Dr. Aziz explains why self-doubt persists even after you get more training or credentials. He describes the constant questioning of your words and actions in social and work situations, and why imposter syndrome rationalizations like "I'm not smart enough" don't actually go away once you fill the gaps they name.
How often are you doubting yourself, second-guessing yourself, questioning yourself, and then feeling that sense of uncertainty? Did I say the right thing? Did I do that? Why did I do this? I should have done that. Does that follow you after professional situations, work meetings? Does that follow you after a social engagement? You can't put it down. You keep thinking about it. And you're wondering and you're questioning and you just feel unsettled. You don't just feel at ease with it. Yeah, that's me. That's how I showed up. This is how I did it. That is self-doubt. So one of the first strategies people have when they feel doubt is they say, well, I'm questioning myself. I'm feeling like I'm an imposter. I doubt myself here at work. Maybe because I'm not smart enough. I'm not skilled enough. I don't know enough yet. I'm not old enough yet. I'm not professional enough yet. I'm not established. I haven't achieved enough yet. And so they go out and they take trainings and get more advanced education and more advanced experience. And then they actually get more skilled professionally. And the doubt's still there.
