Imposter Syndrome: Why You Have It and What You Can Do About It
Many of us worry about not performing well enough at our jobs, not getting good enough grades, or not having as much knowledge and experience as our peers. We worry about what others think of us and whether we fit in or stand out among our friends or colleagues. These irrational fears are part of something commonly known as “imposter syndrome.”
What Is Imposter Syndrome?
First known as “imposter phenomenon” in the 1970s, it refers to feelings of inadequacy, feeling like a fraud, attributing success to luck rather than skill and effort, and worrying about being found out.
- The cause seems to be setting expectations that are “exceedingly high” and “unrealistic notions of what it means to be competent.”
- It stems from a struggle to accurately assess one’s abilities.
Learn to realistically assess yourself
Most of us aren’t geniuses.
- Write down things you’re truly good at and areas you might need to work on to recognize areas where you have room for improvement
- Don’t let imposter syndrome blind you to your true strengths
Talk to other people
The more successful you are, the more successful your peers tend to be
- This can make it harder to stand out and to feel worthy of your peer group
- Talking to others about their struggles can help prove that other people aren’t perfect and they do make mistakes
- It can be comforting to know that most people feel this way at some point
How Imposter Syndrome Affects Your Work
Imposter phenomenon, or syndrome, can feel uncomfortable, but it doesn’t only have an emotional effect. It can also affect the way you approach your work.
- People experiencing this phenomenon often tend towards perfectionism
- Unhealthy perfectionism leads to unrealistic expectations that can’t be met, as well as a constant fear of failure
- This focus on doing everything perfectly can also lead to procrastination
Recognize unhealthy perfectionism
Learning to do a task well enough, rather than perfectly, is important in overcoming these concerns.
- Imes points out that it’s important to start small as you work to reframe the way you think about your achievements. Small steps can help you slowly change your thinking over time.