Podcast Summary: "I Let My Work Speak Louder Than My Doubt"

Podcast Information:

• Title: Mantra with Jemma Sbeg
• Host/Author: OpenMind (Hosted by Gemma Spagh)
• Episode: I Let My Work Speak Louder Than My Doubt
• Release Date: June 2, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of Mantra with Jemma Sbeg, Gemma Spagh delves deep into the theme "I Let My Work Speak Louder Than My Doubt." Geared towards individuals navigating personal and professional growth, Gemma offers insights on overcoming imposter syndrome without succumbing to overproving or overthinking. The episode combines personal anecdotes, psychological insights, and actionable strategies to empower listeners to trust in their creative endeavors despite inner doubts.

Personal Reflections: Highs, Lows, and Experiences

Gemma begins by sharing recent personal highlights and challenges, providing a relatable context for the episode's theme.

• Highs:

  • Dinner with Strangers Series: Gemma successfully concluded her Dinner with Strangers series across Australia, aiming to connect listeners and book readers through intimate dinner parties in cities like Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, and Canberra. She expresses enthusiasm about expanding this initiative globally to places like Perth, Adelaide, the US, Europe, and the UK.
  • Lessons Learned:
    • Managing Larger Groups: (10:30) "30 people is a lot of people. I don't know why I was like, oh, 30 people, that's not that many... it definitely is."
    • Event Management: (12:15) "Whenever you're organizing some big event... things are going to go wrong and you kind of just have to get them out of the way."
    • Personal Health: (13:45) "Don't drink wine on an empty stomach, especially when you're on antibiotics... Remember to eat the food as much as you talk."

• Lows:

  • Travel Struggles: (14:20) Gemma reflects on the challenges of constant travel, contrasting her childhood perception of a jet-setting lifestyle with the reality of longing for her own bed and shower.

Exploring the Mantra: "I Let My Work Speak Louder Than My Doubt"

Understanding Imposter Syndrome

Gemma introduces the mantra by addressing imposter syndrome, defining it as an internal struggle where individuals feel undeserving of their achievements despite evident success.

• Definition and Origins:

  • (18:20) "Imposter syndrome essentially convinces us... that we are just failures."
  • Originated in the 1960s-70s when researchers discovered that highly successful women felt like frauds despite their accomplishments.

• Universal Experience:

  • (19:10) "There is not a single person who you admire who has not at some stage questioned themselves... Imposter syndrome applies to people of all genders and backgrounds."

Factors Contributing to Imposter Syndrome

Gemma explores various psychological and societal factors that exacerbate imposter feelings:

• Perfectionism:

  • (25:00) "When you feel like an imposter, it's hard to feel like any of the work you do... you hold yourself to an impeccably high standard."

• Procrastination:

  • (26:30) Described as perfectionism's "evil twin sister," procrastination stems from fear of failure and the inability to meet self-imposed high standards.

• Upbringing and Self-Concept:

  • (29:50) "If your early childhood environment was dominated by the need to be successful... it shapes how you think about yourself."
  • Conditional love based on achievements leads to lingering self-doubt.

• Societal Influences:

  • (34:15) The rise of hustle culture and social media fosters constant comparison, making individuals feel inadequate.

Strategies to Overcome Imposter Syndrome

Gemma provides practical methods to counteract self-doubt and let work affirm one's value:

• Internal Validation:

  • (41:00) "We need to start measuring our value by how we feel and what we contribute rather than what we achieve."

• Balanced Self-Promotion:

  • (43:20) Emphasizes the importance of being gracious rather than arrogant, nurturing self-confidence without letting ego dominate.

• Challenging Negative Thoughts:

  • (49:45) "Whenever an anxious thought comes into your mind... say 'what else?' or 'so what?' to diminish its impact."

• Accepting Compliments:

  • (54:30) Encourages accepting praise as evidence of competence instead of deflecting it.

• Creating a Tall Poppy Syndrome Awareness:

  • (57:10) Recognizes societal tendencies to undermine successful individuals and advises focusing on personal growth irrespective of others' actions.

Personal Anecdotes and Reflections

Gemma shares her own battle with imposter syndrome, particularly around the release of her book, Person in Progress.

• Book Launch Anxiety:

  • (63:00) "I felt so undeserving of the title author... I thought it was going to be a letdown disaster."
  • Explains how her fears were unfounded as the book launched successfully without the negative outcomes she anticipated.

• Reframing Self-Doubt:

  • (72:30) Gemma discusses techniques like imagining her self-doubt as a former bully to rationalize and discredit negative thoughts.

Journal Prompts and Weekly Challenge

Journal Prompts:

1. Proving Yourself:

   • Where in your life do you feel the need to prove yourself? What would it feel like to simply just be yourself, to just exist?

2. Owning Accomplishments:

   • Have you ever downplayed your accomplishments because you didn't feel like you earned them? What would it take to own them fully?

3. Perceived Strengths:

   • What do you believe others see in you that you have trouble seeing in yourself?

Weekly Challenge:

• Start a Private Brag File:
  • Create a folder or journal documenting compliments, wins, breakthroughs, and proud moments.
  • (1:05:00) "Having a permanent folder of all the times in the past where we've proven ourselves to be spectacular is so important."

Final Thoughts and Conclusion

Gemma wraps up the episode by reinforcing the importance of letting work validate oneself over internal doubts. She emphasizes the necessity of self-trust and highlights that accepting and celebrating one's achievements fosters a peaceful, confident self-concept.

• Encouraging Self-Acceptance:

  • (1:10:30) "It's okay to accept a compliment every now and again, and it's definitely okay to be proud of yourself."

• Balancing Confidence and Humility:

  • Striking a balance between self-assuredness and humility is crucial to maintaining healthy self-esteem without tipping into arrogance.

• Closing Mantra:

  • "Keep showing up for yourself and your journey."

Notable Quotes:

1. On Imposter Syndrome Origins:

   • (20:45) "Imposter syndrome was born on the backs of these incredibly successful women who didn't believe that they deserved to be where they were."

2. On Overcoming Doubt:

   • (41:00) "We need to start measuring our value by how we feel and what we contribute rather than what we achieve."

3. On Personal Growth:

   • (72:30) "Sometimes you think you're doing it to motivate yourself, but success isn't going to make you feel good about yourself."

4. On Handling Self-Doubt:

   • (1:00:15) "What if you started doubting your doubts? What if you heard those what-if thoughts and thought, what else?"

Conclusion

This episode of Mantra with Jemma Sbeg offers a comprehensive exploration of imposter syndrome, blending personal experiences with expert insights. Gemma provides listeners with tangible strategies to silence self-doubt, emphasizing the power of letting one's work and authentic self assert their value. Through reflective journal prompts and actionable challenges, the episode equips individuals to embrace their achievements and foster a confident, balanced self-view.