Balancing Success and Self-Perception

Imagine you're on a high-speed train. The landscapes outside change, signifying the miles you've covered and the milestones you've achieved. But when you look in the mirror inside the train, you still see the face from when the journey started. This is the reality for many professionals.

It's too easy to outpace our self-awareness in today's fast-paced professional world. We win awards, get promotions, or expand our businesses. We find ourselves in boardrooms we once only dreamt of. But when the meeting ends, there's a nagging question: "Do I belong here?"

It's not uncommon to feel like you're wearing a mask, playing a role. While the world sees a successful executive or entrepreneur, you might still feel like the intern just starting, trying to figure things out. This disconnect between how we see ourselves and our achievements is an identity gap that can lead to imposter syndrome, self-doubt, and, at times, burnout.

The key is to pause, reflect, and reconnect with oneself. Celebrate each achievement, yes, but also internalise it. Understand that you've grown, learned, and evolved with every milestone. It's essential to update our self-image at the same pace as our CV.

So, as you race ahead in your professional journey, check in with the person in the mirror. Aligning your self-perception with your achievements doesn't just ensure professional success—it fosters a more profound, genuine sense of satisfaction and well-being. Because at the end of the day, real success is as much about knowing yourself as it is about scaling heights.