Build your Toolkit: Dealing with Imposter Syndrome

As we embark on the next moths, I will be sharing some principles and tools that have helped me thrive. Building a toolkit is one of the principles that has helped me. Equipping myself with tools that will help simplify my life, continuously improve, learn new skills, grow personally, and provide new perspective has been a lot of fun. Especially at times when we feel like there is a lot that we cannot do, I want to encourage you to take charge and do what you can.
 
This post kicks off the Her Toolkit series. In this blog post, we will explore the definition of Imposter Syndrome and learn practical tools to overcome it. 
 
What is Imposter Syndrome?

• Imposter syndrome can be defined as a collection of feelings of inadequacy that persist despite evident success. (Source: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome)
• is commonly understood as a false and sometimes crippling belief that one's successes are the product of luck or fraud rather than skill (Source: Merriam Webster)
• is a pervasive feeling of self-doubt, insecurity, or fraudulence despite often overwhelming evidence to the contrary. ( Source: Scientific American)
• a feeling of "phoniness in people who believe they are not intelligent, capable or creative despite evidence of high achievement." (Source: Pauline R. Clance)

 
What has been my experience with Imposter Syndrome?
There are feelings in life that come up in different situations and phases. For me, the feeling that I may not deserve to be where I am or that I am not as smart as everyone around me is one that comes up sometimes. Although I know that I deserve to be here and that I have worked extremely hard to get this far, this is still an ongoing challenge for me. Some of the situations when the feelings come up include when I experience huge success, make a major transition in my life or achieve something I have been working on for long.
 
What tools can we use?
Sharing some of my previous blog posts where I shared extremely useful tools that helped me overcome Imposter Syndrome.

• Accomplishments log: Track what you have accomplished. Documenting what you have achieved gives you something to go back to when you start questioning yourself.
  
• Finding your Voice: Speak up for yourself and others around you. The more you push yourself to share your story the more you get comfortable with it.
  
• Know your worth: Remind yourself of what you are worth a lot and deserve the best. 

 
Great Resources
Check out my blog post on Six Tips to Overcome Imposter syndrome and video titled "How to Overcome Imposter Syndrome".
 
Call To Action
Do you feel like you do not deserve to be where you are today? Tell yourself that you do and remember all the work that you have put in.