Imposter syndrome is a mental misrepresentation fueled by self-doubt. You may have what it takes with an endeavor (personally or professionally). Still, you feel like an imposter and doubt yourself. You might attribute your success(es) to luck, chance, or feeling that what you’re doing is easier than anticipated.
I see this with many of the creative people I work with when they suddenly get success or blow up. They say they feel like they don’t know what they’re doing, don’t understand the sudden success, or feel they are average and not deserving. Another is when one of my developers fixes something that has been plaguing our system for quite some time, and they feel their success was a fluke and doubt their skill.
Imposter syndrome is ultimately that fear that you don’t actually know what you’re doing, that you’ll get ‘found out,’ or that you’ll be confronted with an enormous failure after a success felt coincidental, accidental, or lucky. With imposter syndrome, you don’t feel confident or competent regardless of your achievements. Even with achievements, you may not feel joy because you perceive the situation as a fluke or that you’re a fraud. Those feeling imposter syndrome feel like they’re not good enough, are inadequate, or feel undeserving.
The funny thing is that most people feel like imposters at times; if we are all imposters, then how are there imposters? In other words, it’s normal to feel this way, and nearly everyone has!
A friend of mine is an engineer who worked his way up. He thinks he’s not doing enough, not smart enough, that his bosses will eventually fire him, and so forth. But he’s consistently told they are amazed with his work. He fakes it until he makes it, and you know what? He’s extremely good at what he does and has found success. Evidence over time has helped him – he’s consistently gotten exceptional performance reviews and praise from superiors. It’s taken years, but it’s sinking in that he is quite good at his job.
On the flip side, I have another friend whose imposter syndrome has prevented him from asking for raises and promotions, and he has shied away from opportunities to work on projects that would enhance and build his career path. His imposter syndrome also interferes with his ability to build a resume that boasts his skills and abilities – even though some senior coworkers coached him on what to put on the resume. He blows off what they say and thinks he’s undeserving or not good at what he’s really good at.
When I was bodybuilding, a competitor felt he was a fraud and downplayed his accomplishments. He was a competitive person, and his imposter syndrome didn’t keep him from competing. Still, he seemed always to bury his achievements. He competed for the sake of the competition and not for the medal or award—and even beyond competition, he didn’t take compliments seriously. He always thought people were just being polite.
It’s insane how thoroughly the human brain can convince us that we can’t be enough when there is a gigantic mountain of evidence against that point. Case in point: Neil Armstrong, attending a gathering of artists, scientists, and musicians, said, “I just look at all these people, and I think, what the heck am I doing here? They’ve made amazing things. I just went where I was sent.” Say what!? He was the first man on the moon! If Neil Armstrong felt like an imposter, pretty much everyone at some point in their life does.
Studies indicate that employees with Imposter Syndrome are more likely to excel in their positions: https://hbr.org/2022/05/impostor-syndrome-has-its-advantages So, it can be a good thing and a sign that you’re challenging yourself. Take the challenge as an opportunity to level up, and use it as a tool to propel yourself rather than feeling unworthy.
When you feel like an imposter, remind yourself how you got there. Whether hired for a job or qualifying for a competition, you are there because you’re qualified. Feeling like an imposter is normal, and you can fake it until you make it.
“Imposter Syndrome is a sign you respect your chosen endeavor so much that you fear your skills won’t honor it. So, it’s a pretty strong indicator you aren’t an imposter.” (The CryptoNaturalist). In other words, do your thing, ignore what others think, and don’t stress over what you can’t control. Do whatever you can to learn, better yourself, and remind yourself daily that you are the right person — that’s why you were picked.
Remind yourself that you’re not where you are because of luck. You’ve earned your place and proven yourself to whom it mattered. Continue to prove yourself with what you do in life, both personally and professionally. Lazy, insufferable people typically don’t suffer from imposter syndrome.
Practice gratitude by writing down achievements (personal and professional), which will quickly add up. You will be able to see your journey, which can steer you, make you appreciate how far you’ve come, and give you a sense of control.
No one is perfect in life, and we are all learning. Life requires courage, strength, and determination, but don’t take yourself so seriously. Learn and become proficient and then remain a learner – whether personally or professionally.
It’s natural to second-guess ourselves and a good way to keep our egos in check. But every day, approach life with the confidence that you can learn something new, that you’re worth it, and that you’re doing your best for that day. We all have hard days, but the best thing you can do is keep moving forward.
