experience Imposter Syndrome, then I hope you'll dive in today and make a decision that the 'future you' will thank you for.
Here's where to get your copy of Ditching Imposter Syndrome today:
www.ditchingimpostersyndrome.com/book/
I can't wait to see what you go and do with this stuff!
x Clare
Clare Josa | Author | Speaker | Mentor
P.S. If you're one of the 2%, I'm truly thrilled for you - really. It's a great place to be! I'm curious, though: do you know anyone who might love Ditching Imposter Syndrome? Could you share this article with them, so they can take the first steps on the journey to living life free from Imposter Syndrome, as you do? Thank you!