The “Women & Work Coordination Centre”, based at the Saarpfalz District Women’s Office, in collaboration with the Saarpfalz Economic Development Agency, is hosting this year’s careers breakfast on Sunday 25 October at the Kirkel Training Centre of the Saarland Chamber of Labour. The focus will be on a topic that many people are familiar with – yet one that is rarely discussed: the imposter syndrome.
“Am I good enough? Do I really belong here? Shouldn’t I prepare myself a bit better first? When will the others realise that I’m actually not as competent as they think?” Thoughts like these are familiar to many people. Self-doubt is a part of life and can even be helpful to a certain extent. However, if it becomes too overwhelming, it can significantly hinder personal development and well-being.
The so-called ‘impostor syndrome’ or ‘impostor phenomenon’ describes a pattern in which people, despite objective successes and proven abilities, are convinced that they are not good enough and do not truly deserve their achievements. According to studies, around 70 per cent of people experience such thoughts or feelings at some point in their lives – often without recognising the phenomenon as such.
Excessive self-doubt can manifest itself, for example, in perfectionism, an excessive workload, procrastination or avoidance of tasks, or a pronounced tendency towards self-deprecation: “That was obvious, wasn’t it? Others can do that much better than me.” The consequences can include increased stress, dissatisfaction with one’s education or career, and a reduced sense of well-being. An increased risk of burnout is also associated with the imposter phenomenon.
At the career breakfast, psychologist, systemic counsellor and speaker Anna Pietzka will explain what lies behind the imposter phenomenon, how to recognise excessive self-doubt, what psychological mechanisms underpin it, and how the phenomenon can manifest itself in everyday life. She will also explore why women sometimes experience impostor thoughts more frequently or more intensely.
As well as providing illustrative examples, Anna Pietzka offers practical, immediate strategies that can be applied straight away in everyday life – to reduce excessive self-doubt and self-deprecating modesty, and to foster greater self-confidence, a sense of ease and a relaxed approach to success.
Anna Pietzka is a psychologist, systemic counsellor and speaker on the topic of imposter syndrome. She helps people to develop confidence in their own abilities, ideas and skills. As well as her practical experience gained from working with coaching clients and hundreds of workshop participants, she also draws on her personal experience of the impostor phenomenon. Her book, *Don’t Believe Everything Your Self-Doubts Tell You – How Impostor Syndrome Sabotages Your Life and How to Say Goodbye to It*, is due to be published by Beltz Verlag in September 2026.
Participants can look forward to an event full of thought-provoking insights and ‘aha’ moments, which will inspire them and convey a key message: ‘We are capable of so much more than we often realise.’
The career breakfast also offers an opportunity to chat, make new contacts and expand your professional network whilst enjoying a hearty breakfast. Doors open at 9.30 am. The event begins at 10.00 am with the breakfast buffet, followed by a talk by Anna Pietzka. The fee for the Career Breakfast and talk is 25 euros in advance, or 23 euros with a concession.
Anyone interested in finding out more about the event and ticket sales can contact the Saarpfalz District Women’s Office on 06841 104-7138 or by email at [email protected].