What is imposter syndrome?
I like to best describe it as feeling like a fraud waiting to be exposed. It is essentially when you can’t take credit for your achievements. Instead of holding your head up high and being proud of your hard work, you can’t help but think it was luck or someone giving you more credit than you deserve. The dangerous thing is that it traps you into this never-ending quest for perfection, trying to live to a standard that is impossible to achieve as it is never good enough.
My experience with imposter syndrome.
I belonged to a cohort affected by the COVID pandemic, who were unable to sit our A levels. Instead, we received our grades based on academic evidence and an “algorithm”. Little did I realize, that this became the gateway for imposter syndrome to nestle in the back of my mind. Technically, I hadn’t earned my grades, which were meant to be proof that I had the academic capabilities to succeed on my course. Due to this, I couldn’t shake the feeling of being surrounded by individuals more intellectually adept than me, despite them receiving grades through the same process. This feeling snowballed into self-doubt, crumbling my confidence in my own abilities. Regardless of performing well in my exams and having tangible proof that I am not out of my depth, the lingering sense that I don’t deserve to be here continues. Let’s work on overcoming this together.
So what can we do about it?
The first step is acknowledging and accepting that you have imposter syndrome. Drawing from personal experience, it’s astonishing how many individuals either don’t realize they’re grappling with imposter syndrome or are too reserved to acknowledge it. I vividly recall being sat in a lecture hall when the question of having imposter syndrome arose. Only three students raised their hands. The twist is that, when the same question, albeit phrased a little differently and minus the “imposter syndrome” label, was posed, hands shot up from all corners of the room. Acceptance is a journey that demands time and a hefty dose of self-courage to hold oneself accountable. It undeniably stands as the most challenging step in overcoming imposter syndrome, however, it’s the first step in embarking on the journey to conquer this invasive feeling and finally reap the fruits of your labour.
What are the next steps?
Now there is no magic spell to getting rid of imposter syndrome, but but I’ve found that incorporating these small practices into my routine has had a significant impact on how I feel about my accomplishments and hopefully they can help you too.
Educating Yourself: Learning about imposter syndrome and understanding the phenomenon can help you recognize its signs in yourself.
Normalizing the Experience: Understand that imposter syndrome is common, and many successful individuals face similar feelings of self-doubt.
Seeking External Perspectives: Talk to trusted friends, colleagues, or mentors about your feelings. They may provide valuable insights and perspectives that counter your self-doubt.
Challenge Negative Thoughts: When negative thoughts arise, challenge them by asking yourself for evidence. Are there actual reasons to believe you are an imposter, or are these thoughts based on fear and self-doubt?
Embrace Imperfection: Accept that perfection is unattainable, and everyone makes mistakes or faces challenges. Embrace the concept of learning and growing through experiences, even when they involve setbacks.
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