How to Overcome Impostor Syndrome and Own Your Success

 

“I’m a fraud.”

“It’s just dumb luck.”

“Someday I’ll be exposed, and they’ll know I don’t belong here.”

If any of these phrases sound familiar to you, it’s very likely you suffer from some degree of what is known as imposter syndrome. It might begin with a little bit of self-doubt, which is completely normal when you take on a challenge. You wonder if you’re cut out for all that reaching your goal entails. You’re afraid you don’t really possess the skills necessary to succeed.

When these feelings of self-doubt become chronic, and you begin to feel inferior, as though you don’t belong, or that you don’t deserve your success and the attention that comes with it, you may start to feel like a fraud. Often a sense of panic sets and you worry that everyone will discover you’ve duped them. This sort of shaky ground can ultimately undermine your success, your career and your relationships. You need to overcome this imposter syndrome.

What is Imposter Syndrome?

The concept of imposter syndrome was first uncovered in 1978 by two psychologists at Georgia State University, Dr. Pauline Rose Clance, and Dr. Suzanne Imes. Defined as the condition affecting high-achieving individuals who are unable to internalize their accomplishments and are persistently plagued by a fear of being exposed as an imposter, the affliction is claiming more and more driven individuals daily.

The detriment to one’s career can be serious. Those who don’t address their feelings of imposter syndrome can find it difficult to overcome the anxiety and stress of “being found out” and eventually abandon their careers entirely. At its worst, this condition can rob you of your self-worth and even trigger depression.

Who is Most at Risk?

The ever changing technology in the workplace and the need to adapt, accompanied by social media and constant comparisons to others, makes it easy to manifest and grow your chronic self-doubt.

High-achieving women are also very much at-risk for developing imposter syndrome. Because of societal expectations and traditional roles, many women feel undeserving of the success they have achieved. Minorities and those from less advantaged socioeconomic backgrounds also are more prone to imposter syndrome.

However, don’t be fooled into thinking there’s only a certain demographic prone to imposter syndrome. The condition is blind and can impact even the most successful, long-term, C-level executive. No one is ever immune to imposter syndrome.

Signs of Imposter Syndrome

If you think you might be at risk for IS here are some of the tell-tale symptoms:

●   Praise Makes You Uncomfortable: You can’t seem to internalize the appreciation and recognition for a job well-done. Receiving praise brings up feelings of shame and embarrassment.

●   You Feel You Owe Your Success to Luck: Your education, experience, and degrees matter not one bit. You feel as though you probably fell into this achievement by accident and you certainly did nothing to earn it.

●   You Anticipate Being Found Out and Are Fearful of the Exposure: No matter your years of education and experience, you still believe that others are more learned and capable than you. You live with the constant anxiety of being exposed as a fraud.

●    Your Success is Just a One-Time Thing: You lucked into your achievement, landing the big client, being in the winner’s circle. You certainly won’t stumble upon that chance again.

●   You Have a Back-Up Plan: You anticipate being discovered and have a backup plan of sorts, be it another career, going back to school, or similar thought.

●   You Seek Validation from Others but Don’t Believe It When It Comes: It’s one thing to practice humility in the face of recognition, but you feel unable to hear what others say and internalize the pride.

●   You Work More Than Necessary: Many who fear being uncovered as an impostor will work harder than their coworkers to avoid being seen as a slacker. People with impostor syndrome usually arrive long before anyone else and remain at work after others have left for the day.

●   You Keep Co-workers in the Dark About Your Personal Life  Even though you’ve earned success and proven yourself as worthy to others, you don’t see yourself as such. Therefore, you tend to keep others from learning anything about your personal life, so you don’t risk disclosing any events you perceive as an embarrassment.

5 Steps for Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

Living with imposter syndrome is highly stressful. The anxiety can become crippling, ruining your career and even your relationships. Take action to overcome this potentially destructive affliction and reclaim your success and self-worth. Here are five steps for overcoming imposter syndrome:

Recognize That You Have the Syndrome: The obvious first step in overcoming imposter syndrome is recognizing that you do, in fact, have it. Only once it’s identified will you be able to change and overcome your imposter syndrome.

Accept Your Role in Your Own Success: No one becomes successful by mistake. It takes more than sheer luck or timing to become successful. Own your accomplishments as readily as you own your failures. Focus on the things you did to get to where you are now, rather than those you didn’t. Celebrate your successes along the way.

Gather Positive Feedback: Keep a journal of the compliments, recognition, and positive comments to give yourself a boost when you feel undeserving. E-mails, yearly reviews, and merit rewards can give you the boost you need when feelings of self-doubt come calling.

Focus on Helping Others: Those who have imposter syndrome are typically concerned with how others see the results of their contribution. Instead of being overly concerned with how others view you, consider reaching out and helping your coworkers achieve their goals. Offer to assist on projects and lend a helping hand where needed. This will put you in the position to earn the support of others, invaluable when attempting to boost your confidence.

Find Someone to Talk to: A confidant can help you to open up and vent your feelings of being a fraud. Seek out someone at work, within your family, or a close and trusted friend. It is very likely that your feelings of imposter syndrome are shared, and your confidant can help you understand your worth and overcome your feelings of self-doubt.

Tying It All Together

Imposter syndrome should never be brushed off. In its earliest state imposter syndrome may mask itself as your insecurity over being able to perform your job, or whether or not you are up to the intellectual demands of a promotion. Imposter syndrome can quickly undermine and rob you of attaining your greatest potential.

I hope that this article equips you with information, insight, and inspiration to live your life without feeling like you’re a fraud. Or, at the very minimum, know that you’re not the only one out there who questions whether or not they deserve all their accolades, accomplishments, and successes. Recognize and conquer imposter syndrome now and take steps to live a life you love!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Tim Crowley, Ph.D.

Motivational Keynote Speaker, Leadership, and Resilience Expert

Dr. Tim Crowley is a well-known speaker with a passion for growing agile leaders, teams, and organizations that produce extraordinary results. For more than 25 years his services have touched the lives of leaders in some of the most recognizable companies in the world. Including AT&T, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Ernst & Young, Hallmark, Johnson & Johnson, Lockheed Martin, Marriot, Microsoft, Nestle-Purina, along with numerous organizations, universities, state and federal agencies.

When not speaking, leading workshops, or writing he looks for inspiration through mountain biking, volunteering, and spending time with his family and friends.

Invite Tim to speak at your next event. You can learn more about him and how his services can help you and your team at drtimcrowley.com. Connect with Tim on LinkedIn, Google+, Facebook, and Twitter.