Imposter Syndrome
What is Imposter Syndrome?
Imposter syndrome is a psychological experience in which you may experience feelings of inadequacy, self-doubt, and feeling as though you are a fraud or imposter despite external evidence of success. There is not an exact cause for imposter syndrome, but there are several factors that can contribute to potentially having imposter syndrome which can include; upbringing, negative experiences in the workplace or school, beliefs about ourselves, beliefs about others, and comparison.
Imposter syndrome can feel like we have a constant critic in our ears, and can lead to increased anxiety about being disproved by peers or colleagues as a fraud.
Imposter syndrome can manifest as;
Feeling that you are undeserving of your accomplishments.
Feeling like you are “faking it” are an “imposter” or a “fraud”.
Feelings of inadequacy.
Feelings like your success is not legitimate.
Holding back on expressing ideas, or taking new opportunities.
Feeling like you have to overachieve or be “perfect” to belong.
This feelings can further lead to depression, anxiety, procrastination, burnout, and stress. Imposter syndrome can manifest differently for everyone, and is not the same as feeling incompetent. Imposter syndrome is deeply rooted, and does not decrease when we have mastered a task like it would with feeling incompetent. Although it is deeply rooted, you can live free of it through specific techniques, and the right help.