By Maggie Green // The Dot Ambassador
We’ve all been there. You score an awesome invite to attend a big meeting with your boss and you are thrilled to be there, but suddenly find yourself wondering how you got the invite in the first place. You don’t belong at a table with these successful professionals! Worse yet, how did you even get this job?  In an office filled with such smart and interesting people, there must be some horrible mistake!

And so churns the slow and painful wheel of imposter syndrome. Those intrusive thoughts can turn even the most confident and capable among us into a nervous wreck. Who has time for that? But fear not! With a little prep work and some on-the-go hacks, you can overcome imposter syndrome every time.

Here are a few of my go-to tricks to battle imposter syndrome:

1. Do your homework. Whether you need to know who will be attending your big presentation or the mission of the nonprofit hosting the fundraiser, taking even a few minutes to do your research will pay-off tenfold when it comes to quashing your imposter syndrome. By knowing a little bit about what you’re getting into, you eliminate some of the other variables contributing to your nerves—like what to wear, who you might run into, and topics of conversation that might come up. 

On-the-Go Hack: Ask for introductions. Sometimes you get a last-minute invitation and don’t have time to do any research. Instead, in real time, ask the people around you for introductions to the people they know. Something as simple as, “do you know anyone else at our table that you could introduce me to?” can open doors for conversation and new connections. 

2. Be thoughtful about your conversations. Hey! I haven’t seen you lately—what’s new? Bad answer: a longwinded rambling about a bunch of unrelated things. Worse answer? Oh nothing…. There are a million tips out there for how to be a better conversationalist (and they are worthwhile!), but my favorite is to have a few stories or conversation topics prepped and ready for any situation. Just like prepping for an interview, when I’m heading to a networking event, I take a few minutes to think through some stories I might want to share about anything and everything—a recent vacation, what I’m excited about at work, or even my recent woes at the mechanic’s. Even little things like reading the newspaper, brushing up on the latest twitter drama, or listening to a quick podcast can help you feel prepared for any conversation that could come up. Bonus points: if making cold conversation is intimidating or a challenge for you, check out this awesome TedTalk from Celest Headlee with tips on how to keep the conversation flowing!

On-the-Go Hack: Curiosity saves conversations. Sometimes you won’t have much substance to contribute to a conversation—that’s okay. Remember to listen and ask open-ended questions. I once attended a political fundraiser where I spent 45 minutes discussing big game hunting. I didn’t have a thing to share, but I asked a million questions, learned a lot, and went home with a handful of business cards in my pocket. Approaching conversations with candor and curiosity will always take the edge off your nerves.

3. Visualize. I am a Kool-Aid drinking, true believer when it comes to the power of visualization (or visual meditation). When I was in high school, I interviewed a highly successful local university baseball coach about his coaching techniques for a class essay. Every practice he had his players lay in the grass with their eyes closed as he guided them through different scenarios they might face while playing. Why did he do this? Because it works. From top athletes to corporate execs, mental performance is often the edge that separates them from their competition. I now use visualization religiously both as a preparation tool and for taking the edge off my naturally high anxiety. If you want to try it but aren’t sure where to start, here is a guide from Headspace. 

On-the-Go Hack: Pick a word and emulate it. I got this tip from a friend when I was anxiously preparing for an interview and use it constantly. Pick a word that you would love to have someone call you (for example, magnetic, energetic, eloquent, etc.), close your eyes, and visualize it. Speak (out loud or silently) affirmations to yourself that you are that thing (for example, “I am bubbly, I make people feel happy and included.”). Take a few deep and intentional breaths and, 30 seconds later, I promise you will feel like your best self (or at least a little better than before). 

4. Wear something fabulous. Look good, feel good, right? Right! But the right outfit is more than just the clothes you are wearing—it’s how you feel while you are wearing them. To make sure you are feeling (and looking) your best, plan your outfit out the night before, down to your accessories. Steam it/iron it and check it for stains. Skip the finnicky pieces (i.e., don’t wear the sweater that doesn’t quite hang right and you’ll be adjusting constantly) and dress it up. The last thing you need is to feel underdressed…your imposter syndrome will just love that. 

On-the-Go Hack: Keep a neutral blazer (or two) in your office. I keep a navy blazer and a black blazer hanging in my office for those days when a call turns into a zoom or there’s a last-minute opening at a lunch event. I also have black and nude heels under my desk for when I really need to step up my outfit. 

Unfortunately, it’s no secret that cold, hard preparation is the key to success—there isn’t an easy or quick way around it. Fortunately, however, good preparation is the best shield against imposter syndrome. As I always tell myself, “if you have time to stress, you have time to prepare!”