From Imposter to Empowered: Conquering Self-Doubt

Have you ever felt anxious about being seen as incompetent even when you’ve achieved success in your government career? Do you question your skills and abilities, fearing that you’re deceiving others despite clear evidence to the contrary? In this blog post, we’ll focus on some insights on how to cultivate unshakable confidence amidst life’s uncertainties. Imposter syndrome afflicts most people but few talk about it.

Even though I’m known for delivering solid work, my inner critic still whispers doubts about my skills and abilities. What I discovered is that I wasn’t alone in feeling this way. Mid-way in my career, I came to learn about something called “imposter syndrome.”

That in turn made me want to explore how to quiet that inner critic and cultivate genuine confidence.

1. Stop Comparing Yourself to Others

Sometimes I look at someone else and their success and find myself comparing and alternatively despairing. While I still like to celebrate the success of others, if I find my attention turning negative, I focus on my key strengths and accomplishments to look inward and work with my behavior, something I can control.

• Pause and reflect. I remind myself how far I’ve come in my own journey, through gratitude journaling, a short meditation practice, stepping outside, etc.
• Track your wins. No matter how small they may seem, I use them as a source of motivation and confidence.
• Review positive feedback. Look through my gratitude folder of emails and recognitions from others.

2. Become Aware of and Avoid Your Triggers

Identify and minimize exposure to situations that trigger self-doubt. For some, it might be social media or the constant barrage of news. Limit your exposure to these triggers and focus on activities that uplift and empower you.

• Curate your influences. Be intentional about the influences in your life. In the mornings while getting ready now, I ditched listening to the news for podcasts.
• Choose your company wisely. When I have free time, I make a point to be with friends that are supportive and reflect the values that I want to reinforce in my life and with whom I can be vulnerable in sharing life’s ups and downs.
• Set healthy boundaries. If there are certain meetings or interactions with colleagues that tend to trigger feelings of inadequacy, I try to manage those situations proactively by making sure I’m prepared, seeking support from trusted colleagues, and being clear on my needs and boundaries.

3. Tap into the Power of a Growth Mindset

Embrace the belief that you can build and upgrade your intelligence and talents through effort and learning. View challenges as opportunities for growth and don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. Adaptability and a willingness to learn are key to success in life today.

• Adapt and evolve. The world is changing at an unprecedented pace, driven by advances in technology, globalization, and shifts in social norms. Embrace uncertainty and learn to find stability within yourself.
• Seek feedback. This is an opportunity to improve rather than letting it derail your confidence.  I’ll admit, when the feedback takes on the form of criticism it can sting, but I try to see it as an opportunity to improve.
• Celebrate success, but keep striving. There’s always room to grow and learn, nobody likes a “know-it-all!”

Confidence isn’t about being perfect; it’s about self-trust, resilience, and a willingness to learn and grow. By shifting your focus inward, managing your triggers, and embracing a growth mindset, you can conquer imposter syndrome and thrive in your government career. Remember, every experience, even the challenging ones, is an opportunity to sharpen your skills and become the best version of yourself.

Sally is a seasoned federal government professional with experience in strategic communication, program development, holistic coaching, and cultivating a thriving workplace environment. She is passionate about aligning organizational goals with employee satisfaction, productivity, and retention. Her holistic approach to leadership emphasizes the importance of both personal and professional growth within the public sector.

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