How Real Is the Other Guy in Your Head?
Have you ever been in a setting or atmosphere where you immediately shrank due to the calibre of others present? Your first impulse is to start looking for someone you know simply to make sure you're at the proper area.
If this you, then you will be surprised what this write-up will reveal to you.?
As much as I dislike writing in depth since I want my write-ups to inspire research, I will have to divide this write-up into series because there is so much to cover, but by the conclusion of the series, you will have read about:
1. What imposter syndrome means
2. What it feels like
3. Types of Imposter Syndrome
4. Characteristics of Imposter Syndrome
5. Impact of Imposter Syndrome
6. Examples of Imposter Syndrome
7. Signs of Imposter Syndrome
8. Causes of Imposter Syndrome
9. Copping with Imposter Syndrome?
10. We might also look at Its Cure (Waiting to see something truly suitable on which to build)
We've encountered or are presently working with folks we'd prefer to avoid because of their reactions in the workplace. They may be suffering from Imposter Syndrome, also known as perceived fraudulence, and the only way to avoid being viewed as a fraud is to have a close-door policy.
Some of us believe we do not deserve where we are, and we ask ourselves questions such as:
“What am I doing here?”
“I don’t belong.”
"I'm a complete fraud, and everyone will find out sooner or later." We believe the notion in our heads cannot be expressed. We keep hearing a voice in our heads telling us we are not good enough; therefore, we prefer to remain silent. Imagine how many solutions you could have supplied if you had opened your mouth and ignored your doubts.
To let you know, the voice of this syndrome has been so strong in my head, telling me that I am not qualified to write on this topic, but just as it costs nothing to dream of greatness, I have also told the voice that, at the 10th edition of The Street Intelligence, I would have granted interviews, helping organisations that dare to believe in me build a foundation for purpose in the workplace, awareness, the right motivation and a good place or process?for a strong employer/employee culture for better productivity.
Some of us undermine the confidence of our children, students, and co-workers by not fostering an environment in which errors are tolerated or by allowing individuals to seem like idiots without criticising them. Remember, dumb contributions are just related to what you have in mind. That suggestion may have been the deciding factor if you hadn't been in the room.
Yet, my purpose here is to demonstrate why there is no guilt in ever feeling like an impostor at work since you are not alone. A 2019 review Trusted Source?Prevalence, Predictors, and Treatment of Impostor Syndrome: a Systematic Review - PMC (nih.gov) of 62 studies on imposter syndrome suggested anywhere from 9 to 82 percent of people report having thoughts along these lines at some point.
Early research (https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1979-26502-001) The investigation of this phenomena was mostly focused on accomplished, successful women. Yet, it was eventually shown that impostor syndrome may afflict anybody in any industry, from graduate students to top executives.
So, you are not alone on this part, it is the reason the love for humanity should push you towards creating solutions, but let me warn that for some people, when light shines on your mind and you understand who you are, your environment might be too small for you to find expression and you will have to move out, though, transiting between the old and the new is not usually easy. It is the place where many feel they should go back or shouldn’t have stepped out in the first place. Except you have it figured out, your need will scream louder than the purpose.
What Does It Really Mean?
Imposter syndrome is characterized by anxiety and a lack of internal success despite great performance in external, objective measures. People with this syndrome frequently feel like "frauds" or "phonies," and they mistrust their talents. It might also prohibit you from beginning or continuing with your life.
There appears to be a clash between your own self-perception and how others view you. Somebody suffering from this will sometimes fail to recognize the genuineness of others' compliments.
Even when others recognize your abilities, you attribute your achievement to timing and good fortune. You don't feel you earned them, and you are afraid others will come to the same conclusion.
As a result, you put pressure on yourself to work harder in order to:?
Your efforts might help to keep the cycle going. Your subsequent triumphs do not reassure you; you see them as the result of your attempts to sustain the "illusion" of your success.
Do you have any awards? It's referred to as compassion or pity. Yet, although attributing your achievements to luck, you accept full responsibility for any mistakes you make. Little mistakes just serve to strengthen your opinion in your lack of knowledge and skill.
This might lead to a cycle of worry, melancholy, guilt, or running away from achievement credited to you. You don't always want to go to meetings where you have to represent your unit or department at the workplace, and at best, you choose someone who you believe is outgoing to represent you, but the most of the work was done by you.
You strive for excellence in everything you do because you are constantly afraid of being discovered. When you fail, you may feel guilty or useless, not to mention burnout and overwhelmed by your continuous attempts.
As we explore Types of Imposter syndrome in our next write up, I like to leave you with this thought: “whenever you get stuck in your own existence or lucked up in the prison called self, the love for humanity is potent enough to break you out into purpose and that, I call the real victory.”
Looking forward to the rest of your series. Nice one!