The document discusses impostor syndrome, a widespread feeling among individuals, especially marginalized groups, that their accomplishments are merely due to luck and that they are less capable than others. It emphasizes the importance of self-care and confronting unrealistic expectations while providing practical exercises to acknowledge personal achievements and combat these negative feelings. The content is supported by quotes from successful individuals who also experience similar doubts.

1. FOCUS GROUP
L E D B Y
STACIE FARMER
Impostor Syndrome
You’re Not Alone

2. I m p o s t o r S y n d r o m e i s t h e p e r v a s i v e f e e l i n g
t h a t w h a t e v e r s u c c e s s o r a c c l a i m y o u m i g h t
h a v e , it’s all a cosmic accident , a n d
o t h e r p e o p l e really are much smarter
and more successful than you .
What is it?

3. E V E R Y T H I N G I S S U B J E C T I V E
“ b a s e d o n o r i n f l u e n c e d b y p e r s o n a l f e e l i n g s ,
t a s t e s , o r o p i n i o n s . ”
Why is it so pervasive?
CULTURE

4. EVERYBODY*
Who suffers from it?

5. *But especially marginalized groups
Who suffers from it?
Image by xkcd - http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php/385:_How_it_Works

6. SELF-CARE
How can we start combating it?
You are fighting a constant battle.
You must be in top condition first.

7. PUTTING YOUR NEEDS FIRST
What is self-care?
Do what you need to do for you
FIRST – WITHOUT GUILT!

8. CHALLENGE SO-CALLED “FACTS”
Then what?
~ Unrealistic expectations
~ Being just ‘lucky’
~ Responsibility for others’ feelings
~ Unrealistic societal expectations

9. Perfectionist? Superhero?
Unrealistic Expectations
Are the expectations you put on
yourself realistic?
Would you expect anyone else to do as
much as you do in as little time as you
do it & as perfect as you think it
“should” be done?

10. When should you let it go?
From “The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women” by Valerie Young, Ed. D.

11. Achievements History
“All we want are the facts”
1 – W r i t e d o w n t h e e v i d e n c e o f y o u r c o m p e t e n c e . L i s t a l l o f
t h e t h i n g s y o u ’ v e a c c o m p l i s h e d i n y o u r l i f e ( b i g o r s m a l l ) .
E i t h e r y o u d i d i t o r y o u d i d n ’ t . I f y o u d i d i t , w r i t e i t d o w n .
2 – L a t e r , n e x t t o e a c h a c h i e v e m e n t n o t e t h e r o l e l u c k ,
t i m i n g , c o n n e c t i o n s , o r y o u r o w n p e r s o n a l i t y m a y h a v e
p l a y e d i n y o u r u l t i m a t e s u c c e s s . T h e n w r i t e d o w n t h e
s p e c i f i c a c t i o n s y o u t o o k t o t a k e f u l l a d v a n t a g e o f t h e s e
c o n t r i b u t o r s .
3 - N e x t t i m e s o m e o n e g i v e s y o u a c o m p l i m e n t o n y o u r w o r k
s a y , ‘ T h a n k Y o u ’ , t h e n s t o p t a l k i n g .
N o q u a l i f i e r s , n o t h i n g e l s e .
This exercise is from “The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women” by Valerie Young, Ed. D.

12. Maybe a little, but not “just” lucky
Were you just lucky?
Every successful person has been lucky in
their life – likely multiple times.
It’s a skill to know when to run with the ball
when it’s passed to you.

13. Stop being responsible
Are you passing up opportunities
because you don’t want someone else
to feel bad?
Others’ feelings are their
responsibility, not yours.

14. Societal Expectations are Crap
“Real” women only….
Recognize when cultural/societal
expectations are harming you and
others.

15. Take hope – you’re not alone!
“ Y o u t h i n k , ‘ W h y w o u l d a n y o n e w a n t t o s e e m e a g a i n i n a m o v i e ?
A n d I d o n ’ t k n o w h o w t o a c t a n y w a y , s o w h y a m I d o i n g t h i s ? ”
~ M e r y l S t r e e p
“ I h a v e w r i t t e n e l e v e n b o o k s , b u t e a c h t i m e I t h i n k , ‘ U h o h ,
t h e y ’ r e g o i n g t o f i n d o u t n o w . I ’ v e r u n a g a m e o n e v e r y b o d y , a n d
t h e y ’ r e g o i n g t o f i n d m e o u t . ” ~ M a y a A n g e l o u
“ A t a n y t i m e I s t i l l e x p e c t t h a t t h e n o - t a l e n t p o l i c e w i l l c o m e a n d
a r r e s t m e . ” ~ M i k e M y e r s
“ A n y m o m e n t , s o m e o n e ’ s g o i n g t o f i n d o u t I ’ m a t o t a l f r a u d . ”
~ E m m a W a t s o n

16. Be empathetic – with yourself
What kinds of demands are society,
yourself, and others placing on you?
No wonder it feels so difficult!

17. Resources
Research more on this topic:
http://staciefarmer.com /impostor-
syndrome-resources/

18. Thank You!
Stacie Farmer
W e b D e v e l o p e r & L i f e l o n g I m p o s t o r
@FarmerCode
staciefarmer.com