By Sophia Jidkov

Have you ever felt like everyone around you was performing incredible feats, while you were simply existing and doing the best with what you had? Well, this phenomenon is not uncommon and it has a diagnosis: imposter syndrome. While it is detrimental in large doses, this feeling, according to an article by Rich Goddard, can actually be used to your advantage.

It is important to note that everyone is on their own journey, moving at a pace that works for them. If you’ve ever seen Zipcars around the Cal Poly campus, just know the cofounder, Robin Chase, was 42 when the company first came to be. By the time they went public in 2011, Zipcar was worth well over a billion dollars.

How can students move forward, knowing this? Goddard writes that we cannot grow in environments we do not feel challenged in. Think about it, how can you improve at something if you’ve already mastered it? Not knowing the answers and looking to others for help is a sign that you are growing in your skill sets. Growth is not specific to age; you can grow at 10 or 100 years old, it is up to you to seek out environments that will foster this process.

Another important thing to note is that you can’t be a mind reader. You will never be able to get into someone’s head and get to listen in on their mental conversations. So, why bother trying? Goddard writes that unless someone has explicitly said something to you, just keep trying your best to improve and work towards reaching your goals.

There sadly is no overnight cure for imposter syndrome, or any cure for that matter. But the next time you’re feeling its effects, remember you can rewrite your narrative and use the phenomenon to push you farther. If you’re ever in need of some extra encouragement, you can always pop by the Career Readiness Center and speak to a Career Peer Advisor!

Want to read the full article? Here it is: https://www.mondaystateofmind.com/content/imposter-syndrome