Escaping the Impostor Syndrome

Dexter is my favorite impostor.

Walter White is my 2nd favorite impostor.

Not all impostors have to be bad guys.

Everywhere we look, people are leading double lives!

In 1970, a 3-month premature baby had a 50% chance of survival.

I should know. That’s how I got my start.

The inability to internalize success.

The Impostor Syndrome

I have a great team.

“That was incredible!”

Most of this info is easily available

online somewhere.

“You’re crazy smart!”

I’m sure you’ll be even better.

“I want to be you when I grow up!”

If you really knew me, you wouldn’t say those things.

What we’re really saying (to ourselves)

Any minute now, they’re going to find out

what I don’t know.

What we’re really saying (to ourselves)

I’m really good at faking it.

What we’re really saying (to ourselves)

I was really lucky.

What we’re really saying (to ourselves)

I was just at the right place at the right time.

What we’re really saying (to ourselves)

Time to tell yourself to quit it!

It’s critical we escape the impostor syndrome.

Be Honest. (it’s the first step)

Get Perspective. (from someone not dealing with it)

Talk about it. (start with people close to you)

Keep Learning (keep asking questions)

Teach Others (even when you don’t feel like an expert)

Keep track of your accomplishments

(get a LinkedIn account)

Create your own solutions

Questions?

Chris Lema

@chrislema

chrislema.com

recovering imposter