Yeah, imposter syndrome. We all know it. We all fear it. And most of us have been through it once or twice in our lives. And if you haven’t, well done you!
Since choosing to go solo and step off the corporate full-time job career path, I’ve felt that little bit of self-doubt and imposter syndrome creep up once in a while. I start to question my expertise, my capabilities, the value I can bring to clients, my own worth.
So much of our lives are focused on external validation, especially when it comes to our careers and work. We chase that next promotion, a higher title, a raise or some blue chip logo to add to our resume so we can prove “value” in some way to the rest of the world. But, since stepping out of that world, I’ve totally reshaped how I value myself, what I do and what I bring to the table.
And when that little doubty voice starts to creep in, I don’t hide from it or wallow in it, I take it as a wakeup call. A chance to reflect on my strengths, my experience and my capabilities, reconnect with my people, re-center on my vision and take things one step forward at a time.
Over the years I’ve used a four consistent exercises to battle Imposter Syndrome when it creeps up. I take some time to good deep and reflect on my career, my personal life, the people in my life and what I want to accomplish.
The four exercises are:
- Career Inventory Worksheet
- Personal Review Doc
- 90 Day Vision Setting Exercise
- Reaching Out & Reconnecting
The exercises take me to a more positive headspace, rebuild confidence and get me centered on what to do next. They get me doing something positive and moving forward.
And as a fun exercise, I built these into The Imposter Syndrome Sprint. You can sign-up for the 5 day drip email course, or dive in headfirst with the full sprint guide here.
If you do give these a try, please let me know what you think. It’s my first time building out a short course like this and I want to keep riffing on it to make it better. Send me an email with your notes at seanrrwilkins@gmail.com.
Sean Wilkins 