Okay so you’re experiencing Imposter Syndrome? You feel like a fraud, like you don’t belong, like you’re not good enough, and your work product sucks. Let’s combat those Imposter Syndrome feelings shall we?
First off – make sure what you’re experiencing is actually imposter syndrome and not something else. Have you been slacking lately or just not giving any effort to your job? Is someone else trying to undermine you intentionally? Make sure what you’re feeling is coming from personal feelings and not an outside force or your own actions.
I’m going to use a double negative here: just because someone does NOT feel like an imposter does NOT make them smarter, better, or more equipped for the job. They just think different thoughts than you do. Their imposter syndrome trigger might be different than yours. Or they might be a narcissist and have zero triggers. Think about all the times your don’t get an IS trigger; those times might be a trigger to someone else!
Steps to Combat Imposter Syndrome
Speak Up – don’t let embarrassment keep you from talking about how you’re feeling to someone else. Grab a colleague you get along well with or one who’s advice and experience you trust. Work through the actions that are causing you to feel discouraged to combat the imposter syndrome feelings you’re experiencing.
Choose to Think Differently – force yourself to correct the thoughts racing through your head. ‘I should have known that’ becomes You can’t know everything all the time. ‘Don’t ask for help’ becomes Everyone needs help sometimes. ‘I’m the dumbest one here’ becomes I’m going to learn so much from these smart people. Talk to yourself like a friend would talk to you.
Own your Wins – you earned them! Don’t chalk them up to good luck or help from someone else; you put in the work, you are a bad *ss! Go look through your ‘Good Job’ email folder and remember all the great work you’ve done!
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Be Your Own Hypewoman – talk to yourself. Literally talk. Out loud. And use your own name. You’ve got this Katherine. You know this Katherine. Oh Katherine, you know what you’re doing. You’re doing a great job Katherine. Hype yourself up. It sounds stupid but when you say it out loud and use your name in the sentence it works better than just saying ‘you got this’ in your head.
And remember, Courage takes Practice! You don’t start off being sure of yourself or confident in your skills but you’ll grow into it. Fake it till you make it. Head up, shoulders back, kick some butt. It’s never been easier to combat feelings of Imposter Syndrome!
