Impostor Syndrome

A buzz word at work these days is Impostor Syndrome. 

Impostor Syndrome is when you feel like a fraud because people might find out you can’t actually do all the things they think you can do. I’m pretty sure EVERYONE has felt this way at one point or another. 

For example, say it’s your first week at a new job and you are getting a better feel for all the things you are now responsible for. You probably have moments where you feel underqualified , but so what?

Are you making it mean you are going to fail and get fired? Are you making it mean they might regret hiring you? 

These thoughts and feelings all stem around fear because deep down you agree with what people might be thinking. You’re worried because what if you make a mistake. What if you made the wrong choice. What if they hate you. What if you hate the job? What if you get fired. What if? Worse case scenario, you go and find a new job. Best case scenario, you figure it out, rock at your job and get promoted.  

If you new how to do every single thing in your job, you would be so board. You would not be challenged to stretch and grow and probably quit. Who wants to do a job they already know how to do ever aspect of? 

Instead of focusing on what people might discover you can’t do, focus on what you know you can do. Think about why they hired you. Why you signed up for the job. What you believe about your ability to figure it out. Most teams value the person that knows how to solve problems way more than the person who is a know it all. 

And if you really step back and think about it, everyone is a “fraud.” We are all making it up as we go. Some of us just believe our made up story easier than others. 

So next time you are worried about being an impostor, stop worrying about what other people think of you and start focusing on what YOU think about you. It feels so much better.

Want help applying this to your specific situation? Sign up for a free mini coaching session at www.lindsaybuchancoaching.com