Battling Imposter Syndrome!
What comes to mind when you hear the word “Imposter syndrome”?
Well, for me, this is something I’ve been struggling with for quite some time. I’ve done a lot of research on this subject and based on my research, I discovered that talking about the imposter syndrome is one method of overcoming it. I remember a time in school when I was tasked to give a presentation on a topic of my choice for the weekly lightning talks.
“So, Brenda, why don’t we talk about Imposter Syndrome?” I told myself. After finishing my presentation, I realized that almost everyone feels like an imposter, and it’s okay to feel that way.
So, what exactly is imposter syndrome?
Imposter Syndrome, according to Google, 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, feelings of inadequacy that persist despite evident success. You find it difficult to accept your accomplishments, doubt your abilities, and feel like a fraud.
Let’s talk about imposter syndrome as a female in a male-dominated field! While imposter feelings are not exclusive to women, women experience the imposter phenomenon in ways that men do not. These emotions could be related to the pressure placed on women, which begins with insecurity in young girls and progresses to role confusion and competing identities in women with careers. I feel like our culture socializes women to behave in ways that prevent them from being recognized as valuable contributors.
Imposter syndrome symptoms vary from person to person, but there are some consistent and tell-tale red flags. Symptoms could include:
- Extreme lack of self-confidence
- Feelings of inadequacy
- Constant comparison with others
- Anxiety and self-doubt
- A lack of faith in one’s own intuition and abilities
- Negative self-talk
- Irrational fears of the future
- Dwelling on the past
The Imposter Cycle
Five Types of Imposters.
1. The Perfectionist
Perfectionists set unrealistically high goals for themselves, and when they fail to meet them, they are filled with self-doubt and worry about not measuring up. This group of people believes that if they want something done right, they must do it themselves and this may lead to pressure and anxiety.
2. The Genius
These imposters set unrealistically high goals for themselves and are crushed when they fail on the first try. They judge themselves not only based on unrealistic expectations but also when they are unable to do something quickly or fluently.
3. The expert
These people are constantly trying to learn and are never satisfied with their level of knowledge and conceptual understanding. They consistently undervalue their expertise.
4. The Soloist
These individuals are highly individualistic and prefer to work alone. They don’t seek assistance because their self-worth is derived from their productivity.
5. The Superhuman
These people believe they must excel in all of the roles they play in their lives. They feel compelled to work as hard as they possibly can.
Impacts of Impostor Syndrome!
- Fear of failure hampers creativity and originality, which limits innovation and risk-taking.
- It creates self-doubt and low self-esteem, leading to people rejecting praise, downplaying accomplishments, and allowing others to take credit.
- Stress, anxiety, and feelings of isolation negatively impact mental health.
- Career advancement is hindered — someone may not demand or even expect a promotion or raise, or they may simply not push themselves forward at work.
Ways of overcoming Imposter Syndrome!
- Remind yourself that you are skilled at what you do.
- Reframe your failure as an opportunity to learn.
- Rewrite your mental programs and seek mental health professionals’ help and support.
- Challenge negative thoughts
- Visualize your success and accomplishments.
- Be kind to yourself and believe in yourself.
Some YouTube resources that may be useful;
Food for thought!!
Do men ever feel like they are imposters in their careers? We rarely hear them talk about it. Please let me know in the comments section.
“May you choose yourself, Always!!”.
Brenda x.
