What to do when imposter syndrome kicks in đź‘€


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Hey Reader 👋🏾

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Let’s talk about imposter syndrome.

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Even the best of us feel it, that little voice that says,

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“Who am I to be here? Do I really deserve this opportunity?”

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Here’s the truth: imposter syndrome doesn’t mean you’re not capable. It usually means you’re growing, stretching, and stepping into spaces that matter. And that’s a very good thing.

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I coach clients through this all the time, and I’ve lived it myself.


When imposter syndrome kicks in, here's the framework I use:

  • Pause and name it. Call it what it is: imposter syndrome. Naming it takes away its power.
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  • Collect your receipts. Keep a running folder of your wins, feedback, and proud moments. When doubt creeps in, let the evidence speak louder.
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  • Reframe the story. Shift the thought “I don’t belong” into “I’m learning in real time, and that makes me powerful.”
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  • Anchor in your why. Reconnect with the bigger reason you chose this path. Your skills and perspective are needed in the spaces you’ve worked hard to enter.
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Here’s something extra I recommend to keep yourself grounded:

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​Every 3 months, set aside 20 minutes for a reflection practice. Journal your answers to these prompts and keep them in one folder you can revisit:

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  • What are 3 wins or accomplishments I’m proud of from the past quarter?
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  • What positive feedback did I receive, and how did it land with me?
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  • How did my work make an impact — on a team, a project, or a user?
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  • What did I learn that proves I’m growing in my career?
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This becomes your highlight reel, ready to remind you of your progress whenever imposter syndrome sneaks in.

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Imposter syndrome doesn’t disappear forever. It shows up at every new stage of growth. But with these tools, you can face it head-on instead of letting it drive the bus.

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And if you’re switching into UX research or still finding your footing in the field, please know this: the rooms you’re in need you.

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I’d love to hear from you…what’s your go-to move when imposter syndrome shows up? Hit reply and share. You never know who in our community might need to hear it.

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All the best,

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Eniola Abioye

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UXR Career Coach & Founder, UX Outloud

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Eniola Abioye, UXR Career Coach | UX Outloud

YOU'RE A PROFESSIONAL OR ACADEMIC RESEARCHER who has experience in people-focused work that you'd like to apply to a career in UX Research; however you don't know how to stand out and successfully pivot. You've come to the right place! My name is Eniola Abioye; I am a UXR Career Coach and I help customer-centered professionals position their current skills to transition into tech UXR roles. I founded UX Outloud to work directly with people who have experience doing user research but have never had the title on their resume. I guide researchers in building a strong narrative and employing an 8-step strategy in starting their UXR careers. My speciality is constructing tailored transition strategies taking into account the experience you have to leverage and the niche that are targeting for your next role. I take a hands-on approach to revamping your professional materials including: 📢 A resume that emphasizes your work and organizational impact 📢 A LinkedIn profile that demonstrates your value to UX hiring managers and recruiters 📢 A UXR portfolio that details your strategic research approach and case studies that showcase your experience I also work as a Lead UX Researcher and UXR Manager at Meta - and my background happens to be in biology and healthcare. Take it from me, someone who doesn't have the most "traditional" UXR background, you can apply people research skills from any and every industry and niche to UX. It all comes down to creating a strong narrative and making your skillset crystal clear. If you're ready to stop applying to UXR roles endlessly online and actually gain traction landing interviews and job offers, apply to work with me at bit.ly/uxrcareeraccelerator! Tell me about your background and what you're looking for in your next career move. I'm happy to answer any questions you have and figure out if we're a good fit on a free consultation call. 💚 Tap the "subscribe" button to hear tips and strategies for pivoting into UXR! On a personal tip, I was born, raised and educated in the Bay Area. I absolutely love traveling and adventures of any kind. Luckily UX Research has taken me all around the world and I'm documenting my journey as I go!

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