There was an imposter in the building!!
And it was me…
I didn’t deserve the job, I wasn’t skilled enough, I was a fraud.
Surely I would be found out?
Then what? Would they fire me…
My imposter syndrome sky rocketed when I was promoted.
What if I couldn’t deliver on what I’d said I could do?
I felt such shame. Shame that I wasn’t good enough.
I felt very alone in my self doubt, too afraid to share my concerns with my boss or anyone.
But a recent survey shows a staggering 62% of people at work in the UK are affected by imposter syndrome.
So I most definitely wasn’t alone!
But I didn’t even know what imposter syndrome was back then.
Although I definitely felt it with a tightness in my chest and a nagging voice in my head criticising all that I did.
Now I know what it is and I recognise the signs which means I can tackle it.
If I notice I’m procrastinating, being a perfectionist or working excessive hours I know my inner critic is at work.
In those moments I review positive feedback, remind myself of my skills and achievements and remember to give myself the benefit of the doubt.
I’m also a lot more open these days sharing my concerns with my coach so that I can work through them.
There’s truth in the old saying a problem shared is a problem halved!
