Imposter Syndrome

Last week I gave a presentation to a room of 160 accomplished, impressive, amazing women leaders, and there was a part of me that felt like I had no business being on that stage.  Let me explain. 

Part of my job as the director of True North is to get out in the community and let people know about different ways we can be of service by assisting people in living a life that’s closer to or even surpasses their ideal, but when I dreamed of being a psychologist, I didn’t dream of standing on stages or providing webinars on Zoom, or giving my professional opinion to reporters. 

Instead, I imagined being in a smallish room, sitting in a comfy chair, supporting another woman sitting on a comfy couch as she was going through a difficult time. We would talk over a cup of tea or hot chocolate or lemonade depending on the season, and there would sometimes be tears and sometimes laughter, but she would leave the room knowing that she was cared for and heard and that by working together, we would help her get to the other side of the problem she was currently facing. 

That part of the dream has come true, and in the past few years, through the magic of telehealth, the person can sit on a comfy couch in their own home! Counseling is where I feel at home and confident in the skills I’ve developed since my first client in 1996 (I hope they’re doing well). 

I’ve been speaking publicly for several years and I’ve become much more confident and have a toolbox of techniques to use to counter the imposter syndrome voice, but I’ll be honest that I still sometimes don’t sleep very well the night before. I sometimes worry that I won't do well enough. That I won’t be helpful. My stomach doesn’t want much food the morning of the presentation, *and I make up for that after it’s over!* I basically have moments of feeling like a 5-year-old version of myself.

Can you relate? If so, you might have experienced imposter syndrome, the nagging belief that maybe you’re not good enough and maybe that will become public knowledge.  If you do feel that way sometimes, you’re not the only one. Fortunately, there are ways to recognize that’s just a thought, not a fact.

A virtual True North Success Circle is a service that isn’t therapy. Instead, it’s a supportive group of 8-10 ambitious women who discuss things like imposter syndrome, work/life balance, perfectionism, procrastination, fear of failure, fear of success, team management, and more. I chime in with tips, tricks, and resources based on what I’ve learned over the years specializing in working with women who are entrepreneurs and professionals. The other women in the group offer what they know from their experience, and what results is a great conversation among women who have different backgrounds, but are currently having the same struggle, or they did in the past, or probably will in the future. There’s a sense that you’re not alone and that there may be ways to deal with the issue that actually work! 

I’d like to give you a taste of what a virtual True North Success Circle is like. If you’re a woman who is interested in personal and professional development, please register here to join us on March 25th at noon. Feel free to share the registration link with a friend and get ready to learn from and support each other, and leave with some ideas about how to successfully deal with imposter Syndrome in the future.