Imposter Syndrome - Know the signs and what to do about it
Ahh imposter syndrome. Welcome, sit down and take a seat between anxiety and self-doubt. Actually, what am I talking about? You know your way around here in my mind as you have visited me plenty of times in my life and usually when I’m at work during important meetings.
What is Imposter Syndrome?
Imposter Syndrome is that voice in your mind that seeks to convince you that you are a total fraud and don’t deserve your success. And that any said success whether it is at obtaining your job or securing that promotion was due to pure luck or fluke, and not your talent, abilities or hard work.
And just like a fraudster on the FBI most wanted list, you are totally convinced that at any time now you will be caught out and exposed for who you are.
Although Imposter Syndrome usually occurs in the workplace and is triggered by an event such as a promotion or by a high pressure environment, it can happen in any situation including in your personal relationships.
How it rears its ugly head
I remember applying for my first HR Manager position. I wasn’t convinced I was qualified for the job, but I felt brazen and needed to practice my job application skills, so took a leap of faith and applied.
Lo and behold I was interviewed for, and eventually offered the job. Yaay for me. Except no. Instead of enjoying the success I earned, I convinced myself that the role must not have had many applicants, or they wanted someone less experienced to mould.
This is imposter syndrome. That voice that convinces you that you are not worthy of your achievements and that you are a fraud for accepting such accomplishments.
Truth was, I did have the skills and qualifications for that job, which I had earned through my own right (and did I mention there were five interviews I had to pass?).
But imposter syndrome didn’t allow me to accept and enjoy this success. Instead, negative persistent thoughts and worry about being ‘found out’ would invade my mind constantly at work.
These doubts about my self-worth and negative feelings continued throughout the role, often jeopardising my performance and interpersonal relationships. I eventually sought help with counselling and worked through this irrational thinking.
Effects of Imposter Syndrome
Imposter Syndrome attacks your self-esteem and sense of worth. It can cause psychological distress with increased feeling of self-doubt and persistent fears of failure.
Looking at the diagram below:
Thoughts (create things) Feelings (create behaviours) Behaviour (reinforces thoughts)
Our thoughts directly affect our feelings which are then connected to our behaviours. Therefore these imposter syndrome thoughts and feelings can negatively impact our behaviour at work, which can affect jobs and careers if not addressed and dealt with.
How to kick imposter syndrome to the kerb
You can learn how to address imposter syndrome head on, and move past self-doubt and fear. Here are five useful exercises to tackle imposter syndrome:
Separate your negative feelings from the cold, hard facts or truths
Develop a new script for that voice in your head by focusing on all your achievements- include your personal, professional, emotional and physical achievements and watch that list grow
Write a brag sheet of all your accomplishments and why you earned the job/promotion etc
Visualise your success in any situation or scenario where imposter syndrome likely appears
Work through your feelings with a trained Counsellor.