Don’t Let Your Imposter Mindset Crush Your Career

David Rice, DDS

Abraham Maslow once said, “In any given moment we have two options: to step forward into growth or step back into safety.”

I couldn’t think of a better time or place to share this with you than in this Spring issue of the Dental Entrepreneur Magazine. If you’re a D1, 2, or 3, for better or worse, I remember wondering if I was ready for that next practical, patient, or exam. If you’re a D4, amidst my excitement, I remember wondering if I was good enough for the real world.

Before I get into how to get over imposter syndrome and wondering if you’re good enough, there are a few things you should know:

First, imposter syndrome is not a new phenomenon. Sure, social media has blown it up into some fantastic phenomena young people suffer with in today’s world, but that’s just what social and traditional media do today. They seek our inner pain and use it to drive views and clicks. I promise you, your parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents all wondered if they were good enough at one or more points in their lives.

Second, 82% of the time imposter syndrome is reported by high achievers. That means you’re in really good company when you’re not sure of yourself.

Third, it isn’t actually a syndrome. It’s more a feeling that psychology teaches us can be overcome. Translation, when you’re ready to step into growth, read below:

LEARN THE REAL DEAL.

If 82% of the people who report feeling like an imposter are high achievers, and you were listening to any of your friends in that 82%, what would tell them? I’m guessing if you’re anything like me, you’d share every amazing thing they’re doing and how they’re much more qualified than they think they are.

Admittedly, the system that is dental school today could better foster how you and I feel. Let’s be honest, our medical school counterparts have some pretty great feelings about themselves you and I don’t. That said, step one is you answering a few questions about you:

• What facts do you have that support you being where you are?

• Where are you today compared to where you were one short year ago?

SHARE WITH YOUR INNER CIRCLE.

Sharing with everyone on social media is a bad idea. Affirmation over information is a lot of why this feeling exists. Instead, I know you have an inner circle of friends who are walking this dental path with you. Get their feedback on the same 2 questions above and get ready to smile with what you hear.

BE BETTER, NOT PERFECT.

In his book Personal Power, Tony Robbins uses the acronym CANI, which stands for Constant And Never-ending Improve-

ment. Read the next two sentences twice. You do not need to be perfect. You just need to be a little better tomorrow than today.

Start tracking your progress from week to week and month to month. It’ll make answering those questions above a piece of cake by the end of the next semester.

FOCUS AND PREPARE.

Life throws incredible distractions our way. The more you focus on what’s going well for you, the more you’ll realize there’s a lot going well.

Add to that your new CANI mindset and ask yourself what you can focus on that needs improvement. Maybe it’s one class. Maybe it’s one clinical skill. After you’ve done what you normally do, give that area or two an extra 30 minutes of focus. It adds up.

ADD THE RIGHT MENTORS

The right mentors have a few things you need.

• They’ve walked in your shoes and felt what you’re feeling.

• They’ve overcome it!

• They’ll help you with each step above on a regular basis.

If I could change one thing in my dental school and new dentist experience, it would be the circle of dental mentors I had. Seek people who are highly successful at exactly what you believe you’d like to do. Make sure they are invested enough in you to spend time with you every month. Ask them to be 100% honest with you, even when honesty adds work to your day.

Dentistry is an amazing profession. Stop worrying about being good enough. You are where you are because you’ve earned it.

Till next time,

David Rice, DDS, is on a mission to improve our profession by leading the next generation of dentists to grow successful lives and practices. The founder of igniteDDS, Dr. Rice speaks to over 35 dental schools and residency programs a year on practice building, team building and wealth building. Dr. Rice is a private practitioner, educator, author, and mentor who connects students, young dentists, and professionals from diverse dental-related businesses, “fueling passion beyond the classroom.” ignitedds.com