“Can I make it through today?” Do you ever find yourself asking this question on your way to work? Recently, a physician I know well told me that even after 20 plus years of work, when he gets within a mile of his office, this question arises almost daily. Before I got out of the car I used the transition phrase of “it’s show time.” I felt as if I had to hang myself up at the door and go into widget mode of just get “it” done.
More and more I hear clients reflecting feelings of being an imposter. Despite your achievements, you may wonder whether you are as talented as everyone thinks you are, and often attribute your success to luck and circumstance not your talents and hard work. The fear of being “found out” shows up in a variety of ways as insecurity and making fantastical comparisons about how much more capable and knowledgeable your peers are.
As trusted healthcare professionals and people who pride yourselves on your intellectual abilities to learn, you feel a pressure to know. You probably entered healthcare hoping to make a positive impact on individuals and communities; when your impact seems minimal and patient outcomes are less than you hope, your sense of effectiveness is compromised. Lack of professional effectiveness is linked to burn out.
Turns out that many high achievers feel this way. You may be feeling isolated or even isolating yourself as a result. While developmentally at the beginning of a career, it makes sense to feel a bit insecure knowing how much there still is to learn, taking it to the imposter works against you.
Sometimes sharing these feeling with others helps to normalize the experience and you can learn from one another how to overcome. Being part of groups where you exchange ideas may initially seem a bit intimidating, but overtime you get to witness how much you do have to offer, as well as benefit from the wisdom of others.
Starting in September, I will be hosting a mastermind group Rx for Physisican Happiness. This supportive group will meet via teleconference 2x month through December. The goal is to experiment and share in order to enhance the happiness of each member. Check out this program by visiting Rx for Physician Happiness.
In the meantime, acknowledge what you have done and are currently doing. Shifting your focus to what’s gotten done and what went well can alter your perspective. The impact of this shift resonates out to your overall well-being and impacts those you’re with too.
What helps you get out of the imposter mindset and into “I’m developing mastery” view of things? Leave comments by clicking the text bubble at the top of the blog post.
Dina, 203.744.YOU3 (9683)
Revitalize Your Life
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