Improving Imposter Syndrome.
I’ve taken the opportunity to write a little about what it is, what it feels like, and things you might be able to do in order to minimize the feelings of self-doubt.
Sometimes I feel like I’m on the show ‘I’m a Celebrity, Get me Out of Here’. But take out celebrity, replace it with Imposter (although I’m the leading lady of my own life) and add I’m an Imposter, Get me Out of Here! For as long as I can remember, my feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt have always had a front-row seat in most situations I’m in. Work, friendships, relationships, and even my own self-relationship. My fear of being caught is real and I’m always trying to mask it.
Over the years, I have tried a few things to cope. Feeling like an imposter has crippled a lot of my development and gets in the way of me getting on with living life. I’ve taken the opportunity to write a little about what it is, what it feels like, and things you might be able to do in order to minimize the feelings of self-doubt.
What the heck is Imposter Syndrome?
Impostor syndrome (IS) is a psychological state in which you believe you are less capable than others are. While this concept is most often attributed to intelligence and success, it connects perfectionism and the social environment.
To put it another way, imposter syndrome is the sensation of feeling like a phony (🙋), as if you are about to be discovered as a fraud as if you don't belong where you are and were only there by chance. I feel this a lot, especially at work because I am recovering from comparing and overthinking everything.
There are a few types that you might identify as being close to you.
💁 Natural genius
🙇 The tenacious individualists (or soloists)
👩💻 Perfectionists
👩🎤 Experts
👨🚀 Superhuman
Read more about these here.
Working harder to improve your performance may not help you transform your self-image if you feel like a fraud. I am still working on this daily to try help minimise the voice in my head. (Read more about Gertrude here)
These techniques can assist you in effectively resolving imposter feelings:
Recognize your emotions.
Why hello emotions. Identifying impostor feelings and bringing them to light can help you achieve several goals. Sharing your distress with a trustworthy friend or mentor will help you gain perspective on the situation. Sharing your imposter feelings can make you feel less alone. Telling your colleagues how you are feeling motivates others to do the same, letting you know you are not alone in feeling like an imposter.
I practice this or at least try to with my team at General Assembly. I’ve worked hard over the years to let my peers and teammates know that it is ok to feel these feelings but it’s controlling or handling the thoughts so you aren’t crippled by self-doubt and nerves.
Make connections
Please do not succumb to the temptation to accomplish everything yourself. Instead, form a mutual support network with classmates, academic peers, and coworkers. I love connecting with people on The Dots, The professional network for people who don't wear suits to work.
Keep in mind that you will not be able to accomplish everything independently. Your network can help you by providing guidance and support, validating your strengths, and encouraging your growth efforts. Post a question or engage with individuals. I often feel alone in these feelings, but when I connect with someone, it makes life a whole lot easier.
Read more over at Anxious As Anything
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