Impostor Syndrome.

A short story, true story: There was an upcoming interview for a position with a top consulting firm. She was excited and fully prepared; finally, her dream of working with this apex company was about to come true. The job description was almost a duplicate of her resume; all she needed to do was show up, connect, and discuss her experience, making them see the value she brings to the table, right? That shouldn't be so difficult.

Minutes before the interview, her hands and feet felt cold, and then the monologue started: Are you ready? What if you get rejected? Can you do this job? Do you think you're good enough? Oh darn! Not again, that feeling of never being good enough despite an excellent track record… deep sigh!

Does this story sound familiar to you?

This was my story, and I wish this story were peculiar to me. However, I have watched people from all strata become victims of their doubts. Why? Could this self-doubt stem from wanting perfection?

This self-damaging behavior extinguishes the light in every effort and drains the joy from achievements. It is a vice that one should be aware of because it creeps on so quickly and takes its toll mentally and physically. Impostor Syndrome is a self-sabotaging and self-antagonizing behavior that undermines one's self-worth and stifles confidence, much like selling a valuable gem at a fraction of its true value. You see, the energy you give is the energy you attract.

Selling yourself short puts you in smaller rooms, automatically reducing your value, potential opportunities, and the space to grow. Unfortunately, life doesn't always give a second chance. So, see every first interaction as an opportunity to show your value and passion and tell your story.

The antidote to this is to first believe in yourself; your strengths and weaknesses balance out. Second, don't give in to doubts; stay positive with your eyes on the North Star. This posture drowns out the noise around.

Third, surround yourself with people genuinely interested in seeing you excel, give constructive feedback, and continuously motivate you to improve. Fourth, celebrate your wins, no matter how small. You are deserving. Learn to give yourself back pats and flowers; you did it – yep, you are valuable and not a fraud.

What’s your story on impostor syndrome? How do you deal with it?