You're [Probably] Not a Fraud
Jesse Zulak
?? Sr Recruitment Consultant | Headhunter | Technology-IT-Saas-Telecomm |
"Admit it. You're not good at your job." - some stupid voice inside your head.
Sometimes it creeps up on me, other times it's a blistering scream causing me to stop dead in my tracks. However it comes, it leaves me feeling deflated... I want to share with you how I silence it.
Imposter Syndrome.
It's never fun receiving criticism, whether it's constructive or not, but it's even worse when you're the critic of yourself. In short, Imposter Syndrome is a sense of self-doubt. It can be work related, experienced in the job search, hobby based, regarding family, or any other aspect of your life.
Personally, it greatly impacts me in my work.
Working in a sales based role, where there are KPI's and revenue targets to hit, it's quite easy for that voice to make its daunting appearance. Often if I'm behind pace or even on par. While falling behind rarely happens (humble brag), I feel that when it does it makes the rollercoaster downturn far more steep. Over the years, I've learned of ways to deal with it, and that is what I want to share with you.
While this voice is in your head, I like to treat it as a relationship.
Communication is Key
Such as any good relationship, the first thing you need to do with this voice is communicate. Acknowledge that it's there. The moment I hear myself doubting my abilities, I will literally stop what I am doing, close my eyes, and say out loud, "Don't be ridiculous." This freezes my negative thoughts and allows me to regroup.
Once I've gained my composure with my little voice, I'll do two things. Review the past and show the future. In a sales type role, it's pretty easy to pull up previous stats and numbers. Nothing quiets that voice more than showing what I've accomplished. Now that I've given myself some credibility, I show the forecasts. I breakdown my existing pipeline. I trust the process. Looking at what's to come is a great way to hurdle over the current state.
Third Party Support
Sometimes though, communication within the relationship isn't enough. This might be when you need to go to a third party. Build strong relationships with people in your life that will be able to help support you. I'm not talking about people that will give you unconditional love and support... but with those that have seen your abilities and can truly speak to your potential honestly. I would often go to my previous manager, luckily I had the relationship with him where he'd both support and provide appropriate critique.
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Retrain to Reframe
If I'm still feeling out of it, maybe it's because I hit a spot where I might be slightly out of my league. If that's the case, I will take myself and that little voice through some training. It might be taking a full online course, watching some education YouTube videos, or simply revisiting my processes. Retraining myself will help show me that "Hey, you actually do know this stuff."
At the end of the day, Imposter Syndrome can be a crippling experience. If you don't manage it well, it can really drag you down to a point where it's extremely challenging to come back from. Treat it like a relationship. Work with it, not against it. Telling yourself "you're not good enough" can also be used as a great motivator!
Keep it Away with Positivity
While this is what I do when I hear that voice, I also try to keep it away. Engaging in active positive self-talk is the greatest deterrent to Imposter Syndrome. Consciously celebrating your achievements, completing the simpler tasks, and thinking positive will be a surefire way to keep that nasty voice from coming in. Setting realistic goals is also crucial. While your employer has a set quota for you, I like to set shorter personal goals that holistically meet my long term targets. Breaking things down to smaller victories will help build positive momentum.
It's ironic, as I finish writing this newsletter, I can hear the voice slowly come in... "you're not a psychologist. Why are you writing this?"
While my voice is right about that... I wanted to share my personal experience with Imposter Syndrome. If this is a phrase completely new to you, I encourage you read up on it. Becoming familiar with the symptoms will help you recognize it.
Have you experienced Imposter Syndrome?
How do you handle it? Share below!
Signed,
Jesse
Rainbow at RAINBOW
1 年Hey am Nomagaba Sandi from wustar am unemployed and am looking for a job
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1 年Hey Jesse, like usual-great read! Personally, I have been on a solid learning curve and acknowledge that I have not and probably will never "MASTER" anything as much as I'd like to. More than once I have had a voice telling me: "you should know better" or "how can you make this mistake?" or "what are you even doing in this industry, rookie?" or even "your never going to make it!" You mentioned that communication is key and remembering the past as well. My father has always been my strongest encourager and after repeating: "you can do anything you set your mind to" for such a long time, I believe it. I also look back and past failures and see how I overcame them and the successes that came from those failures. I remember that each failure left a lesson. Let's add blasting uplifting music in my headphones and you have me working like a machine proving to myself that I DO know better, I LEARN from my mistakes, I CAN LEARN any new industry/trade, and I WILL make it because I set my mind to it, and I don't give up easy (a discipline I gained as an athlete for 15 years). Sorry for the long read :p