A feeling of incompetence and self-doubt structures the term impostor syndrome. Questioning if you are undeserving or having a fraud intellect may creep in only when you are underappreciated. A common phenomenon that we hear everywhere be it work, home, or in society. Impostor syndrome, however, takes a significant toll on women, especially black women.
Let us analyze what leads to it.
Say you are one female in your team. And your team succeeds in delivering a project where your contributions were commendable. However, in most successful parties, the team does not pay heed to your work and strengths. This makes you question your credibility.
Impostor syndrome can influence a person’s psychology for all the wrong reasons. We must address it with the first doubt of self-worth. No one will motivate you to work hard towards pulling yourself out of this syndrome, except you. Therefore, being a woman, especially a woman of color, you have to learn how to deal with impostor syndrome.
Reasons for experiencing Impostor Syndrome
It is not only you, but even people at higher designations fight this. They too face Impostor Syndrome: Secret fears of high achievers.
Earlier, women never came to the forefront of an organization. Hence people in the workplace never understood the need to appreciate women. Today, when the world is bringing in new women leaders, black women in top management, women pilots, officers, etc., it’s time for society to adjust to this positive change.
Mainly lack of roles and role models are the reasons for the inferior feeling in women. Black and indigenous people suffer the worst as overall representation across all white-collar fields are shockingly low.
People often question others in lower jobs for their area of expertise just because they look a certain way or are from a minority community, which adds to a feeling of impostor syndrome.
Scared of being termed as incapable, people with impostor syndrome try to fit in the crowd. They secretly wish no one notices them, which fails them to bring out the best in themselves.
How to deal with Impostor Syndrome?
To get over this, you have to get to the roots that has given birth to these thoughts in your mind. As a woman, you should know that why impostor syndrome is every woman's secret weapon?
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Convert the fear of self-doubt to a belief in yourself
It’s tough to find icons the same as you or from a similar background. Still, trust in your capabilities.
It’s okay to feel what you feel. Don’t deny it. It is a thing and happens to many people. Speak up as and when the thought of self-doubt creeps in.
Self-doubt has the power to help you improvise on your weaknesses. Take the clue and head-on.
Preparing for a presentation, an event, or an exam can take your stress away and can make you visualize success.
For every little success, reward yourself. Seek and find out your answers. Build up your self-esteem.
Love yourself, and the rest will follow.
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