Do you sometimes feel

like a fraud?


Want to know how to
finally feel as good as they think you are?

Are you affected by Imposter Syndrome feelings?

Many people, women in particular, in spite of their good work and the positive feedback they receive still wonder: 

"Am I good enough?", "Was it really good enough?" and sometimes even "Do I really belong here?"

You might describe these feelings with a different name.

Imposter Syndrome. Feeling a bit of a fraud. Not feeling good enough. 

A common theme is "I wish I felt as good as other people seem to think I am!".

Research shows that a majority of women secretly spend much of their career worried about whether they are good enough to do the job or the role that they're in.

Part of you knows that you're good at what you do, you've achieved things that you can rightly be proud of and yet, at the same time there's that nagging doubt that won't go away - could you have done better or should you be doing more?!

Some people will quietly admit to being a bit of a perfectionist. Others will tell you their inner critic is constantly pointing out their faults... Many will tell you they are dreading the day when someone finally figures out that they're really not good enough.

Many people with Imposter feelings are very successful people who secretly fear not being good enough. Do you recognise these signs?

They undervalue their achievements:
"Oh that? Anyone could do that!"

They often overcredit others:
"I've had a lot of help and support."

Time and again they'll tell you how they don't deserve success:
"I've been really lucky to get where I am."

Now I'm not saying a little bit of luck isn't helpful but so many able and talented women don't really believe that they have what it takes. They worry they need more training, more experience before... They'd never consider themselves an expert.

The problems this causes have real consequences: 

  • People overprepare - leading to overwork and stress. 
  • People experience anxiety and rumination - worrying is it good enough.
  • Some hold back, in case they're not up to it. 
  • Or maybe you drive forwards saying yes to everything to prove you've got what it takes - and burn yourself out in the process.
  • People who are affected by Imposter feelings experience less job satisfaction.

Introducing...
Imposter Syndrome Sources and Solutions

In the early part of my career I was worried, "Was I good enough?". In a competitive field, did I have what it took? On a series of short term contracts, would I get the next post, did I deserve promotion, was I really better or more deserving than the other candidates?

It was really frustrating: part of me knew I was good at my job at the same time as I was afraid that I wasn't good enough.

For years I lived with feelings of anxiety or insecurity but most people didn't notice.

To other people it looked like I had everything sorted. In a role where confidence was important I could project a positive image, just, inside it felt awful.

I felt like a fraud. I could see all the stuff I didn't know for certain. I compared myself to colleagues who seemed to know so much more.

To advance my career I knew I needed to be seen, to "get my work out there" but I really didn't want anyone to look too closely. What if I wasn't good enough?!

 I now know many people feel like this some of the time. I thought it was just me!

At the time I'd never heard of Imposter Syndrome feelings... now I know these feelings are everywhere (yes, really!). We might call it by different names but in roles where expertise matters, over 90% of people say they feel a bit of a fraud at times.

The good news is it is possible to:

  • know you are good enough,
  • lead confidently without being arrogant,
  • enjoy knowing what you know and learning what you don't.

Using strategies that are evidence based, researched and proven to work, you can understand the roots of your insecurity and learn to do things differently, learn to feel differently. 

You can grow in self-belief. Yes, feel more confident in your abilities. You can even regain that energy and enthusiasm that brought you to this job/role in the first place. Rediscover that sense of doing something important, worthwhile, challenging yes but in a way that is exciting and energising. 

Margaret Collins

“I got a huge amount out of this course. It has given me fresh perspective and insight so I can stop holding myself back so much. Margaret delivers ideas in a clear and easily understandable way. I had so many lightbulb moments where things about my life or why I feel certain ways suddenly made so much more sense. It was very liberating to develop that understanding and is going to make a huge difference to me in the future. Thank you.”

Margaret Collins

“I loved this programme. It gave me insight I didn’t know I needed, it showed me where the limiting beliefs I was constantly churning round my mind came from. It forced me to say out loud the horrible things that had burrowed into my brain over years and years of playing it small, being scared and believing I was inferior. ”

intention

I know it feels impossible but the first step is to stop. When simply showing up, doing more of the same and hoping it will all go away just isn't working you need a better plan.

I'm not talking about magic or miracles but an approach that aligns your intentions, your energy and your actions. When you understand where your imposter feelings come from and have solutions to implement you really can change the way you feel and the way you show up.

It's like a reset of the way that you've thought about yourself for years. It causes so many other things to change, sometimes swiftly, sometimes more slowly. Change happens. 

Dr Margaret Collins 
Former Academic and researcher.

I was an unlikely candidate for an academic career, the first in my family to get any qualifications, the only one to leave home and go to university - I felt like a fish out of water, a stranger in a foreign land.

I just kept wondering how long it would be before people figured out I didn't belong.

Even while I was being promoted and establishing my reputation I felt as if I'd been really lucky, I was making it up as I went along...

Only when I trained as a coach did I learn about Imposter Syndrome and finally realise where these feelings came from!

  • I learned that how you think about yourself and your past changes how you feel.
  • Experiencing unconscious bias makes it so much worse.
  • The way we think about success, failure and being good enough is key!

Initially it was hard to believe that feeling like a fraud didn't mean I was a fraud. Now I know that people who feel like Imposters often excel and are leaders in their profession.

