How not to be a fraud (re: imposter syndrome)
I usually know where my notes will end when I'm writing, whether it's on WhatsApp or for my newsletter or blog. There are days, however, when I have to make myself write without a clear path or answer, and this was the case with my newsletter recently.
I wanted to write about imposter syndrome but didn't want to pretend I had answers while simultaneously hoping that by the time I'd finished putting the last dot, something worthwhile would result from it.
The newsletter was titled How not to be a fraud - I thought it was catchy, and I'd hoped writing the newsletter would help me figure out how to get over feeling like a fraud (a common symptom of imposter syndrome) - and help others too. You can't write about a problem and not offer fixes, ya know!
I realized while writing, however, that there's a different way to fraud people - it's to not be upfront about how awesome you are, to minimize your accomplishments, and to hide the truth about your ability to achieve great things, especially when you have data that proves this.
You're not a fraud - there's proof that you can learn and execute. You only become a fraud when you refuse to admit this. That's where the newsletter led me to.
What's the data saying?
I obtained a bachelor's degree in Integrative Neuroscience, and the remnants of a research mentality linger on in my mind, in the voice of one of my professors, who would ask, "What's the data saying?"
This is how I handled imposter syndrome through the newsletter, by flipping it and asking individuals to commit to finding out who they are (the data) and sticking with that information. And to keep moving forward because I don't think these feelings ever go away (tell me if I'm wrong): self-doubt and fear seem to always catch up with us at every level of accomplishment.
But if you have the data to back it up, whatever "it" is to you, then you can use that to drown out the noise and keep going. Data can look like anecdotal reports from friends or colleagues who can testify to your capacity, or it can be more tangible, like awards, promotions, training, experience, education, or numbers that show your impact.
These things don't only point to your capacity to deliver but also to your capacity to learn (you weren't born knowing how to do a lot of things and had to learn as you grew), especially in circumstances where you feel imposter syndrome while trying something new.
You're not a fraud - there's proof that you can learn and execute. You only become a fraud when you refuse to admit this. That's where the newsletter led me.
How I ended the newsletter:
"It seems like as long as I make a move in the opposite direction of these feelings, I make progress. So I can't stop moving; I have to keep going. So here's how not to be a fraud: by not denying one's inner greatness, by putting oneself out there in spite of doubt or fear, and by being unashamed of one's accomplishments. It is also owning up to the fact that you're pretty awesome and totally deserve everything good that's coming your way."
