The first day at my new job felt less like a celebration and more like I was waiting to be uncovered as a fraud. Despite being fully qualified, I couldn't shake the inner voice telling me, "You don't deserve to be here." That voice was my imposter syndrome talking.
Studies show nearly 70% of people experience imposter syndrome at some point - even many high achievers like me or you. Those plagued by self-doubt dismiss praise and successes as luck or trickery, convinced they have fooled others into overestimating their abilities.
For me, imposter syndrome manifested as avoiding speaking up in meetings, intense anxiety before presentations, and frequently downplaying my accomplishments as just "being in the right place at the right time." I obsessed over my weaknesses and ignored clear evidence of my strengths.
Here are a few tips for overcoming imposter syndrome
- Confide in a mentor or trusted friend. Talking to someone who understands what you're going through can help you challenge your negative thoughts and see your strengths more clearly.
- Reframe your thoughts. When you catch yourself thinking negatively, ask yourself if there's any evidence to support your thoughts. If not, try to replace your negative thoughts with more realistic and positive ones.
- Celebrate your accomplishments, big and small. It's important to acknowledge your successes, no matter how small they may seem. This will help you build confidence and remind yourself of your worth.
How I overcame imposter syndrome
The turning point came when I finally opened up to my mentor, Jim, about feeling like an undeserving fraud. He shared that early in her own successful career, he also feared being exposed as not good enough. Jim's guidance helped me reframe my inner narrative.
Together, we went through my achievements and specific qualities that made me qualified for this role. When I dismissed them as just 'getting lucky,' Jim had me imagine how I would respond to a friend downplaying themselves like that. This exercise helped me recognize my warped perspective.
Jim also encouraged me to combat negative self-talk with specific positive statements, like "I earned this job through hard work and talent" and "My unique skills make me worthy of being here." Celebrating small daily wins helped me gradually build more confidence in my abilities.
Now, I proudly share my experience overcoming imposter syndrome with new hires who express self-doubt. My journey shows that believing in your worth takes constant practice - but competence speaks louder than the distortions of imposter syndrome when you learn to tune them out. I urge anyone struggling with feeling undeserving to reach out for support.
If you're struggling with imposter syndrome, know that you're not alone. There are many people who understand what you're going through, and there are resources available to help you overcome it. Reach out to a mentor, talk to a therapist, or join a support group. You are worthy of your success.
You do belong here.