Running workshops for the last 10 years has allowed me to share tools to overcome Imposter feelings with thousands of people. You can own your strengths and talents with confidence and humility. You can manage your Inner Critic - it's your ally, you don't really want it to go away! 

Fortunately, if you change your thoughts and you can change your life. Add new skills and it can feel like everything is different. And like driving a car, this skill set can be learned.

You've probably learned many coping strategies already and I'm sure you will figure it out eventually but, if you want to get a head start...

Let me share with you what I've learned from...

  • 20+ years as a researcher and academic
  • 20 years experience as a trained professional coach
  • delivering training workshops for thousands of happy clients

As a researcher I was driven by the question "How does it work?" I still ask that question, about how people can learn to overcome Imposter Syndrome feelings, even after years.

I've invested decades in learning, in reading and applying the strategies and tools I will share with you.

I've done the time so you can gain the benefits.

Margaret Collins,  Trainer

"I'd recommend this programme to anyone!"

Margaret Collins

“I started in a new role and during my first meeting with my manager thought "There's no way I'll get all this done".
Normally I'd go along with things, swallow what I wanted to say, be a people pleaser and feel resentful later.
Instead I spoke up! I'd recommend this programme to anyone.”

What do you get?

I could talk about Imposter Syndrome feelings for hours but I get it, you're busy! I know you'd like me to give you a magic wand, to get it all done, clear your plate, deal with it all...

What about I do the next best thing and distil the best bits of my experience into a 4 hour masterclass and then take those hours and chunk them down some more so you can watch or listen to just the bit you need, right now. Here's what you get:

  • The benefit of 30 years of my experience as a successful research academic, coach and trainer distilled for you.
  • A masterclass edited into 4 modules and bite-sized videos you can easily digest.
  • Each of the videos contains displays slides with an audio track expanding on the detail, explaining ways to apply the learning. 
  • Videos are subtitled - watch where and when you want. Subtitles mean it's easy, even when commuting.
  • Each module has a workbook designed to complement the video and provides space and prompts for reflective writing as you embed the learning from this programme.
ISSS-V2-module_1-lesson_2-ed-bic_First_Frame
Imposter Syndrome: What, Why, Who and more Why
Who is most likely to be affected and why. Understanding this we can re-write our professional stories, update our beliefs and have a deeper confidence in who we are.
ISSS-V2-module_2-lesson_2-ed-bic_First_Frame
Consequences of Imposter Syndrome
The price you pay: stress, anxiety, burnout. Careers that stall. Playing small is costing you and your company. There are better ways to have impact.
ISSS-V2-Module3-lesson3-ed-bic_First_Frame
How our thinking makes it worse
Perfectionists and Inner Critics determine how we feel about success and failure. Learn to manage them effectively.
Strategies for Getting Stuff Done - Practical Tools
Tools for long term change
We can’t change who we are, but we can learn to change how we think. Here are seven solutions that work!
ISSS Workbook cover
Workbooks
For each module there is a workbook for your thoughts and reflections.
Strategies Subtitles
Subtitled
Watch where and when you want. Subtitles make it easy.
ISSS-LM-ContentFull-ed-bic_First_Frame

Many people are comparing themselves to a vision of perfection, an idealised version of themselves who never makes mistakes, never gets things wrong or fails in public. 

I'm not against succeeding or having high standards but living in fear of judgement can be crippling.

  • We can learn how to have self-compassion and high standards. 
  • We can redefine success and failure so that growth becomes the goal.
  • We can make our Inner Critic our ally after all these years.

Would you like to learn how?

Have I convinced you already?
If you know this resource is for you, click the button below!

Margaret Collins
Lucy

“I very much enjoyed the imposter syndrome programme; it really made me think about my imposter and when it comes and what I can do about it.
It has made me realise that I do not need further degrees and qualifications at the moment, as it would be paying for things I already know. I need to use the skills and solutions that I have learned from these sessions to further my career and confidence. ”

Are you ready to change? People affected can waste so much time and energy with unhealthy perfectionism, procrastination and people-pleasing behaviours. Don't wait a moment longer!

Got Questions?

These are some of the questions people most frequently ask me:

Will this really work for me?

These tools work. Some will suit you better than others. If you watch the videos, do the work and apply the learning, things will change for you. Watching the videos and "learning about" stuff won't change much UNLESS you put it into practice. At this level, you are responsible for creating your own results. If you make time to use these insights, you will see the results for yourself. 

How long will it take to cover the content?

I've distilled the content into four modules. The total viewing time is about four hours but you can get benefits from watching even one module. The modular structure makes it easy to watch one section at a time.

Where can I watch the videos?

The videos are designed to work on any laptop, PC or mobile device.

What if I'm not happy with my purchase?

I've described the content as honestly as I can. I use the strategies myself. I've shared this with thousands of clients who tell me how well it works for them. I believe many of these tools will work for you. If you have listened to the content, applied the strategies and you don't believe it's helping you feel better or show up more confidently, please do email me I'd love to help you get the results you want, to believe in yourself more and overcome Imposter Syndrome feelings.

Is there a payment plan?

Yes! This content is amazing value for just £297.00 but if you'd like to ease your cash-flow you can pay in three installments of £99.00. All three installments must be paid.