Are You Suffering from Imposter Syndrome

Are You Suffering from Imposter Syndrome?

Have you ever felt like you do not belong? Like your friends or colleagues are going to discover you are a fraud, and you don’t deserve your job and accomplishments? There is a name for this—it is called imposter syndrome.  People who struggle with imposter syndrome believe that they are undeserving of their achievements. They feel that they are not as competent or intelligent as others might think—and that soon enough, people will discover the truth about them. Those with imposter syndrome are often well – accomplished; they may hold high office or have numerous academic degrees.
 
People with imposter syndrome perpetuate this excessive pressure because they believe that without discipline, they won’t succeed and, instead of rewarding themselves, they only worry about the next task ahead.
Here are some examples of imposter tendencies:
 

• “Perfectionists” who set extremely high expectations for themselves, and even if they meet 99% of their goals, they are going to feel like failures.
• “Experts” who feel the need to know every piece of information before they start a project and constantly look for new certifications or trainings to improve their skills.
• When the “natural genius” must struggle or work hard to accomplish something, he or she thinks this means they are not good enough. They are used to skills coming easily, and when they must put in effort, their brain tells them that is proof they are an impostor.
• “Soloists” feel they must accomplish tasks on their own, and if they need to ask for help, they think that means they are a failure or a fraud.
• “Supermen” or “superwomen” who push themselves to work harder than those around them to prove that they are not impostors. They feel the need to succeed in all aspects of life—at work, as parents, as partners—and may feel stressed when they are not accomplishing something.

 
Impostor syndrome is fairly common: Most people have suffered from it at one point in their lives. Knowing that does not make it any less damaging to a person’s confidence and career growth.  If you feel like you are suffering from impostor syndrome, know that there are ways to curb these feelings in a healthy, proactive way. Here are some tips to help you get started:
 
1. Know the signs:
Pay attention to your language choices, both when you are talking to other people and when you are talking to yourself — especially when it comes to talking about work. If you find your own success or the praise others make you uncomfortable, do some reflective thinking on where those types of thoughts came from and what it means in your professional life.
 2. Make a list:

Make a list of at least 10 things that show you are just as qualified as anyone else for the role you are seeking. Having trouble? First ask yourself what evidence exists that you are any less qualified than anybody else to do this work. Is there anything that makes you, I daresay, more qualified?
 3. Say your name aloud:

Research has found that the simple act of taking a positive affirmation (such as “I’m a great —-”) and adding your name to it can have a powerful effect on how you perceive yourself.
 4. Own your accomplishments:

People tend to explain away their successes by ascribing them to things like “luck,” “hard work” or “help from others” rather than their abilities. Try to own the role you have played in your success by forbidding yourself from falling back on excuses. Practice saying these words out loud: “I am proud of what I have accomplished.”
 5. Visualize success:

Visualize precisely how you will navigate the situation — successfully — before it happens. Your confidence doesn’t have to come from just experience, otherwise we would never try things for the first time.” Imagine yourself killing the job interview, nailing the presentation, or kicking the winning goal. Try it.
 6. Be kind to yourself:
Impostor syndrome often manifests itself as a voice in our heads, berating us with negative messages like “you are not smart enough” or “you are a fraud.” Negative self-talk is a bad habit, and it can heavily influence your stress and anxiety levels. “Being kind to yourself” simply means changing the way you talk to yourself by practicing positive self-talk. Not only can it help you to become less stressed and anxious, but it can also help you to build the courage to do things that will bring you greater rewards.
 7. Say “yes” to new opportunities:
It is impossible to say “yes” to everything, especially when you are feeling stressed or spread too thin. But it is all too common for people who have impostor syndrome to turn down career-making opportunities because they don’t feel like they would do a good job. Taking on challenging new work and doing well at it can open a lot of doors for you. Don’t let your inner impostor turn down these game-changing opportunities. They can do wonders to help you learn, grow, and advance your career.

“I have written eleven books, but each time I think, ‘uh oh, they’re going to find out now. I’ve run a game on
everybody, and they’re  going to find me out.'”
– Author, Poet & Civil Rights Activist Maya Angelou.