How to Deal With Imposter Syndrome
Am I a fraud? What if I get exposed? Did I get here by luck or by accident? These are things that have been in the mind of a person with IS.
Imposter syndrome refers to a person’s internal belief that they are not really as competent as they are perceived to be by those around them. It is an experience, not a mental disorder.
History of Imposter Syndrome
The term Imposter Syndrome was created by two psychologists (Dr. Clance and Imes) in the late 1970s. The term was created based on their roles as psychologists for highly qualified professors, administrators, and students who were extremely concerned about being exposed as imposters.
How do I know I have Imposter Syndrome?
It’s an inner voice telling you that you got into a certain place by mistake, that you’re a “fake” and soon everyone will find out. It’s whispering to you that they’re all better than you anyway, so you might as well call it a day.
It’s an inner voice telling you that you got into a certain place by mistake, that you’re a “fake” and soon everyone will find out. It’s whispering to you that they’re all better than you anyway, so you might as well call it a day.
This syndrome mostly affects ambitious people who are in high positions or trying to succeed academically or talent-wise. Recently, however, it has become increasingly evident in young people who constantly see room for improvement and are struggling to cope with it. More education, a new job, or even two, constantly pushing themselves further. But with that comes comparison with the environment.
A person with Imposter Syndrome has a hard time asserting themselves because they don’t believe in their abilities. For example, they can’t ask for a higher salary and constantly belittle their performance. However, if a person does not believe in himself or herself and cannot present his or her abilities, he or she is likely to face a more difficult path in life.
How to Deal With Imposter Syndrome
- List your accomplishments — You’ll have to start with praising yourself. Keep in mind what you’ve already accomplished and remind yourself in your weaker moments. What you’ve accomplished is real and you did it because you dedicated time and energy to it. We don’t play on chance and luck here.
- Talk about it — You’ll see that once you confide, you’ll understand that you’re not alone. People naturally underestimate themselves and struggle with it every day. It helps to have someone to relate to.
- Fake it till you make it — Don’t wait until you feel confident and ready for the things you’re afraid of. Change your behavior first and allow your confidence to grow gradually. Courage comes from taking risks.
- Rewrite your script — As soon as the little voice starts whispering “Wow, everyone here is so smart, it’s going to be a bummer when they find out I’m not”, stop and look at it from a different perspective: “Wow everyone here is so smart. I can learn so much.” A positive perspective is a game-changer.
- We can all make mistakes — It’s natural to make mistakes. Recognize that we are all in this together and we can learn from fuck-ups. How else can we improve? Don’t look at mistakes negatively. Think of them as opportunities to improve.
