Whether you have a permanent job or are working in short-term positions through temp agencies in Akron, Ohio, you may do battle with imposter syndrome. Many professionals have a nagging feeling that they aren’t good enough to be working in positions they’ve landed, or that they’ve somehow fooled everyone into thinking they’re capable when maybe they aren’t.
Often, imposter syndrome leaves professionals believing that they don’t deserve their career success. It may be spurred by doubts about their skills or competence, even though they’ve flourished in their role.
It’s important to understand that imposter syndrome is incredibly common, particularly among high achievers. Many professionals judge their performance more harshly than those around them do, causing a kind of disconnect between their opinion and reality.
Luckily, it is possible to overcome imposter syndrome. Here’s how to navigate this tricky situation.
Create an Accomplishments List
Typically, people give more mental weight to their failures than their successes. At times, negativity bias plays a role. People are often hardwired to remember bad moments with greater ease than positive ones. As a result, they have a skewed image of who they are professionally, causing them to view themselves as less qualified or deserving than they are in reality.
One way to combat negativity bias is to create a reminder list featuring your major achievements. It can include an overview of your professional accomplishments, notes about any accolades you’ve received, or copies of any written praise that has come your way. Some people go as far as to create folders, allowing them to save every thank you note, award, or another form of evidence that they have excelled.
Once you have the list or folder in place, you can turn to it in times where you begin to doubt yourself. It acts as a reminder of all you’ve achieved, combating imposter syndrome with hard evidence.
Adjust Your Internal Dialog
Negative self-talk can be incredibly damaging. Our internal narrative can be incredibly judgmental, often unfairly so.
When you find that you’re mentally tearing yourself down, pause the thought. Examine that message and, if it’s negative, work to reframe it into something positive.
You aren’t trying to lie to yourself. Instead, the purpose is to realistically look at the thought and counteract any unfair judgments. For example, if you make a mistake and find yourself thinking, “I’m a horrible failure,” that’s overly harsh. Everyone has missteps, so that thought should be reframed.
Speak with Others
Talking about how you feel with trusted confidants can be a wise move. If you’re battling against imposter syndrome, turn to a mentor or a trusted friend. Let them know who you’ve been thinking, and ask for their input. Often, this serves two purposes. First, you’ll likely find out that others deal with these same struggles, which can be reassuring in its own right. Second, they can reassure you, helping you focus on your achievements and capabilities.
Imposter syndrome is hard to overcome, but the tips above can make a difference. Use them throughout your career whenever the need arises, ensuring you can move forward with greater ease.
Are You Ready to Take Your Career to the Next Level?
If you’re in the market for a new position, contact the experienced recruitment team at Vector Technical Inc. today. We’ll help you explore your options and find your ideal opportunity.
You can launch your job search immediately, too. Head to our website and search our available jobs in Akron, Ohio. Then, submit your application online, allowing you to get the process going right away.
