Have you ever thought to yourself "what am I doing here, I'm not even qualified to be working here!" Academy Award winning actress Kate Winslet once said: "I'd wake up in the morning before going off to a shoot, and think, I can't do this; I'm a fraud."
What is Imposter Syndrome?
Imposter Syndrome also called 'perceived fraudulence' are feelings of self-doubt and sense of inadequacies one experiences despite of their education, experience, and accomplishments.
1. The term was coined in the 80's and it has been suggested that up to 80% of people have suffered some form of imposter syndrome in their lifetime.
2. People who have imposter syndrome often report the following:
Claiming that their achievements and accomplishment are due to luck and not through their own efforts.
Finding it hard to accept praise or compliments from others
Convinced that they are not good enough and constantly fearing that they will be found out for being a fake or fraud.
It can have negative implications when it interferes with our wellbeing and stops us from achieving more in life
What to do about it?
Here are some strategies to help one manage imposter syndrome:
Try not to compare yourself with others all the time. You have your unique strengths and talents, so learn to recognize and highlight them to your advantage.
Celebrate your accomplishments and achievements because you have worked hard for them!
Be open to new opportunities when they present themselves. This will help you to build more confidence in your abilities.
Know that you are not alone. Feeling of self-doubt and inadequacy is part of the human experience.
Last, and more importantly, understanding the cause of your imposter syndrome will help you find targeted strategies to address it. Talk to a trusted person who understands you or find a qualified professional to explore the deeper issues and root cause. This will have profound implications on your life and future success.
"When you know you're ENOUGH!
When you stop focusing on all things that you're not.
When you stop fussing over perceived flaws.
When you remove all imposed and unbelievable expectations on yourself.
When you start celebrating yourself more.
When you focus on all that you are.
When you start believing that your perceived flaws are just that - perception..."
- Malebo Sephodi
References
1. Bravata, D. M., Watts, S. A., Keefer, A. L., Madhusudhan, D. K., Taylor, K. T., Clark, D. M., Nelson, R. S., Cokley, K. O., & Hagg, H. K. (2020). Prevalence, predictors, and treatment of impostor syndrome: A systematic review. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 35(4), 1252–1275. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-019-05364-1
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