Imposter syndrome: the achiever’s emotional virus
How do you feel after accomplishing something evidently? Like getting a good score, securing a dream job, finding a nice partner, getting offered a high-profile position, being acknowledged by others for your contribution to a specific field. In short, tasting success physically?
Ideally should feel awesome, right?
But do you know many achievers feel like this:
I am just lucky
I am fraud, I’ll get found out
I don’t deserve it
I am not good enough
They’ll know soon that I am fake
Others are better
I don’t belong here
According to International journal of behavioral science, about 70% people experience Imposter syndrome at some point in their lifetime. A feeling that their success happened by chance and not based on their talents or hard work or qualifications. It’s not logically true. That’s why it’s not a mental virus but rather an emotional virus. Intellectually there is no reason to feel so.
Very successful celebrities and high achievers like Albert Einstein, Sheryl Sandberg, Maya Angelou, Arianna Huffington, Lady Gaga, Tom Hanks had this syndrome. So, if you feel the same, you are not alone. I have been unable to truly cherish my achievements for the same reason, until I found about this syndrome to be real.
Imposter syndrome shows up in different ways - feeling unworthy, self-doubt, fear of failure, perfectionism. Of course, it tags along with anxiety and stress. Women are more prone to this syndrome, although many successful men (whom you can’t guess from outside) feel this way too. Many times, they tend to over-achieve to get rid of this feeling. But the cure is not outside, it is inside you.
How to deal with imposter syndrome?
Maybe there is no complete cure to this emotional virus but surely it can be minimized by some of these habits:
Acknowledge imposter thoughts – Being aware of this limiting thought pattern can help you identify imposter thoughts.
Confide to a trusted confidant – Speaking out can validate your feelings are indeed not true.
Affirmations - Daily vocal affirmations like ‘I am enough’ can slowly make you believe that you are not fraud.
Monitor your self-talk – You will be surprised to realize how much negative thoughts you have about yourself.
Never deprecate yourself: Many times, we slam ourselves in front of others to make them feel better about their moaning and hence feel socially accepted. Not a good idea!
In short, you need to be vulnerable and courageous to heal yourself from the lies of limiting believes.
I find this Ted talk motivating and will help you to know more about imposter syndrome, check out Lou:
