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Impostor syndrome shows up differently for each season of the Career Growth Cycle.  

You are currently in

WINTER SEASON

of the career growth cycle. 

This means that you are focused on finding and getting a new job or opportunity.


Your playbook is designed to help you feel confident as you seek out new opportunities.

The Career Growth cycle has four seasons: 

  • Spring: Starting a new job or position
  • Summer: Deepening your expertise & leadership
  • Autumn: Deciding on your next best step
  • Winter: Actively seeking new opportunities

The Ditch Impostor Syndrome Playbook:
Winter Edition

Have confidence to keep moving forward & find a meaningful role that will challenge you.

When you’re in the winter season of your career, it’s easy to feel the stress of applying for new opportunities or jobs.

You want to feel that you're using your talents in a role that was designed for you, but anxiety is either impacting your interview performance or it's stopping your from applying from higher level roles. 

You want to do amazing things in your career. You want to take on the next challenge.

You want to make meaningful impact.

And because you care so much, the fear of failure or making a mistake can create a “freeze” reaction that impacts your job search process. And this can create a lot of problems. 

Do any of these "client confessions" sound familiar?

  • “I feel like that's a job for a real grownup, not me. But when I read through the descriptions and qualifications, I meet most of them, it's just hard to believe I guess."
  • “I stammer a lot in the interviews I do get, and I feel if I do get a job I won't deserve it."
  • “I’m potentially not applying to roles, because I don’t think that I’m qualified enough, even though I know I could do the job."

Here's the thing... 

You know in your heart of hearts that you deserve
to find a meaningful position that will challenge you.

You’re likely a subject matter expert in your field - maybe you've even been in the same role for 5+ years. You get positive feedback and have been told you have support to move onto the next level or challenge.

There’s just this little bug in your brain that sometimes pokes you and says something like “what if you're not actually qualified/good enough for these jobs?.”

At the end of the day, you’re here because you know that "impostor syndrome" is often your mind playing tricks on you. 

And even when it's not simply in your mind... I'm here to tell you that there is a whole lot of unconscious bias that feeds into any self-doubt you're experiencing. 

Here's what no one tells you about "impostor syndrome".

Impostor syndrome isn't just in your head. 

It's also rooted in pervasive unconscious biases, systems of oppression and negative external messages.

Impostor syndrome image of a venn diagram, which is three overlapping circles. Circle One is "self-doubt" with the caption "Negative self-talk often fueled by external impostor messages, i.e. "you're too bossy"." Circle Two is "unconscious bias" with the caption "Pervasive and systemic biases rooted in patriarchy and white colonialism. Circle Three is "Fear of failure" with the caption "Anxiety over making a mistake, usually caused by a risk-avoidant organizational culture.".

Bottom line:
"impostor syndrome" is not your fault. 

In fact... Impostor syndrome is completely understandable once we realize that sensitive professionals are caught between thoughts of self-doubt (which are incredibly common), pervasive bias and organizational fear of failure. 

So let’s talk about three strategies to help you ditch impostor syndrome as you plan to take on a new challenge. 

Strategy 1:  Express your thoughts + emotions

If there’s one documented truth about how to combat impostor thoughts, it’s the importance of talking about them openly with a trusted mentor, friend or colleague. 

Expressing your impostor thoughts is one of the BEST ways to overcome them.

Talk it out and share your experience. You'll feel less alone, plus it normalizes this very universal experience of the little fear bug entering our brain.

Impostor thoughts grow more powerful the longer they stay in your mind. When you express the fear, the doubt, and the totally absurd thoughts, you deprive them of that power. 

But I know how hard it is to start those conversations. What do you say?  Will the person think you’re irrational… or worse yet, maybe they’d even confirm the worst fears that roam your brain.

Here’s what I want you to know. 

When you open up about a vulnerable topic like impostor thoughts, you not only help overcome those thoughts, but you’ll also create a deeper relationship. 

And you know what’s a really, really, simple way to start the conversation?

Tell them “Hey, so I was reading a recent article about impostor syndrome, and it said that one of the best ways to get rid of impostor thoughts was to talk about them out loud. What do you think about that?” 

It's a very simple question ("what do you think about that") that will quickly tell you whether this can become a rich conversation OR that they’re not interested in talking about it.

And all without making it a big deal :) 

If they’re on board with it, you can then tell them that the author also gave some conversation prompts to talk about it. 

