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Darshan from DASAR

The Need to be an "Expert" πŸ€“ DASAR Newsletter #75

Published almost 2 years agoΒ β€’Β 2 min read

Hey Reader

This week we will discuss a person's need to be an expert at what you do, and its relation with imposter syndrome.

Article of the week​
An Expert with Imposter Syndrome

"Do I know enough?"
"Am I smart enough?"
"Do other people know more than me?"

If you relate with the above questions whenever you are talking to people or starting a new job, you might be suffering from one of the imposter syndrome - being an expert at your thing.

What does it mean to be an "expert"?

Experts are the people who aim to know everything that can be known. They have this unending thirst of knowledge about their field of expertise. They aim to be perfect because they want to please everyone with their knowledge. However, the downside of this unending chase for perfection means that they are never satisfied with their level of knowledge, and feel threatened by others who know more than them. This can cause physical and mental health issues on them if not taken care of properly.

The expert represents a person who, despite being extremely knowledgeable, suffers from imposter syndrome. If this person does not know an answer or has knowledge on certain topics, they may feel less experienced than their colleagues.

Signs of an expert

  1. You avoid applying for jobs because you lack all of the required qualifications.
  2. You feel threatened by your seniors or your colleagues who know more than you.
  3. Even if you've been teaching or working in your field for years, you still feel inadequate.
  4. Before attempting a large project or presentation, you tend to thoroughly prepare yourself by delving into books, courses, trainings, and so on.

Synergy with imposter syndrome

When you are an expert and you are uncomfortable with your level of knowledge, being with your colleagues makes you feel like an imposter and a fraud. You have the impression that you do not belong in that situation. You believe that the title "expert" does not suit you and that you have not earned it. Your imposter syndrome exacerbates that feeling.

How to work on it

  1. Understand that knowledge is never-ending - you will never know a hundred per cent about any topic.
  2. Instead of accumulating knowledge to collect anything and everything, try to enjoy the process and only do it when needed or required.
  3. Plan how your knowledge consumption will work - if you have a promotion soon, start focusing on your managerial skills.
  4. Never stop learning - learning more is always going to be helpful but don't let knowledge be the mental strain on your body.

Action of the week

Here are a few things you can do right now to work on controlling your thoughts:

  1. Make a priority list - What are the things you want to learn. Want to know how to play guitar?
  2. Set realistic goals - What do you want to achieve by this weekend? Do you want to learn a new song, or how to sing?
  3. Know that its okay to not know everything about everything.
Education is an admirable thing, but it is well to remember from time to time that nothing that is worth knowing can be taught. ~Oscar Wilde

Laters!

Vineet from DASAR

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Darshan from DASAR

I run a podcast, newsletter and online courses at DASAR that help people live meaningful and inspired lives. Level up how you manage your money, fitness and productivity with DASAR.

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