Imposter Syndrome

When you put hours into learning a new skill, meet the qualifications for a job you’ve had your eye on, finally get the offer…and feel like you don’t belong there. Like you’re playing “dress up,” and the REAL adult will be arriving any time now. You feel like you’ll break the fourth wall, explain to the audience how “they’re probably wondering how you got into this situation,” right before The Office theme plays. All of it seems fake, like a scene from TV. Well, that would be imposter syndrome.

It disproportionately affects accomplished people, and creates a lot of difficulty in recognizing our own strengths and abilities. If this rings a bell, you might have achieved great things, yet think your achievements have everything to do with external factors and nothing to do with you. But here’s the thing, everything you have now is a result of your previous actions. You took that class, asked tough questions, networked, were kind to the people around you, etc. Also, you know what?

We’re all kinda winging it.

None of us have all the answers, even the ones who seem like they effortlessly have it all together. We all make mistakes and experience a learning curve. None of that means you’re less qualified than you are. Let’s work through some of that anxiety here. List 5 of your biggest strengths, and don’t hold back.

1. ___________________________________

2. ___________________________________

3. ___________________________________

4. ___________________________________

5. ___________________________________

Do you think your confidence might increase if you reminded yourself of these every morning?

-Kayla