Do you struggle with Imposter Syndrome?

Have you ever felt that you're not good enough to do the job that you're hired to do, or that your boss might not be able to figure it out at any point? Or maybe, you've pretended to be someone who's capable of raising a family or buying a home, even though everyone else around you has it figured it out. Regardless of how much evidence there is that we're doing well in our lives, relationships, and jobs, many of us still hold false beliefs that we're not as smart or capable as people think. This condition, which is referred to as an imposter syndrome, is referred to as a phenomenon. This condition isn't a medical condition, but rather a pattern of thinking that can cause people to doubt their abilities or achievements and even self sabotage when they are on the brink of success.

What is impostor syndrome?

According to Susan Albers, a psychologist, the feeling of being lost is often triggered by this condition. She said that people with this condition often feel that they don't know what they're talking about, and that they might be perceived as a fraud. Being diagnosed with imposter syndrome can be incredibly harmful. It can lead to a cycle of negative consequences that can be very detrimental to one's well-being. Having the tools to identify and prevent it can help keep you from getting carried away.

Who experiences impostor syndrome?

Have you ever felt like an imposter? According to a study, around 7 in 10 adults experience being an "imposter."

During the 1970s, a study focused on high-achieving women who had difficulty explaining their success to themselves. But, as time has gone on, more people have experienced this phenomenon.

It’s widely believed that people who are perfectionists, hard workers, and high achievers feel like frauds. This includes celebrities, academics, and doctors. According to Dr. Albers, Albert Einstein once said that he felt that his research was getting more attention than he deserved.

Symptoms of impostor syndrome

Symptoms of impostor syndrome include:

• Crediting luck or other reasons for any success.
• Fear of being seen as a failure.
• Feeling that overworking is the only way to meet expectations.
• Feeling unworthy of attention or affection.
• Downplaying accomplishments.
• Holding back from reaching attainable goals.

Imposter syndrome and its symptoms can manifest in many ways, including:

• At work: People with an imposter mindset often attribute their success to luck rather than their own abilities and work ethic, which could hold them back from asking for a raise or applying for a promotion. They might also feel like they have to overwork themselves to achieve the impossibly high standards they’ve set.
• At home: Any parent can probably remember a point in time when they felt clueless, incapable and totally unprepared for the responsibility of raising a child. If these feelings go unchecked, parents could struggle to make decisions for their child out of fear they’re going to mess up their life.
• At school: Students might avoid speaking up in class or asking questions for fear that teachers or classmates might think they’re clueless.
• In relationships: Some people feel unworthy of the affection they get from a significant other and fear their partner will discover they’re not actually that great. “Sometimes, people self-sabotage that relationship and end it before the other person can,” Dr. Albers says.

When people feel self-doubt, it can trigger anxiety and stress, and it can affect their job performance. According to studies, this condition can lead to a drop in job satisfaction and burnout, and it can also be linked to depression and anxiety.

How to overcome impostor syndrome

Overcoming imposter syndrome starts with recognizing your own potential and taking ownership of your achievement.  There is a short online course we offer called Overcome Imposter Syndrome. Give yourself a fighting chance and learn how to conquer this condition today!