Imposter syndrome.
We have all been through it one time or the other.
Like you are not good enough for the job, or that people will discover your secret and leave you in shame?
This is Imposter Syndrome. And it is common among high achieving individuals who have internalized success as a result of luck or even fraud.
Impostor syndrome is a term coined by psychologists that refers to people who may feel like they are not as smart or successful as others perceive them. People with imposter syndrome often do not give themselves credit for their achievements. They believe that their achievements came easy and thus, don’t think much of it. They think that if circumstances were different they probably wouldn’t be able to achieve the same results again.
Imposter syndrome can lead to procrastination, lack of confidence, depression, and anxiety.
What causes imposter syndrome.
Imposter syndrome occurs when we think that our achievements are the result of luck and not hard work, so it makes sense to feel like an impostor in the face of other people’s expectations.
There are usually two reasons that cause imposter syndrome:
- Lack of experience or knowledge in the situation or domain.
- Feeling of unworthiness originating from previous experiences.
Strategies to Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
If you have ever felt like an Imposter, this blog post provides strategies on how to deal with Imposter Syndrome so it doesn’t hold back your potential! Imposter syndrome is a term that can be used to describe people who feel like they’re not good enough or that they’ve fooled everyone into thinking they’re smarter or more talented than they really are.
Imposter syndrome can lead to procrastination, lack of confidence, depression, and anxiety.
-Remember that everyone has different skills and strengths.
Acknowledge Imposter Syndrome is real.
Try to identify what your imposter syndrome tells you. Imposter syndrome can bring about different thoughts like “I am not smart enough”, or “My parents wish they had raised smarter children” for example. When you are able to recognize the thought patterns that make it seem like you don’t deserve success, it becomes easier to start countering those thoughts.
You are not alone in your feelings of Imposter Syndrome. Everybody is a beginner at some point, if you think you can better your skills or you need more experience, the only solution is to ignore the imposter syndrome.
Why am asking you to ignore it is so that you can learn more and gain experience. If you’re new to a domain then it’s a catch 22 situation. Your imposter syndrome will not be eliminated completely unless you have the experience.
In summary, get used to the idea of winging it.
If Imposter Syndrome is affecting your work or confidence, here are three steps to take action and overcome it:
-Take action!
Procrastination is a common symptom of Imposter Syndrome. It can be paralyzing, but we need to take action and realize that our feelings don’t dictate the facts. One way to approach it is to simply break tasks down into smaller goals and take the first step.
Imposter syndrome can be a tough thing to fight, but it’s important that you don’t give up or let your Imposter Syndrome win. If anything tell yourself “I am worthy” and then take action!
In summary, take action and do something to improve your skills, even if you don’t feel ready.
-Talk to someone
Finally, we need to talk about it with someone else like a mentor or friend or even a professional, who can give us an outside perspective on what’s really going on. Imposter syndrome is all in your head but sometimes you just aren’t seeing things clearly when you’re looking at them from the inside.
Why do we feel it.
Imposter syndrome is a feeling that you have somehow cheated your way into the job by luck or fluke, and one day everyone will find out. In an age where social media has taken over our lives to such a degree it’s not surprising we compare ourselves with others so much. Imposter Syndrome can be especially debilitating when working from home because virtual work is isolating in nature.
Imposter Syndrome is a feeling of self-doubt and inadequacy that can affect anyone, regardless of experience or qualifications. It can make you feel like you’re not good enough and that you’re going to be “found out” at any moment.
In the end, impostor syndrome can hold us back from achieving our goals if we don’t take control of it.
