Thoughts on Paper…
Imposter phenomenon - Imposter experience - AKA Imposter syndrome.
Over the past couple of hours, I’ve seen so many instances of people online speaking about imposter syndrome and all I could think about all May was the imposter I felt like.
Now for some clarity, imposter syndrome by definition (according to the Harvard Business Review) is “ a collection of feelings of inadequacy that persist despite evident success. 'Imposters' suffer from self-doubt and a sense of intellectual fraudulence that override any feelings of success or external proof of their competence.”
Have you ever felt like an imposter?
A few months ago a friend of mine asked me if I ever experienced imposter syndrome and we only spoke about it briefly. But this interlude haunted my thoughts and really had my mind reeling.
I realized that I felt most like a fraud when I actively pursued walking in my purpose and honing my crafts more and more. Everything about the journey has felt right, but I still felt like an imposter at times. Even when I was writing and creating in whatever capacity I felt served me there the feelings were.
I felt like a fraud when a client would offer me more money than I’d expected for a project. I felt like a fraud during the process of officializing a new business venture. I felt like a fraud sometimes during Law school and I’ve felt like one 100 times over.
The point is to remember that regardless of the achievements, accolades, talent and skills we acquire, success is a state of being. Sometimes a state of being that we often question because we assume everyone else is confident and doesn't share the same feelings of doubt or fear in the midst of some of the blessings that come our way.
However, the majority of the population feel it at one point or another. The only difference is that we don’t speak about it. And it’s okay to feel how you feel. It doesn’t make you any less competent. If anything it makes you a lot more relatable.
Oftentimes speaking about it can be helpful. It's actually been stated as the best way to combat imposter syndrome. Incredibly cliche but incredibly true.
My word for May was VISIBILITY and while I did put myself out there professionally, I never did so creatively. The step I knew I had to take I didn’t because I was fearful that I wasn’t competent enough to take up that space. So for June, my words are VISIBILITY UNTAMED. Let’s see how it goes. Social Experiment phase one - Done.
Here’s to an exceptional month filled with what if’s that might make your heart sing in sync with the passions that your heart beats to. Here’s to you.
Thank you for always reading my heart on paper (even if this is your phone screen.) I appreciate you.
Sincerely,
Sometimes She Writes
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