As we enter another week of our stay-at-home order, I am fascinated and perplexed by all of the posts I see on social media. Some are serious. Some are light-hearted. Some are just challenging. One thing that has me uniquely fascinated is the “Put On Your Shirt While Doing a Handstand Challenge.”
OK – First things first. I’m not doing that.
I gave up doing handstands a long time ago, and I don’t have the upper body strength even to attempt that. However, I have watched videos of people doing this, and I’m intrigued at how they do it. Good for them!
As I’m viewing these posts, I’m getting ideas about what to cook, how to clean things differently, what books to read, how to workout, making face masks, what shows to watch (Side note: I have not watched Tiger King yet), and anything else you can imagine.
I could very quickly go down a rabbit hole of self-deprecating thoughts about why I am not good enough to do those things, how I could be doing “more,” have enough time, etc. Nevertheless, imposter syndrome is real, and it can creep on you when you least expect it and render you like a ball of Silly Putty only to be pulled and stretched in so many directions questioning your value and worth.
Imposter Syndrome “is a psychological pattern in which one doubts one’s accomplishments and has a persistent internalized fear of being exposed as a “fraud.” You have probably heard about this before, but given the frequency, we are on our devices now due to COVID-19, Imposter Syndrome can be a trying and taxing situation.
We are dealing with a variety of emotions in this pandemic. Maybe you have lost your job or been furloughed. Perhaps you are working harder than ever due to a reduction of staff and a desire to prove your worth and value to your organization. You may find yourself questioning what else you can do when it seems as if everyone else is doing more than you.
Stop.
The key is to focus on these four questions I always ask my clients:
- Who do you help?
- What do you help them do specifically?
- Why is this work important to you?
- How do you want to #SHOWUP?
This is the time where you are called to #SHOWUP, “Own Where You Are,” “Protect and Promote Your Brand,” and do your best work because people and companies need you to do that more than ever! These very thoughts are the primary drivers for me and my business.
I will always say this.
How we #SHOWUP matters.
When you find yourself starting to compare yourself to others and hearing that inner critic talk louder in your head, acknowledge it, push it aside, and get back to your core and focus on your value to your organization, your teams, and your customers.