Youth Incorporated Magazine

Have you ever thought about how you feel when you think of your accomplishments? Do you experience a sense of joy, or feel like you just got lucky or fooled everyone? That feeling of inadequacy and self-doubt is called impostor syndrome. Impostor syndrome is the idea that you aren’t really deserving of your accomplishment. You start to believe that you’re not as smart, creative, or talented as others think you are. Instead, you think your achievements are merely the result of luck, good timing, or being in the right place at the right time. Perhaps you often question your own abilities. Impostor syndrome isn’t just about self-doubt though—it also involves a persistent fear of being exposed, experiencing loneliness, and self-doubt.

Impostor Syndrome tends to surface when things are going well in your life—like when you receive a scholarship, begin a new job, receive an award or promotion, become a first-time parent, and so on. You may feel trapped in a vicious circle where you push yourself harder to mask your nagging self-doubts and keep people from seeing through your facade. But even when you receive praise and recognition, instead of feeling proud, you end up feeling even more like a phoney. It’s a frustrating cycle that can be tough to break free from.

Here is how you can battle impostor syndrome:

You’re not the one who feels this way

Did you know that researchers have discovered that as many as 82% of people have experienced impostor syndrome at some point in their lives? Acknowledge and address your feelings head-on instead of keeping them to yourself and letting them linger. Share your experiences with someone you trust. Possibly, they might also have battled impostor syndrome in the past. Knowing that you’re not alone in these feelings can make a whole lot of difference.

Track your accomplishments

Feeling like an impostor can make it difficult to recognize your own contribution to your success. When in reality, your own diligence, skill, and planning were key factors, you can mistakenly credit luck or the efforts of others. Owning your accomplishments requires recognising and enjoying them. You can even try using affirmations like, “I am proud of my success,” to reinforce a positive mindset. Remember, you deserve to take credit for what you’ve accomplished.

Don’t run behind being perfect

A lot of people who experience impostor syndrome are high achievers, but the quest for perfection only intensifies those feelings of being a fraud. Recognize that the reason you feel that way is often because you’re comparing yourself to something that is either unrealistic or unachievable. Step back and ask yourself: When is it okay for something to be good enough? While striving for excellence is laudable, it’s often not feasible or helpful. In fact, it can be detrimental and only intensify those feelings of being an impostor.

Support your negative thoughts with evidences

Combat your feeling with evidence, if acknowledging or sharing them don’t make a difference. Focus on the facts can help dispel those negative thoughts. Take a moment to go through your recent projects and carefully analyse your work. Determine if your feelings are based on actual evidence. If they are, you’ve identified a specific area for improvement. But if they aren’t, use those facts to your advantage while fighting the voice in your brain that attempts to tell you that you’re unworthy. Remind yourself of the evidence that proves your competence and achievements.

Embrace the lessons from every experience you have while fighting impostor syndrome. On the path to conquering impostor syndrome, it’s crucial to embrace the lessons from each experience you encounter. Impostor feelings can surface during any career transition, especially when you juxtapose your achievements with those of others. Not every piece of advice will be helpful to you, so keep track of what works best for you in different circumstances. This battle against impostor syndrome can be overcome with practice and determination.