If you’ve ever felt like a fraud and that your success and/or praise isn’t deserved, then you may be dealing with athlete imposter syndrome (also known as the imposter phenomenon).

You might feel things like:

• I’m not as good as people say I am.
• Someone is going to find out that I’m not as talented or smart as they think I am.
• I’m only really good at one thing and I’m afraid people are going to find that out.
• If I make a mistake, they’ll find out I’m not really that good or that smart.
• I don’t deserve the success that I have achieved.
• My success is pure luck.
• I haven’t done enough to prove to myself that I deserve the success that I have achieved.

Imposter Syndrome is an issue that athletes and high-achieving individuals commonly battle. It is said to affect up to 82% of people (Bravata, D. M., et al., Journal of General Internal Medicine, Vol. 35, No. 4, 2020). Oftentimes, high-achieving individuals may struggle with accepting their level of success, may have low self-esteem or insecurities, or may be perfectionists.

One of the most effective ways to overcome imposter syndrome is to develop new thought habits. Saying affirmations can help you redirect negative thoughts to positive ones. When you repeat them often enough, you’ll develop a new positive thought habit in the process.

Tips for Using Affirmations:

• Create statements in the present tense.
• Write them down by hand. (Some athletes have found that writing them down 20 times every day for a week helps the statements to sink in.)
• Repeat them every morning and every night. (A good study habit is to read it 10 times, say it 10 times, and write it 2 times.)
• After you say the affirmation, say the word “yes” to really affirm the statement.

55 Affirmations for Athlete Imposter Syndrome

1. I deserve everything I achieve.
2. I deserve to be here.
3. I do my best in any given moment, and that’s enough.
4. I have multiple talents.
5. I put work into my talent and gifts.
6. Imperfection makes me human.
7. It’s safe to make mistakes.
8. Mistakes don’t change my value.
9. After every mistake, I come back better and stronger.
10. What other people do or say is out of my control. It doesn’t change my value.
11. My contributions are valuable.
12. There is a need for my gifts in this world.
13.  It is safe for me to be authentic.
14. The opportunities given to me aren’t a fluke. I’m here for a reason.
15. I see myself in the best light possible, and that’s the opinion that matters the most.
16.  I do not allow doubts to deter me. I am able to get out of my own way.
17. I don’t have to know everything; I just have to put in my best effort and be sincere. That is highly valuable.
18.  When things don’t work out, it doesn’t mean I’m not valuable. It means there is something else in store for me.
19.  I believe in my worth and what I bring to my team.
20.  My team can count on me.
21.  I always show up ready to give it my best.
22.  I am worthy of my spot on the team.
23.  I don’t have to have all of the answers to be valuable. I just have to show up, be open, and do my best.
24.  I am worthy. It’s just that simple.
25.  I’ve worked hard and deserve all of the success that I have achieved.
26.  I am safe in the spotlight. I humbly accept the accolades.
27.  I own the spotlight that I stand in.
28.  It’s okay to celebrate my successes and enjoy them.
29.  I am always learning and growing. So is everyone else.
30.  I accept and celebrate myself.
31. I don’t need to overanalyze my success. I can just let it flow.
32.  I prepared for my opportunities. It’s not just luck.
33. There’s a spiritual reason that I’m here. It’s not a coincidence.
34. I am worthy of my accomplishments and successes.
35. I have worked hard to get where I am and deserve to be here.
36. My achievements are a result of my hard work and dedication.
37. I am talented and capable of achieving great things.
38. I am not alone in feeling this way, and it is a common experience.
39. I choose to focus on my strengths and not my perceived weaknesses.
40. I am proud of my accomplishments and will not downplay them.
41. I acknowledge my fears and doubts, but I will not let them control me.
42. I am constantly learning and growing in my field.
43. I have unique perspectives and experiences that contribute to my success.
44. I am allowed to make mistakes and learn from them.
45. I am not defined by my mistakes or failures.
46. I am capable of overcoming challenges and obstacles.
47. I am confident in my abilities and trust in my judgment.
48. I am deserving of my success and accomplishments.
49. I am grateful for the opportunities that have led me to where I am today.
50. I am a valuable member of my team and contribute to its success.
51. I am capable of handling any challenges that come my way.
52. I choose to believe in myself and my abilities.
53. I am not an imposter, and I will not let imposter syndrome hold me back.
54. I am proud of who I am and what I have achieved.
55. I am deserving of recognition and praise for my hard work and accomplishments.

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