OVERCOMING IMPOSTER SYNDROME

“I'm not as competent as they think I am.”

"Others are going to find out that I am a fraud"

?“I've just been lucky so far, it's not due to my skills.”

Does this internal narrative sound familiar to you? Does this thought process occur often?

If you are doing alright in your career but are plagued by these thoughts, chances are that you are suffering from "Imposter Syndrome".

Imposter Syndrome is not a formal mental health disorder. It is more like a phenomenon and can occur fleetingly in a few moments in your career. It is estimated that around 70% of the people experience imposter syndrome at some point in their lives. ?It becomes an issue when people attribute all their success to luck or other factors despite being smart and skilled.

We all go through self-doubts from time to time but believing that our entire success is a fluke despite all the hard work, qualifications, and a good career is indicative of "Impostor syndrome".

Individuals with Impostor Syndrome consistently doubt their abilities and live in fear of being exposed as "frauds." It's a phenomenon that affects high-achieving individuals from all walks of life, from students to professionals.

Feelings of excessive self-criticism, fear of failure, and an inability to internalize achievements are common symptoms of Imposter Syndrome.

These feelings may lead to decreased self-esteem, anxiety, and a reluctance to take on new challenges.

If you think you are plagued by such self-doubts, it is important to consult a psychological counsellor and help process your achievements and success. Imposter syndrome often leads individuals to doubt their own accomplishments and capabilities, causing them to undermine their successes with self-critical thoughts.

For example, consider a software developer who just received a promotion at work –

FACT - The developer was promoted to a senior software engineer position.

Imposter syndrome self-doubt - "I only got the promotion because my manager was being generous. I'm not as skilled as my colleagues, and they're much better programmers than I am."

Whenever someone congratulates the developer on their promotion, they might respond with, "Yeah, but it's not a big deal. I got lucky. I still have so much to learn, and I'm not as good as others in the team."

In this scenario, the person with imposter syndrome is unable to fully embrace their success, despite being a sought-after person in the team. They downplay their achievements, attributing them to external factors like luck or kindness, and they constantly compare themselves to their colleagues, believing they don't measure up. This self-doubt and the "yeah, but" response can be debilitating and prevent individuals from recognizing their worth and accomplishments.

Imposter syndrome is addressed by acknowledging the client’s achievements and working on building their self-confidence. A professional psychologist helps them process their beliefs in light of facts and assists them in gaining a better perspective on their reality.

As a start, here are a few tips to get started on when you associate a negative thought pattern with success –

Acknowledge your feelings - The first step is to recognize that you're experiencing imposter syndrome. Understand that it's a common phenomenon, and many successful people have felt the same way.

Challenge your negative self-talk -Reflect on your past achievements. Take a moment to list all your achievements and the skills and choices that lead you there. It is important to remember that we cannot succeed consistently or maintain the momentum in our career without the backing talent or skill.

Reframe the thought -Thoughts result in emotions. Emotions affect actions. By modifying the underlying thought, we can control our actions and emotions. Pause whenever you experience self-doubts, assure the mind that you know what you are doing, and proceed with confidence. A self-assured mind sources strength internally and repeated assurance can reframe the thought pattern in a realistic manner.?

Be kind to yourself -Even in the off chance that an "Impostor" acknowledges the achievement, they still maintain it is not "good enough". Setting high standards and moving the target infinitely is not fair on yourself. Live mindfully, pause to celebrate the moment, and be kind to yourself. The mind gets cluttered and overwhelmed only when we think we are alone in this battle and everyone else around is confident and self-assured. All of us have our moments of self-doubt and vulnerability. Success and inner peace lie in not letting it define who we are.

Seek Support: Share your feelings with a trusted friend, mentor, or therapist. Often, talking about your imposter syndrome with others can provide valuable perspective and reassurance.

Keep a Success Journal: Document your accomplishments and positive feedback you receive. Reviewing this journal can be a helpful reminder of your competence.

Reframing thought patterns can be challenging to undertake on your own, especially when a demanding work schedule keeps you occupied. Seeking the guidance of a professional psychologist or a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) practitioner can be instrumental in facilitating the desired transformation.

If you like the article, don't forget to check out my best-selling self-help book, 'A Balance Called Life' on Amazon.

?

?

?

?

?