Nobody likes to feel untrue in any situation. However, imposter syndrome exists and can have a damaging effect on one’s mental health and general well-being.
Do you ever find yourself thinking, “I’m not smart enough to be here,” “I’m a fake,” or “I don’t deserve to be here?” Then you’re not alone!
These ideas are normal and are frequently called impostor syndrome when they persist. These beliefs frequently arise from an individual’s past and manifest in high-stress environments such as the workplace or an academic setting.
They can prevent people from fully experiencing life and appreciating their accomplishments if left untreated. So, if you are struggling with feelings of unworthiness, you should know that, while such feelings are often deeply rooted, they can be overcome.
This article will discuss imposter syndrome, its characteristics, and the feasible ways to overcome it.
What is Imposter Syndrome?
Imposter syndrome is a thought pattern in which people doubt their achievements and have a persistent, internalized fear of being accused of deception.
It’s the weird idea that you’re merely acting knowledgeable when, at any given time, your lack of expertise could be exposed. Sadly, a lot of us have felt that way at some point.
Persistent anxiety and self-doubt might result from imposter syndrome. For instance, even when you have insightful thoughts, you could be reluctant to voice them at a meeting for fear that people would laugh at you or judge you.
Even after your partner has informed you that you are loved and respected, you may still fear they will find someone better, wiser, or more self-assured.
Characteristics of Imposter Syndrome
Everyone experiences imposter syndrome slightly differently, but common characteristics include:
- Feelings of self-doubt in your skills and competence
- Crediting external factors—like luck—for your success
- Decreased self-confidence
- Isolating from team members
- Perfectionism
- Experiencing overwork and burnout
- Setting impossibly high standards for yourself
- Low self-esteem
- Intense fear of failure
Five Types of Imposter Syndrome
- The perfectionist: A perfectionist is more concerned with “how” something is done than with the final result. Even though you were commended, you could have performed even better.
- The expert: An expert mindset might be present when a person is more focused on “what” and “how much” they know or are capable of. When you have a small amount of ignorance, having such high expectations of oneself might make you feel ashamed and like a failure.
- The natural genius: This type of person measures their competence by speed and ease. When you feel like this, you equate not understanding a subject or performing a skill successfully on the first try with failure.
- The soloist: This kind of imposter feels that they must be the one to handle things independently and is more concerned with “who” completes the assignment. If you fit this archetype, you could think that requesting assistance or admitting when you need it is a show of weakness.
- The superhuman: This characterizes someone whose success is determined by “how many” positions they can balance and excel in successfully. If you have this mentality, you could feel bad and embarrassed when you don’t do well in any role—even if you do well in others.
7 Strategies to Overcome Imposter Syndrome
Focus on Facts, not Feelings
Feeling like an impostor can cause you to doubt your abilities in the workplace. However, these emotions of fraudulence and self-doubt are frequently motivated by fear rather than actuality.
Separating your emotions from reality and engaging in self-compassion exercises are the greatest ways to combat imposter syndrome.
Although you can’t stop your mind from telling stories, you can focus on the facts. Review the facts vs. stories of the incident the next time you find yourself in a circumstance that makes you feel like an impostor.
If, for instance, you feel uncomfortable speaking up during a team meeting, pay attention to what your teammates truly say.
Open Up to Someone You Trust
The experience of imposter syndrome is incredibly solitary. However, as previously said, these emotions are highly typical in the job. Most knowledge workers globally suffer from imposter syndrome.
Try to express your sentiments to someone else the next time you’re experiencing something similar. Meanwhile, there are two advantages to sharing how you’re feeling:
- Acknowledge the feelings and move on rather than allowing them to consume you. Your imposter syndrome-related emotions will be more difficult to handle if you hide them. Sharing these emotions with another person can greatly aid in recognizing these emotions and working towards conquering imposter syndrome.
- It’s possible to come across someone who has also dealt with imposter syndrome. Regrettably, imposter syndrome is frequently observed in the workplace. The person you confide in may have gone through imposter syndrome themselves. This gives you the impression that you’re not feeling entirely alone.
Work With Evidence
If expressing or admitting your self-doubt isn’t helping, try confronting your emotions with the facts. Since imposter syndrome is frequently unfounded, concentrate on the facts to confront these emotions.
If you often feel like you aren’t getting your work done on time, try these steps:
- Go back over your most recent projects.
- Review your work to see if these feelings are based on fact.
- If they are, you’ve identified something concrete you can work on and improve upon.
- If they aren’t, use these facts every time that voice in your brain pipes up to tell you you aren’t good enough.
Reshape Your Thoughts
Our ideas have power over us! The way we view the world can shape our reality, both positively and negatively.
If you frequently think negatively, begin listening to your inner voice and making adjustments when needed. Talking about your feelings with a family member, close friend, or trustworthy acquaintance can also help you gain perspective.
Although you will see little change with this technique immediately, it will eventually make you more optimistic when dealing with difficulties. The next time you make a mistake, try thinking instead of saying, “That was awful. “
For instance, “That wasn’t my best work, but I’ll do better next time.” By changing the way you think about things, you can rewire your brain to be more supportive.
Celebrate Your Achievements
Confronting imposter syndrome head-on is often the most effective way to combat it. Celebrate your accomplishments the next time you think you accomplished something good!
If it makes you feel comfortable, tell your teammates about your successes. Make a list of your abilities and characteristics.
These can be universal to who you are, such as supporting your teammates at all times, or they can be role-specific, such as being an excellent salesperson.
Get a Mentor
Try consciously to develop your hard and soft abilities to combat imposter syndrome. In this manner, you can counter any small voice that tells you you’re not good enough at something by saying you’re improving.
Seeking a mentor is a fantastic method for accomplishing that. Find someone in your organization or industry who can offer helpful guidance and assistance.
This might be a senior executive or a leader in a different organization you like.
Seek Professional Help if Necessary
Let’s say that the imposter phenomenon negatively affects your capacity to manage your personal and professional relationships and mental health.
If so, it might be time to get expert assistance. Therapeutic interventions like psychotherapy can greatly help the underlying problems that contribute to imposter syndrome.
A licensed mental health professional can help you develop techniques to improve your self-worth and self-efficacy. They can also assist you in recognizing and challenging the unfavorable thought patterns and beliefs that underpin your self-doubt.
Final Thought
After you better understand these factors and know how to control them, you can start to create a more accurate and positive view of your skills and accomplishments.
Remember that getting professional assistance is not a sign of weakness but rather of power and self-awareness. With the correct help and direction, you can overcome imposter syndrome and reach your full potential personally and professionally.
