You’re Not a Fraud (Overcoming Imposter Syndrome)
In some personal and professional challenges, there’s that feeling that tells us we’re not good enough and that we are less valuable while everyone else is better than us.
Do you ever feel that everyone around you is smarter, more capable and have a better job than you are?
Do you feel that your achievements are the result of luck and have nothing to do with your ability and talent?
Do you fear that everyone will discover how you are a fraud and not good at what you’re doing?
Do you ever feel like you can’t be like that successful person?
If you answered YES to at least one question, you are suffering from imposter syndrome.
You’re not weird, and you’re not different, but you’re experiencing something that every person on this planet experience.
What is Imposter Syndrome?
Imposter syndrome is a psychological phenomenon, feeling and experience that every individual experience. We tend to believe that we’re not good enough and qualified, that others are smarter than us and that we don’t deserve our achievements, either privately or professionally. Even when we do the job well, we feel we are not worthy of it.
We’re often convinced that we’re alone in this and the only ones who experience it while at the same time other individuals secretly thinking about the same things. No one dares to talk about their weaknesses because they fear they will be exposed as a fraud or that everybody will see them as an incompetent and stupid person.
Imposter syndrome kills our self-confidence and courage, which is why we often decide — to give up everything. Don’t start our own business, sign up for the desired position, ask for a raise, run a blog, miss out opportunities that we think everyone else will be better for than ourselves.
I’m also a victim of imposter syndrome, often insecure and think I don’t have enough knowledge of what I do and what I want to do. Because of that, sometimes I miss out some opportunities.
But I feel better that I know I’m not alone in this and how the best of the best ones experiencing the same.
Here are some examples:
Alber Einstein believed he didn’t deserve the attention he had received for his work.
An actor Tom Hanks, only a couple of years ago said that he often looks at other actors with admiration and thinks he’ll never succeed like them.
Meryl Streep said “Why would anyone want to see me in the movie again, I don’t know how to act anyway. Why do I do this? “.
And many others like Denzel Washington, Emma Watson, Will Smith going through the same thing as you and I are going.
Beat the imposter
Personally, I don’t believe you can completely erase the Imposter from your life, but I believe it’s there for you to become a more powerful and confident person.
But, you can learn how to deal with it.
What helps me are very simple things you can try too:
You’re not alone — the person you most admire, also going through some personal struggles and self-doubts
Ah, that’s just an imposter — it’s really all in your head, and you’ve full control of it
Expose yourself — show your weaknesses to others, you’ll notice that people are full of understanding and going through the same things as you do
Write — writing out all the thoughts that make you feel bad. Writing will give you a new perspective on things, and you will easier come to a solution
Get started — any action will change your focus. Don’t let that voice telling you to stay “small” but know that you can really do everything you want
And now I have a little challenge for you. I dare you to comment and write down below what was the last situation when you felt the Imposter. Maybe in a job interview? During networking at a conference? When your boss praised you for a well-done job? You didn’t start your own business because you’re afraid of other people opinions? Your goal is to make the first small step.
Be brave, and don’t quit because it’s easier. I wish you all bravery to beat up everything you’re afraid of!
i.
