Self-doubt: How Impostor Syndrome Can Hold You Back At Work

You are suited up and ready to impress!

On your way to a job interview for a company that you care about, you brought a C.V. that highlights how perfectly you fit in the position you applied for. You are more than qualified for the position, and the team would be lucky to have you. The hiring manager said so himself!

However, you start questioning whether you are capable of the job as you meet the company’s supervisor. Self-doubt can cripple you and hinder your success.

WHAT IS IMPOSTOR SYNDROME?

Impostor Syndrome is the overwhelming feeling that you do not deserve success. You become convinced that you are not talented, attractive, intelligent, or capable as you may seem. You suspect that your achievements are due to luck, good timing, and other external factors.

Particularly in male-dominated environments, impostor syndrome has been thought to affect women more than men. However, recent study showed that it affects both genders equally.

A person with impostor syndrome (impostor) has a sense of being a fraud, a difficulty internalizing his or her success, and a fear of being discovered. Usually, the stressor triggering impostor syndrome involves getting a new opportunity such as a new job or an advanced degree.

“The person who achieved this level of success begins to have negative thoughts that the success was not really earned. These negative thoughts, which are often referred to as ‘cognitive distortions,’ are based on fear and anxiety and not based in objective facts.” – Ms. Cara Maksimow, LCSW

HOW CAN IT AFFECT WORK?

An impostor may procrastinate or put off assignments due to the fear of being unable to complete the necessary ambitious standards. On the other hand, the imposter may over-prepare by spending too much time on the task. If his or her behavior creates a successful outcome, it will be written off as luck or fluke in the system.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Success can create a cycle of self-doubt for imposters. Even when they achieve important milestones, they are unable to recognize their own achievements. Instead of celebrating these, the impostors are worried that others will discover the “truth” about their abilities. This is an irrational thought.

HOW CAN YOU MANAGE IT?

There are many ways to manage the impostor syndrome. Here are just some of them:

a. Create a list of your strengths and prior accomplishments at work. Refer to this list when you are questioning yourself.

b. Talk to mentors who are more experienced in the field, when you feel like you do not belong in the situation.

c. Set realistic goals. Often, a fear of failure and a need to be the best can lead to overachievement.

d. Acknowledge what you are feeling. Do your best to keep a journal. Whenever you experience feelings of self-doubt or inadequacy, write your thoughts down. Be specific about why you are feeling this way.

e. Handling with Impostor Syndrome takes long-term effort. You need to employ strategies to deal with it at particularly stressful situations. When the negative self-talk takes over your mind, try to confront it by distancing yourself from the “emotional power” of the voice.

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

 

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Haidilao S’pore opening new outlet in Bugis+, offering night shift cleaner job from S$2750/month

Haidilao Singapore is opening at Bugis+

Haidilao Singapore will be opening a new outlet at Bugis+. They are currently looking to hire and is dangling attractive starting pay for several full time and part-time positions.

Haidilao Singapore made the announcement in a Facebook post today on their recruitment drive:

Part-timers can earn as much as $10 per hour with flexible working hours and benefits. The starting pay of a staff meals chef can go as high as S$2950 a month and the salary of a midnight crew and cleaners starts from S$2750 a month.

To apply, click here: https://haidilao.jinshuju.net/f/OiPmMV

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Find your ikigai if you want a mid-career switch

career switch

So you want a mid-career switch? Or you’re in the midst of considering jumping into a different field? Kudos to you for even having the courage to want to take a step forward.

But hold your horses because you will have to find your ikigai (ee-key-guy) first. In short, ikigai is a Japanese concept referring to “finding joy in life through purpose”. You can read more about the philosophy of ikigai here.

According to Adrian Tan, a human resource practitioner, folks thinking about a mid-career switch should approach the matter via the ikigai concept. These are the main elements that make up the idea:

  • Loving what you do
  • Doing what the world needs
  • Getting paid for it
  • Being good at it

Need some inspiration? Let’s look at two mid-career switchers who have successfully done it.

From journalist to a veterinary surgeon
Journalist-turned-veterinarian Amanda Tan

Image Credits: Dr Amanda Tan

Amanda Tan is the name to note. The 34-year-old recalled her experiences of frequently visiting the vet because of her pet cat. She said she was impressed with how knowledgeable the doctor was and how meaningful the profession helped pet owners like her gain reassurance.

