The definition of imposter syndrome is "the persistent inability to believe that one’s success is deserved or has been legitimately achieved as a result of one’s own efforts or skills."
For a long time, I struggled with imposter syndrome without even knowing what it was. I thought I was simply dealing with personal insecurities and a lack of confidence. Even at a young age, I assumed these fears were common and apparent in everyone.
Psychology Today says, "People who struggle with imposter syndrome believe that they are undeserving of their achievements and the high esteem in which they are, in fact, generally held.” They explain that we experience feeling we aren’t as competent or intelligent as others may think and are worried people will soon learn the “truth” about us. They go on to explain that those with impostorism "often attribute their accomplishments to external or transient causes, such as luck, good timing, or effort that they cannot regularly expend."
I never desired to celebrate milestones and achievements throughout my life because I saw others achieving them easily as well. For example, in high school, I took a semester’s worth of college-level dual credit classes to save time and money for the future. Many peers did the same, so I believed this was a normal course of action and not a personal achievement worth celebrating.
I found myself harshly criticizing my achievements, constantly comparing myself to others. For instance, when I took the ACT, I scored well on the test portion but wrote an average essay. Instead of recognizing my success in the test, I attributed it to luck and multiple-choice guesses, while the essay score made me feel like a failure.
Even today, I feel the pressure to achieve big things, always striving for more and never feeling satisfied unless I am productive. When I'm not productive, I feel useless, lazy, and worthless, closely associating my worth with daily accomplishments.
It is still tough for me to celebrate milestones like graduating university. I didn’t attend my graduation ceremony, despite encouragement from others, because I viewed it as a common achievement.
While I have many dreams and big goals, the fear of being undeserving or of failing often holds me back from taking action.
One day, while browsing the internet, I stumbled across the term "imposter syndrome." Intrigued, I researched it and found that many of my feelings matched what professionals described. It was a revelation that these were not normal insecurities but something more. Initially, I wanted to use this as an excuse for not trying, giving up, or failing. However, we cannot blame external factors for our successes or failures or label imposter syndrome as the reason we don’t try. For a while, I did just that, finding distractions and excuses to sate my distaste for my tendencies.
This habit causes us to be caught between our desire to thrive and the crippling fear of striving for success. Psychology Today explains that there may be a deeper level to our fears such as the fear of responsibility, uncertainty, or an identity shift. They go on to say that “learning to tolerate discomfort and accept imperfection can help overcome the fears that prevent people from striving for success."
As I began to grasp self-acceptance, I realized imposter syndrome was something I had to accept and overcome. There is no such thing as perfection; we are flawed human beings. Accepting this helps us set achievable goals and celebrate their completion.
To combat imposter syndrome, I started listing my accomplishments, no matter how "big" or "small," and reminding myself that I earned them through hard work and dedication, not luck or external circumstances. Reminding myself that even if I received help, it didn’t diminish my success.
Listing my accomplishments helped me realize it doesn’t matter if someone else accomplished the same thing or something "more"; what matters is that I accomplished it. I stopped comparing myself to others and set achievable goals that brought me closer to my dreams.
Psychology Today reinforces the importance of this step by discussing how "overcoming imposter syndrome involves changing a person’s mindset about their own abilities.” Imposters feel like frauds, that they don’t belong, or deserve to be where they are. Reminding themselves of the truth, remaining focused on measuring their achievements, accepting mistakes will be made along the way, celebrating their milestones goes a long way in breaking the vicious cycle they often find themselves in.
Rewiring our brain is essential. Throughout our day, we have many thoughts swirling around our brain - some good, some bad, ideas, hopes, and doubts. These thoughts make pathways in our mind. The more of a thought you have, the easier it will cross your mind. Picture a hiking trail, a path that has been worn down by many travelers. Imagine these travelers are the thought: I am a failure. The more you think it, the more it wears that path down and the easier it is to take it. It’s much more difficult to travel along the trail that is overgrown and unused. However, we must create new pathways. Catch yourself when you think things like “I shouldn’t even try” or “my achievements are worthless because of x, y, or z.” Stop the thought and train yourself to switch them out for those more positive and true.
I also implemented rest. Imposter syndrome can either sap your motivation or drive you to burn out. Rest and relaxation are crucial in fighting imposter syndrome. Relish quiet moments and learn more about yourself—how you think, feel, react, and what triggers imposterism.
Lastly, be patient with yourself and take time to heal and accept yourself and your achievements. Creating new patterns and habits takes time. Don’t give up, and take comfort in the fact that you are not alone. There is a community rooting for people like you and willing to help in any way possible. Psychology Today shows that “around 25 to 30 percent of high achievers may suffer from imposter syndrome. And around 70 percent of adults may experience impostorism at least once in their lifetime..”
Why is it important to fight against Imposter Syndrome? Simply because you deserve more.
It’s important to fight to unlock our true potential and allow ourselves to embrace achievements with confidence. Imagine standing in front of a grand opportunity, but are just out of reach, chained by self-doubt. By confronting and overcoming imposter syndrome, we break those chains and enable ourselves to step into new roles, build meaningful relationships, and pursue passions with conviction. This journey not only builds personal and professional growth but also enriches our lives with a sense of fulfillment and purpose. Remember, you and I deserve to thrive, and the world deserves to see your genuine brilliance.
Links: Imposter Syndrome | Psychology Today