Then, use these questions to kick start a meaningful conversation that will also help normalize and reduce the impostor thoughts: 

  • Have you ever felt underqualified for a project or position? What happened?
  • Have you ever had an “impostor thought” that you didn’t belong? How did you handle it?
  • What’s the best advice you’ve heard about getting rid of impostor syndrome?

STRATEGY 2: Practice self-compassion

One of the most stress-inducing aspects of impostor thoughts is when you make a mistake. Your anxiety spikes through the roof and you wonder if this is when everyone realizes you’re a total fraud. Even if intellectually you know how important it is to embrace imperfection. (We all read and love Brené Brown right??)

If you want to get better at ditching impostor thoughts, you need to become comfortable with imperfect. And become comfortable taking a risk that something will be imperfect.

 *** Always remember that you are doing the best you can do, with the information and resources you have at the time.***

And the most powerful way to be comfortable when mistakes happen is to learn to forgive yourself.

Self-compassion is the ultimate key to ditching impostor thoughts. 

Here are four tangible ways to start implementing self-compassion.

  • Notice any moments of negative self-talk. Catch the negative, judgemental thought and turn it into a kind, accepting thought.
  • Take 3 mindful minutes each day, whether it's in the morning, afternoon or evening. (Apps are great for this, Headspace is my current go to).
  • Ask yourself - what would you tell a friend who was in the same situation?
  • Keep a post-it note in the kitchen or above your laptop with an affirmation that reminds you to find your self-compassion in moments of stress. Here's a link to a great list of 101 positive affirmations. (And as a bonus for parents, it's geared towards helping your kids develop positive thinking skills :)

Strategy 3: Let It Go.

I call this the Frozen approach to showing up powerfully.

The next time you start ruminating or feeling anxious about whether you’re going to make a mistake, channel your inner Elsa and start humming, “Let it go…. Let it go…”  

Let go of the unreasonably high expectations you’re setting for yourself. 

Let go of overthinking and beating yourself up for making a mistake. 

Let go of worrying about what people might say if you trip up.

Instead -- embrace yourself for WHO YOU ARE. 

>You are meant to be in the room. 

>>You are meant to be at the table. 

>>>You are meant to have your voice heard.

So get out there and step into a leadership position.

You’re meant to lead.

Hi, I'm Liz!

I'm a leadership & career development coach for purpose-driven professionals who dream of rising to executive level. I specialize in helping introverted, quiet and highly sensitive professionals feel confident speaking up for themselves…. even if they work in tough, fast-paced or stressful working environments. 

My vision is that everyone should feel excited, motivated and proud of the work they do. Everyone deserves to have a meaningful career making an impact on the world around them. I also believe we need greater diversity in the rooms where decisions are being made. 

We need your voice and your ideas. We need your presence. We need you.

I’m all about helping you feel energized, motivated and confident showing up with a powerful presence, no matter what chaos swirls around you.

I want you to advance your career with more joy, less stress and a whole lot of impact.

Everything I do is about helping you get there.

Wondering what's next?

I’m so thrilled to have you in my community. You can bookmark this page to come back for a reminder, and you're also going to get the results sent directly to your inbox. 

If you also signed up for my email newsletter, here's what to expect in your inbox every few days.

  • Email #1: Your Playbook Results
  • Email #2: What makes you amazing 🥂
  • Email #3: Courage to speak up in meetings (even if your heartrate skyrockets at the idea)
  • Email #4: Why your boss stinks at feedback (and what to do about it)
  • Email #5: An easier way to get senior management buy-in for your ideas
  • Email #6: How to stop agonizing and NOT take an hour to write an email
  • Email #7: The first time I cried in my boss' office
  • Email #8: About the masks we wear

Not sure if you're signed up to get these emails? Add your email below to make sure you get the Winter Season playbook along with ongoing access to tips, inspiration and offers I send out every week 🌟

Want to work with me more closely? 

I run a group coaching program, the Powerful Presence Society. It's all about developing your leadership presence in a way that builds authentic relationships, enhances professional confidence and grows your strategic thinking skills. Learn about the program and book an enrollment call here!

We'd love to have you in the group 🌟

Want to binge listen to podcast episodes for the Winter Season?

Check out these recent episodes  from UnRuley Leadership that are perfect for the Winter Season of the career growth cycle.

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