1. 2014 You are not your Imposter Syndrome Neha Batra @nerdneha 10/8/2014 #GHC14 2014

2. You are not your Imposter Syndrome 1. What is it? Why is this a thing? 2. What can we do about it? 3. What next?

3. 2014 Imposter Syndrome, defined the self-doubt that a person experiences when he or she feels that he or she does not match the canonical example of a person in the same professional position.

4. 2014

6. Why is there Imposter Syndrome?  Common among high-achievers  Internalizing failures / Externalizing success  Environment of fear + self-imposed fear

7. 2014 You are not your Imposter Syndrome 1. What is it? Why is this a thing? 2. What can we do about it? 3. What next?

8. 2014 My take on Imposter Syndrome 1. My imposter syndrome is not going anywhere 2. It’s everywhere, I am not alone 3. There is no way I’m letting it get in my way

9. 2014 I want you to beat your mental battles so you can focus on the ones that count

10. 2014 the solution (i wish):

11. 2014 6 steps 1. Recognize 2. Separate 3. Analyze 4. Rewire 5. Keep On 6. Reflect

12. 2014 6 steps 1. Recognize – it’s happening 2. Separate 3. Analyze 4. Rewire 5. Keep On 6. Reflect

13. 2014 Recognize the language “I don’t feel accomplished enough to talk about this. Am I really the authority?” “My peers can probably speak about this better than I can.”

14. 2014 Recognize the language “I don’t deserve this” “I’m just lucky” “I shouldn’t bother” “It’s only a matter of time before they figure out I don’t belong”

15. 2014 6 steps 1. Recognize – it’s happening 2. Separate – fact vs. feeling 3. Analyze 4. Rewire 5. Keep On 6. Reflect

16. 2014 Separate the feels and the facts Feelings:  I’m afraid to speak because I don’t think I’ll do well and blank out.  I’m worried I’m not the right choice. I don’t want to embarrass my peers. Facts:  This is a great opportunity.  I have done my own web apps.  I need the experience.

17. 2014 6 steps 1. Recognize – it’s happening 2. Separate – fact vs. feeling 3. Analyze – fact  positive feelings 4. Rewire 5. Keep On 6. Reflect

18. 2014 Analyze the facts (only!) Fact: I have done my own web apps. I wrote them from scratch. I recently spoke with my CEO to kids about breaking into CS. Maybe others in the audience will relate to me. → did I list any positive feelings that reflect these facts? New feeling: wow that’s pretty bamf

19. 2014 6 steps 1. Recognize – it’s happening 2. Separate – fact vs. feeling 3. Analyze – fact  positive feelings 4. Rewire – facts  decision 5. Keep On 6. Reflect

20. 2014 Rewire by asking “why should I?”  Look at the facts ONLY  Why should I move forward? Even if the risk is high, the experience of preparing, itself, is invaluable. What’s the worst that could happen???

21. 2014 6 steps 1. Recognize – it’s happening 2. Separate – fact vs. feeling 3. Analyze – fact  positive feelings 4. Rewire – facts  decision 5. Keep On – do it 6. Reflect

22. 2014 KEEP ON: do it

23. 2014 6 steps 1. Recognize – it’s happening 2. Separate – fact vs. feeling 3. Analyze – fact  positive feelings 4. Rewire – facts  decision 5. Keep On – do it 6. Reflect – was I being silly? CELEBRATE!

24. 2014 Reflect. Were your concerns valid? Maybe you learned a lot about your work and your character. Maybe you met some cool people in your field. Maybe it was worth it. Maybe the imposter syndrome voice was wrong.

25. 2014 Reflect: CELEBRATE!!!

26. 2014 6 steps 1. Recognize 2. Separate 3. Analyze 4. Rewire 5. Keep On 6. Reflect **not just for big events, use this every day

27. 2014 You are not your Imposter Syndrome 1. What is it? Why is this a thing? 2. What can we do about it? 3. What next?

