If I can leave you with one thought today, it’s this: No matter how put together, impressive, knowledgeable, or successful someone appears, they don’t have it all figured out. And yet it’s so easy to think everyone else knows what they are doing, while I am alone on the struggle bus.
Imposter syndrome is such a real thing. And I’m amazed by the number of smart, brilliant, and successful grant professionals (particularly women, but I know it can affect men too) who struggle with it. Not sure why I’m surprised, because both Kimberly and I have dealt with imposter syndrome at different points in our careers. (And spoiler alert: I still have my moments but am making a concentrated effort to keep those thoughts from creeping in.) We share our experiences on the latest episode of the Fundraising HayDay Podcast HERE.
What amazes me most is that people who experience imposter syndrome just assume that everyone else has it together. And why is that?
I’ll never forget when a friend shadowed me during a grant management training because she was going to start leading the same course. After our first day was over, I answered a few questions she had and threw out lessons I had learned over the years, the two biggest ones being:
After that, I told her that it took me several months to really find my groove and feel like I had a handle on leading these two-day workshops. My friend stopped, looked at me in disbelief, and said that I always seemed to know exactly what I was doing. Oh, that made me laugh.
The first time I led a two-day grant management workshop for a training company I wrapped both days by 2pm (rather than the planned 4pm) because I was so afraid I wouldn’t have time for everything that I FLEW through the material. The first time I led the two-day grant writing course for the same company I shared a ton of resources for participants, including a list of grant writing books. Someone in the front row raised their hand and asked me out of all the books I had read, which was my favorite. I can only imagine the look of panic on my face as I had an internal dialogue on how to best answer that question since I had read NONE OF THEM. (If you know me, you know nonfiction books are not my go to form of learning.) Talk about feeling like a total IMPOSTER.
So, what did I say that day, and then every training moving forward? I mentioned that I’m sharing a TON of resources so no matter your favorite learning style you can find something to help further your education in the grants field, and that I haven’t read, listened to, or attended everything shared, but I’ve cultivated a super helpful list for you to pick and choose what works for you.
If you’re struggling with imposter syndrome today (or any day), my best advice is to find a trusted friend or colleague who can talk you down. Chances are, you’re killing it, but you’re letting outside influences (which is what impacts me most) or your own inner voice (which Kimberly shares on the podcast is her struggle) negatively affect you. When we think everyone has it made but us, it can be easy to forget that no one person has it all together.
So, find that person who can put things into perspective for you – because imposter syndrome has no business ruining your outlook on life, work, or the balance between the two.
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