Imposter Syndrome by Kylie King
The first time I encountered Imposter Syndrome as a Mumpreneur was the day I took on the role as the Event Coordinator for Penrith-Blue Mountains in New South Wales, Australia for MIBA.
Although in my pre-Mumma days, I had a successful career as a senior retail project manager where I managed over 100 staff members, turned unprofitable failing stores into profitable flagships and chased millions of dollars in revenue.
Becoming a coordinator for the Mums in Business Association was another ball game.
I had dealt with anxiety for several years since leaving my corporate job in less than desirable terms and when I took on the role as MIBA Coordinator in November 2018, I felt like it had reached a new level.
I had this overwhelming feeling that at my launch event, the attendees would think I was a fraud. They would turn up to the meeting and realise I had a mask on and that I had no idea what I was doing.
At my launch event, I asked my partner to attend with my girls and asked them to play on the other side of the park because meeting so many new people was freaking me out.
My internal dialogue was yelling at me, “All these amazing businesswomen coming to network at an event I’m hosting, I’m not worthy, I’m not the right person for the job.”
I needed to know there was a familiar face somewhere that I could focus on, someone I knew that had my back and with him there I could make a quick escape if the ladies did unmask me.
Turns out that I didn’t have to worry, the ladies who attended had an amazing time. Since that initial launch event the group has continued to grow and flourish to almost 1000 members in the Facebook group with two events a month with an average of 35 attendees per meeting.
However, I still didn’t know what this overwhelming feeling was, and I passed it off as anxiety until someone mentioned the Imposter Syndrome to me and asked me to assist them on ways to overcome it.
Once I started to learn about Imposter Syndrome – it all clicked.
Once I could give this overwhelming feeling a name, I was able to identify when it crept up and tackle it head on.
It was comforting to see that 7 out of 10 people have encountered Imposter Syndrome at least once in their lifetime so I wasn’t alone.
Each meeting I have held since, my frenemy Imposter Syndrome pops up and starts tugging at my shirt and telling me my ladies will soon find out my secret and I am only the Coordinator because of pure luck and I was in the right place at the right time.
I thank him for dropping by and kindly show him the door as I know that I am an amazing coordinator and I have held amazing events and will continue to do so. Recognising your achievements and what you have succeeded in is a good wake up call to yourself and your frenemy, Imposter Syndrome.
Imposter Syndrome will pop up now and then and that’s okay, I just know now when he pops up for an unexpected visit and I can send him away as soon as possible.
Have you experienced Imposter Syndrome?
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