Honest question... how do you all handle imposter syndrome? I'm up for a promotion at work and I'm sweating it pretty hard. I still struggle sometimes with public speaking and presenting, and I feel like I don't look as polished and professional as some of the other women I work with. But, I work hard, and I did earn it. How do you check these thoughts and not feel like you're lying to yourself when you hype yourself up??

Imposter syndrome comes from the doubts we’ve absorbed—society’s, others’, and our own. But here’s the truth: You earned this. Your success isn’t luck, it’s yours. Shift self-doubt by focusing on facts, not feelings. Remind yourself of your wins, reframe negative thoughts, and own your power. You belong here—act like it.

Positive affirmation goes a long way. Power posing is real too. Lately I’ve loved this positive affirmations playlist and I play it before big meetings. Taking care of yourself as well— healthy body, healthy mind with positive affirmations makes for a confident woman!

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1bOmYOXAMCJTM7cp1HHS0f?si=umqN24A-Rj-y_oTcc8Q4bA&pi=yILNPqMrRHiGK

I don’t know why it’s called “imposter syndrome” other than it’s a polite way of saying “lacking confidence”.

But honestly - if they felt you weren’t ready they would (should) say so. Every step up has chances to learn and grow. If you knew how to do everything perfectly at the next level, then your target is too low!

You earned it. Lean in and learn what you don’t know or need to improve upon. None of us were born knowing how to do our jobs, it’s a lifelong learning experience.

Don’t feed that thought. Whenever it emerges just channel your energy towards actual work, getting things done. And once you’ve done a thing or two, likely that thought is already gone.

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, ‘Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?’
Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world.
There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking, so that other people won’t feel insecure around you.
We are all meant to shine, as children do.
We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.
It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we’re liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
Marianne Williamson

The things that scare you are the things you have to get more experience on. Once you gain the skill and experience then you are knowledgeable and not afraid.

therapy with psychologist works wonderful to identify and address core reasons.

also this audiobook "Complex PTSD from surviving to thriving "

Imposter syndrome is totally normal especially in a stretch opportunity. I suggest working with a coach for a few months to master your mindset, transform limiting beliefs (I’m not good enough, I don’t deserve this, etc) and upgrade your operating system so you understand and own your power in a way that’s totally authentic to you. Normal advice is to fake it ‘til you make it or push through, but that’s not a permanent fix and won’t actually make you feel confident- it often has the opposite effect of making you feel like a bigger imposter. Confidence is a result- it’s born in not feeling confident, doing hard things, grace and being ok stumbling now and then.

I keep a folder on my work desktop of all the kudos I’ve gotten from clients and bosses. When those thoughts come up, I reread them. It helps me. When that doesn’t work, I tell myself that if I’m a fake, then I’m a trickster god. I have them all fooled and they’ll never catch me.

At the end of the day, I remind myself that this is a job and that we were not born to be robot workers. I’m supposed to make mistakes and be human. I won’t be 82 wishing I’d been a more perfect worker bee.

Usually one of those three things works.

imposter syndrome does not exist.
i understood it after ... 5 years in therapy.

simply identify and work with your childhood traumas