Ever felt unqualified for a job — even after you were hired? Are you convinced one day everyone at work will discover you know NOTHING?
Take a breath. And listen:
You are probably feeling imposter syndrome, a plague of perceived inadequacy estimated to affect about 80 percent of us, including Oprah, Michelle Obama and New York Times gender editor Jessica Bennett, whose book "Feminist Fight Club" inspired this podcast (Hi, Jessica!).
Even Lisa Feldman Barrett, a neuroscientist, author and distinguished professor of psychology at Northeastern University — whose research has upended the way scientists think about emotions — yeah, she’s felt like an imposter, too. And she knows some of the reasons why.
Barrett says when you’re about to learn something new, your brain gets ready by releasing chemicals that help your brain learn better. But those chemicals can also make you feel jittery and worked up.
Tell that to your inner voice at 2 a.m. the night before a job interview or big presentation.
It took Barrett, a rock star scientist, more than 20 years to defeat her imposter syndrome.
We’re going to help you go to battle with yours after just 26 minutes.
This is an edited excerpt from Battle Tactics For Your Sexist Workplace, a new podcast from KUOW Public Radio in Seattle.
Listen by tapping the play button above, or subscribe wherever you podcast: Apple Podcasts // RSS // Google Play Music // Stitcher // Overcast.
Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. And share your stories: When have you felt like an imposter? How did you get through it? Email us at btsw@kuow.org or join the conversation in our Facebook group.
Produced for the web by Bond Huberman.