
Are you scaling the heights of your career, or have you already earned the title of “Chief” in your respective field? Your achievements are commendable, and you deserve to take pride in your success. Yet, if you find yourself grappling with feelings of self-doubt, questioning whether you truly deserve your position, or wrestling with feeling like a fraud when you know you’re not, you may be battling with imposter syndrome.
Meet imposter syndrome expert at The Business Centre
With the help of our newest client at The Business Centre (Cardiff) Ltd, Tara Halliday, this could be your first step towards overcoming imposter syndrome. Tara is a prominent Welsh specialist on the subject and the acclaimed author of two best-selling books, “Outsmart Imposter Syndrome” and “Unmasking.”
She recently reached the finals of the prestigious 2024 Business Book Awards for her book Outsmart Imposter Syndrome, standing out among 300 entries! This recognition highlights her exceptional work in supporting others in overcoming imposter syndrome and the self-doubt it brings.
Imposter syndrome meaning: Destructive self-doubt & inadequacy
We sat down with Tara at our cosy in-house cafe, Mel’s Cafe, sipping on steaming cups of coffee, ready to dive into a candid conversation on how to overcome imposter syndrome.
The conversation kicks off with Tara explaining, what is imposter syndrome? She also reveals shocking statistics that underscore its prevalence among high achievers.
“Imposter syndrome is a psychological phenomenon characterised by persistent feelings of destructive self-doubt and inadequacy, despite evidence of competence and success.
Those who experience this often believe that their accomplishments are merely a result of luck or circumstance, rather than their abilities. This internalised fear can lead to anxiety, stress, irritability, overwhelm, exhaustion, and a reluctance to take credit for their achievements. This ultimately hinders personal and professional growth, and leads to diminished productivity and eventual burnout.”
Tara states that imposter syndrome affects a staggering 70% of high achievers at some point during their careers. She adds:
“The toll it takes comes at a significant cost that can drag you down financially, mentally, and physically.”
Thriving on a global scale
With clients all over the globe, Tara witnesses the significant impact of destructive self-doubt firsthand through her business, Complete Success. Specialising in one-to-one coaching and training programmes, she is driven by a singular mission: to help her clients eliminate imposter syndrome and guide them toward personal transformation and empowerment.
“I established Complete Success in 2017, and have since built a worldwide clientele of business owners and leaders. I frequently get invited to give talks on imposter syndrome at work, and I’m a preferred supplier for the Welsh Government for imposter syndrome talks and coaching. I’m so grateful that life has led me here. It has been an incredible journey so far helping people overcome their doubts and thrive!”
How to overcome imposter syndrome permanently: Tara’s 8-week programme with a 100% success rate
Tara elaborates on the life-changing one-to-one training and coaching programme, Inner Success, which is the foundation of her business.
“Inner Success is an 8-week programme, one-to-one programme that overcomes imposter syndrome permanently.
Yes, permanently! I work closely with each client as they embark on a journey toward their real selves, free from beliefs that are limiting their potential so they can finally step into their roles as the leaders they’ve always aspired to be.
“The Inner Success programme is your gateway to unlocking profound personal transformation. With a meticulously tailored approach, it empowers you to tap into your reservoirs of inner success, resilience, calmness, and confidence. It’s a systematic journey that fosters deep-rooted change, ushering in a newfound sense of peace, liberation, and unwavering authenticity.”
From engineering to holistic therapy
Before establishing Complete Success, Tara cultivated a successful 10-year career in engineering. Yet, from the age of 13, she harboured a deep-seated dream of becoming a psychologist, a passion that persisted into adulthood and eventually led her to pursue her calling.
“After earning my PhD in engineering and spending a decade in the industry, I made the bold decision to pursue my lifelong passion. I embarked on a journey to become a holistic therapist, obtaining my Diploma in Holistic Therapy, Worth Coaching Certification, and Neurofeedback Trainer Accreditation.”
Reflecting on her journey, Tara expresses gratitude for the path she chose.
“It’s sobering to think that if I hadn’t changed paths, I wouldn’t have created Inner Success.” With its phenomenal success rate of 100%, it stands as one of the few validated solutions to imposter syndrome at work. Witnessing the massive transformation it brings to people brings me immense joy. I truly believe this is the highest and best use of my worklife, and I wouldn’t want to be doing anything else!”
