Imposter Syndrome
Why do I feel like an imposter?
Whatever you do feels like a failure, complements surprise you and make you feel uncomfortable, you feel awkward in the company of work colleagues, and you hold yourself to an impossible standard, while shaming yourself constantly for not living up to it. You basically feel like a fraud!
People who struggle with imposter syndrome believe that they are undeserving of their achievements and the high esteem in which they are, in fact generally held. They feel that they aren't as competent or intelligent as others might think—and that given enough time, they will somehow slip up and people will discover the "truth" about them.
People with imposter syndrome may struggle with other mental health conditions, such as anxiety or depression, but it is a collection of symptoms that result in feelings of insecurity rather than a classified "syndrome" that you can be specifically diagnosed with.
Why do people with imposter syndrome feel like frauds even though there is evidence of their success? Instead of acknowledging their capabilities as well as their efforts, they often attribute their accomplishments to external or transient causes, such as luck, good timing, or effort that they cannot regularly expend. Whether in the areas of academic achievement or career success, a person can struggle with pressure and personal expectations.
Imposter syndrome can also be closely related to perfectionism, in which people feel pressure to perform at their absolute best 100 percent of the time, and when they don’t, they feel incompetent and anxious. It’s helpful, although difficult, for people to change the way they view perfection to combat imposter syndrome.
It is important to fight imposter syndrome because it can stifle the potential for growth and meaning, by preventing people like you and me from pursuing new opportunities for growth at work, in relationships, or around their hobbies. Confronting imposter syndrome can help people continue to grow and thrive.
Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
Overcoming imposter syndrome involves changing a person's mindset about their own abilities. Imposters feel like they don’t belong, so acknowledging their expertise and accomplishments is key, as is reminding themselves that they earned their place in their academic or professional environment.
People should stay focused on measuring their own achievements, instead of comparing themselves to others. Similar to perfectionists, people with imposterism often put a lot of pressure on themselves to complete every task flawlessly; they fear that any mistake will reveal to others that they aren’t good or smart enough for the job.
They 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. This cycle can be hard to break, but part of doing so involves reminders that no one is perfect and that a person can only do their personal best.
Having learned to manage Imposter Syndrome myself by using CBT learned skills, I know I can help you overcome and manage the feelings and behaviours of imposter syndrome. If you recognise these symptoms in yourself maybe now is the time to do something about it.
Allow me the opportunity to help you. It's been holding you back long enough.