Your colleagues look so put together. When you rub shoulders with other, more experienced NYC event planners, you notice an air of self-confidence that puts you on pins and needles. You stand up straighter, steady your voice and prepare your best Mathew McConaughey handshake. Because you can’t let them know that deep down you’re a fraud.
If that sounds anything like you, it’s time to wake up to your own greatness. Imposter syndrome imposes self-limiting beliefs on your event planning career. In this article, we share top strategies to overcome imposter syndrome and build your self-confidence as an event planner.
What Is Imposter Syndrome for NYC Event Planners?
Imposter syndrome is a pervasive feeling of being a fraud. When you experience imposter syndrome, you think you don’t have the skills and abilities to maintain success. You also have a nagging fear that others will find out that you’re not good enough to be a successful NYC event planner.
Let’s face it, New York is a tough city. There’s a reason they say, “If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere,” which is also the reason why many who come to New York are plagued by self-doubt.
Yep, that’s right. Most people, including NYC event planners, experience imposter syndrome at one time or another. Some dub it the “Universal Struggle” because studies indicate up to 82% of us experience self-limiting feelings of self-doubt and inadequacy. In the next section, we’ll look at ways imposter syndrome may manifest in your life.
Learn to Spot Imposter Syndrome Within Yourself
Like other forms of self-sabotage, signs of imposter syndrome may be difficult to recognize. That’s because if you experience imposter syndrome, you likely have a distorted view of yourself and how others view you. There are tell-tale signs that imposter syndrome is disrupting your event planning career.
You minimize your abilities. You may be a natural-born event planner who pushed your mother aside to design your own 6th birthday party. But you minimize your talents because you don’t have the experience or certifications your peers may have.
You brush off compliments. In that same vein, you dismiss compliments. After all, anybody would have moved mountains to keep the reception on schedule when the wedding bus broke down. Moving the photo shoot and finding a last-minute limousine service is just part of the job.
You seek constant feedback. You once considered sending a survey about the post-event survey you send to clients. Seeking excessive feedback is a way to get external validation when you don’t feel good enough on the inside.
You struggle with pressure. When the pressure is on, you turn the heat up with your perfectionistic ways. The stress of NY events doesn’t mix well with the stress of imposter syndrome. You’re at risk of underperforming if the strain becomes too much.
Strategies to Build Self-Confidence as an NYC Event Planner
Self-confidence isn’t just a salve that feels awesome. It’s a skill that makes planning NYC events easier. You can take steps to build your self-confidence and make your NYC event planning business more successful in the process.
Objectively reassess your situation. Imposter syndrome has an insidious way of skewing your perspective. Make an honest and realistic assessment about your skills, accomplishments, and your failures.
Speak kindly to yourself. Pay attention to your negative self-talk and replace it with kinder thoughts. Make a list of your negative thoughts on one side of a piece of paper. In the other column, rewrite the negative thoughts into positive affirmations.
Celebrate your wins. Imposter syndrome is characterized by incessant negative feelings. You can counter negative emotions by purposefully celebrating your wins, however small they seem. Challenge yourself to make a list of 3-5 wins at the end of each day.
Carry yourself with confidence. Revealing our own insecurities through body language is nothing more than another form of self-sabotage. So, dress professionally, stand straight, and look others in the eye.
Fake it till you make it. Consider the ways your self-doubt is fueling your behavior. Procrastination, missing deadlines, missing networking events, and more only reinforces your low confidence. Make a resolution to improve these bad habits.
Reassess the language you use. Language is powerful, and the words you use may underscore your uncertainty and anxiety. You’ll build your self-confidence as an event planner when you use these tips for speaking:
- Avoid apologizing in everyday language, as in “I’m sorry to bother you.”
- Avoid filler words, such as “um.”
- Avoid punctuating a declaration with questions, as in “Don’t you think?”
- Avoid phrases that devalue what you say, like beginning your sentence with “It’s just my opinion” or “I think.”
Be proactive. Every NYC event planner encounters challenging situations. Those who suffer from imposter syndrome may avoid taking action because they fear failure. However, being proactive builds self-confidence. Take action in those areas of your event planning business that you’ve been avoiding.
Follow through on your commitments. Deliver on your promises, including promises to yourself. If you have trouble doing this, check out our next tip.
Learn to say no. If you have a habit of not following through on your commitments, it may be because you can’t say no. You might be overcommitting yourself because you’re a people-pleaser. NYC event planners with imposter syndrome often avoid saying no because they mistakenly think saying yes is what a “real” event planner would do. Instead, be honest with yourself about your bandwidth, and say no when you need to.
Surround Yourself with Professionals Who Inspire You
Motivational speaker Kim Rohn once said, “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” While Rohn’s statement may seem rigid, researchers generally agree that you’re greatly influenced by the people in your environment. That’s why, when it comes to your professional life, you should strive to surround yourself with high-achieving colleagues.
The Event Planner Expo 2024 is your chance to find your tribe among 2,000 event professionals. You can also take your confidence to the next level when you showcase your event biz at The Expo!
