Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

We all want to be successful in our lives, both personally and professionally. However, sometimes it can feel overwhelming as we strive towards our goals. Success can put us in the spotlight, whether that’s starting a new job or getting promoted. It’s during these moments that we can start to question our ability to meet expectations. It can feel like we’ve stumbled through to our achievements, and sooner or later, we’ll get found out. These are signs of Imposter Syndrome. Surprisingly, these are also signs of high achieving individuals. Imposter Syndrome is a very real, but difficult topic to discuss. During this talk, Imran will discuss the root causes of Imposter Syndrome and the impact it can have on our lives. The talk will explore many aspects of imposter Syndrome, while also providing guidance on overcoming it and developing self-confidence.

Transcript

1. Overcoming Imposter Syndrome Imran Afzal UX Manager FGH / Otto UK @avimran
4. @avimran A pattern of disconnect between perceived performance and accomplishment
5. Attribution Theory @avimran Attribution Theory states that humans attribute success/failure to both internal and external factors, which then informs future responses We often attribute our success to external factors such as hard work - and not our own intrinsic ability
6. Occam’s Razor Our minds have evolved to trust the simpler explanation @avimran
7. Imposter Syndrome @avimran Imposter syndrome is a psychological pattern in which individuals have difficulties accepting their achievements, with a persistent fear of being exposed as a fraud The impostor syndrome first described by American clinical psychologists Pauline Clance and Suzanne Imes in 1978
8. Triggers @avimran
9. Identifiers @avimran
10. Can Imposter Syndrome affect anyone? @avimran
11. 7 out of 10 people experience Imposter syndrome at some point in their lives @avimran
12. Natalie Portman - Actress @avimran Actress (and Harvard alum) Natalie Portman described the self-doubt she experienced as a Harvard student. “I felt like there had been some mistake...”
13. John Steinbeck - Author @avimran “I am not a writer. I’ve been fooling myself and other people.” He admired his characters for being “so much stronger and purer and braver” than he was.
14. Doug Collins - UX Practitioner @avimran
15. Finding Balance @avimran
16. How can you overcome Imposter Syndrome? @avimran
17. Find a mentor that you can talk to and share fears with 1. Find a Mentor @avimran
18. Focus more on what you’re learning, than on how you’re performing 2. Focus on Learning @avimran
19. 3. Accomplishment Journal @avimran Write down what you’ve accomplished - and keep referring back to it regularly
20. Don’t compare yourself to others - your journey, perspective and destination is unique 4. Don’t Compare @avimran
21. 5. Pause & Reflect @avimran Reflection will help you make meaning of experiences and process your feelings/thoughts
22. Can you really overcome Imposter Syndrome? @avimran
23. A Constant Battle @avimran
24. @avimran We’re all Imposters No one knows how to be a proper adult, worker, parent, designer or anything else
25. @avimran “Sometimes the bravest and most important thing you can do is just show up.” Brené Brown Professor/Author/Researcher