Chapter 9The Weight of the World

In large part, the impostor syndrome is fed by the mistaken belief many of us hold that our value is measured by some “objective” yardstick. We do not recognize our essential worth and are therefore constantly terrified that we will be found lacking. The pursuit of validation becomes a driving need, often eclipsing other parts of our lives and ourselves.

The process of conquering these fears begins with stopping to look at your life and asking what might be missing for you. Ask whether you are satisfied. Are there dimensions you want to add? Do you need more balance? Ultimately, the question has to be, “What do I value about myself?”

The public attention I began to receive when I became an officer at Avon was ...

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