I spent over 20 years working for the same organisation. During that time, I climbed the career ladder, achieved everything I set out to achieve, and built a good reputation.

But it never felt real.

I was always waiting to be found out. Always looking for proof that I wasn’t up to the job.

I never truly saw the hard work, my skills or my knowledge. All I saw was mistakes I made, the things I should have done, and my limitations. I was always expecting more.

I managed a team of 40 staff, yet my focus was often on issues I hadn’t solved or information I didn’t have.

The truth was, I was well liked, respected and I took care of my team.

When given complimented the work we were doing, I would always say it was because I had a good team-which I did. I was incredibly proud of them and constantly amazed by their skills.

But I also led that team.
I believed in them.
I supported them
I helped them develop

It’s that voice you hear that tells you you’re not enough. That you’re a fraud.

But this voice isn’t based on fact. Its built on self doubt, a lack of confidence, and an inability to recognise your own capability.

You can’t completely silence that voice, but you can challenge it.

Recognise it for what it is?

If you can notice it, you can challenge it.

Imposter syndrome doesn’t always sound dramatic. Often it shows up in subtle ways;

“ I was lucky that went well.”

“ Anyone could have done that.”

These small narratives quietly undermine what you have actually achieved.

Try reframing them

‘that presentation went well- I had put a lot of work into it.”

“I did do a good job”.

The story you’re telling is coming from you.

So start listening to what others are saying too. When someone compliments your work, instead of deflecting it, try simply saying: “Thank you.”

Perfectionism

We all remember the child at school who scored 99% and upset that it wasn’t 100%.

That’s perfectionism.

It’s not seeing how well you’ve done because it could have been better.

Perfection isn’t a requirement, it’s an impossible standard. And it keeps you focused on what’s missing instead of what’s good enough.

Of course, in every profession, we reflect and improve. But reflection shouldn’t become a stick to beat yourself with.

Notice your progress whilst striving for better.

You don’t know everything; and that’s okay

We often criticise ourselves for not knowing enough.

But no-one is born knowing how to do their job. We only know what we’ve learned.

So if you haven’t learned something yet- how would you know it?

Every new role comes with a learning curve. And even years into a job, there will always be more to learn.

Asking for support, training or guidance isn’t failure, its growth.

When you accept that you are always developing, you give yourself permission to learn, try new things, and build confidence

Create a proof list

When imposter feelings show up, its easy to focus on what’s gone wrong.

The mistake
The missed opportunity
The criticism

This reinforces the belief that you’re not good enough.

Instead build a Proof list.

Look at

Your qualifications
Your experience
Your achievements
The positive feedback
Work you have completed

These are all evidence that you are capable. That you are the right person for the job.

Even small things count

If you produced a report just before the deadline, you still met the deadline. minutes before it was due, you still produced a report in the deadline.

When your unsure why you are where you are, when your scared you will get found out as a fraud or feel you just “winging it”. It is so easy to focus on the negatives and see evidence that your no good. This feeling feeds into our negative feelings, so we look for evidence to back this up, the sale we didn’t get, the typo on a report or complaint from a customer.

Separate feelings from facts

You might feel like a fraud.

But what are the facts?

Ask yourself: “Where is this belief coming from?”

If you delivered a strong presentation:

you prepared
you used your skills
you showed knowledge

That isn’t luck. That’s ability.

Sometimes things feel easy not because you’re “winging it” — but because you actually know what you’re doing.

Final thought

You don’t need to wait until you feel confident to believe in yourself.

Start by questioning the voice that says you’re not enough.

Because more often than not —
that voice is wrong.

You are capable.
You are learning.
And you are more than enough.

I achieved everything…so why did I still feel like a fraud?

How Labels Shape Us More Than We Realise