Imposter Syndrome is something that plagues even the best of us! It’s the feeling that we don’t belong, are inadequate or incompetent even though we have all evidence proving otherwise. This has major effects on us whether that be at the workplace or out in social gatherings and can affect our entire life without us even realising it.
We tend to write off achievements and put them down to luck rather than us believing it’s something we have earned. We may have gotten the grades, the job, the accomplishments…yet we still find ourselves doubting whether we are worthy of those or more.
It is estimated that around 70% of people will have these feelings at some point during their life and that it can present itself in various different forms.
As we are nearing the end yet still going through such challenging times it’s super important to start taking some notes on how we feel around the workplace, in our roles and in our career development.
It may seem daunting but it’s really important to combat those feelings so that you don’t stagnate where you are.
Here are some examples to look out for and how you can overcome them.
During your job search, go easy on yourself. Self-doubt may creep in as it can be a long and tiresome process looking for a job. It’s important to stay positive, keep focused and believe that the right job will come along at the right time. If you start to get feelings of self-doubt, make sure to counter it with hard facts. What have you accomplished in your previous roles, what skills and qualifications do you possess and what value can you add to a company? Remember that this is only a phase. Any and all rejections are not rejections, they are redirections.
Cut yourself short when you start the comparison game. Every person has their own journey and life trajectory. You won’t always take the same steps and arrive at the same place and that’s OKAY. Your story is your story and it wasn’t meant to be like anyone else’s. Successful people are those that follow their own unique path, they are authentic to themselves, their beliefs and their values. Stay on your own path, be true to yourself and you can achieve great things.
Don’t get hung up on small mistakes. Making mistakes is all part of the learning process, it’s how we learn and develop. Learn how to take them in your stride and remember that actually, they are helping you grow. Having high expectations of yourself and what you achieve at all times is an unrealistic ask. Don’t look for perfection, look at the achievements.
Know your limits. Be careful if you are the type of person that needs constant validation for the work that you do, and if you don’t get it you may overwork yourself feeling as though what you are doing is not good enough and you should be doing better. Remember that no one should have more power over you to make you feel good than you. Start to train yourself on your limits, take constructive criticism seriously and not personally.
Identifying imposter syndrome feelings and bringing them to light can achieve many great things. Reach out to people you trust. When you do this, you’ll realise two important things. One is that you’re not alone, so many people experience the same doubts, and sharing them may not only help you but help them in return. And two is that you’re not as bad as you think. There are people who believe in your capabilities and are even inspired by them.
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