Imposter Syndrome

Do you ever feel like a phony? That you have been successful because of luck or fraud but not because of your talent? This is a common phenomenon called Imposter Syndrome. It was coined in 1978 by two psychologists and originally considered a bane of women. In 1993, however, this was debunked and is now considered to affect both genders equally. It often exists because we see other people's actions/exterior, but only know our own interior.

So how do we get over this lack of self-confidence? 

• ​Reframe your negative mindset and focus on the positive - our brain is wired to think in negative terms, but we can help to retrain our brain by focusing on the positive.
• Focus on the results you have gotten - be able to tell your stories such that you can communicate what results you have gotten. Document it and be sure to raise it to your supervisors during performance review times.
• Act confidently - ever hear the phrase, "Fake it until you make it? This is a way to lean into action without being paralyzed by the fear. Sometimes our feelings of confidence follow us taking actions on things which are not easy for us.
• Don't compare yourself to others - as they say in yoga you are not competing with others, but just yourself. Focus on your own work, results, and skills and lean into that effort.

Lean into being yourself and your strengths and you can get over imposter syndrome!