Rising above self-doubt & criticism
Drawing from her years of experience as a holistic therapist, Tara reflects on a pivotal insight that has shaped her work on how to overcome imposter syndrome.
“There is a pervasive societal belief that our worth depends on what we do. This belief spawns all types of negative feelings, from stress and anxiety to self-doubt and imposter syndrome. A prominent psychologist in the 1950s called it ‘the root cause of all human suffering’.
“However, I’ve witnessed firsthand that with the right approach, this belief can be transformed into the belief of unconditional worth. This shift liberates individuals from internal self-doubt and criticism, enabling them to navigate life without taking things personally. It’s a journey towards freedom from internal suffering.”
Entrepreneurs need a support system
If you’re grappling with imposter syndrome as an aspiring or budding entrepreneur, Tara offers invaluable advice:
“Imposter syndrome is very common when starting a business; it can hold you back, drag you down, and affect your financial success. Even though you may be starting a business on your own, you don’t have to be alone. Start by getting as much support from as many sources as you can. Ultimately the solution is to eliminate imposter syndrome completely by addressing the root cause (conditional worth).”
Raising awareness for businesses, relationships, & community
The future holds great promise for Tara as she aims to raise more awareness about how to overcome imposter syndrome, foreseeing a ripple effect in business, relationships, and the community. Her Inner Success programme has already proven to deliver more than twice the improvement of any other approach to imposter syndrome! It consistently takes the stress and symptoms from 8.3/10 down to 2.9/10. That is, from significantly disruptive to insignificant.
Tara is currently running a project to demonstrate that these results are due to the process, not the person facilitating it. She is training a group of experienced executive coaches to facilitate Inner Success, then supervising them while they take practice clients through this transformational journey. By sharing this knowledge with other coaches, she is able to help more and more people overcome imposter syndrome.
As it’s research, Tara is offering coaches and practice clients at an ultra-low cost, all completely confidential, of course.
Choosing The Business Centre (Cardiff) Ltd for Complete Success
We wanted to find out more about why Tara chose The Business Centre (Cardiff) Ltd to operate Complete Success and how it has helped her grow:
“Last year, I faced an unexpected challenge when I stayed with my mother for a few months and realised her Alzheimer’s/Dementia was more advanced than my family had initially thought. While she didn’t require full-time care, she did need daily assistance and supervision. Balancing this responsibility with running my business became overwhelming. I needed private office space fast!
“Fortunately, I found a solution through The Business Centre’s professional office space in Barry, which allowed me to establish a productive work environment without any delay. With their support, I seamlessly transitioned into my new workspace on the very first day, ensuring minimal disruption to my business operations.
“Since day one, The Business Centre has not only provided me with the infrastructure I needed for success, but also facilitated my growth through a balanced environment conducive to focus, productivity, creativity, rest, and networking.”
“An added bonus is their flexible monthly rental contract, where I have the freedom to cancel my lease at any time without the worry of being tied to long contracts of three months or more. This provides me with the assurance that I can adapt promptly to any future changes, especially if I need to relocate again.”
Joy & relaxation
As she pursues her bigger goals, Tara finds joy and relaxation in a plethora of hobbies and interests:
“I love walking in groups and singing—I’ve even joined the Barry All Saints Church choir, and I’m loving every moment. Additionally, I enjoy gyming, so having a well-equipped gym conveniently located at The Business Centre is truly the icing on the cake.”
- Connect with Tara on LinkedIn.
- Take the imposter syndrome test to find out if this is your experience
- Listen to Tara’s podcast guest appearances
The Business Centre (Cardiff) Ltd: Caters to your flexible life & values your authenticity
Are you looking to grow your business in an environment that caters to your flexible life and values your authenticity? The Business Centre (Cardiff) Ltd sounds like your perfect fit. Explore our Serviced Offices and Co-working Spaces, offering 24/7 access along with the convenience of a fully-equipped gym with shower facilities. To reserve your spot or explore our services further, don’t hesitate to reach out to our welcoming team at 0800 634 9920 or via email at [email protected].
Read more inspiring business success stories, many shared by our happy clients, to help make your decision easier.