Today we are going to talk about how to overcome the urge to self-doubt. Find the show notes on my website at PowerYourImpact.com/9.
Have you ever been in a situation where you doubted your abilities, your skills, or your accomplishments? Afraid that you are going to be found out?
Well, you are not alone. Studies show that ~ 70% of the population have experienced what is known as Imposter Syndrome at some point in their career.
Imposter Syndrome is caused by setting expectations too high, and typically occurs during a transitional experience.
Imposter Syndrome can affect anyone, regardless of one’s job or social status.
I am part of the 70% of the population that has experienced Imposter Syndrome.
I had just transferred from Accounting to Procurement at the guidance of a trusted mentor. The intent of the transition was to demonstrate my ability to “get out of my comfort zone”.
I hated the idea of leaving Accounting. I didn’t even know what Procurement was!
But I recognized that moving to Procurement for a couple years was a necessary box to check if I wanted to be promoted to an Executive.
The first 6 months in Procurement I felt like I was completely out of my depth. The learning curve was incredibly steep!
I dreaded going into the office each Monday because I had 5 full days of trying to avoid being called out as a fraud by my new boss or colleagues.
Initially I didn’t share this feeling with anyone. I just kept pushing forward in my new role hoping that I wouldn’t fall flat on my face.
But the self-doubt was growing with each passing day.
I ultimately shared my anxiety with a close friend of mine who had changed careers earlier in her journey.
I felt an immediate sense of relief when she smiled and acknowledged that she could relate to my experience.
I was not the only one who had experienced this.
She shared with me two key actions that she had implemented to combat her feelings of insecurity:
(1) She had created a list of accomplishments
This inventory of accomplishments helped her see herself as others saw her. She referred back to her list anytime the feelings of self-doubt came back.
(2) She began to build a strong network of women to lean on and learn from
Having a trusted support system and a sounding board had been invaluable throughout her career.
I was able to overcome my feelings of fear and doubt by implementing these techniques.
Twenty years later I continue to enjoy a challenging and fulfilling career in leadership roles in Procurement & Supply Chain!
Imposter Syndrome, if not addressed, can hold you back in your career.
You may be overcompensating
You may not be raising your hand for the challenging assignments
You may be purposely staying out of the spotlightThink back to a time when you may have experienced Imposter Syndrome.
Were you going through a transitional period?
Perhaps you just had been promoted into a new job?
Shifted to a new career?
Raised your hand for a stretch assignment?
How did you overcome the feeling of self-doubt? Did you have a strong network to lean on and an inventory of accomplishments to reflect on?
It’s never too late to build a support system and an inventory of your accomplishments!
