Have you ever felt like an imposter, like you didn’t belong or that you were the luckiest person in the room? If so, you might be suffering from imposter syndrome.
This psychological phenomenon, which affects millions of professionals, describes people who have a persistent internalised fear of being exposed as a fraud despite their actual success.
Imposter syndrome, what it is and how to overcome it to feel like a legitimate professional
What is imposter syndrome?
Impostor syndrome is a term used to describe high-achieving individuals who are unable to internalise their accomplishments, even in the face of evidence that would logically support them. In other words, people with impostor syndrome feel like they're frauds or impostors.
Although it may seem counterintuitive, many people with impostor syndrome are high achievers who have been praised for their intelligence and abilities.
The Science Behind Impostor Syndrome
Impostor Syndrome is more common than you think. It's a phenomenon that many high-achieving people experience, but few are willing to talk about. The Science Behind Impostor Syndrome sheds some light on the matter. First identified in 1978 by two clinical psychologists Pauline R. Clance and Suzanne A. Imes, who were studying women’s reactions to their competence, impostor syndrome manifests as self-doubt and a fear of being exposed as someone who fakes it. Many people feel like they don't belong where they're at in life and are waiting for someone else to discover their true level of incompetence and oust them from their position or company.
Why do you have it?
You have imposter syndrome if you feel you don't deserve the success you've achieved, that it's just luck, or that others are more deserving. This can lead to feelings of worthlessness and depression. It can also cause people to withdraw from challenging tasks, which prevents them from furthering their success. It's important to recognize these thoughts for what they are - false narratives - and know they're not accurate representations of reality.
Some people find it helpful to do activities that remind them of how accomplished they truly are, such as making a list of things they're proud of achieving or reading old emails or letters in which others praise their work.
How can you overcome the negative effects?
If you're experiencing imposter syndrome, it's important to know that you're not alone. It can be difficult to overcome the negative effects without the help of others. Here are some ways that can help.
Think about how much you've grown and how far you've come. You may have been really bad at something in the past, but now you're good enough to make money from it. That's pretty impressive!
Share your goals with friends and family members. They'll hold you accountable for completing those tasks or achieving those goals, which will push you to work harder than before.
Learn from your mistakes so you don't keep making them over and over again. You'll learn more this way than if you were doing everything right all the time because failures teach us what doesn't work instead of just telling us what does work. Keep on going, even when things get tough. You're capable of accomplishing anything you set your mind to.
Tips for overcoming imposter syndrome
The imposter syndrome is the idea that you aren't as good as other people think you are, that you're just lucky to be successful. It's a lack of self-confidence and it can hold you back from achieving more. There are ways to overcome this, though! Here are some tips for beating imposter syndrome:
Know what makes you unique: Make a list of your strengths and find the times when those traits have helped you succeed. These moments will give you confidence in yourself.
Set realistic goals: Make sure your goals are achievable so that you don't feel disappointed in yourself when they're not met.
Spend time with supportive people: Imposter syndrome thrives when we compare ourselves to others. So try surrounding yourself with people who make you feel confident about who you are.
Remember, everyone has imposter syndrome sometimes: Even if someone seems confident, it doesn't mean they don't still struggle sometimes too.
Remind yourself that everyone has their own flaws and qualities which make them who they are.
It’s okay to not be perfect because no one is either.
You might feel like an imposter sometimes but it’s important to remember that you are always evolving and becoming better than yesterday. Don't let imposter syndrome stop you from reaching your full potential!!!
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