Are we all Impostors?

I have a hunch: eventually, we'll all feel impostor syndrome at some point or another, and all boils down to the accelerated rate of change in virtually every knowledge-worker role.

You know what it is: that nagging voice that tells you, "You don't really belong here."

Technically, we're all imposters.

Let me explain… Transitioning from one career to another has been a significant part of my professional life. I left architecture to start a creative agency with my brother.

Four years in, and with the burnout from constantly chasing new projects setting in, I moved into teaching.

Finally, I started creating Notion content, which then turned into full-time consulting.

At each stage, the voice in my head never left, just changed the topics of conversation.

Industry Changes and Career Pivots

Industries and job roles are constantly evolving, and that evolution is only accelerating. With the rapid scale of change, It’s natural to feel like an imposter when learning, especially when more of us are making big work transitions, several times throughout our careers.

But there’s good news: there’s a general growing acceptance of the reality that the needs of an organization rarely overlap with college degrees or apprenticeships.

In two+ years of Notion consulting, no one’s every asked me for a resume. Instead, your most valuable skill is the ability to adapt, quickly learning and applying new skills.

This is equally important whether you’re a full time employee, freelancer, or founder.

Even within the microcosm of @NotionHQ consulting, a ton has changed just in the past two years. Millions more people are using Notion, the Consultant Directory has grown steadily, and new features have unlocked entirely different workflows.

I recall my first Notion projects vividly (and the self-doubt that accompanied them). I was helping teams with everything from setting up OKRs to improving project management, with no formal training other than reading, studying, and putting into action methodologies I learned on my own.

The initial self-doubt was intense, but it was through these projects that I grew more confident in the effect I was having on teams.

Tools evolve, clients' needs shift, and what worked yesterday might not work today. This dynamic environment means that everyone is continually learning and adjusting, which naturally fuels self-doubt.

Having explored the topic again and again, there have been five pieces of advice that have been most helpful...

01: Recognize & Acknowledge

Recognize and acknowledge your feelings of imposter syndrome as a first step to overcoming them.

02: Reframe Negative Thoughts

It’s time to shift your mindset from self-doubt to self-improvement. The best and fastest place to start is with positive affirmations.

This can be as simple as a positive statement you vocalize every day.

03: Celebrate Your Successes

Too often, we succeed, only to jump straight into the next thing. This can feel like a rat race, and overwhelming especially if we’re not stopping to appreciate those wins.

Let your accomplishment overshadow self-doubt.

04: Seek & Build a Supportive Network

Let’s face it: work today can get lonely, and self doubt loves isolation. Seeking out a like-minded, healthy and supportive network helps us build meaningful relationships, and can provide the right balance of feedback and motivation when you need it.

05: Embrace Continuous Learning

This is absolutely essential to make sure you’re adapting to a work environment that is changing at an accelerated rate. Setting aside time and space to learn new skills will put you ahead of 95% of the workforce.

Change is the Only Constant

In a world where change is the only constant, we need to be perpetual learners. Embrace your imposter syndrome as a sign of growth and curiosity. It’s a reminder that you are stepping out of your comfort zone, evolving, and challenging yourself in an ever-changing work environment.

Every expert was once a beginner, and every career pivot is an opportunity to reinvent yourself.

I’d love to hear your experiences with imposter syndrome. Are you feeling it now? How are you getting past it?

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