Have you ever experienced this persistent sense that you are an “imposter” in your own life—as if you don’t deserve your achievements or that you’re merely acting as though you know what you’re doing?
Believe me, I know it too well. This is known as imposter syndrome. You feel as though you are trapped in a never-ending loop of self-doubt and are always afraid of being exposed as a “fraud.” That voice inside of you that tells you, “I’m not good enough,” or “I only got here by luck.”
According to the Cleveland Clinic, “Imposter syndrome is a psychological phenomenon where someone persistently feels like a fraud, disbelieves in the legitimacy of their own success and has a fear of being exposed. Although imposter syndrome isn’t a true medical diagnosis, it’s characterized by increasing levels of self-doubt and negative self-perception.”
Success in many aspects of life can be affected by an impostor mentality. It can cause overwork, raise expectations, and make it more difficult to apply for jobs. Making decisions can be challenging for parents who feel unprepared to raise their kids. For fear of being seen as ignorant, students may refrain from speaking up or posing questions, which can lead to fatigue. Some people in relationships self-destruct and break relationships before the other person can because they feel unworthy of the affection they receive, the above clinic states.
In order to embrace your full potential, it is important to acknowledge imposter syndrome and take action to overcome it. Here are some simple things you may do to get past it and at last believe in your own value.
Reset Brain and Body states that imposter syndrome can be managed by keeping in mind that emotions are not facts and ought to be acknowledged as such. It’s also important to replace negative self-talk with positive self-talk. Overcoming emotions of imposter syndrome can be facilitated by acknowledging and recording accomplishments. When feeling overwhelmed by this, it can also be helpful to ground oneself and provide context by taking a deep breath or engaging in mindfulness techniques.
Also see: Are women greater leaders than men?
