Ever felt doubtful of your accomplishments and capabilities around others?
Imposter Syndrome. You may or may not have heard of it. I heard about it first from a @bestdressed Youtube video, but the concept is more common than you might think. In fact, a 2011 study from The International Journal of Behavioral Science found that at least 70% of people experience a severe case of Imposter Syndrome in their lives, and a Brigham Young University study revealed that at 20% of college students surveyed had very strong feelings of impostorism.
What is Imposter Syndrome?
Simply put, Imposter Syndrome, defined by Psychology Today, is "a psychological phenomenon in which people are unable to internalize their accomplishments.”
It's the idea that your success was only a result of lucky circumstances, not a measure of actual achievement or dedication. Naturally, this can be self-deprecating as one is unconfident in their natural ability, leading them to doubt their own accomplishments and pass them off as not worthy.
Sounds familiar huh?
It's quite probable that you or someone around you is struggling with Imposter Syndrome (take this test to see if you're facing Imposter Syndrom: The Imposter Syndrome Test) But if it's so common, then why's it such a big deal?
The Harms of Imposter Syndrome
"Perhaps the most limiting part of dealing with imposter syndrome is that it can limit our courage to go after new opportunities, explore potential areas of interest, and put ourselves out there in a meaningful way."
Both men and women experience Imposter Syndrome, and both experience equally detrimental effects. According to The Muse, there are five types of Imposter Syndrome.
1. The Perfectionist:
Those who set excessively high goals for themselves and are disappointed when they don't meet them. Or they do meet their goals and end up thinking they can do better.
2. The Superman/woman
These types of people, referred to often as "workaholics", gain satisfaction from working and try to overdo themselves constantly.
3. The Natural Genius
Similar to perfectionists, the Natural Geniuses set their expectations unrealistically high. However, frequently, these expectations are not high but absurd. They set top-tier accomplishments as the bare standard, forcing extreme pressure onto themselves.
4. The Soloist
Implied by the name itself, the Soloist often feels like they can do everything on their own. This leads to a feeling that their self worth is dependent on their independence.
5. The Expert
The Muse explains the expert as someone who "measures their competence based on “what” and “how much” they know or can do. Believing they will never know enough, they fear being exposed as inexperienced or unknowledgeable."
In essence, Imposter Syndrome limits people in terms of confidence. Quite almost the opposite of narcissism, people who struggle with Imposter Syndrome often shy away from opportunities given, because they don't feel qualified enough, which can be utterly derailing.
How to Face Imposter Syndrome
So we've outlined the reasons behind why people often feel fraudulent, but how to fix it? It all comes down to fixing your personal mindset in a way that allows you to recognize and value your own success. Here are three simple steps to take.
Face Perfectionism. When facing Imposter Syndrome, one of the first key obstacles is overcoming perfectionism. When stuck in a perfectionist mindset, it is nearly impossible to feel self-worthy when the bar is set so high.
Recognize When You Should Feel Fraudulent. As explained by ImposterSyndrome.com, "if you’re one of the first or the few women or a minority in your field or work place, it’s only natural you’d sometimes feel like you don’t totally fit in. Instead of taking your self-doubt as a sign of your ineptness, recognize that it might be a normal response to being an outsider." Imposter Syndrome often comes along with first day nerves, which is understandable, but don't let it overwhelm your life.
Stop the Cycle of Comparing. When comparing yourself to a professional, it can be easy to doubt yourself and your accomplishments. However, while the first rule is to get rid of such comparisons in the first place, it's also essential to recognize that nobody is perfect, nobody how confident they portray themselves.
Imposter Syndrome is around us, all the time. But hopefully, this helped you to not only recognize how Imposter Syndrome manifests itself, but also some ways to get rid of it.
Essentially,
Olivia.
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