Beating the Imposter Syndrome

Have you ever felt like a fraud, fearing you might be exposed? Do you attribute your achievements to luck, sympathy, or pity, while taking full responsibility for any mistakes? If so, you might be experiencing Imposter Syndrome.

Imposter syndrome, often referred to as perceived fraudulence, encompasses feelings of self-doubt and inadequacy that persist despite your education, experience, and achievements. Your deep-seated beliefs about yourself remain unchanged, even when evidence contradicts them. To combat these feelings, you might push yourself to work harder and set increasingly high standards. This relentless effort can perpetuate the cycle. Even when you achieve more, you may view it merely as a result of your attempts to maintain the “illusion” of success, telling yourself, "If I can do it, how hard can it be?"

Initial research on this phenomenon mainly concentrated on accomplished women. However, it soon became evident that imposter syndrome can impact anyone, regardless of profession—ranging from graduate students to top executives. In fact, many of the most successful and talented individuals experience it. Studies show that up to 70% of people—essentially, most of us—are affected by imposter syndrome.

Dr. Valerie Young, a leading researcher on imposter syndrome, emphasizes that while discussing your feelings is a valuable first step, it’s not enough to fully overcome imposter syndrome. So, what can you do that’s effective? 

Taking inspired actions: 

1. Adopt a learner's mindset—those without imposter syndrome aren't necessarily more intelligent or capable than you; they simply think differently. They understand that they can't excel at everything and are comfortable figuring things out as they go. Acknowledge when you encounter challenges, but don’t doubt your worth. Instead, question your ideas and knowledge, seek advice to grow, and embrace the fact that we are all on a continuous journey of growth and learning.

2. Reframe the inner dialogue in your head. When someone compliments you for a job well done, instead of brushing it off with thoughts like "I'm just doing my job," respond with: “Thank you! I'm glad I could help and make a positive impact.” If you feel paralyzed by thoughts like “I don’t deserve this promotion; my manager will soon realize I’m not up to the task,” shift your perspective to: “I’ve worked hard to achieve my goals this year. I deserve this promotion, and I’m excited to learn and grow at the next level.”

3. Act before you feel. This is the key ingredient. Reframe and act like a non-imposter. Over time, you’ll start to internalize these new thoughts as the truth. 

The bottom line is success doesn’t require perfection. True perfection is practically impossible to attain, so falling short of it doesn’t make you a fraud. Instead of judging yourself or spiraling into self-doubt, practice kindness and compassion. This shift can help you maintain a realistic perspective and inspire healthy self-growth. To move beyond these feelings, you must confront some of the deeply ingrained beliefs you have about yourself, which can be challenging, especially if you’re not fully aware of them. If you find yourself feeling stuck or in need of extra support, reach out to a mentor or a coach. 

Helpful resources:

1. TEDxSydney | How you can use impostor syndrome to your benefits | Entrepreneur and CEO Mike Cannon-Brookes | 13:34min

2. Book | The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women: Why Capable People Suffer from the Impostor Syndrome and How to Thrive in Spite of It | Dr. Valerie Young