Last Thursday, I went to a TEDx event at MSU Denver. The theme was, “Reimagining Possibilities.” It was about new ideas and going above and beyond what’s familiar.
There were a lot of good topics and a lot of things to digest and think deep on. A few of the speakers brought up “imposter syndrome,” and that really made me think. I’ve hardly spent time thinking about those words and never really thought of myself as having imposter syndrome, but somehow the speakers got me thinking. Yes, I am guilty of this imposter syndrome. I do feel out of place sometimes and I do wonder if being a writer/author/entrepreneur is the right path for me. Not because I don’t think I’m qualified, but because the recognition isn’t there, and not by others, but by my own thoughts.
In the Business Harvard Review (2008), in the article, Overcoming Imposter Syndrome, Gill Corkindale says:
Imposter syndrome can be defined as a collection of feelings of inadequacy that persist despite evident success. ‘Imposters’ suffer from chronic self-doubt and a sense of intellectual fraudulence that override any feelings of success or external proof of their competence. They seem unable to internalize their accomplishments, however successful they are in their field. High achieving, highly successful people often suffer, so imposter syndrome doesn’t equate with low self-esteem or a lack of self-confidence. In fact, some researchers have linked it with perfectionism, especially in women and among academics.
I have to admit, I’ve had imposter syndrome before with other endeavors I attempted. This path is no different. However, I’m older and I’d like to think I’m a little wiser and just maybe the choices I’m making now are choices I’m going to stick with. I have more time on my hands and that means more time to really think things through.
Back to the event. It was split into three one-hour sessions. After the first session, they served us lunch. It was nicely set up under a large tent on the lawn north of the building where the talk took place.
They served three or four different types of sandwiches and drinks (water, tea, lemonade). I had the Dutch Gobbler which was basically a turkey sandwich. I met a family whose grandmother said her daughter was a speaker and would be the first speaker after lunch. She was backstage rehearsing so she wasn’t able to have lunch with everyone.
After the second session, I left. I wanted to stay for the full event but I had other business to tend to. This was my first TEDx event and I’m happy to say, the experience was worth it.
The Writing Sparrow 
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