Imposter Syndrome? Embrace Your Worth
Imposter syndrome is that sneaky feeling where you doubt your accomplishments and have a persistent fear of being exposed as a fraud, despite evidence of competence. Numerous successful people have openly admitted to experiencing imposter feelings, including actors like Tom Hanks and Michelle Pfeiffer, author Maya Angelou, and even award-winning scientists.
Here are some surprising facts about imposter syndrome, each of which give insight about how to tackle it.
It Affects High Achievers: Imposter syndrome is not limited to people who are inexperienced or lacking skills. In fact, it often affects high-achieving individuals, including successful professionals, celebrities, and academics. Even people with significant accomplishments can still experience feelings of inadequacy.
Perfectionism and Procrastination: People with imposter syndrome may have a tendency towards perfectionism, which can also contribute to procrastination as they fear not being able to meet their own high standards.
Dismissing Achievements: Those with imposter syndrome often attribute successes to external factors like luck, timing, or help from others, rather than acknowledging their own competence and hard work.
Persistence Despite Success: The feelings of inadequacy persist, despite all evidence to the contrary.
If this sounds like you, here are 5 key questions to ask yourself to help you gain perspective:
What specific situations trigger my feelings of being an imposter or fraud? Are there any patterns or common themes in the situations where I experience imposter syndrome?
What evidence supports the idea that I am an imposter? What evidence contradicts this belief? Have others recognized and acknowledged my accomplishments or expertise? If so, how do I explain their positive feedback or praise?
Are there specific skills or areas where I genuinely feel confident and capable? How can I build on these strengths to combat imposter feelings?
Have I sought validation from external sources excessively? How can I foster a sense of internal validation and self-assurance?
Have I shared my imposter feelings with a trusted friend, mentor, or counselor? If not, would discussing these feelings with someone help me gain perspective and support?
Remember that working through imposter syndrome is a process, and it's okay to seek help and support along the way. In fact, the most powerful way to bust these core beliefs is to expose them — your brain is creating them, your brain tells you it’s true, maybe your brain will not be the one to convince you otherwise. Lean on others! Pop in the humanest community home feed and share a self-doubt. Feel the love as others help you tap into your own strengths that you may have lost sight of. Create a free membership here to access this compassionate online space. Better yet, join our upcoming course Build Your Self-Confidence.