Dr Tan took the leap of faith in her mid-20s and is now a veterinary surgeon at the Gentle Oak Veterinary Clinic along Ghim Moh Road.

At this point, some of you must be thinking if Dr Tan had some prior qualifications to becoming a veterinary surgeon. Well, the quick answer is no.

After Dr Tan left journalism, she took on a part-time job that provided her with volunteering opportunities at a veterinary clinic. The valuable hands-on experience thus led her to the decision to move forward with the career switch.

She then furthered her studies through a five-year Doctor in Veterinary Medicine course at Murdoch University in Perth, Australia.

“Whatever effort that you put in is going to directly affect your outcome. You’re not too old to make a change… It just requires a bit of sacrifice and courage,” she noted.

Dr Tan also mentioned that she had met a few colleagues who graduated in their late 30s after a mid-career switch. Hence, don’t let age become a stumbling block for you to take that next step forward.

Still unsure if you should risk your current job stability? Read on for Mr Law Kia Wei’s story.

A switch from engineering to sales
Former-engineer-Law-Kia-Wei-second-from-left

Image Credits: Mr Law Kia Wei

What prompted Mr Law to switch to sales is his realisation of a missing essential soft skill – interpersonal communications. Therefore, when he was presented with an opportunity to become a medical equipment salesperson at IDS Medical Systems, he took it in stride.

Of course, not without a little hesitation because he lacked both sales and medical field skills.

The 36-year-old said he did not have it easy for the first year. He struggled a great deal before getting into the hang of things. Seven years have passed, and he now has his own business unit at the same company.

Ready for a pay cut?
salary cut

Image Credits: hcamag.com

Yes, we have not forgotten about the drop in salary. “If you jump industry, it’s expected since you have not proven yourself. It was something I had to make peace with,” Mr Law shared.

To that, Ms Carmen Wee, a veteran human resource practitioner, highlights that the salary crawl could take a few years. Thus, the risks and financial trade-offs for a younger professional might be lower than for someone older. One should also factor in their current financial commitments and the readiness for drastic lifestyle changes.

Ms Wee also added that older workers should be realistic about the level of seniority that they can achieve as they make a job jump. Since it will take a while to catch up, she advised mid-career switchers to do their due diligence in the new field. Remember that you are in competition with other people who already have the relevant experience.

But with all that said, Mr Tan encourages older workers not to be discouraged. “If you’ve done logistics but wish to get into marketing, what are the things you learned in logistics that are applicable? Perhaps it is the way you plan things, which can be applied to a marketing department running a webinar?” the HR professional remarked.

Final thoughts

Cameron Brett, Managing Director of Randstad Technologies in Japan, suggests, “Something I recommend for everyone is to do a skills assessment – to better understand where they are today, where they need to be in five years. Take a look at the skills they currently have and what they are lacking.”

You can easily find out your strengths and weaknesses with an online test using the Career Explorer or Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). The results could be your answer to your next career move based on your aptitude and interests.

Next, find a reliable mentor or someone you look up to. LinkedIn is one good way to reach out to professionals in a specific field. Connect sincerely and ask for practical advice so you can decide for yourself if a switch makes sense for you.

Before you go, allow me to quote from an article, “It’s never too late to give it a try. Changing careers at 40 is not uncommon. 40s are the new 30s. 30s are the new 20s.”

Here’s wishing you the best of luck in taking that plunge!

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How to regain your confidence at the workplace

a woman presenting at the workplace

Confidence can be a massive word for those with low self-esteem. “I don’t think I can do it” is probably an incredibly evocative sentence that urges your mind and body to take flight.

However, as much as we choose not to admit it, it’s impossible to run away from our fears forever. This is why it’s essential to learn how to transit from fear to confidence. Constantly worrying about not being able to do a task right can cripple one’s true abilities at work. That’s the last thing you want to do if you’re building your career!

Thankfully, not all hope is lost. Here are some things you can do to regain your confidence at the workplace.

Weigh the cons

To accurately weigh the cons of an action, you have to sit yourself down and think through the threats. Ask yourself what you consider to be the worst-case scenario.

