Imposter Vibes with CEO Results

Picture this. You get the call that you've gotten your dream job and can start immediately. You'll have your own office, secretary, and team. You can hardly wait. You've trained all your life to prepare for this, but the first day you feel wildly underqualified and have no clue how to muster up confidence. Enter Imposter Syndrome!

Whether you’ve been in your career path 50 years or 15 minutes—we’ve all felt this familiar, panicked feeling. Who hired me for this? I don’t know what I’m doing! Or in simple terms…how to fake it until you make it.

In my line of work, I coach a lot of parents. Parents who have no idea what they’re doing and parents who feel they’re equipped to handle most of their child’s challenges. I’ve been in the work now for about five years and trust me. It doesn’t feel any easier.

When I began, I had awful anxiety with parents because I had no idea what to say. Why would any parent or middle-aged person want a young 20-year-old woman telling them how to do their job better?

It was brutal. I had so many moments I felt like a fraud, like I was dressed up to play a part. There’s only so much role playing you can do in grad school! It took years to get to a place where I felt sort of okay counseling parents. (And some days I still fly by the seat of my pants.)

This imposter syndrome can affect job interviews, dates, networking opportunities’, and our overall journey. We feel so under-qualified because we’ve never been taught how to believe in and sell ourselves. Society wants us to be humble, to not work off our best qualities or traits. Especially as women, we are 'supposed' to be ladies and quiet in rooms full of men.

Ummm...pass!

Charty says you need to hold your shoulders high, say HERE I AM BITCHES! And walk into the room like you just bought the Vegas strip in full cash baby! They're lucky to be in your presence.

You’re an ICON.

I know it doesn’t come easy. I’m still learning how to do this at work. Years ago, an old supervisor told me “These parents wouldn’t be coming to you if they didn’t need you.” That shifted the perspective for me. I realized parents needed a sounding board; they needed someone to help them figure this out. Whether I was 23 or 55, my age wasn’t relevant. Sure, some child experience would be helpful, but at the end of the day, I was a positive, good help to them.

One of my coaches told me once that when you feel imposter syndrome, it’s because you’re making it about you. Being nervous to show up and walk into new rooms because you feel you shouldn’t be there. You’re making it about yourself. What if you remember you’re there for the next step to serve others? You’re there to provide a light and personality that only YOU can provide.

When I started my new job, I approached it with confidence (half the time it felt forced) and every session I had I reminded myself families were seeking my advice. I kept it professional and spoke with a firm hand letting them know I stood on business. That just because I’m younger and don't have kids, doesn’t mean I don’t have helpful suggestions or a degree in this.

And guess what? My suggestions and advice help families most of the time...which is the best feeling.

One more story before I let you all go...there are times that I feel like a boss bitch and get knocked down a few pegs. Before I left my first job, I attempted to apply for a management position. I was good at what I did, had a killer personality for it, and felt ready. I was quickly told no.

That hurt. I was upset, but almost a year later now, I realize how much growing I had to do. I am such a different person career wise than last summer and I know for a fact what I bring to the table.

The best laid plans aren't always the ones you go for. But remember...you have all the power, so how will you use it?

This week, I urge you to lift your shoulders, act like the badass you are, and go CRUSH IT.

You know you’re more than capable.

-CHARTYYYY