How to overcome impostor syndrome as a young professional

Impostorism is a topic I have wanted to cover for a while. With the influx of recent graduates making their grand debut into the job market, many young professionals may relate to the feeling of impostorism. Especially in regards to social media, where the majority of people only post their highlight reels and not their less than glamorous behind-the-scenes, the comparison game is real.

What is impostor syndrome?
For those who may not know, impostor syndrome, (also known as impostor phenomenon, impostorism, fraud syndrome or the impostor experience), is defined as, "a psychological pattern in which a person doubts their accomplishments, and has persistent, internalized fear of being exposed as a fraud."

Roughly 70% of the world population experiences impostor syndrome, across race, gender, age, etc. Impostorism is noted in high-achievers. While impostor syndrome isn’t subjected to one group of people, researchers note it typically affects women more than men. More, its  presence increases among minorities.

Impostor syndrome sometimes manifests as indecision -- which stems from the fear of failure and rejection. The fear of not being good enough and perceived as fraudulent increases in attempts to move goals forward, lending way for the individual to strike themselves down before even given a chance.

With that said, this time last year, I was riddled with impostorism. I had NO idea how to fit myself into the 9-5 mold and was convinced there were no other viable career paths (and I am not, by any means, a 9-5 kind of gal).

Everyone around me *seemed* to have their next steps charted, and I hadn't a clue. I felt so unworthy of my degree, accomplishments, and the support given to me along the way.

What I found even more deflating, which only fueled the feeling of impostorism, was answering the loaded question from family members about my next-step plans. In most cases, there's a "right" and a "wrong" answer to the "what's next?!" question -- a pointed expectation that you should have more achievements and goals in hot pursuit.
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I wanted freedom - to live a life of my own creation. However, I wasn't sure how to accomplish this, and a career pathway embodying freedom isn't the "right" response. In the gloomy haze of late February 2019, I made the decision to start my virtual assistant business -- almost 6 months after receiving my degree.

It took eons to step into this decision because of the plethora of limiting beliefs I held:

• ​​​Who becomes a VA or freelances full-time right out of college?
• ​​Everyone is going to call me a fraud​
• I'm not smart enough to start my own business
• ​​Who am I to show up in this space?
• What is everyone going to think?
• I'm unworthy of making big money
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And I know all of that isn't true, but I felt like an impostor (and still struggle with impostorism today!).

How to overcome impostor syndrome
It’s critical to remember when encountering feelings of doubt in your capabilities is that you aren't the only person who has felt the same way. In fact, Maya Angelou and Albert Einstein divulged uncertainties in their accomplishments.
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Below are some methods to overcome impostor syndrome:

1. Make a list of your accomplishments
   Review your past wins in times of struggle as a reminder of your capabilities and worth.
2. Externalize your feelings
   The best way to work through your feelings is to acknowledge its presence. By talking with a close confidant or journaling, you can work towards externalizing intrusive thoughts. However, be wary of who you share these feelings with -- some will use your insecurities to their advantage.
3. Accept compliments
   Embracing compliments and words of encouragement is one of the quickest ways to build confidence. When you deflect compliments, you deny another human the opportunity to breathe life into you.
4. Repeat affirmations and reinforce positive self-talk
   When you’re upset or indulge in a negative mindset, it’s easy to berate yourself with toxic thoughts. However, there is a big difference in the statements “I feel like a failure” and “I am a failure.” It may seem corny, but the quote, your thoughts become your reality is true beyond comprehension.
5. Progress over perfection
   Not on single human on this planet is perfect. Oftentimes, high-achievers procrastinate putting their work out into the world if it’s not 100% perfect (I am totally guilty of this). Next time you think, “I don’t know anything” try to reframe the thought as “Wow, I’m going to learn so much!”
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Conclusion
If your journey doesn't resemble the crowds, it doesn't mean that you're lost. Even if your path looks like graduation delays, a job outside of corporate America, or frankly, if you don't have/plan on getting a degree, remember:
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Your path and journey are uniquely yours, and you don't need other people's permission to live a remarkable life on your terms.
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Additional Resources:

• The Often Ambitious Podcast ​​has a wonderful episode (#56) about overcoming impostorism that I listen to in times of need.
• ​​​5 Ways to Effectively Manage Impostor Syndrome
• A TedTalk about impostor syndrome