Comments on: Feeling Like A Fraud: Living With Imposter Syndrome

By: Evelyn

Evelyn — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 05:00:29 +0000

Shauntel, you have indeed been tested, but it sounds as though you are coming out on the other side stronger and more resilient than ever before. I commend you for that and wish you all the best with your new career goals. Dr. Richard Johnson coined the word ReCareer and has put together a certification program for those coaches who are interested in working with midlife men and women around changing careers. He also has a certification course for Retirement issues as well. I’ve taken both his courses and been certified in both and part of what I do with the women I work with is around these two very important issues. If you’re interested you can check out his website at http://www.retirementoptions.com or http://www.recareer.com.

By: Evelyn

Evelyn — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 04:56:55 +0000

Eileen – feeling the fear and doing it anyway is the way we grow in confidence, ability and strength. Letting go of the need to be perfect is another way. Perfection doesn’t keep us from failing; it keeps us from being successful, and from shining our light and showcasing our special gifts. Thanks so much for your thoughtful response and your wise suggestions that we should all follow.

By: Evelyn

Evelyn — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 04:54:08 +0000

I am glad to know that something in my post resonated with you and has caused you to change how you think about yourself and your career – especially if that change means you will accept more graciously that you are worthy of where you are and what you’ve built in your work world. I do know that not all women are as supportive of their sisters as they should be – mostly do to issues of the ego – but so many more are genuinely supportive and that’s who we need to surround ourselves with. We need to be the change we want to see in the world, and by doing this we will draw that change to us as well. All my best to. Please keep me posted as to how things are going for you.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 13:53:40 +0000

I can relate to many things in this post, and I can tell that it will be the beginning of a change in how I think of myself and my career. As I was reading your words, I also wondered if we as women always do all we can to support each other in avoiding the Imposter Syndrome, or if, instead, we sometimes say things that lead to increased self-doubt in others. I have one friend in particular who is incredibly supportive in terms of helping me to see myself as competent and worthy of success, and I wish more women were as psychologically generous. Lots to think about. Thank you.

By: Eileen Williams

Eileen Williams — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 15:48:11 +0000

This is a fabulous post about a phenomenon many (mostly) women experience and one that remains under reported and under the radar. I have known and experienced self-doubt many, many times over my career. Although, in my case, each time I stretched myself and took on projects I was afraid to do, I gained strength and my impostor syndrome receded bit by bit. To me doing something that frightens you and then succeeding at it is one of the very best ways to build self-esteem. Along with your great suggestions, taking risks and overcoming fears should help those who suffer from this often-times debilitating feeling.

By: Shauntel

Shauntel — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 17:42:28 +0000

I went through a similar experience with self doubt, imposter syndrome. My ex-husband reenforce my feelings of being worthless. When I became a mother at a very late in life and I emotionally frozen. My career fell in reverse, and my life started to unravel. I went to therapy. I knew I could no longer stay in the marriage, but I did not want to hurt my child. I was over 50, but still had high energy, a baby face, and could pass for 35. But inside I felt worthless. My divorce finalized in September 2009. I financial advisory practice just dried up. It seemed like all I had was a prayer. But through the help of a life coach, close friends, and God, I am rewritng my life script. I am rebuilding my career, and started writing about Retirement vs Recareering as a cable TV talk show. I thought I was just making up a word, but my cousin suggested that I google the RECAREER. This Last night when I found all this information about Recareer had a moment of Epiphany.
Your newsletted reenforced my beliefs.
Thank
Shauntel