Do you have imposter syndrome?

Kick self-doubt to the kerb, says HR guru Rebecca Armstrong

Living with MS is a challenge, I think we can all agree on that. It’s a unique cocktail of symptoms which can have a profound impact on work. Today I want to focus on something that at first glance might not feel linked but, in my experience as a coach and therapist, is a huge challenge for many of us navigating work with MS – imposter syndrome.

Imposter syndrome is a persistent belief of not being good enough – that our successes are more related to luck, and it’s more common than we think. MS can amplify feelings of self-doubt, particularly when these symptoms fluctuate. Fatigue and brain fog further contribute to this and can make navigating work particularly tricky. Alongside this, we are often operating in a ‘power through’ mode, telling ourselves ‘I am going to prove I can do this,’ and ‘I am not letting MS stop me’. When we have difficult days, it can be easy to feel that we are not contributing enough, or that people will be feeling frustrated with us. This all heightens the feelings around imposter syndrome.

Speaking from personal experience, I have been there, and what I have learned is that the emotional rollercoaster of battling (and it does feel like a battle at times) imposter syndrome, self-doubt and the desire to power through can be stopped.

So, what can you do about it?

1. It is really important to recognise your achievements and strengths. Reflecting on what you can do is important. Writing down your successes can feel a bit cringy, but it works. Keep a log of the things that you achieve, the feedback you get, and the successes you have.
2. Use this to remind yourself about your strengths when you need to. Navigating chronic illness often gives us additional skills we don’t realise we have, like managing energy, empathy and problem solving.
4. Communicate your needs, and ensure you have adjustments where you need them. Advocating for yourself is important and helping people understand the variable nature of your condition helps you to bring what you can each day rather than pushing yourself beyond what is ok for you on any given day.
6. Be kind to yourself and recognise when you are powering through and burning yourself out. Work shouldn’t mean that you cannot function on other parts of your life. Ensure that you do the things that help you feel as well as you can.
8. Talk to a therapist. If this article has resonated and you feel stuck, get some support. Therapy can help you understand your patterns and where you might be powering through at the detriment to yourself and can help you manage things better overall. I work with people as a therapist and see the impact it can have. You can connect with me in our Facebook group MS & Work if that is of interest to you.

Navigating work with MS brings challenges and with the right support you can navigate them.