_{Photo by stockking}

Hurdles: Surviving Difficult Times by Ric Vandett is a guide to developing self-confidence. We all need confidence. Without it, how would we have the courage to take a step outside? To move forward with our dreams?

Yet, what if your mind makes you think you aren’t worth it? What if your dreams are bad ones? Or that you shouldn’t have them?

Dealing with impostor syndrome can be difficult, but we can find some ideas on how to in Ric Vandett’s Hurdles.

Dealing with Impostor Syndrome

Have you ever felt like you were just pretending to be good at something, even though you totally nailed it?

That’s called impostor syndrome. It makes you doubt yourself and makes your mind think in circles, trying to assure yourself. You might think your achievements or good decisions are just dumb luck, not because you’re actually smart or talented. This major self-doubt can stop even the brightest people from shining.

So, what causes impostor syndrome? It often starts from how we grew up, pressure from friends or social media, or even just our personality, making us always scared of being “found out.”

Good news, though: Dr. Ric Vandett wrote a book, Hurdles: Surviving Difficult Times, that’s like a guide to developing self-confidence and learning how to deal with impostor syndrome.

Vandett says life throws “hurdles” at us. Impostor syndrome is one of these huge mental hurdles. It’s like having a wall in your head that keeps you from owning yourself and feeling proud of what you’ve done.

It takes your wins and twists them into proof that you’re just not good enough.

If you’ve got impostor syndrome, you might feel like you’re about to be exposed as a fraud any second.

_{Photo from freepik}

How to Get that Self-Confidence

In Hurdles, Vandett says we need to be strong and keep going. Impostor syndrome whispers that we’re always one mistake away from showing everyone we’re not actually good enough for anything.

But being strong helps us with these thoughts.

Now, what does he mean by being strong? Vandett wants people to be more resilient and resourceful, especially when it comes to personal setbacks and obstacles. He means learning how to see screw-ups as opportunities to be better. This fits his idea of looking at problems in a new way.

A small oops moment doesn’t mean you’re a fake. Instead, you can see it as a chance to get better. Being able to keep going means you don’t quit. You push past those annoying doubts. Real growth often happens when things are tough. And every time you push through a challenge, your belief in yourself grows.

This is super important when dealing with impostor syndrome and aiming to achieve success without self-doubt.

Finding Your Path to Confidence

One of the more important lessons that Vandett shares in Hurdles is his Y.A.H.O.O. philosophy, which stands for “You Always Have Other Options.”

This is a very useful maxim to live by.

When you have impostor syndrome, you often think there’s only one perfect way to do things. You have to do this and that before you can do this. Only this way and nothing else can you achieve what you want to do.

Y.A.H.O.O. smashes that rigid thinking. It helps us see that there are always different ways to do things. There are always other answers.

When your inner voice says that you’re not good enough, Y.A.H.O.O. gives you power. You can tell that voice inside your head, “Maybe I’m not perfect, but I can learn. I can ask for help. I can try something different.”

This way of thinking helps you act instead of feeling stuck. It takes away the main cause of self-doubt and is a huge part of a guide to developing self-confidence and dealing with Impostor Syndrome.

The Key to Finding Confidence

The message of Hurdles about hope helps fight impostor syndrome. Vandett gives us practical advice. He reminds us we are stronger than our problems. He wants us to take charge of our lives.

When dealing with impostor syndrome, you have to change your bad thoughts. You have to get help from friends, family, and the people you trust. You have to build your self-worth back from the ground up.

Understanding impostor syndrome is a journey that never really ends. It’s about learning who you are. It’s about accepting yourself, flaws and all.

_{Photo by alexkich}

Feeling ready to ditch self-doubt and build lasting strength? Find more powerful ways forward in Dr. Ric Vandett’s helpful book, Hurdles: Surviving Difficult Times. Grab your copy today!