Imposter Syndrome: What is it, and how do we conquer it?
If you’ve ever doubted your abilities or felt like a “fraud”, you’re not alone. This feeling is called imposter syndrome, and it affects more people than you’d think. Feeling like everyone is doing a better job than you, despite your accomplishments, or you don’t belong can be extremely hindering. And it’s not just in the workplace, it can bleed into everyday life.
In fact, research shows that up to 82% of people have experienced imposter syndrome at some point in their life. The problem is that no one is talking about it because they think they shouldn’t feel that way. So, let’s shed some light on what imposter syndrome is, and how to conquer it.
What is Imposter Syndrome?
To start, we need to understand what imposter syndrome actually is. Imposter syndrome is defined as an internal experience of believing that you’re not as competent as people think you are and that you’re a fraud. This typically applies to the workplace and happens during the first weeks at a new job.
The important thing to remember about imposter syndrome is that it can happen to anyone. You could be a successful millionaire and still experience feeling this way. When things are going well, it can be easy to chalk it up to luck and not acknowledge your hard work and efforts. Simply put, imposter syndrome is when we feel like a fake and aren’t good at what we do.
Imposter Syndrome Symptoms
If you think you have or are currently experiencing imposter syndrome, look out for these signs:
Feelings of self-doubt
An inability to accept your success
Overachieving
Self-sabotaging your success
Setting unrealistic goals and setting yourself up for failure
Types of Imposter Syndrome
Imposter syndrome is not a one-size-fits-all term. There are five different types to be on the lookout for.
The Perfectionist
This type of imposter syndrome takes the form of someone with high anxiety, self-doubt, and worry. Unless you’re doing absolutely perfect at anything and everything in your life, you could have done it better. Being a perfectionist can hold you back from achieving your goals.
The Expert
The expert needs to know everything about something or they know nothing at all. If there’s more to learn, they don’t feel like they are an expert and won’t be confident in their abilities.
The Soloist
The soloist is afraid to ask for help because they think that means they aren’t good at what they’re doing. They may even turn down offers for help to prove that they can do it on their own, setting themselves up for failure.
The Natural Genius
This type of imposter syndrome is when you feel like you aren’t smart. The natural genius thinks they need to get everything right the first time, and that there’s no room for mistakes.
The Superhero
Last but not least we have the superhero. This type of imposter syndrome leads one to believe that they need to be the hardest worker or at the highest level in their position. If they aren’t, they’ve failed and aren’t good enough.
Conquering Imposter Syndrome
If you’re dealing with imposter syndrome, the good news is that you can and will conquer it. The first thing you need to do is realize that you’re experiencing it. This step can be difficult and may take a while. You can be deep into imposter syndrome and not know it. All you are doing when you let imposter syndrome take over is hold yourself back from flourishing in life. Follow these tips to conquer your imposter syndrome.
Reframe Your Thoughts
Reframing your thoughts is an exercise typically taught in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and can be extremely useful for imposter syndrome. If you’re having negative thoughts about yourself or success, challenge them. Think about WHY you’re feeling this way. Is there a concrete reason?
Don’t Compare Yourself to Others
One of the worst things you can do if you deal with imposter syndrome is to compare yourself to others. We know this is easier said than done. If you find yourself listening to a friend discuss their success, try to be genuinely interested instead of comparing them to you. Remember, nobody is perfect!
Celebrate Your Success
When something good happens, celebrate it! Getting used to celebrating your achievements will make you more comfortable with your success and help you move past imposter syndrome.
Seek Professional Help
If you find yourself unable to work past imposter syndrome on your own, it may be time to seek professional help. Try talking to a personal development/life coach to learn ways to work past it and realize that you and what you do are amazing, and you should be confident in it!