Maybe you ARE an imposter

If you struggle with imposter syndrome… 

Then building belief in your economic value, and the fact that you “belong” because of it, is important work to do.

But it’s also important to acknowledge WHY imposter syndrome thoughts come up in the first place. 

And I guarantee it’s not because you’re ‘broken’ or missing the confidence gene. 

The reason they come up is usually quite simple. 

You may well BE an imposter. 

You may be someone who has entered an industry or workplace that was not (historically) created by people like you, for people like you. If you’re anything other than a straight, middle/upper class, white man, this is quite likely to be the case. 

Industries may have changed. Diversity may be talked about. There may be ‘policies’ and ‘committees’ in place. But, as we still have work to do, these things may also be true:  

• you may physically stand out. 
• you may stand out because of the way you communicate. 
• you may stand out because of your values, motivators or opinions.

You may stand out because of the boundaries you’re trying to set that allow you to focus on commitments (or interests) outside of work.  

In an environment where these things are not typical or catered for, and may in some cases be discouraged, you may very well feel like an imposter. 

That’s not odd. That doesn’t mean you’re less ‘confident’ than someone else. 

Your brain is just pointing out a reality. 

And being “different” will always feel like a threat to your brain.  

Now, by all means, let’s assess that threat and manage our minds around it. 

But it starts with an acknowledgement that you’re not making s**t up. 

You live in the world that you live in. 

You may well BE an imposter. 

Good for you. 

Keep going! 

P.S. If you’d like some help building your confidence at work or managing the people around you, I invite you to book one of my FREE consults. It’s an opportunity to talk to me in confidence about your goals and explore the obstacles and mindsets standing in your way. Just CLICK HERE to book