DEALING WITH IMPOSTER SYNDROME WHY IS EVERYONE ELSE SMARTER THAN ME? Phil Shadlyn
 @physphil

IMPOSTER SYNDROME

AN INABILITY TO RECOGNIZE YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS, DESPITE EVIDENCE OF SUCCESS AND HIGH ACHIEVEMENT. OFTEN COMBINED WITH A PERSISTENT FEAR OF BEING EXPOSED AS A FRAUD. Lots of people, 2019 IMPOSTER SYNDROME

I SUCK AT ANDROID. Me, 2011 - Present IMPOSTER SYNDROME

IMPOSTER SYNDROME HOW DOES IT MANIFEST? ▸ Feelings of self-doubt, insecurity ▸ Minimize success, focus on setbacks ▸ Luck, not skill ▸ Fear of being exposed as a fraud

IMPOSTER SYNDROME WHAT DOES IT SOUND LIKE? “I should know how to do this.” “Everyone at work is a lot smarter than me.” “That was just luck…” “I can’t ask that question, I’ll look like a fool.” “I’m fooled them into hiring me, I’m a total fraud.”

IMPOSTER SYNDROME SOME FACTS ▸ First presented in 1978 ▸ Originally thought to only affect women ▸ Affects ~70% of people*, common in high achievers * International Journal of Behavioral Science 2011, Vol. 6, No.1, 73-92

I HAVE WRITTEN 11 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

ANOTHER STORY…

“I JUST LOOK AT ALL THESE PEOPLE, AND I THINK, WHAT THE HECK AM I DOING HERE? THEY’VE MADE AMAZING THINGS. I JUST WENT WHERE I WAS SENT.” Neil Armstrong

MEET PHIL

ABOUT ME ▸ Imposter ▸ Self taught developer ▸ ISTJ, Type 6 • Logical, responsible, introverted, anxious ▸ Time traveller

GREAT. NOW HOW DO I DEAL WITH IT?

RECOGNIZE IT’S IMPOSTER SYNDROME

AN INABILITY TO RECOGNIZE YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS, DESPITE EVIDENCE OF SUCCESS AND HIGH ACHIEVEMENT. OFTEN COMBINED WITH A PERSISTENT FEAR OF BEING EXPOSED AS A FRAUD. Lots of people, 2019 HOW DO I DEAL WITH IT? AN INABILITY TO RECOGNIZE YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS, DESPITE EVIDENCE OF SUCCESS AND HIGH ACHIEVEMENT. OFTEN COMBINED WITH A PERSISTENT FEAR OF BEING EXPOSED AS A FRAUD.

HOW DO I DEAL WITH IT? RECOGNIZE IT’S IMPOSTER SYNDROME ▸ Learn to recognize the symptoms ▸ Just say “it’s Imposter Syndrome” ▸ Don’t have to solve everything write away

REFRAMING NEGATIVE THOUGHTS

HOW DO I DEAL WITH IT? REFRAMING NEGATIVE THOUGHTS “I should know how to do this.” - Your head “No one knows everything.” - The truth

HOW DO I DEAL WITH IT? REFRAMING NEGATIVE THOUGHTS “Everyone at work is a lot smarter than me.” - Your head “This is a great opportunity to learn from those around me.” - The truth

HOW DO I DEAL WITH IT? REFRAMING NEGATIVE THOUGHTS “That was just luck…” - Your head “You successfully achieved a goal.” - The truth

HOW DO I DEAL WITH IT? REFRAMING NEGATIVE THOUGHTS “I can’t ask that question, I’ll look like a fool.” - Your head “Everybody asks questions.” - The truth

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HOW DO I DEAL WITH IT? REFRAMING NEGATIVE THOUGHTS “I’m fooled [company] into hiring me, I’m a total fraud.” - Your head “You were the best candidate.” - The truth

TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF

HOW DO I DEAL WITH IT? TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF ▸ Lots of sleep and physical activity! ▸ Prioritize you ▸ Practice self compassion ▸ Meditation

SOME PRACTICAL TIPS

HOW DO I DEAL WITH IT? SOME PRACTICAL TIPS ▸ Strive to provide value ▸ Know your coworkers ▸ Talk to someone

HOW DO I DEAL WITH IT? SOME PRACTICAL TIPS CONTINUED… ▸ Write it down! ▸ Keep a list of achievements ▸ Ask for feedback

FINAL THOUGHTS

THE ONLY DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SOMEONE WHO EXPERIENCES IMPOSTOR SYNDROME AND SOMEONE WHO DOES NOT IS HOW THEY RESPOND TO CHALLENGES. Dr. Valerie Young* FINAL THOUGHTS * https://time.com/5312483/how-to-deal-with-impostor-syndrome/

FINAL THOUGHTS WANT MORE INFO? ‣ Thinking Your Way Out of Imposter Syndrome ‣ Fragmented Episode 141 ‣ https://www.google.com/search? q=imposter+syndrome

THANKS! Phil Shadlyn
 @physphil