Have you ever felt like you don’t belong, or perhaps you feel like everyone is going to find out that you don’t deserve your achievements?
If you can relate to feelings of chronic self-doubt, you have most likely experienced imposter syndrome.
You are not alone – studies suggest that as much as 70% of people experience imposter syndrome at some point in their career.
Overall, imposter syndrome stems from a high sense of self-doubt. Instead of attributing your success to your skills, you might downplay your success and attribute it to luck.
Signs You Might Be Suffering from Imposter Syndrome
Do you relate to any of these patterns?
- Perfectionism. You may set high goals for yourself. Because your goal is perfection, the smallest mistakes may make you feel like a failure.
- Attribute success to luck. You downplay your success because you do not believe you deserve the success, or you believe you are just lucky.
- Unable to recognize success. Instead of celebrating your accomplishments, you worry that others will see “the truth” about your skills and abilities.
- Fear of failure. Because of a fear of failure, you may set challenging goals and be disappointed when those goals fail. You might also take on limited tasks because you fear failure.
- Difficulty asking for help. You might have difficulty asking for help because you believe asking for help will show that you are wrong or unqualified.
Experiencing imposter syndrome can limit your confidence to go after new opportunities because you feel that you do not deserve it.
Fortunately, there are steps you can take to give yourself more credit and start overcoming those feelings of self-doubt.
Steps to Overcome Imposter Syndrome
1. Acknowledge imposter feelings.
Recognize when you start feeling like an imposter. Instead of engaging with your thoughts of self-doubt, acknowledge that it is a normal response.
2. Understand the root of the cause.
Why do you think you feel like you don’t belong? Is it due to a fear of failure? Do you believe that you don’t deserve success? Why or why not?
3. Focus on facts, not feelings.
When you start feeling like a fraud, focus on positive facts. For example, maybe you were chosen for a project or opportunity because of your qualifications.
4. Ask yourself if that thought helps or hinders you.
Does feeling fraudulent help or hinder you? Is that what you want to be? What kind of person do you want to be?
5. Reframe your thoughts.
Instead of telling yourself that you don’t deserve success, reframe your thoughts to give yourself more credit and enjoy the experience.
- Own your accomplishments instead of attributing them to “luck” or “help from others.”
- Instead of setting unrealistically high standards, set authentic goals so you can enjoy the process.
- Remind yourself there will never be the “perfect time.”
- Accept that we all must start somewhere.
6. Accept that it is okay to make mistakes.
Instead of fearing failure, develop a healthy response to making mistakes. Accept that it is normal to make mistakes and learn from each mistake instead.
7. Reach out for support.
Having a safe space to receive support will help you reduce feelings of being an imposter. When you feel imperfect, make a mistake, or receive a compliment, your first instinct may be to hide. Instead, start reaching out to an encouraging mentor, coach, or colleague for support.
- Say “thank you” when you receive a compliment.
- Practice being honest when you feel imperfect, embarrassed, or have made a mistake.
- Share and celebrate your achievements and successes.
Imposter syndrome can make you feel like you are not good enough, you don’t belong, or you are undeserving. But it is important to remind yourself that learning and making mistakes do not make you a fraud – it makes you human.
Instead of doubting yourself, take the above steps to build your self-esteem, self-confidence and above all, your self-worth.
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