biscuitsandgravery:
Thanks Solomon, appreciate it. Yea I know its imposter syndrome...but i really dont know why man haha. Maybe its just cause you never think itll really actually happen and now that it did you dont know waht to do haha

If you believe/know that you can outwork everyone around you, that’s all you need. IB doesn’t require massive intellect, just a lot of effort and a positive attitude. Knowing that I will keep going when most others will quit has made all the difference in my career.

 

You're fine. Fahgettaboudit.........

"If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." - Bruce Lee
 

Congrats on the offer, you'll be fine! I felt the same way when I accepted mine.

I told myself that I worked hard to get here, therefore I belong here but admitted that it's not going to be a walk in the park either. This mindset allows you to stay humble and not become a douchebag who is full of himself.

Remember: If you are the smartest person in the room, you're in the wrong room.

Obstacles are the things you see when you take your eyes off your goals.
 
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I suggest you reframe the way you think about this.

Whether you are "good enough" is not your concern. That's for your employer to worry about. Your concern is to get the absolute best job you can get for yourself, get the best possible experience you can get, and position yourself as best you can for your future career. In other words, instead of asking yourself "am I good enough" or "do I belong?" ask yourself "why not me?" Why shouldn't you have the great job, be put on the great deal, and get the great bonus?

This shift in thinking may sound a bit self-centered and awkward at first, but it will ultimately make you more relaxed and confident, which will lead to a better work product from you, which will of course benefit the firm as well. Everybody wins. Markets and rational self-interest and all that.

There are enough people out there who will discount you. No need to add yourself to the list. Be your own advocate.

 

It may also help to realize no one is that smart... nothing is really that complex or brilliant... it's usually a lot of marketing and an echo chamber where everyone looks around agrees to all agree we're all superior / elite.

Fundamentally, almost everything is quite simple if you can drill down / boil away the bullshit.

Except those guys who are actually on another level but if you're ever in the same room you'll just know... In that case, be grateful, get psyched and try to absorb. But the VAST majority of people, let alone your MDs, do not fall into that category.

"well thank god your feelings aren't a fucking priority here"
 

Do anything you can to prepare. Any questions you have try to ask only once and write down the answer. Master as much as possible as fast as possible. Being nervous is natural for anything new you are about to undertake. Use those nerves to drive performance and shake them off as you become acquainted with your team.

Only two sources I trust, Glenn Beck and singing woodland creatures.
 

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