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I hate the term impostor syndrome. It's terrible branding for a completely normal feeling you get when doing new things at work.

Here's the truth: that uncomfortable feeling when you're managing people for the first time or starting a new job? It's not a syndrome to fix. It's proof you care about doing good work.

The real problem isn't the feeling—it's how we label it. When we call normal career anxiety "impostor syndrome," we make it bigger than it needs to be. Now you're trying to solve a fake problem while learning new skills.

I compare it to getting on a roller coaster. You chose to get on. The anticipation anxiety is part of the experience, not a disorder.

Key Takeaways:

· Acknowledge it's normal - Self-doubt means you're growing, not failing

· Practice feeling uncomfortable - Get out of your head and into your body

· Become a scientist - Study how long it lasts and where you feel it

· Keep taking action - Don't wait for confidence to show up first

· Turn into the storm - Like animals in the wild, run toward discomfort to get through it faster

The goal isn't to eliminate workplace anxiety. It's to get so familiar with it that your nervous system stops sending danger signals every time you try something new.

Mentioned on the podcast:

History of Imposter Syndrome in paste podcast

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