Imposter syndrome is no stranger to any dancer no matter the age, level, or style. Even if you’ve never heard of imposter syndrome, it’s likely you may have experienced it without realizing it. Imposter syndrome – also known as the inferiority complex or perceived fraudulence – involves “feelings of self-doubt and personal incompetence that persist despite your education, experience, and accomplishments,” according to Healthline. In other words, you feel as though you’re constantly on the verge of being exposed as a fraud.
People who experience this attribute their successes to chance and luck, and not to their own skills. Imposter syndrome also tends to be more prevalent in creatives, because dancers, artists, writers, and other creative people have all experienced constant critique throughout their lives, whether it be in school, dance class, competitions, or from the many other vulnerable situations that creatives put themselves in to be judged. Because of this, creative individuals tend to question their talent and their ability, despite having trained in these disciplines for most of their lives. According to sports psychologist Dr Patrick Cohn, “Many dancers are perfectionists and are very critical of their performance. They are often not satisfied.”
As Irish dancers, many of us have been on stage from as young as the age of five, already putting ourselves in the position to be judged. We only hear more constructive criticism and feedback as our dance careers progress. If we’re not receiving critique from competition, there is feedback every dance class from teachers on what needs to be better. We’re also told to constantly push ourselves, always hearing that we could always be working harder and doing better.
While this is what many of us love – the hard work, dedication, and commitment – it also brings with it a lot of hardship. We go to class because we want to be pushed to improve, we want the feedback, and often obsessively read our competition comments or analyze our scores to see how we can be doing better. This tangible feedback is something many of us actually look forward to, but it’s important that we keep our mindset in check and use these opportunities to grow and not let them become feelings of incompetence.
Imposter syndrome is something experienced at various points in a person’s dancing career, and tends to be common among people who have experienced notable success. Former Riverdance lead Chloey Turner says she had felt imposter syndrome for most of her life. “I would walk into a competition, see the other competitors and often freeze, that inner critic would then creep in,” she explains. When it came to pursuing her dream of performing in Riverdance, anxiety nearly pulled her out of her audition. When she was offered a place in the show, even this momentous achievement didn’t keep the imposter syndrome at bay. “It took a long, long time and a lot of inner work to really believe that I could ‘fit in’” she says.
Ciara Sexton, another Riverdance lead, has also experienced imposter syndrome in her career. “I actually didn’t realise I had imposter syndrome and I was carrying it with me, and it was weighing me down,” she explains. “Until I stopped and realized what was happening to me, I wasn’t really having any fun dancing.” She adds: “Imposter syndrome can disturb you at every step of the way from having this magical experience.”
How can imposter syndrome impact dancers?
On the surface, imposter syndrome can appear harmless, like an insecurity that most people experience. But in reality it limits your ability to move forward. When you start to feel like you haven’t necessarily “earned“ your spot, your confidence in your ability waivers and affects your performance. If you don’t believe that you’re capable of achieving your goals – whether it’s moving into championship level dancing, qualifying for the nationals, or even winning the Worlds – you won’t. “Self belief is absolutely everything, because if you’re still entering the studio with not a shred of self belief, you’ll have zero self confidence,” Ciara adds. Having confidence in your ability to succeed, is vital to success.
To expand on this further, manifestation coaches explain that you will not work toward something that you don’t think you’re capable of achieving. So, on the surface, you may think that you’re working hard, but if you don’t truly believe it’s achievable, your subconscious may think that you’re working toward something pointless which inhibits your focus and your commitment towards your goals. Your subconscious is going to encourage the thought that your goals will never happen, and as a result, you simply won’t work towards those goals with as much tenacity. Knowing you are capable of achieving your goals will allow you to work harder, because you know deep down these goals are attainable. This certainty is a powerful tool in removing self-imposed barriers.
Letting go of imposter syndrome
So, now we ask, how can we rid ourselves of imposter syndrome? Fortunately, it is possible, and it’s not something we have to live with.
There are things we can do on individually to combat imposter syndrome. Self-hypnosis is a tool that can help you reshape your subconscious mind into something that will work with you, not against you. You can also target imposter syndrome by doing daily self-affirmations, which is the act of affirming your worthiness and value as an individual for beneficial effect, or in other words, constant positive talk. Some people do this with a mirror in front, speaking aloud, speaking phrases like “I am worthy, capable, and talented.”
There are also sports psychologists that help to work through the mental blocks that are inhibiting people’s best potential. Dr Cohn explains that sports psychology helps athletes overcome “high expectations, self-critical behaviour, over thinking, and trust in their skills.” He adds: “Dancers have to learn how to be more accepting of their performance and overcome high expectations.”
Many dancers who have been through their own competitive and professional journeys now offer services to help dancers struggling with their own imposter syndrome. Ciara Sexton offers life coaching, which reminds dancers of the importance of “checking our thinking and reframing our thoughts, feelings and emotions and the way we speak to ourselves.”
Chloey Turner now runs the From Head to Toe Academy, which offers holistic and wellness techniques to help dancers manage their negative inner dialogue that can exacerbate imposter syndrome. After many years of suffering with her own negative self talk, she reminds dancers to be kind to themselves, asking “Would I say this to a friend?”
If you’ve ever experienced this self-doubt, it’s important to recognize it and realize that it’s something you are creating in your mind, not a reality. Acknowledge the thought and reframe it. Don’t allow yourself to be what gets in your way of achieving your goals. Let go of the imposter syndrome and redefine your success.
