"Overcoming Imposter Syndrome: My Personal Journey to Confidence and Success"

You go to school, you get the degree, you go to school, you get another degree. You read, attend trainings, research popular evidence-based theories, niche theories, new modalities, the list goes on. Rehearse, practice, prepare, repeat. Despite all the hours invested, you never feel good enough, you never feel competent enough. Your mind starts racing and you ask yourself: “how can I do better, how can I do more?”

Imposter syndrome. Despite all the hard work, time spent and dedication to your practice, this psychological pattern will gain control of your thoughts and have you doubt your ability and skills. For myself, this is something I grapple with every day.

As I progress in my career, it is easy to lose sight of my accomplishments both personally and professionally. I find myself in a constant state of comparison and wishing I could do more. I have been working on adapting new coping skills to recognize where I am at and honour these emotions as they creep up.

Three helpful tools I use when I recognize my mindset shift:

1. Celebrate wins both big and small (Did I recently finish a book? Get a new referral? Make it through a difficult session?)

2. Focus on facts (I work to identify distortions in my thinking and focus on facts. Sometimes this looks like asking myself questions like “how far have I come in the past five years?”)

3. Let go of perfectionism (I don’t have to let go of my goals, but I can work to reframe them so they are more realistic and attainable)

I have to remember to stop and honour my journey as a social worker. Although it may look different than others around me, I am working to remind myself that it is perfect as it is.

Have a great long weekend!