To ask for help with imposter syndrome?

[Teachtolive]

I'm self diagnosing here but I wonder if anyone can help me? I've been in my career 10 years, it's all generally fine but whenever anyone asks me about my methods and mine differ wildly from there's, or I'm going much faster than they are, I immediately start going to pieces thinking I'm doing it all wrong. I'm very open to constructive criticism but I just feel like everyone's thinking "she can't be doing that right if she's getting through it so fast" and I spend days with my guts churning over it. Please help!

If you have been in your job for ten years you must be doing something right or you boss would of picked up on it .
You probably have more experience than some of the other staff to so can get the work done quicker.
Everybody has different ways of working and as long as you are getting the right result / answer / client etc I would not worry about it

• Don't over think things.
• You're doing it 10 years! You must be good!
• If you were doing it badly, someone would have pulled you up on it by now.

We focus so much on our "areas of improvement" which are often driven by personality. We should instead focus on amplifying our strong points and maximizing our opportunities related to those strengths.

Recognising imposter syndrome is a great first step, as it is most damaging when people don't see it for what it is.

Perhaps you could consider finding a workplace mentor or coach who you could meet with to talk about your career and your concerns. That might help you build your confidence.

I also suffer with this! Been at my current place for 2.5 years and had 5 very successful years at my previous place.

I have had nothing but good reviews from managers and even got a promotion last year.

BUT - I often feel like I must be doing something wrong and I am sure to be 'found out' at some point!

If you have managers you can trust it might be worth mentioning to one of them - even just for confirmation that you are doing just fine. I happened to mention it in conversation to the head (I am a teacher) who told me I was doing great but also said that even after 25 years teaching and 5 years as a head, she still often feels like she will be 'found out'

For me, it helped to get it out in the open and realise that even the most senior person in school had these feelings sometimes.