How do you deal with imposter syndrome?

Ask a Biologist Monday 7/4/22

Answers from Biologists:

• Opening up to my friends in academia about these feelings. They usually feel the same way.

• Mediocrity is everywhere. My worst effort will still be good enough. I’ll do better next time.

• Daily affirmations, a loving support network, and lots of dog cuddles.

• Distancing myself from people who add to it or make me feel small.

• I try to remember science is collaborative and we all have skills/expertise to contribute.

• I go through my photos to remind myself of what I’ve accomplished despite what I feel at the moment.

• Therapy and self affirmations.

• When my family/friends ask me bio questions, it reminds me that I’m more than my failed job.

• Start looking at pictures of spiders or go find one in my house. They give me serotonin.

• Therapy.

• Talking about it and reminding myself I’m a badass.

• I like to lean into it-if I’ve an imposter I must be pretty great at it to have made it this far.

• List my accomplishments and contributions no matter how small/minor they are.

• Read my resume.

• Remind myself I’m not the only one.

• I remember I’m always trying to learn and tell myself that I’m smarter than most.

• Talk about it with my coworkers. They all feel similar.

• Give it a funny voice. Mine sounds like Dwight from the Office.

• Honestly I’ve been trying to stop thinking about it as having “imposter syndrome”.

• Keep a journal of the great days where I feel like I really excelled to look back on.

• Learning about it helped me. Hearing this feeling I had has a name let me know I’m not alone.

• Talk about it!

• Remind myself how far I’ve come.

• Therapy and talking about therapy openly with peers, colleagues, and mentors.

• Talk to my friends/coworkers. Remind myself that no one really knows what they’re doing.

• I take screenshots of praise for my work and look through them when I’m feeling inadequate.