Another great piece on criticism – both from others – and from imposter syndrome… dealing with it, without losing our vulnerability.
Tell them, I see you, I hear you, but I’m going to do this anyway
Another great piece on criticism – both from others – and from imposter syndrome… dealing with it, without losing our vulnerability.
Tell them, I see you, I hear you, but I’m going to do this anyway
“Impostor/Imposter Syndrome is the feeling that you’re a fraud, and that any day now you’ll be exposed. You might think that everyone else knows what they’re doing, that you are punching above your weight somewhere you don’t belong.”
Read the blog from Andy Mort and listen to the podcast… and note that it’s not specific to ‘introverts’ – see some of the other posts I’ve collected on this idea as I’ve learnt to acknowledge it’s existence, and move forward anyway – essentially Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway – a book I’ve found incredibly helpful over the years!
Last year I was asked if I would speak at the Activate Your Life weekend. I wasn’t able to last year, but this year, I accepted, and gave a talk on ‘Everyday, Ordinary Women – Online‘… and had some fun with the photo booth:
Staying at the De Vere, once I’d finished my conversation with the regional police about engaging with youth re internet safety, I took advantage of the comfy bed for a nap. This was much of the theme of the weekend, and aside from the fabulous food, enjoyable company, I really enjoyed the lack of pressure to partake in all the sessions/seminars, whilst the grounds and the swimming pool were available for use… I may just have had a few more naps!
The keynote sessions were all well attended, and thought provoking – I do believe every speaker referred to Imposter Syndrome at some point, and my session had an engaged audience, with good questions and feedback afterwards! I enjoyed myself – look out for next year’s weekend away on the website.
See tweets from the weekend (yes, many of them are mine – it’s how I take notes!)
Love this quote from today (#(digi)disciple-ship in being):
‘To be a witness does not consist in engaging in propaganda, nor even in stirring people up, but in being a living mystery. It means to live in such a way that one’s life would not make sense if God did not exist.’
So, does this image make sense in that context (more to it than this, but we are made as we are made – see GWL feedback from Oct 14 – acknowledge it’s there, and moooove on):
There was a great conversation about ‘Imposter Syndrome’ at Gathering of Women Leaders – clear messages, don’t be embarrassed to acknowledge it (it helps you move forward, and it helps others acknowledge and overcome theirs), it’s not a weakness, strategies can be used … and don’t let it stop you doing stuff! So, another piece came through one of my social media feeds … and here’s a load of names you might recognise who ‘suffered’ from it:
“The beauty of the impostor syndrome is you vacillate between extreme egomania and a complete feeling of: ‘I’m a fraud! Oh God, they’re on to me! I’m a fraud!’ So you just try to ride the egomania when it comes and enjoy it, and then slide through the idea of fraud.” – Tina Fey
“There are an awful lot of people out there who think I’m an expert. How do these people believe all this about me? I’m so much aware of all the things I don’t know.” Dr. Chan, Chief of the World Health Organization
“I still think people will find out that I’m really not very talented. I’m really not very good. It’s all been a big sham.” – Michelle Pfeifer
“Sometimes I wake up in the morning before going off to a shoot, and I think, I can’t do this. I’m a fraud.” – Kate Winslett
“I have written eleven books, but each time I think, ‘uh oh, they’re going to find out now. I’ve run a game on everybody, and they’re going to find me out.’ “ – Maya Angelou
Then read 21 ways of dealing with it!