How to Overcome Impostor Syndrome
Embrace your imperfections
“Have you ever been trapped into feelings of being worthless? Have you ever failed to regain your self-confidence and felt like a fraud despite your accomplishments and successful career in life? Has your life ever oscillated between self-doubt and insecurity?”
If any of these feelings have caught your mind, believe me, my friend, we are in the same boat.
The psychological pattern of constantly judging your credibility and being suspicious of your capabilities is called as ‘Impostor Syndrome’.
This term was introduced in 1978 in the article “The Impostor Phenomenon in High Achieving Women: Dynamics and Therapeutic Intervention” by Dr. Pauline R. Clance and Dr. Suzanne A. Imes.
In 1985, Clance designed a scale to measure impostor phenomena based on six dimensions that might vary in an individual but as per the model at least two of these dimensions have to present.
1. The impostor cycle 2. The need to be special or the best 3. Characteristics of Superman/superwoman 4. Fear of failure 5. Denial of ability and discounting praise 6. Feeling fear and guilt about success
Research shows that almost 70% of people will feel signs and symptoms of impostor syndrome at least once in their lifetime.
Change in the environment settings, switching to a new workplace, promotion to a new class for students, and constantly feeling of not living up to expectations in a relationship are few examples to trigger impostor syndrome in an individual.
Famous and well-known personalities have experienced this phenomenon.
Maya Angelou said, “I have written 11 books, but each time I think, ‘Uh oh, they’re going to find out now. I’ve run a game on everybody, and they’re going to find me out.”
Ways to overcome Impostor Syndrome
Remember and cherish your little accomplishments
Make sure to pat on your back for little achievements in your life.
It’s important to celebrate your successes to boost your self-worth and confidence. An appreciation letter from your team lead, participating in a speaking competition, or getting one follower on Medium is sufficient to motivate your self-worth.
Embrace your imperfections
Research reveals that impostor syndrome is most common in high achievers. They set an extremely tough benchmark for themselves and it becomes impossible for them to accomplish it.
Perfectionism only feeds impostor syndrome into your minds. So, try and embrace your imperfections and set some realistic goals into your lives.
Talk and share your feelings with your accountability partner
Pouring out your negative emotions is as important as getting them at the first go. Talk, communicate, and share your feelings with your accountability partner who can be your trusted acquaintance, spouse, or mentor.
Grab new opportunities
It’s almost counter-intuitive to say, “Grab new opportunities when you feel impostor syndrome”. But grab an opportunity knocking at your door. Your mind might have conflicting thoughts but trust your instincts and your capabilities. Challenge yourselves to take up the next role.
Richard Branson says, “If someone offers you an amazing opportunity and you are not sure you can do it, say yes. Then learn how to do it later”.
Be kind to yourself
Often, we tend to compare ourselves with others in terms of accomplishments, money, and appearance. We crave to be an expert in a field on day one.
Comparing yourself with an expert and forgetting the struggles and toil of that individual isn’t a fair thing to do.
“Be kind to yourself” and practice positive self-talk.
Remember each marks their journey differently. So, value your self and strive towards progress even though the steps are small.
You might wake up hearing different voices from your head — being a loser or being a winner. Pay heed to your positive emotions.