Ep #90: What if it's not Imposter Syndrome? Maybe You're Just Underprepared

Imposter syndrome is real, but I often hear my clients stand behind imposter syndrome as a catch-all explanation for why things feel difficult.

It’s when we dig a little deeper that we often find it’s not imposter syndrome at all - it’s that we aren't properly prepared or really doing what it takes to create the results we want.  

This topic comes on the back of a number of conversations I've had with my clients recently. I want to say at the outset, these are all incredible women who are doing important work within the industry.

But time and time again, I see people confusing imposter syndrome for simply being underprepared. So how do you know whether you’re experiencing genuine imposter syndrome, or if you’re underprepared for the task at hand?

In this episode, we’ll talk about what imposter syndrome really is, how to become more organised in your day-to-day life, and the necessary steps to transform your mindset into one of self-belief and confidence.

It’s important to acknowledge that there will be a varying degree of self-doubt any time we’re pursuing our goals or stepping beyond our comfort zone. However, it's crucial to distinguish between healthy self-doubt that keeps us striving for excellence, and the paralysing fear that comes from feeling unprepared.

Now, I get it - we’re all busy, and it’s not always possible for things to go according to plan. But the truth is, we control what we do and how we show up. It’s only when we take ownership of our own preparation - or lack thereof - that we can really start to change our mindset to one of self-belief and confidence. What’s important is to make sure you have done everything you could possibly do to set yourself up for success.

If you find yourself constantly battling with feelings of inadequacy, this episode offers a new way to look at things that will empower you to tackle challenges head-on. By shifting our focus from battling imposter syndrome to enhancing our preparedness, we can unlock new levels of confidence and career satisfaction.