‘Imposter Syndrome’ is the feeling of wearing a mask and playing a role that one does not feel at home in. It is when you feel like you or your work is a fluke and that you’re a dwarf amongst giants. Many of us have this, especially when we’re in some sort of creative industry. ~ Luvvie Ajayi

It seems that lately I’ve had a lot of conversations about imposter syndrome with folks. I find a lot of folks, particularly in their work environment, feel like somehow they’ve ended up in a position that they are not qualified for, or not ready for. I really hear this from students who have just graduated and are in their first professional position. We all know the feeling, it’s something almost everyone feels that first day in a new position. You’re sitting at your desk and you’ve been given a bit to read, or a website to review, and you’ve gone through it and then you have nothing to do. It’s that disconcerting feeling you get sitting there, not knowing what to do next, then you start wondering what am I doing here, I have no idea how to do this job. We all go through this every time we step into a higher position, or change careers.

What imposter syndrome means for a lot of people is never being able to shake that first day feeling, that no matter how long you stay in the job, or how accomplished you get, you can’t shake the feeling that someone is going to show up and uncover the fact that you really don’t know what you’re doing, that you’re an imposter. The fact is we all feel this way to a degree and most of us, at least in the beginning, are truly just winging it. And I can tell you, even after 35 plus years working in higher education and twenty years as a dean, there are still moments when I am absolutely winging it and hoping for the best. The only difference is that I have a lot of experience to base those guesses on.

It doesn’t only happen at work, you can also feel that way in a relationship. You find yourself in a relationship with someone amazing and you start to wonder if you really deserve them. You wonder why they would want to be with someone like you? This is another form of imposter syndrome.

Like many negative things in life it’s important to change the frame of reference. Instead of wondering if you deserve to be in your job, or in your relationship, you have to change that message. One of the ways that you can do this is to provide yourself with positive self-affirmations. It may sound silly, but starting each day by looking in the mirror and saying to yourself I deserve to be where I am, in the job or the relationship I am in. Changing the message you tell yourself, starts to work on your internal narrative. It starts to dampen down that voice inside you telling you that you don’t belong. Do it long enough, consistently enough, and you can begin to change your perspective. And maybe start to see yourself in a more positive light, and start to truly believe you belong.

This little exercise is important because you do belong. If you logically look at your situation, you’ll see the evidence. But sometimes that internal negative dialogue can put blinders on you and not let you seen what’s right in front of you. You wouldn’t be in the position you are in if you didn’t deserve to be there, if you hadn’t accomplished all of the things you have previously done. Your person would not have picked you if you weren’t worthy of being picked.

My biggest fear for people dealing with imposter syndrome is that it’s self-limiting. If you don’t feel you deserve the job you have, you’ll likely find it hard believing that you’re ready for the next. And often people will not take that next big chance and by not doing so, they can get stuck in a position they’re no longer happy in. 

So my friends, if you’re feeling like an imposter change your narrative. Talk to yourself and work on truly believing in yourself, work on your self worth and belief in the fact that you do belong and have happier days my friends. ~ Rev Kane