ARE YOU THE IMPOSTER?
When was the last time you felt like you didn't belong? Like you were out of place, and it was only a matter of time before someone--your friends or colleagues, found out? Chances are you have felt this way. Many of us do, no matter the level of accomplishment and skills we have attained. That feeling is known as imposter syndrome, and researchers say it affects up to 70% of us at some point in our lives.
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Imposter syndrome can show up in many ways and for many different reasons throughout our lives. For example, some people experience imposter syndrome due to perfectionism. Others experience imposter syndrome due to internal and external pressures to be a high-performer at all times. Unfortunately, these pressures often put health and mental wellness last and are ultimately unsustainable.
Imposter syndrome affects both men and women. Women are expected to be perfect at work, at home, and in relationships and friendships. As a result, some women have reported that their feelings of imposter syndrome are tied to societal expectations to excel at everything they do.
Those are just a few examples of what causes imposter syndrome. While that feeling may be triggered by one thing at one stage in your life, something entirely different could trigger it later in life. For that reason, it is necessary to learn how to recognize imposter syndrome and how to deal with it when it shows up.
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FIND THE ROOT CAUSE
If you have felt imposter syndrome before, you are familiar with the discomfort and anxiety that can come with it. A fundamental way to help overcome it is to stay aware of your feelings. The next time you feel like you don't belong, take a moment to register the feeling and separate it from the fact. Then, you can take the extra step of interrogating that feeling.
Have you been stressed out at work lately? Is a massive deadline approaching fast? Often, the sense of inadequacy and doubt comes from other pressures. Once you understand what you are feeling, you can then deal with the source of the problem, which can dispel that feeling.
REMEMBER THE GOOD THINGS
It is easy to remember our failures and forget our accomplishments. The next time you feel like nothing you do is successful or meaningful, reach into your past and focus on what you did well.
Develop a habit of keeping souvenirs or things that remind you of your accomplishments. An email from a friend or colleague congratulating you on something you did well is a good reminder. Another could be a photo from the work event you hosted or a thank you note from someone you collaborated with or helped in other ways. These tangible reminders help balance the negative feelings that can sometimes overwhelm us, leading to imposter syndrome.
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PUT YOU FIRST
Imposter syndrome can crop up because we spend too much time looking at what others are doing and comparing ourselves to them. As a result, we may feel as if we aren't as accomplished or talented as others. However, the truth is that everyone has their journey and motivations. Learning how to focus on your path rather than comparing yourself to others lessens the feeling of lack that can result in imposter syndrome.
REACH OUT
Imposter syndrome wouldn't be a big deal if it weren't continually shifting and changing. What may have made you feel that way in the past could be completely different in the future. But, one thing is for sure,. You are not the only one feeling that way. So, the next time you feel overwhelmed by that feeling, reach out and talk to people in your circle. Reach out to friends, family, or even a professional such as a coach or therapist. Sometimes sharing your experience and hearing someone else's experience with imposter syndrome and how they dealt with it could be the thing that helps you get out of that mode.
