Impostor syndrome, also known as impostor phenomenon or impostorism, is a psychological occurrence in which an individual doubts their skills, talents, or accomplishments and has a persistent internalized fear of being exposed as a fraud.
Share your ideas by responding to any of these question prompts or the essence of this topic.
Do any one of these resonate with you? How do you tackle them?
1. Luck rather than talent can be looked through the eyes of "opportunity" and right place, right time. Timing really can be everything! However, while opportunities may be considered, "lucky", there is an understanding that one has worked hard to achieve a goal, outcome, or position and must continue to strive and work hard to maintain that said goal, outcome or position.
2. Relating still to #1 above, "who you know" and "who knows you" can play a vital part in achieving some opportunities. We recognize that sometimes the people who have seen you deep in your work can attest to your skillsets and talents which therefore allows greater opportunity for possible advancement or leadership. Being willing to show vulnerability by trying something new and taking on new challenges allows others to see you in action and gives you a plethora of experiences to draw from. Don't be afraid to get out there and get messy!
3. Internal criticism is a real thing! What we say internally to ourselves has an impact on our confidence and sometimes perceived competence. Some sound advice: "The only way to stop feeling like an imposter is to stop thinking like an imposter." Be kind to yourself and give yourself the grace that you would likely bestow upon others.
4. More conversations happened regarding the difficulty of accepting compliments. Often we are uncomfortable or feel awkward when others give us compliments or recognize our work and we do not know how to respond. First responses can be related to "what is their ulterior motive?" or "is that sarcasm?" While we often do not want the attention drawn upon us, it is in our nature to be appreciated and sometimes the only response that is needed is "thank you." One note from participants was that there can be a difference between hearing compliments directly from others and receiving a card or note with a compliment. At times, the power of the written word can supersede the sincerity of the spoken word. For some people, it takes away the requirement to respond and therefore removes the awkwardness - it is simply a chance to reflect on gratitude.
Imposter Syndrome is a real thing but there are definitely strategies to overcome it! Consider further reading by accessing the article on "Dealing with Imposter Syndrome": https://impostorsyndrome.com/articles/10-steps-overcome-impostor/
https://www.nytimes.com/guides/working-womans-handbook/overcome-impostor-syndrome