Lesson #3: Your Imposter Syndrome is Hurting Everyone

This is part of our series Six Lessons from Pregame's First Six Years. Check our page for the rest of our pro tips!

"Impostor Syndrome" was a new-ish concept when Pregame started. Now part of mainstream vernacular, impostor syndrome is that feeling that you're not good enough to be where you are - your job, that event, this opportunity - and that someone will discover you're a fraud at any moment.

I've written before about how I override impostor paralysis, but what we haven't talked about a lot is WHY it's vital that you overcome your own versions of impostor syndrome.

The first, and most obvious:

1. Impostor Syndrome hurts you.?

Impostor syndrome is a mindset, and it's holding you back.

We've all heard inspirational quotes like "whether you think you can or think you can't, you're right*," but despite the eye roll that may induce, studies back it up. You already know this from life: whether you're going on a first date, attempting that yoga pose, or belting that karaoke song, your?mindset boosts or undermines your success.?

The right mindset is everything. Our most successful clients nurture their growth mindset: the attitude that they can grow, that failure isn't a game-ender, and that new skills and talents can be acquired.

Our most self-sabotaging clients refuse to make a realistic assessment of their strengths and weaknesses, to right-size their understanding of what value they provide their clients, or to?reframe challenges as opportunities.

Which type do you want to be?

2. Impostor Syndrome hurts others.

This is my main point: you encourage others to be small when you shrink yourself.

Marianne Williamson said it best: "Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you... As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

I'm inspired to excellence by others being excellent. Every time Beyoncé drops a new album, I'm inspired to work harder, be more creative, dazzle and sparkle and shine and thrill.

Mediocrity is not inspiring. Hiding is not inspiring. Not knowing what?someone is?doing or creating or building stands zero chance of inspiring me to do, create, or build those things that I can uniquely offer the world.?

3. Impostor Syndrome is a lie.?

Achieving your goals starts with knowing where you are and where you want to go.?

Part of knowing where you are is acknowledging reality. Unfortunately, too many of us tell ourselves we're failing when, in fact, we're killing it.?

Example: it's been shown that men tend to apply for jobs even when they don't hit all the qualifications; whereas women tend to not even apply when they don't feel they meet all the job posting criteria.?

As I wrote in my first book,?Exit Stage Right, your job as an applicant isn't to fit the criteria perfectly (believe me, hiring managers often don't know exactly what they need either); it's to make a case for why you're the best candidate for the role based on your unique experience, skills, and perspective.?

3a. Sometimes it's true, but the solution is the opposite of what you're doing.?

Maybe you don't have all the qualifications yet. But feeling badly about it and shrinking away doesn't solve anything.??

The solution is to make a game plan to get the resources and support you need.?

You deserve it, and the world needs what only you can offer.?

Strategy & Style,

Ciara Pressler

*Attributed to Henry Ford. I don't have much in common with Ford other than?appreciating a drop top, but I'm not going to do that binary thing where I cancel him just because he's an old white dude. I choose to find the diamond, use what I can, and remix it so everyone has the chance to do the same.?