Dealing With Impostor Syndrome

While some people are capable of many things, not all are expressive about their wins. So, there's the person who smashes glass ceilings, is on the list of speakers for events everywhere but still has the feeling of being incapable. There, that's imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is not how people impose themselves on others. It is the feeling of being incapable, unworthy. It is an actual thing especially for high-minded and result oriented people. You know you have imposter syndrome when everybody sees the strides you pull in different endeavors and they're super proud of you but you are often intimidated by others still. When you are in expressive about your wins, not because you're modest but because you think you don't have a seat where achievers are, that is imposter syndrome. I like to see imposter syndrome as a monster that robs people of doing more because of how it constantly reminds it's victims that their ideas do not deserve an investor, their resume does not cut it for the employment application. What else will make a person who is growing and doing beautifully well, always feel silly about everything they do? It can only be a monster. A few years ago, I was demoralised by imposter syndrome. In my mid-teens, I was in company of people who were motivated by the desire to create better communities and because man is a product of influence, I also began to think of solutions to problems in my communities, social enterprises that will make global impact. Guess what? I did come up with one. I was so pumped, started working on the projects. I was applauded by just too many people to not see the impact my idea was generating in my immediate communities. Let's make another guess. Few months down, I dumped the entire work and said goodbyes to a team that was excited to produce results with me. What was my reason? I wanted to restructure. No, I didn't want to restructure. I wanted to quit. I felt intimidated by others, I felt I was doing thrash, I was incapable of making my own noise and I was blind to the applause my work was getting. This is absolutely different from fear. Fear can be worry, response to threat and the likes. One thing is common with fear and imposter syndrome and it is self-doubt. This was me, not internalising my achievements. When you are doing well in your academics but your mind tells you are a failure, you know it is time to kick the monster. It is a perfect time to tell yourself that you are capable of getting to the zenith of your career, you are capable of doing more and shattering glass ceilings. You know the pictures of your wins that you hid in your gallery? It is time to show them off. You are not putting them out because for applause but to hold your head high and begin to validate yourself. What works? Reveal what the monster made you conceal. People's applause won't do as much as yours will do.

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