Hey Overachiever!
What new job did you start this year? Which award did you receive this year? What new company or venture have you been excelling in? Do you feel as though these accomplishments were just luck? Are you feeling like you are in over your head? Are you afraid of asking for that pay increase to match your worth? Are you questioning whether or not you really deserve success?
Well, I’m here to tell you, that this kind of psychological behaviour pattern is called The Imposter Syndrome and we will learn a little bit about how to combat it today.
In 2018, Michelle Obama spoke on imposter syndrome and her personal experience. She spoke of being haunted by the “Am I good enough?” question because, as she said, “the messages that are sent from the time we [were] little are: maybe you are not, don’t reach too high, don’t talk too loud.” The reality is imposter syndrome is real. Maybe to a lot of us, it didn’t have a name, now it does. Imposter Syndrome affects anyone irrespective of age, especially those females who are gaining stature at work or venturing into higher social classes than which they were born.
Personally, I’ve had my fair share of intimidation in the board room and workplace, that have made me questioned whether I actually belonged. Is it too grandiose to be under 30 being the chief executive of a national sector entity, being the youngest in the room and to be honest, feeling like the dumbest one in the room :-)?
2040 Exchange had a quick one and one with Ines Padar, The Imposter Syndrome Terminator, who shed some light on the feeling of constant inadequacy and self-doubt experienced by many people.
20/40 Women's Exchange 