Have you ever gone to work thinking you are a fraud? Are you convinced that people will guess your intentions and realize that you do not know what you are talking about? Does failure terrify you?
If this is the case, you are not the only one: the most successful people tend to be the ones who care the most.
Impostor syndrome, sometimes called fraud syndrome, is a psychological disorder in which successful people are unable to take in their achievements. Those who have many achievements and triumphs tend to suffer; so this disease is not compared to low self-esteem or lack of confidence. In fact, some researchers have linked it to perfectionism, especially in women. The tendency to minimize and underestimate success is significant in those with impostor syndrome.
Despite the fact that in your work life you demonstrate your ability, are you convinced that you do not deserve the success you have achieved? Do you suffer from chronic insecurity? The “impostors” reject any demonstration of success and think that it is by sheer luck, that is, being in the right place and time, or deceiving others into thinking that they are more intelligent and capable than they really are.
Impostor syndrome can negatively affect your career. If you are convinced that you are not up to the job, this can prevent you from imposing yourself or taking the necessary risks. You can become obsessed with the idea of not making a mistake instead of being proactive.
Acknowledge and write down your “impostor” feelings when they arise. This will help you break the cycle of negative thoughts. It often happens that when you write them, you see these thoughts from another perspective and can abstract from them.
Make a list of your strengths. Keeping track of your accomplishments is a good way to remind yourself that you are NOT a fraud or a phony. When you feel anxious and bad about yourself, check your list. Achievements that may not seem important to you at some point tend to gain more validity with a little time and another perspective.
Don’t procrastinate. Procrastination will only make your feelings of inadequacy worse. Tackle problems head-on and cross items off your to-do list. Tackle difficult tasks first so that once you finish them, you have a sense of accomplishment and strength.
It is important to face these issues, but it can also be a good thing to have something of the impostor syndrome – you keep your humility and focus on improving your habits. Without the effects of this syndrome, you can become a megalomaniac and be convinced that you are infallible.
