Starting a new job and career can be on the most nerve-racking experiences one can have in their life no matter how many jobs or career changes you have. For some and even many, you may experience what is called Imposter Syndrome. Don’t worry it’s perfectly curable and it’s more common than you.

In my view, I have often experienced this in much of my career but I will say this it will subside in time when you soon begin to see in your abilities in your new profession. As someone who has a Masters degree in business, I shouldn’t experience but like all of us I still have to learn skills, a profession to get me to where I am today.

I have always been one to take on roles that were outside of what I learned in school and felt it was important to challenge myself in roles that many would not normally take, which in part has to lead me to feel like an imposter.

The definition of Imposter Syndrome would be:

imposter syndrome (noun)

1. the persistent inability to believe that one’s success is deserved or has been legitimately achieved as a result of one’s own efforts or skills.

“people suffering from impostor syndrome may be at increased risk of anxiety”

Like I mentioned there is a cure this is a perfectly natural feeling and how you can end up thriving and finding your passion. Here are some ways to defeat those thoughts:

1. Rewrite your mental script

Retrain your mind to enjoy the opportunity you’ve been given. For example, instead of thinking,

“There are going to find out you have no idea what you’re doing and fire you,” think to yourself, “Everyone feels this way, it’s natural and I got this. You might not know everything, but you can learn, the company chose you for a reason.

2. Take out the trash

When self-sabotage bubbles up in your brain, drag it out. Get those fears out and talk to someone, a friend, family anyone you trust and those thoughts will soon begin to disappear in time.

3. Failure is a stepping stone to greatness

Why not change the way you view failure, where failure is what it takes to succeed and everyone that is anyone had to fail? Throw the idea of success out the window for a moment and discover the meaning of failure: A steppingstone to greatness.

4. Show yourself

Visualize your victories big and small and you shall see yourself succeed in whatever you set your mind to. Focus on the positive and don’t look back, it can be hard but take those nerves and think about the bright path in front of you and go for it.

5. Trick the brain

When all else fails, fake it until you make it! Don’t wait for confidence to drive over. Our confidence will build when we take risks but changing our behaviour and your mind will follow.

Give Yourself a New Perspective

To give you some perspective to a time I have felt like this to an extreme level was when I took a role that was very technical in nature learning code, minor programming and it was something I had never had formal training in. I was that position for 18 months and each day I felt like an imposter even though I learn how to do the job. I felt like I didn’t belong and many times others made me feel like I didn’t belong either so the imposter syndrome never went away.

It soon took over my work because I felt I just wasn’t good enough, I made mistakes along the way but I kept pushing forward eventually it no longer was a good fit for but I will always remember that I took a risk to learn.

That fear I have subsided in my new role, another role I have taken where I had no normal training but that’s ok because in my eyes I must overtake this fear of me not being good enough because I can learn to adapt and move forward.

Have you experienced these feelings, did they affect you in the long term or short term? How did you overcome those feelings?

At the end of the day, remember this: You are here for a reason. In this job, your business, your life, you are worthy. You are better than you think you are. You are smarter thank you think you are. You are more than you give yourself credit for. Remember that. And remind yourself as often as you need to.