CAREER SPECIAL.............. Is it time to change your job? (5) Stop doubting your own capabilities

CAREER SPECIAL Is it time to change your job? (5)      Stop doubting your own capabilities

If you are underpaid, overworked or just plain bored with your job, here’s a guide to changing the situation.

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 at why you should not resign yourself to this misery.

5.   Stop doubting your own capabilities YOU can fool all the people some of the time and some of the people all the time, but you can’t fool all the people all the time, goes an old saying. The problem is that many people believe this is about themselves. They live in constant fear that their current position at the workplace is a quirk of fate and they might lose their job if somebody ‘found out’ about their capabilities. Psychologists have termed this fear as the Imposter Syndrome, where the individual thinks of himself as an imposter who doesn’t have the credentials to be where he is. This feeling is especially common among females, who tend to attribute their success to a combination of luck, help and oversight. Unfortunately, this overwhelming feeling of self-doubt has a bearing on the individual’s income and his ability to negotiate a better salary for himself. It’s only logical that a person who fears losing his job will gratefully accept whatever comes his way. Are you also suffering from the Imposter Syndrome? You have to learn to believe in yourself and dismiss the notion that you got the job because you were lucky. One of the symptoms of Imposter Syndrome is that the person doesn’t discuss his fears even with his closest acquaintances. The fear of ridicule is just too overwhelming. Speak about your fears to a close friend or a colleague. Ask them to talk about your good qualities. You could also consult a therapist. Laughter is the best medicine—for this condition as well. People suffering from the Impostor Syndrome do not joke or relax at work out of fear that they will be seen as shirkers. Just relax and enjoy your work. Mingle with co-workers and try and laugh as often as possible. Sufferers of the condition try to seek perfection in everything. You must change this by accepting people as they are. When you will see the strengths and weaknesses of other people with compassion and understanding and accept the flaws in them, you will start seeing yourself in the same way. The Imposter Syndrome also makes people downplay any praise that comes their way. They feel the person is only saying that to make them feel good. So, the next time you get a compliment, don’t deflect the praise. Just thank the person and bask in the feeling that you are good. You owe it to yourself. ETW 140407