So you’ve just made the soccer team, won an award, or got accepted into a selective program. Everyone is praising you for your success, but deep down you feel like a fraud. You tell yourself it wasn’t really your achievement, it was just luck.
Now… you are stuck worrying that someday, everyone else will find out.
The truth? Around 70% of people have felt this way at least once in their life.
And here is the good news. It is not true. You do deserve your success.
It is just self-doubt creeping in.
Meet your unwanted guest: imposter syndrome.
What Is Imposter Syndrome?
Imposter syndrome is when people believe they aren’t as capable as others think they are, and they are afraid of being “found out” as a fraud.
In reality, the individual is just as skilled and capable as everyone believes. It is just self-doubt getting in the way.
It usually kicks in after someone has achieved something big or important.
Who Is Most Likely Affected by Imposter Syndrome?
- People who are highly neurotic (easily upset or prone to anxiety)
- Perfectionists
- People with low self-esteem
Basically, anyone who tends to be extra hard on themselves can experience it.
Types of Imposter Syndrome
- The Perfectionist: Believes that if they are not perfect, they are not good enough.
- The Expert: Feels like an imposter because they do not know everything about a topic.
- The Natural Genius: Thinks they are not truly smart if they do not get things right immediately.
- The Soloist: Doubts their abilities if they needed help to succeed.
- The Superperson: Believes they must achieve the highest success possible, or else they are a fraud.
Do You Have Imposter Syndrome?
If you answer yes to many of these questions, you might be dealing with imposter syndrome:
- Do you worry a lot over small mistakes in your work?
- Do you credit your success to luck or other factors outside yourself?
- Are you very sensitive to constructive feedback?
- Do you secretly feel like you will eventually be “found out”?
- Do you downplay your strengths, even when you know you are more skilled than others?
How to Overcome Imposter Syndrome
- Focus on facts, not feelings.
- Acknowledge your self-doubt, then let it go.
- Talk to someone you trust about how you are feeling.
- Look for evidence of your skills and success.
- Reframe your negative thoughts.
- Find a mentor, someone who can support and guide you.
- Learn from your peers instead of comparing yourself negatively.
TL;DR
Feeling like a fraud does not mean you are one. You have earned your success. Do not let doubt tell you otherwise.