How to fight imposter syndrome as a digital nomad
We digital nomads are such an impressive bunch.
To have the freedom (and privilege) to blend travel with work, many of us worked hard to become highly skilled professionals, often excelling in our fields through either seniority, expertise, or both.
Whether you're a remote employee juggling deadlines and office politics from afar, a freelancer slaying client projects, or an entrepreneur building your business, you undoubtedly bring to the table a rare and valuable combination of skills and business acumen.
Yet, despite our capabilities, even the best of us fall into the trap of imposter syndrome, that persistent feeling of being a fraud. Was I actually ready to go nomadic? When will my boss find out that I'm actually not that competent to get the chance to work remotely? Am I cheating the system?
For digital nomads, this can be a significant barrier to career advancement and higher earnings, threatening our cherished freedom to travel. It can lead us to undervalue ourselves, lower-than-deserved salaries, or our services as freelancers or entrepreneurs.
This is a lesson I've learned firsthand. Early in my freelancing career, I often accepted lower fees for gigs, risking going completely broke. Even today, as an online entrepreneur, I caught myself doubting as I was working on some important features for our Freaking Nomads website, which prompted me to write this newsletter.
But the hard truth I've learned (and continue to learn) on this journey is: if you don't know your worth, nobody else will. In this lifestyle, it's really important to start building your self-esteem as soon as possible by celebrating even the smallest victories and reflecting on all the skills and knowledge you've acquired so far.
It's equally crucial to be objective when evaluating your performance at a job. It's easier to let other people tell you how good or bad you are to measure your worth. But that's a dangerous game and one that won't sustain a nomadic lifestyle. So, always be your own compass, the more you do it, the easier it gets!
Remember nomads: you are incredible! You bring a wealth of talent and experience to the table that it's hard for bosses and clients to find. Don't let imposter syndrome steal your shine. Own your worth, and chase those dreams with confidence!
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