Is there a "cure" for impostor syndrome?

[UKhomemaker]

I have never really believed in myself. I start a new job on Monday in a new company. I am terrified. I have had good feedback through my training period and from my interview. But I feel like I am just waiting for them to figure out that I can't actually do the job. The idea of walking in there on Monday and meeting all those people ...... its really making me panic.

Have felt this way many times (still do in my job sometimes as others I work with are 10+ years older and men, especially when im leading a project, technical issue or meeting)
The best advice I can give, sorry if it sounds contrite, is just think 'fuck it', turn up and have a go anyway. Then realise that this is what men do all the time, don't care or have any concerns about and think they are entitled to the job and pay regardless and they'll pick it up as they go along.
After getting in to the work and speaking to some colleagues you'll realise (I guarantee it) you'll find at least one, if not several more that are stupid, lazy or both and you know more and have miles better knowledge and experience than they do. Hold on to this thought when you feel like you shouldn't be there - you should and you are going to go and turn up and have a great day (best of luck! )

Michelle Obama is great on this:

If you don't have faith in yourself have faith in the people recruiting. They know the skills and qualties that they need and they saw them in you.

Remember all the things you’ve done well, make a list

Fake it (confidence) you are the chosen one!

I have realised that everyone else is winging it too! They either accept it or don't care.
Hard though isn't it.

A good line manager can help. If you show vulnerability in a company with a good culture I have found this really helps - my manage gives me the reassurance I need

Think of it this way.

You're not so cunning that you can hoodwink the staff in charge of recruitment. You're not a good liar, no master of disguise, no mastermind of the industry that you've managed to convince them all you can do something you cannot.

There :) It's not supposed to be harsh, honest - it's really that, well look, you're either good at your job and their favourite candidate, or you're a masterful fibber, liar, cheat and bullshitter who's made it through the process - unintentionally! And you're very unlikely to be that. So if you're not prepared to believe you're that bad thing, you're probably very likely the good.

I think the first step is realising that everyone feels like this!

And just go for it.

That video is brilliant!! She's amazing

I’d highly recommend the book “The Imposter Cure”.

Lots of helpful exercises in it that really helped me to recognise my own skills and achievements.

The "fuck it".mentality.

FamilyStrifeIsHard2Bear

I don't 100% agree with that take, imposter syndrome is not a solely female phenomenon.

I love that video from Michelle Obama.

I think affirmations can help to change the record in your head. I use them to calm nerves.

Age helps. And the realisation that there are lots of privately educated white men in the workplace who are actually not as good as you but they're there because they’ve had an easier path to get there.

It always helps to think to myself “I can’t be any more of an imposter than Boris Johnson or Donald Trump”.

Seriously.