Confessions from a designer of over 20 years

I have some things to confess this week 🙂

Confession #1: I often feel like an imposter.

You might think it’s strange for me to admit this to you, as I’m the one usually guiding you, but I always like to be transparent & show that you’re not alone. Imposter syndrome often strikes when I’ve secured a dream job, goal, or project. First comes the excitement, the ideas, the process, but once I get stuck in the work, I start to think, “Oh gosh, X company wants this from me, they have such high expectations, what if I can’t deliver as I normally do,” & then I often have a bit of a wobble.

So what can we do about imposter syndrome as creatives?

At times like this, I usually take a breather, go for a walk, attend a yoga class, get coffee with a friend, plan a playdate with my son, or phone my mum, & these things really calm me, ground me, & put things in perspective.

Take a few moments and think about or jot down what brings you a sense of calm. Have it at the ready as a tonic for your soul to soothe any of those uneasy feelings as soon as they try to creep in.

I also like to remind myself that the company or person chose me for a reason.

(Original text from my book Power Up Your Creativity)

Confession #2: I often compare myself to others.

We can’t help but compare ourselves to others. It’s human nature, & the worst time to do it is when you’re not feeling yourself or emotions are running high. By all means look to the people you admire, but understand that you may be at different points in your journey. And it’s very much your own personal journey. It’s fun & can be inspiring to see what other people are doing, but it’s also important to set your own goals & listen to your intuition rather than doing things just because other people are. Don’t feel you have to be dragged into an area that everyone else is in, & stay true to yourself—that’s how you’ll create your own personal style that’s uniquely yours.

So what do I do to stop comparing?

• A digital detox & unfollow accounts that make me feel flat or inadequate
• Admiring & being proud of others instead of comparing
• Celebrate my own wins
• Practice gratitude

(Original exercise from my book Power Up Your Creativity)

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