Imposter Syndrome: What It Is and How to Get Rid of It
You've been in your new job for a few months now and you're finally starting to feel like you're getting the hang of things. You know your way around the office, you've learned all the company's acronyms, and you've even made a few friends in the break room. But then one day, it hits you out of nowhere: imposter syndrome.
Imposter syndrome is that nagging feeling that you're not good enough, that you're going to be found out as a fraud, that you don't deserve the success you've achieved. It's common among high achievers, and it can be debilitating if left unchecked. But the good news is that there are ways to deal with imposter syndrome. Here are a few tips:
Acknowledge Your Feelings
The first step to dealing with imposter syndrome is acknowledging that you're feeling it in the first place. It's easy to try to push those feelings down and pretend they don't exist, but that will only make them worse in the long run. So instead, take a deep breath and give yourself permission to feel however you're feeling. Once you've acknowledged your feelings, you can start to deal with them head-on.
Talk to Someone You Trust
Once you've acknowledged your feelings, it's important to talk to someone about them—preferably someone who will understand and be supportive. This could be a friend, family member, therapist, or even your boss. Just talking about what you're going through can help to lessen the feelings of imposter syndrome. And if nothing else, it'll help to get things off your chest!
Identify Your Accomplishments
One of the best ways to combat imposter syndrome is by reminding yourself of all your accomplishments—both big and small. Write them down if you have to! Seeing your successes in black and white can help remind you that you are capable and deserving of your success.
Focus on Your Process, Not the Outcome
When we focus too much on the outcome (i.e., getting the promotion, closing the deal), it's easy to forget about all the hard work we put in along the way. And when we don't see immediate results, it's easy to feel like we must not be cut out for this after all. Instead of fixating on the outcome, try focusing on your process instead. Remind yourself of all the steps you took—and are taking—to get where you want to be. This will help remind you that success is a journey, not a destination.
If you're feeling like an imposter at work (or anywhere else in life), know that you're not alone—and there are things you can do about it! Start by acknowledging your feelings, talking to someone about them, identifying your accomplishments, and focusing on your process instead of the outcome. With time and effort, those feelings of imposter syndrome will start to fade away.
See you in the next one. Peace and God bless.
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