Imposter Syndrome: Get Off the Struggle Bus
Meg Bowman MS CNS LDN CHES
Embarking on a career change can be both exhilarating and challenging. For Sarah, a CNS candidate, transitioning from another field to nutrition was a dream come true. However, the unfamiliar territory and comparing herself to her peers and seasoned professionals led to a sneaky feeling that she just didn’t know enough. In this blog post, we will explore Sarah's journey and the strategies she employed to overcome her self-doubt, ultimately finding her voice and confidence as a competent and capable CNS.
Acknowledging the Struggle: When Sarah first entered the nutrition field, she felt like a fish out of water. Despite her extensive education and certifications, she’d spent the last 2+ years in grad school talking to people that knew nutrition. She questioned her ability to provide sound nutritional advice and wondered if she could ever measure up to their level of expertise. But what Sarah forgot is that in hanging around with other nutrition pro’s, you forget the knowledge level of the average client - often people don’t know what protein is, or what foods are highest in it. But we forget this quickly when a ton of our time is spent with nutrition experts.
Changing the Metric of Success: Sarah soon encountered a challenge with clients. She felt like she had to come to session completely prepared for whatever the client might say or two, planning ten steps ahead. And even then, she didn’t know what to do when client’s would talk about something unexpected. Not to mention it was often hard to get clients to commit to behavior change. Many sessions left her feeling frustrated at their lack of compliance to changes they had discussed.
But a single conversation with a supervisor changed her outlook. The supervisor asked her what her metric of success was with clients. Initially, she thought that clients had to make big changes for HER to be a success. After bounding ideas back and forth with her supervisor, she came to understand that success often comes incrementally, and that her clients WERE moving forwards in their health journey, although not as quickly as she might have liked. She eventually came to realize that success looked like being present in session and listening deeply to the client, transforming her client’s self-efficacy. And she didn’t need to be the world’s foremost expert in nutrition to do that. She needed to quiet her ego, get out of the headspace that she had to prove her worth, and center the client’s needs.
“success looked like being present in session and listening deeply to the client”
Reframing Expertise and Embracing Learning: Sarah realized that expertise is not defined by having all the answers but rather by the ability to guide clients on their individual journeys. She shifted her focus from feeling like an imposter to recognizing herself as a knowledgeable guide who could support and empower her clients. Sarah embraced the idea that continuous learning is an essential part of being a competent CNS. Instead of expecting herself to know everything, she saw each client interaction as an opportunity to learn alongside them and explore new research and approaches together.
Embracing Community and Collaboration: Sarah found solace and support in connecting with her fellow CNS candidates and professionals in the field. She joined online communities, attended conferences, and engaged in networking events. Sharing experiences, challenges, and successes with others in similar situations helped her realize that she was not alone in her feelings of self-doubt. Collaborating with her peers and mentors allowed her to gain valuable insights, perspectives, and encouragement. Sarah discovered that leaning on the collective knowledge and experiences of the nutrition community was a powerful antidote to imposter syndrome. Name it to tame it, folks!
Celebrating Wins, No Matter How Small: Sarah learned the importance of celebrating even the smallest victories. Whether it was a client making a small behavior change or a positive outcome in a case study, she recognized the significance of progress, no matter how incremental. By reframing success and focusing on the positive impact she was making in her clients' lives, Sarah found the motivation and confidence to keep pushing forward.
Developing a Growth Mindset: Sarah adopted a growth mindset, understanding that expertise is not fixed but something that can be cultivated and expanded upon. She embraced feedback as an opportunity for growth and improvement, rather than seeing it as a reflection of her shortcomings. Sarah sought out constructive criticism from supervisors and peers, knowing that it would ultimately help her refine her skills and become a more effective CNS.
Imposter syndrome can be a formidable challenge for career changers in the field of nutrition. Sarah's journey from self-doubt to confidence, an amalgamation of the experiences of many CNS candidates, serves as a powerful example of how one can overcome this internal struggle. By acknowledging her feelings, reframing her mindset, seeking support from peers and mentors, and focusing on continuous learning, Sarah found her voice and flourished as a competent and capable CNS.
And you will too.
XOXO, Meg