Overcoming the Imposter Syndrome That Holds You Back

Faithful on the Clock is a podcast with the mission of getting your work and faith aligned. We want you to understand Who you're serving and why so you can get more joy and legacy from every minute spent on the clock. Thanks for joining us and taking this step toward a more fulfilling job and relationship with God!Want to join us on social media? We'd love to have you stay up-to-date with the show on all our platforms!TwitterFacebookPinterestInstagramLinkedInYouTubeIn this episode...Faithful on the Clock https://faithfulontheclock.com/overcoming-the-imposter-syndrome-that-holds-you-back [00:05] - Intro[00:38] - Differentiation between imposter syndrome and faking it; why imposter syndrome is important to discuss in the context of the Great Resignation[02:09] - It’s normal to have the types of feelings related to imposter syndrome. But feelings are not necessarily a reflection of truth.[03:29] - A lot of advice on controlling imposter syndrome focuses on looking back at past accomplishments, but because emotions are even more foundational than rational thought, you have to get control of those first and then lay the cognitive groundwork on top.[04:30] - Imposter syndrome can continue to influence anyone regardless of title or level.[04:59] - When Peter saw the miracle of the fish, he felt like an imposter.[05:57] - Jesus didn’t encourage Peter by asking him to look back. He encouraged Peter by having him focus on the future, on his calling. [06:58] - Paul’s words serve as a reminder that, by admitting our own flaws, we can give greater glory to God.[07:33] - Getting control over imposter syndrome is about accepting the peace and awe of God, not checklisting your way to confidence. [08:33] - There’s merit to confronting people who trigger your imposter syndrome. By teaching others how to treat you, you can contribute to a healthier collective work culture.[09:52] - Physical activities can help you reconnect with what it feels like to feel safe and secure in the peace and awe of God.[11:47] - Prayer[12:35] - Outro/What’s coming up nextKey takeaways:Imposter syndrome is different than faking it. Faking it is more of a strategy based on getting people to perceive you a certain way, whereas imposter syndrome is about your inability to perceive yourself as worthy or skilled enough. Imposter syndrome likely will be a bigger problem as more and more people explore different jobs through the Great Resignation.It’s natural to fear being alone. Imposter syndrome is simply a more contextualized version of this fear. But it’s just a feeling, and feelings aren’t necessarily reflective of the truth.Typical advice on beating imposter syndrome centers around looking back on past accomplishments for a sense of validation. But the fact emotions process faster than logic can get in the way of this working. Cognitively knowing something doesn’t necessarily stop you from feeling something, even though there is a connection between thought, emotion, and behavior.Imposter syndrome can continue to be problematic even for well-accomplished people, which is further evidence that reflecting on what you’ve achieved isn’t a guaranteed “cure”.The story of Peter in Luke 5 is a good example of someone suddenly facing feelings of unworthiness. Jesus’ future-centric response demonstrates that we can move forward bravely because our faith gives us access to the incredible power of God.Paul wrote that he would boast of his weaknesses to put God’s power and authority in the proper perspective for others. His words are a good reminder that we don’t have to hide our faults or deficiencies. Getting control over imposter syndrome is about accepting in your heart that you’re not on this Earth by accident and that God’s ensured through Jesus that your mistakes and flaws don’t have to get in the way of doing great things. It is allowing yourself to replace the fear of isolation with the peace that God gifts to you as a believer. It’s just sitting in awe. Culture makes it hard to sit and rest in the peace and awe of God. You might need to reconnect to how it feels to do it. Doing something physical can provide an emotional “reset” so you relearn that you’re safe and create a new baseline of normal feeling.Relevant Links:CTAs:Find one or more physical activities that help you confront your emotions and get a new sense of safety and calm.What’s coming up next:As the world gets increasingly global in the way it does business, specialized professionals and businesses are in high demand. But are there benefits to exploring and getting information outside of your own organization or industry? Episode 38 of the Faithful on the Clock podcast investigates.Support the show!Visit the Faithful on the Clock Patreon page to choose a tier plan and become a supporting member. You'll gain access to goodies like early episode access, newsletters, and more based on the plan that's right for you.Support this Podcast