# Dealing with Impostor Syndrome: A Personal Experience Some time ago, I received good news: I was accepted as a speaker at a WordCamp event. At first, I was excited—it was a moment of joy and validation. But as the event date approached, another feeling emerged: anxiety and doubt. Thoughts like, *"Why did I sign up? What if they realize I'm not as good as they think?"* started to creep in. Does this sound familiar? For me, this was **impostor syndrome**. ## What I Learned About Emotions and Facts The first step was to notice the difference between what I felt and what was true. **Emotions can be powerful, but they don't cancel out achievements.** The fact that I was selected as a speaker was concrete proof that the organizers saw value in what I could offer. ## Practical Strategies I Used (And Recommend) ### Focus on Facts, Not Feelings I wrote down a list of concrete reasons why I was chosen: my experience, relevant projects, positive feedback. Whenever anxiety arose, I would re-read that list. ### Avoid Comparisons I tried not to compare myself to others. Instead of striving for perfection, I set the goal of bringing value to the audience—whatever form that value might take. ### Talk to Colleagues and Mentors Honest conversations with friends in the community helped me normalize my feelings and accept constructive perspectives. Sometimes, a simple *"I've felt the same way"* is more comforting than any advice. ### Structured Preparation I broke down my preparation into small steps: - Outline of the presentation - Writing the introduction - 2-3 practical examples - Short rehearsals Daily micro-goals turned a big stress into a series of manageable actions. ### Practice Self-Compassion When I made mistakes during rehearsals, I didn't punish myself. I tried to learn from the error and remind myself that mistakes are part of the process. ## Quick Practical Exercises - **"3 Achievements" Journal**: Every evening, I write down 3 things I did well. - **Mirror or Friend Rehearsals**: 10 minutes a day. - **Visualization**: I imagine the scene, a receptive audience, and my confident exit. ## Results I Observed - Stress decreased as I completed small preparation tasks. - Confidence grew gradually—not overnight, but consistently. - I turned emotion into fuel: Instead of paralyzing me, it motivated me to prepare content that matters. ## Final Thoughts Impostor syndrome is common and **doesn't mean you're not prepared.** Accepting emotions, focusing on concrete evidence, consistent preparation, and talking to others are simple and effective strategies. **You worked for that opportunity—you earned the right to be there.**