Dealing with imposter syndrome
Imposter syndrome, it's a nasty old thing, isn't it? For those who haven't come across the term before, it basically refers to feeling like you're not really qualified for a job or opportunity, and a constant fear that someone is going to find out that you're a "fraud".
I've suffered with imposter syndrome for pretty much all of my adult life. I've second guessed the opportunities I've been given, I've worried that I've somehow cheated the system, and I've felt guilty that I'm wasting other people's time. I've laid awake at night wondering when I was going to get find out, and how I'd carry on paying my mortgage when it happened. And the sad thing? I know I'm not alone. I think almost every single woman I know has battled with imposter syndrome at least once in their life.
The good news is that in the past few years, I’ve found some practical tips that have helped me to manage my imposter syndrome, and I thought I’d share them here today in case anybody else is dealing with a bout of the self doubt scaries…
Remember that everyone suffers with imposter syndrome from time to time
That woman at work you admire so much because she's always smashing her targets and achieving amazing things? She probably doubts herself from time to time. That person you follow on Instagram who's life looks totally perfect in every way? She likely has a wobble whenever she compares herself to her peers. Your mate who seems to be moving up the career ladder at an alarming pace? I bet she still has a crisis of confidence every now and then.
I find it comforting to remind myself that everyone suffers from imposter syndrome from time to time - not because I want other people to feel the same way as I do, but because they're proof that a bit of self doubt isn't enough to stop you from achieving your potential. Heck, I bet even Beyonce has felt unqualified for the job once or twice, but she didn't let that get in the way of world domination, did she?!
Keep an achievement log
This was a tip that someone gave me in my very first job and ever since, I've been passing it on to anyone who will listen! In fact, I bet you’ve heard me reel off this piece of advice at some point before, but I keep sharing it because it WORKS. At the end of every week, spend 10 minutes jotting down the things you've achieved that week. It might be something small, like finally mastering that Excel formula, or something huge, like pitching to a client or presenting at a conference. Either way - jot it down in a notebook or a blank Google doc.
If you can keep this up and form a habit, within a couple of months you'll have a pretty robust achievement log. Not only will it help you when the ol' performance review rolls around and you can't remember what you've actually spent the last year doing (I can't be the only one who struggles with that, right?!), but whenever the self doubt starts to creep in, you'll have a record of all the ace things you've achieved, which will give you a huge confidence boost.
Get out of your comfort zone
A few years ago I attended a presentation about the differences between how men and women act within the workplace. A recent study conducted by the company presenting showed that in order for a woman to feel qualified and confident in applying for a new job, they felt like they had to be able to do at least 100% of the tasks on the job description. The percentage that men felt like they needed to be able to do before applying? 60%.
That stat has stuck with me ever since. Whenever I see an opportunity that I love the sound of, but worry that I don't have all of the experience they're looking for, I remember that stat and apply anyway. Whenever there's a task in my business that I don't feel 100% comfortable doing but know that I could have a good stab it, I get stuck in. Because when I realised that imposter syndrome was a significant contributing factor to the gender career gap, I knew that staying within my comfort zone wasn't an option anymore.
Do you suffer with imposter syndrome? What are your top tips for dealing with it?
