posted 8th October 2022
Joining the Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce is a big decision for me, It is definitely going out of my comfort zone.
Why? I guess it is because I have "Impostor syndrome". (Apparently this is also called impostor phenomenon or impostorism.)
Now my friends and ex-colleague might be surprised about this. I have stood in front of thousands of people in the past playing the guitar and singing songs without a care in the world - as far as the audience knew anyway.
I have talked to hundreds of people while on stage with a microphone in hand making the audience laugh, talked to dozens of people when a member of a public speaking group, and have made business presentations to senior Directors selling my services. So you could think I am a confident person - but this is definitely not the case. I just hide it well.
The thought of going to a business networking event horrifies me - I find small talk difficult, especially in a crowded room full of business people.
Years ago I learnt Neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) which is supposed to change someone's thoughts and behaviours to "help achieve desired outcomes". I also learnt Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) which releases emotional baggage.
I am sure joining the C&W Chamber of Commerce will help me overcome my imposter syndrome but if you see a short, fat, sixty-something grey haired bloke sitting on his own pretending to be on the phone at one of the networking events please come and say hello.... it will brake the ice!