Imposter Syndrome

They say it represents “all Canadians” who have worked in the Space Program. But it’s really Chris Hadfield.

I struggle a bit with Imposter Syndrome – the feeling that I don’t really deserve the success I’ve had, and that I’m not as smart as some other people believe. It started when I was 29 and had been accepted into the US Air Force Test Pilot School. As everyone introduced themselves, I thought, I don’t belong here. 

One guy graduated from MIT in four years with a Bachelor’s and two Master’s degrees. 

Another was the smartest guy in Canada (my description, not his), was insanely fit, musically adept, and has now flown in space, published at least four books, and is on the Canadian $5 bill. He’s an all-around great guy.

Her? Oh, yeah, she’s got her Master’s in Aeronautical Engineering, and would go on to fly in space five times, and be promoted to a three-star General in the US Air Force.

What am I doing here? Any minute, someone’s going to kick open the door and yell “Daily? How’d you get here?” And then drag me to a room for lesser achievers, where I belonged.

Since then, I’ve routinely expected the real adults to come in and take over.

Still waiting.

So, when Dr. Jacalyn Kerbeck invited me to be on her show, The Wise Ones, I was pretty sure she’d mistyped the email address. Nope.