Read more about Career
There are certain ways that that thought pattern can be overcome but it would take the active participation of the ‘sufferer’ to achieve that result. The first thing to identify in overcoming imposter syndrome is, “What are you afraid of?” This seemingly unimportant question is the key that would make breaking this syndrome very easy. Are you afraid of what people would say? Or Are you afraid that you might not be deserving of an opportunity and mess up at the presentation? Identifying the fear brings you one step closer to overcoming imposter syndrome. If we say that the fear is of what people would say, the next logical step would be to take a good check of your closest circle and confirm if any of them is one of the critics, if they are not. Then, you do not have to worry yourself because ‘the people who mind do not matter and the people that matter do not mind’. On the other hand, if the fear is that you might mess up at a presentation you think you are not deserving, then, the next thing to do is to ask more questions.
Sign up to the Connect Nigeria daily newsletter
Take the host aside (if possible) and ask questions. Why did they choose you from among all the others for that opportunity? Having a good talk with the host would remove every doubt that you are just lucky to be chosen and help reinforce the idea that you are deserving of the opportunities that are presented to you. Thirdly, detox from social media. This might seem irrelevant but it appears that the reason why imposter syndrome is as rampant as it gets is that people on social media are used to comparing themselves with themselves. Continuously comparing your achievements with everybody else would do you no good. You can easily be stuck thinking you are not deserving of the opportunities you have, seeing what the other person is doing but you also do not know their back story. Our final advice to you on how to overcome imposters syndrome is to journal. Have a place where you pen down all you have achieved. Measure your growth and failures too. It would help ground you in times where you felt as though you did not earn the opportunities coming your way. This journal would also serve to remind you of people who have sacrificed in one way or another to assist you on your journey to relevance. Pen down ways you can also help them to rise in their given field. Featured Image Source: Strategic Coach Resource Hub
Got a suggestion? Contact us: editor@connectnigeria.com
You might also like:
- What to Do Before an Interview: A Step-by-Step Guide to Nailing Your Big Day
- Sure-fire Ways to Eliminate Distractions as an Entrepreneur
- How to Protect Your Intellectual Property in Nigeria
- How You Can Overcome the Fear of Failure as an Entrepreneur
