An Ode to Impostor Syndrome

An Ode to Impostor Syndrome

“It’s not what you are that holds you back, it’s what you think you are not.” ― Denis Waitley

“I’m a fraud.”

“I’m not qualified to do this.”

“It’s only a matter of time until they find out.”

Have you ever had thoughts like these? Well, guess what…we all have. 

It’s called Impostor Syndrome. The feeling that you are not good enough or qualified enough to do something. Most people hate it. They try to find ways to “cure” it. They want to avoid it.

I have an unpopular opinion. I think Impostor Syndrome gets a bad rap. I think Impostor Syndrome is a good thing. As a matter of fact, I’ll go as far as to say…

I love Impostor Syndrome.

When you feel Impostor Syndrome it’s a signal that you are on to something good. It is a sure sign that you are stretching yourself. That you are facing an opportunity for growth.

No one ever suffered from Impostor Syndrome while sitting on a couch watching Netflix.

I have had a 20 plus year in IT where I have steadily grown. From contractor, to employee, to supervisor, to manager, to CIO.

And guess what? I felt Impostor Syndrome every step of the way.

But every time I felt it…I was growing. I was doing something I never did before. I was leveling up. I was getting closer to my potential.

If you are not feeling some degree of Impostor Syndrome with what you are currently doing, you might not be pushing yourself hard enough.

So, the next time you feel the sting of Impostor Syndrome.

Don’t run away from it. Run into it.

Don’t grit your teeth through it. Embrace it. Love it for what it is.

A sign that you are pushing yourself into uncharted waters.

Unsure if you will sink or swim.

Keep swimming.