28. 2014 Cognitive Behavioral Therapy  action-oriented  “cognitive restructuring”  changes destructive patterns of behavior  psychotherapeutic approach  based on basic behavioral and cognitive principles research we should be applying this to our lives

29. 2014 Combating fear-based environments Hacker School’s social rules:  No feigning surprise  No well-actuallys  No backseat driving  No subtle-isms

30. 2014 Combating fear-based environments  Help others recognize their own imposter syndrome voice  Call people out for your peers, if they are uncomfortable  Reach out to tell people they are doing a good job  Reach out to help others - “I heard you were working on this section, I worked on it recently, do you want to sit down together for an intro?”

31. 2014 Dr. Maria Klawe – President of Harvey Mudd “If you’re constantly pushing yourself, and putting yourself in new environments, you’ll feel it over and over again,”

32. 2014 Dr. Maria Klawe – President of Harvey Mudd “...how to cope with impostoritis: - ask for help and take it - recognize that such feelings are common and are often connected to high degrees of success - surround yourself with people who encourage you - share your feelings with others, celebrate your successes, be willing to try new approaches if your usual one isn’t working - don’t let your fears stop you from giving your best effort.”

33. 2014 Great Resources I posted these up on a blog so don’t worry. P.S. Help me grow this list!! Imposter Syndrome Articles:  http://www.paulineroseclance.com/pdf/ip_high_achieving_women.pdf http://www.paulineroseclance.com/pdf/ip_high_achieving_women.pdf  http://www.theatlantic.com/features/archive/2014/04/the-confidence-gap/359815/ http://www.theatlantic.com/features/archive/2014/04/the-confidence-gap/359815/  http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/28/opinion/sunday/learning-to-love-criticism.html http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/28/opinion/sunday/learning-to-love-criticism.html  http://www.ted.com/talks/amy_cuddy_your_body_language_shapes_who_you_are http://www.ted.com/talks/amy_cuddy_your_body_language_shapes_who_you_are  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/judith-s-beck-phd/the-imposter-syndrome_b_656252.html http://www.huffingtonpost.com/judith-s-beck-phd/the-imposter-syndrome_b_656252.html  http://the-toast.net/2014/01/29/everyone-imposter-syndrome-except/ http://the-toast.net/2014/01/29/everyone-imposter-syndrome-except/  http://explorewhatsnext.com/success-failure-the-imposter-syndrome/ http://explorewhatsnext.com/success-failure-the-imposter-syndrome/  http://www.hookandeye.ca/2013/04/academic-imposter-syndrome.html http://www.hookandeye.ca/2013/04/academic-imposter-syndrome.html Cognitive Behavioral Therapy:  http://lifehacker.com/5980491/try-these-cognitive-restructuring-exercises-to-improve-your-mood-and-reduce-stress http://lifehacker.com/5980491/try-these-cognitive-restructuring-exercises-to-improve-your-mood-and-reduce-stress  http://www.getselfhelp.co.uk/docs/ThoughtRecordSheet7.pdf http://www.getselfhelp.co.uk/docs/ThoughtRecordSheet7.pdf  http://io9.com/feel-like-a-fraud-you-might-have-impostor-syndrome-1472855315 http://io9.com/feel-like-a-fraud-you-might-have-impostor-syndrome-1472855315 Maria Klawe Interviews (are awesome):  http://www.forbes.com/sites/85broads/2011/12/12/how-one-college-president-is-breaking-down-barriers-for- women-in-tech/ http://www.forbes.com/sites/85broads/2011/12/12/how-one-college-president-is-breaking-down-barriers-for- women-in-tech/  http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/future_tense/2014/03/imposter_syndrome_how_the_president_of_harvey _mudd_college_copes.html http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/future_tense/2014/03/imposter_syndrome_how_the_president_of_harvey _mudd_college_copes.html  http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/03/science/giving-women-the-access-code.html http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/03/science/giving-women-the-access-code.html

34. 2014 Call to Action Post and discuss your imposter syndrome fears in a blog post or the systers mailing list! Tweet about it! #KeepOnGHC (I even got you started)

35. 2014 Imposter Syndrome mini-history  Pauline R. Clance and Suzanne A Imes developed this concept after a 1978 study; observed high school-aged girls doubt themselves and underestimate their own value  Subsequent research found both men and women suffer from imposter syndrome

36. 2014 Imposter Syndrome mini-history  Time magazine article (1985) suggested up to 70% of professionals will have feelings of being an imposter at some point in their lives

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