What You Need to Know About Imposter Syndrome
When you feel like an imposter, you think your accomplishments aren’t yours. These people do well at their jobs, but still feel inadequate, even though they’re doing fine.
Dr. Pauline Rose Clance and Dr. Suzanne Imes first identified Imposter Syndrome in 1978. It assumes back then that women were the only ones affected by imposter syndrome. But research has proved that both men and women feel like impostors
over time.
The syndrome is the feeling that your success is due to pure luck and not to your skills or abilities. Promotions and raises can be exhilarating. You might begin to feel chronic self-doubt, inadequacy, and intellectual fraudulence a few hours later.
Imposter Syndrome: Signs and Symptoms
A person who has low self-esteem tends to doubt themselves. They believe they won’t be successful at what they do. People who suffer from imposter syndrome do not doubt their competency, they also believe they are frauds. They believe that everything they have accomplished is not the result of their own efforts. They usually find it hard to take credit for their successes
The imposter syndrome isn’t the same for everyone. Common signs are:
• Perfectionism
• Being overconfident
• Lack of self-confidence
• Lack of ability to assess skills
• Putting success down to chance or luck
• Unsatisfied with current achievements
• Fear of unsatisfied
• Set high expectations and feel disappointed when they are not met
• Criticize performance
• And feel uncomfortable receiving praise or acknowledgment.
• Stressed out, anxious, and depressed due to feelings of inadequacy
Imposter Syndrome – The Causes
There’s no diagnosis in the Diagnostic Statistical Manual (DSM-V), but it’s real and can cause complications. But, the exact cause of imposter syndrome remains unknown.
Imposter syndrome can affect anyone, but a few things increase the risk. Here are a few:
Psychological Disorders: Imposter syndrome often affects people who suffer from anxiety and depression.
Family Environment: Imposter syndrome may result from various factors in one’s family environment. Children grow up in an environment where they’re not praised for their achievements, and punished for mistakes.
The New Challenges: Usually, imposter syndrome occurs when expectations change, like after graduation, when you get a new job, or when you get promoted. You may feel undeserving, fear you won’t perform well, or not prepared if you don’t feel you
deserve it
Imposter Syndrome: How it Affects You
Imposter feelings arise from the conflict between the way you perceive yourself. And how others perceive you.
Despite others’ praise for your abilities, you attribute your success to timing and luck. There is a fear that others will realize that you did not earn them on your own merits.
As a result, you force yourself to strive harder to:
• Avoid letting others know your weaknesses or failures
• To succeed in roles, you do not believe you deserve
• Despite your lack of intelligence, you must compensate
• Your guilt over deceiving other
Your efforts can maintain the cycle. No matter how much you succeed, you don’t think they are reassuring. You see them as the result of your efforts to maintain the illusion of success.
Have you received any awards or recognition? What do you call sympathy or pity? Despite linking your success, you accept full responsibility for any mistakes you make. Despite minor mistakes, you remain convinced of your incapacity and
incompetence.
As someone who lives in constant fear of discovery, everything you do must be of the highest standard. When you are not able to achieve your goals, you feel guilty, worthless, exhausted. While overwhelmed by your perseverance.
Imposter Syndrome : Handling
It is important to feel that you are not alone when identified with imposter syndrome. This feeling is common among many individuals. The first step to overcoming this fear is to recognize it. There are several ways where you can overcome negative beliefs that hold about yourself.
1. Ask Your Mentors or Colleagues for Help
When you speak with colleagues or mentors you remember that you are not alone in your struggles. Additionally, communication is important. Consider requesting suggestions from these people if you are comfortable doing so.
2. Recognize Your Strengths
You should take the time to consider your abilities. Write down what you have achieved and what you are good at. Do you find it difficult to focus on your achievements, do a SWOT analysis of yourself?
3. Please Be Aware That No One Is Perfect
Remind yourself that no one is perfect. We would not expect perfection from others, so why should we expect it from ourselves? Rather than expecting perfection, try to do things as well as possible. Be sure to reward yourself for your
efforts.
4. Honour Your Success
Imposter syndrome is by people who are very driven and place a high priority on productivity. Take a moment to celebrate your accomplishment before moving on to the next item on your list.
5. Ask Questions and Discuss Your Thoughts
Understand your negative self-talk while thinking about your work, strengths, or your weaknesses. Challenge these negative thoughts. Highachieving individuals are prone to imposter syndrome. Knowing this about yourself says a lot about you. Imposters don’t think this way.
6. Stop Comparisons
Imposter syndrome is a feeling underachieved compared to those around you. Do not compare your abilities with those of others. Take pride in your team’s success as well as your own.
7. Consult A Professional
By seeking professional help, you can learn how to break the cycle of imposter thinking
Conclusion
The key to success lies not in perfection. Real perfection is not possible. So, failing to achieve such perfection does not imply dishonesty. You can maintain a realistic perspective by giving yourself kindness and compassion.
The phenomenon of imposter syndrome is very common. The majority of us cut ourselves and our accomplishments without realizing the impact. They feel like a fraud. It is possible to reduce feelings of inadequacy through open communication. Do not forget that you are valuable.
