These Are Our Top Tips For Shaking Off Feelings Of Imposter Syndrome So You Don’t Stunt Your Own Career Growth
We’ve all been there and experienced moments where we’ve felt inadequate, unqualified, or ‘not good enough’ in certain aspects of our lives. Everyone has insecurities, and there will always be moments in life where we question our capabilities.
There’s also the matter of ‘imposter syndrome,’ which is a behavioral health situation where people deal with self-doubt and worries of not being good enough for something even though they are.
As I’ve gotten older, I’ve found that some of my friends and I tend to develop imposter syndrome regarding work and our careers.
Many of my friends and I have only been in the professional workforce post-college graduation for less than five years; therefore, many of us are insecure when it comes to work and building our careers.
I know many people who are too filled with self-doubt to take risks and put themselves out there for the jobs they really want, and then when they finally get them, they feel like “frauds” or like they’re nowhere good enough as their coworkers.
If you feel as though you’ve been having imposter syndrome at work and it’s been preventing you from taking your career to the next level, here are some tips for shaking it off.
Focus on the positives
I think it’s easier to slip into imposter syndrome when you focus on any negative experiences or mistakes you’ve made at work or while trying to find your dream job.
Instead of constantly beating yourself up for something silly you said during a job interview or a mistake you made during work, focus on how far you’ve come and all the good things you’ve done to push your career to the next level. Don’t forget to celebrate even the small victories and give yourself a pat on the back.
amnaj – stock.adobe.com – illustrative purposes only, not the actual person
Remember, you got to where you are for a reason
If you’re working a new job or have been working the same job for a while but still have moments of feeling unqualified or undeserving, just remember that you got to where you are for a reason.
Your employer didn’t pluck you out of the blue and randomly give you the position you have. You weren’t chosen for your job by mistake. You worked hard to get where you are, you showed a lot of promise in your job interview, and your boss chose you because you have what it takes.
In this economy, employers have to be picky. Why would they risk hiring someone they didn’t think was right for the job? You got your job because you are qualified and deserve it. Don’t forget that!
Write down your goals
This is a way of manifesting good things for your career while also keeping yourself organized and motivated. If you feel your self-doubt has been holding you back, take some deep breaths and settle down to write down some of your career goals.
Where would you like to see yourself working in five to ten years? What kind of relationship do you want with your boss and coworkers? Where do you want to be living, and how much do you want to make?
Considering these questions while writing down your career goals will help you manifest good things in your future and keep track of where you are and want to be.
Avoid comparison when possible
We tend to fall into imposter syndrome when we spend much time comparing ourselves to others. If you have coworkers who have been at your job longer and make you feel inadequate, stop comparing your work journey to theirs.
If you’ve been seeing a lot of people on social media brag about their jobs, and it makes you feel bad, consider taking a break from social media and deleting your apps for a bit.
One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned is that comparison is the thief of joy. If one of the main contributors to your imposter syndrome is the time you spend comparing yourself to others, do whatever you need to do to stop it.
Remember that you are worthy of a career that makes you happy, and you can certainly succeed. Keep working hard, be kind to yourself, and don’t let imposter syndrome stop you from living the life you want to live.
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