For example, you may be keen on running for a new project at work but lack the confidence to give a presentation. You’re concerned with the reactions of people since you don’t identify yourself as a star presenter. Yes, you may stutter and have some inconsiderate colleagues laugh at you. But hey, that first step forward is commendable!

In all honesty, even if you were to get rejected for your proposal, it’s not a big deal. Take the feedback positively and wait for the next opportunity to recommend something. Always remember that no one wins in life all the time. But when you fall, learn how to stand right back up. When life throws you lemons, use them to make sweet lemonade.

Celebrate small wins
celebrating small accomplishments at work

Image Credits: medium.com

We’re sure most of us have played e-games before. Whether on an app or website, have you realised that the first few levels are always the easiest?

This strategy used by game designers is incredibly genius because it’s their way to get you hooked on the game. First, your confidence is boosted from level one since they are absurdly easy to get past. As you get used to the game tools, they slowly get a little harder to navigate.

Using the same methodology, start with small goals that are easy to succeed. If you do not know where to start, speak with a trusted colleague or leader to set little assignments for yourself. When you succeed in those tasks, celebrate! Every small win is praiseworthy, and most importantly, they help build your confidence surely.

Confront your fears like a boss

Do you know that you can reduce anxiety by engaging in stressful activities? To get over your unease, you’ve got to confront your fears like a boss.

That is to say, if you’re afraid of teaching, put yourself in a situation where you have to teach. By doing so, ​​your motivational system will find out that there is actually nothing to fear, and your panic will subside over time.

And, of course, practice makes perfect. Not everyone is born with a natural gift of a particular talent. While some may be charismatically good at public speaking, most people have to devote hours of practice before giving a speech.

Just like how the Chinese saying goes, “台上一分钟, 台下十年功”. If you’ve prepared extensively for that one minute of glory on stage, your effort and confidence will shine through eventually.

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Takeaways from Nike’s marketing strategies

Nike-Jewel-Singapore

I think we can all agree that the slogan “Just Do It” has struck deep within people’s minds. It’s probably not an exaggeration to say that most youngsters and middle-aged peeps can immediately associate the three words to Nike. This goes to show how successful Nike has been over the years.

As such, we have picked up some takeaways from Nike’s marketing strategies for anyone or aspiring business leader to ponder over.

Keep up with social media

At the time of writing, Nike has garnered over 160 million followers on Instagram and close to 9 million followers on Twitter. This is all thanks to its human-centric fun and inspirational posts to retain customers and attract potential ones.

In addition, Nike also actively responds to negative comments to try to moderate the situation. If you want to keep up with social media and uphold a presence over your competitors, be sure to find your content niche and stick to it.

Welcome diversity with open arms
Nike Go FlyEase

Image Credits: Nike

Discrimination will be your downfall if you’re trying to reject diversity or exclude certain types of consumer profiles in the midst of building your business. On the flipside, welcome variety with open arms, and you will gain support from the public.

Just take a look at Nike’s latest release – Nike Go FlyEase. It’s the first-ever hands-free shoe that makes it easy to get in and out so folks who cannot use their hands freely can put on these shoes effortlessly. Just like that, they have reached a new group of customers no one else would have simply thought of.

Steer away from hard-selling

Have you ever been turned off by an advertisement or brand campaign that’s full-on hard-selling? Such brands may be throwing their marketing dollars down the drain because consumers are now annoyed and turning to other alternatives instead.

Rather than purely spotlighting its products, Nike focuses on its athletes and their stories. This is a brilliant marketing move because they are pulling on consumers’ heartstrings. The next time an individual sees a Nike store or online advertisement while shopping, they might instantly recall the brand ambassadors’ personal stories and resonate with the company.

Promote sustainability
Nike Crater Impact

Image Credits: Nike

Not many brands centre their attention on promoting sustainability. But labels who do so, like Nike, win their customers. Since more people are turning their attention to sustainability, the public will likely support eco-friendly products if offered at a competitive price point.

Closer to home, our little red dot will also start a new initiative called the Enterprise Sustainability Programme. It’s an effort to support local companies in building sustainability capabilities and developing products and solutions contributing to the green economy. We believe more details will be released soon!

While the above takeaways from Nike’s marketing strategies are worth a try, they may not be suitable for every business’ growth stage. Depending on your marketing budget and company’s strength, make tweaks where necessary to fully benefit from the above tactics.

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