I recently came across the term impostor syndrome. On face value it sounds like pretending to portray someone you’re not – an actor without the title. Close. 

“Impostor syndrome describes high achieving individuals who, despite their objective successes, fail to internalise their accomplishments and have persistent self doubt and fear of being exposed as a fraud or impostor.”

Andrew Beveridge – Psychologist at Leadership Today

After doing some research, it’s an interesting phenomenon where the belief or fear that we are not worthy of our own accomplishments and success. A classic example is doubting yourself with simple questions “am I good enough?” ignites the thought that maybe someone will validate it and point it out. 

Hey, there’s no shame in admitting you aren’t confident 100% of the time. Like Oprah’s dieting, I yo-yo between varying levels of self doubt and self empowered confidence. No one is alone in this.  

The studies

Research suggests that women are more likely to experience impostor syndrome but at the end of the day, feelings are feelings. There’s no point in attributing gender to feelings. 

One of the main drivers of impostor syndrome is born out of having high achievements combined with the fear of failure by the lack of confidence or perfection level. Either way, the outcomes achieved are often positive results. Those affected by this generally goes through a cycle of self doubt, to accomplishment, to relief and then to anxiety. 

The important bit to note is that this fear of not being able to perform well is not the lack of skill to perform a task. Rather it is the inability to accept that you do possess the skills and competency to do well. 

So after looking into this, I’ve realised this is the process for when I accept (more realistically begrudgingly accept) compliments or discount good feedback. It feeds back into an element of self doubt. However, I personally think I flit between periods of self doubt and confidence. 

Doing a 180

Recently  I was told a piece of work I had completed was good. It was probably a bit more than good and asked if I found the project interesting. In my confident mood, I flatly said no. He was taken aback. If MasterCard was still running their campaign of what things money can’t buy, this would have taken the ‘Priceless” moment. 

“But why? You did well at it?”

Well simply it just didn’t interest me. Not everything you do in life is interesting and it shouldn’t be surprising. Just because you happen to be good at certain things doesn’t mean it’s your passion. I mean, I like to sleep. But I’m not going to suddenly start selling Sealy Posterpedic mattresses. 

I genuinely wasn’t thrilled at the prospect of having to do that kind of work again. I stood up for myself in what I believed in but in times of self doubt, what can you do about it? 

1. Talk to others outside of your usual network. 

You might need a different perspective and get the support you need.

2. Stop comparing yourself

This is something I’ve definitely been working on and gotten more comfortable with.

3. Seek feedback and keep the feedback

You should recognise and take the time to recognise your own efforts and by having a record of them, it makes it easier to see the many things you have accomplished and how well you accomplished them.

4. Change how you think

Change your thinking about the challenges and work you do. Frame them in different ways. Maybe you don’t have to achieve 100% all of the time. 

Recognising that this is what you may be experiencing is a good first step. You acknowledge that this is something you need to work on and can only improve from here. Ultimately being kind to yourself is what matters. 

Further resources
American Psychological Association
Mind Tools
Very Well Mind