A couple of weeks ago, I was scrolling through my Twitter feed and saw a tweet by comedian, Karen Chee, that reminded me of my struggles with imposter syndrome. She said, “bravely combatting imposter syndrome by being genuinely bad.” It was funny to me because that is how imposter syndrome makes me feel most of the time.
According to Very Well Mind, imposter syndrome is “an internal experience of believing that you are not as competent as others perceive you to be.” This is typically associated with intelligence and achievement, but it can also be related to perfectionism. For me, imposter syndrome is relevant to my involvement in school activities. As a journalism major, almost every activity revolves around gaining career experience. This type of pressure to join clubs and organizations makes things very competitive. When applying for membership for these types of groups, I tend to feel less qualified than I really am. Everyone else seems to be better than me and it can be very intimidating.
Here are four ways to combat imposter syndrome:
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If you don’t already have one, make a Linkedin account and create a resume. Being able to visualize your accomplishments can help you feel more confident and willing to show them off.
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Make a vision board. Collect images that reflect all your hopes and dreams and display them at your desk or as your phone background. Seeing a collage of all your manifestations will help you feel more motivated to achieve them.
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Do not be afraid to aim high and try new clubs. If you have been struggling to earn a spot in a group, do not give up! Keep trying and you will eventually find the right fit.
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Take your time. There is so much pressure to establish all your club memberships as soon as college starts. It is okay to try different things before committing to one group.
Overall, imposter syndrome does not have to control your life. You are going to end up exactly where you need to be, there is no need to worry about being good enough.