These facts about Imposter Syndrome are Weirdly Comforting
I have almost quit so many things because I didn’t think I was cut out for it. I thought I was a pretender, just blagging it in a world of people who always and infinitely knew more than I did.
It wasn’t true. It still isn’t.
So why, almost every day, do I look at my work and think, ‘god, that’s shit?’
Even though it’s not.
Even though no one has ever told me, it is.
Imposter syndrome isn’t something new. It was identified in 1978 by two psychologists, Pauline Clarence and Suzanne Imes (Clance, P.R & Imes, S.A., 1978). In today’s climate, it’s no surprise that more and more people are identifying this inner critic, with more than 70% of people experiencing it at some point in their lives.
We all have an inner critic. Sometimes this can be a very positive and productive character, driving you to become a better version of yourself and driving you toward the growth you deserve.
Sometimes, this critic can be too harsh, paralyzing and holding you back from what you should be doing. The critic can be detrimental to your life, your career and your development — which means it needs tackling as soon as possible.
You’re not alone, either. Maybe you’re going freelance, taking on a new project, or developing new skills. You’ve got that anxiety-ridden self-doubt permeating your every thought.
I’m the same.
I met another small business owner at my local cafe the other day. He is very successful and established, but he smiled knowingly when I expressed feeling lost and like I didn’t know what I was doing.
He smiled because he used to be a client of mine; we’d been working together for years. He also smiled and nodded because this was all too familiar. In fact, he told me that it’s something he hears from almost every business owner.
Imposter syndrome is more common among high-achievers (Langford, J., & Clance, P. R. 1993). Still, it can lead to more stress and anxiety. While you may not identify as a high-achiever, this means you are, and you’ve set the bar for success far higher than you’re currently achieving, making you feel like you’re not cutting it.
If you’re struggling with imposter syndrome, here are ten strategies you can implement to help improve your well-being:
- Build a support network: Connect with friends, family, and colleagues who can provide encouragement, validation, and a safe space to discuss feelings of self-doubt.
- Practice self-compassion: Develop a kinder internal dialogue and acknowledge personal strengths and achievements. This can help counteract feelings of inadequacy.
- Reframe negative thoughts: When faced with self-doubt, reframe negative thoughts into positive or neutral ones. Focus on growth and learning from experiences.
- Set realistic expectations: Accept that perfection is unattainable and recognize that everyone makes mistakes. Focus on personal progress rather than comparing oneself to others.
- Celebrate accomplishments: Regularly acknowledge and celebrate personal achievements, both big and small, to help reinforce a sense of competence and self-worth.
- Find a mentor: Seek guidance from a mentor in your field who can provide advice, encouragement, and constructive feedback.
- Share experiences with others: Talking about imposter syndrome with colleagues or peers can help create a sense of solidarity and normalize feelings of self-doubt.
- Limit social media exposure: Reducing the time spent on social media platforms can help minimize unhealthy comparisons to others’ successes and achievements.
- Develop resilience: Cultivate resilience by focusing on problem-solving, adaptability, and the ability to bounce back from setbacks.
Set a task to do something you like every day, something small that brings you joy to offset the tasks you’re feeling down or stressed about. Implement these strategies daily and chip away at the imposter syndrome. I like to write a list of what I need to do and achieve before I feel accomplished. Sometimes this works very well, and other times the answer is coming away from the desk, having a hot shower and ‘decompressing’ — my version of unwinding.
Whatever it is you’re trying to do, and there’s pride in trying where others might not even do that. Don’t get caught up in the end result, but take heed of the learning and growing you’re doing instead.
