Author Archives: Hugh Kearns

You’ve been faking, haven’t you?

Posted on February 1, 2023 by Hugh Kearns

We’ve all had times when we’re faking it. Someone asks a question at a meeting and rather than look stupid, we nod in agreement and try to look knowledgeable. And hope nobody asks us for an opinion or input. At … Continue reading →

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Prepare for mistakes

Posted on January 30, 2023 by Hugh Kearns

A danger time for imposter feelings is when something goes wrong. When you make a mistake. This is likely to send a shiver through your imposter body and stir up all the imposter fears. So, it’s a good idea to … Continue reading →

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Do I dare?

Posted on December 30, 2016 by Hugh Kearns

One of my favourite poems is The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock by T.S. Eliot. Here’s an extract:                   These lines so accurately describe doubt. How in just one minute we … Continue reading →

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The job hunter

Posted on December 30, 2016 by Hugh Kearns

I’ve coached many people who have stunted their careers because of an overdeveloped imposter syndrome. “I’ve reached the top of my level and would like to get a higher level job. People are encouraging me to apply for jobs. I … Continue reading →

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Beginnings and transitions

Posted on December 14, 2016 by Hugh Kearns

Beginnings and transitions are a very common time to experience imposter feelings. It might be starting a new job or a new project, teaching a new topic, or learning a new skill. Naturally, at the start of any new project … Continue reading →

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Comparisons

Posted on October 5, 2016 by Hugh Kearns

We spend a lot of time comparing ourselves with others but despite that we’re often not very good at it. For example, here are three comparisons that people regularly make. Apples and oranges A new PhD student compares their first … Continue reading →

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The hidden benefit of procrastination

Posted on September 8, 2016 by Hugh Kearns

We all procrastinate occasionally (well, quite often actually) – we put off writing the assignment, we avoid making that difficult phone call, we do the housework instead of paying the bills. That’s pretty normal. But some people use it as … Continue reading →

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Perfectionism leading to procrastination

Posted on September 7, 2016 by Hugh Kearns

This is where you set high standards for yourself. But not just high standards – stratospheric standards. The presentation can’t be just good. It has to be the best presentation in the conference. Or that novel you’re planning to write … Continue reading →

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Prepare for mistakes

Posted on July 22, 2016 by Hugh Kearns

A danger time for imposter feelings is when something goes wrong. When you make a mistake. This is likely to send a shiver through your imposter body and stir up all the imposter fears. So it’s a good idea to … Continue reading →

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Well, what do you expect?

Posted on July 11, 2016 by Hugh Kearns

What do you expect of yourself? What do others expect of you? What do you expect of others? Through this tangle of expectations we form our view of ourselves and the world around us. And if you don’t meet these … Continue reading →

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