Overcome your Imposter Syndrome

Have you ever had a sinking feeling that you don’t deserve your job and achievements? Have you worried that your success has just been down to luck? Have you thought that you shouldn’t be in your position and one day your colleagues will discover you’re an imposter? 

Sound familiar? These feelings are known as impostor syndrome. 

What is Imposter Syndrome? 

Imposter syndrome is real, and it affects more people than you think. Men, women, managers, leaders, and employees alike all suffer from imposter syndrome at different stages of their careers. 

Impostor syndrome is a sense of self-doubt related to work accomplishments. It is a feeling that you don't deserve your job, despite all your achievements and hard work in the workplace. It’s the idea that you’ve only succeeded due to luck, and not because of your talent or qualifications. People who suffer from this feel like frauds, despite being qualified, smart, skilled professionals who do deserve their job and successes. But they worry that they have somehow tricked people into thinking they’re good enough, and as a result, they live in fear of being “exposed”. 

Feeling like an imposter or fraud can have very negative effects on your career. It can decrease your drive, motivation, productivity, and effectiveness at work. It can lead to stressed work relationships, burnout, anxiety, and emotional exhaustion; all things you want to avoid when building a career. 

We’ve put together some practices to help you overcome and eliminate imposter syndrome: 

Ways to overcome Imposter Syndrome 

1. Know you’re not alone 

No one wants to feel like a fraud or an imposter at work. But imposter syndrome is a real thing that many people suffer from. If you’ve ever felt you don’t deserve your job or your accomplishments, know that you are not alone. 

According to a review article published in the International Journal of Behavioral Science, an estimated 70% of people experience these impostor feelings at some point in their lives. So the silver lining here is that you are not alone, millions of employees all over the world feel the same way you do. 

If you have a colleague that resonates with these feelings, consider reaching out and talking to them. You may find peace in knowing you’re not alone and can talk openly to someone about this. Also, many hugely successful people, both female and male, have still built amazing careers even while regularly coping with imposter syndrome. 

Here are some quotes from Forbes with highly accomplished people speaking about their impostor syndrome: 

"I'd wake up in the morning before going off to a shoot, and think, I can’t do this; I’m a fraud." – Academy Award-winning actress Kate Winslet 

"All I can see is everything I'm doing wrong that is a sham and a fraud." – Actor Don Cheadle 

2. Be Your Own Booster 

To help show yourself you are doing well, keep track with a private document of all your wins, accomplishments, and skills that make you uniquely qualified for your job, so it’s at the top of your mind when you’re having a bad day. 

Or you could keep a work journal, an email folder, or a desktop folder where you can note down any positive feedback you’ve received, dashboard metrics, positive emails from colleagues, leader board results – anything that makes you feel good about your hard work. 

Doing this will help you see yourself as others see you—as a powerful contributor who deserves all their successes. 

3. Be kind to yourself 

Negative self-talk messages that come with imposter syndrome like “you’re a fraud” or “you’re not good enough” can heavily influence our stress and anxiety levels. 

Be kind to yourself by practicing positive self-talk. Not only can it help you become less stressed and anxious, but it can also help you build the courage to do things that'll bring you greater rewards. 

Whenever you find yourself with a negative thought, you need to challenge this belief. For example, if you’re thinking “I just got lucky getting this job”, challenge yourself by thinking, “what work did I put in and what steps did I take to get to this point in my career?”.   

Answer yourself with short, focused, positive statements, such as "I worked hard – and I always work hard." Repeating affirmations like this can improve your stress and anxiety levels, reducing your inner imposter.  

4. Don’t be a perfectionist  

A lot of people who suffer from impostor syndrome are people who set extremely high standards for themselves and are committed to doing their best – they are perfectionists. 

However, this perfectionism can feed into your impostor syndrome. When you feel like an imposter it's usually because you're comparing yourself to some “perfect” product that's either unrealistic or impossible. 

No one can do everything perfectly, and holding yourself to that standard can be counterproductive and will only make you feel more like a fraud. Nothing is more diminishing or disappointing than setting unrealistic goals – so set yourself realistic standards and expectations. 

5. Find a mentor 

Finding and confiding in a mentor in your field is a great way to gain insights and added confidence. They can offer support, encouragement, strategic insights, and constructive criticism from their own experience, while also acting as a sounding board. Having a mentor means you will have someone to go to when you need some career advice or guidance, and they can help you believe in yourself and navigate the challenges you’re facing. Chances are they also felt the same way when they started their career, so they know how it feels. 

6. Embrace new opportunities 

Many people who suffer from imposter syndrome turn down career-making opportunities because they don't think they'd be able to do a good job. But it’s vital to remember that taking on challenging new opportunities, roles, and projects can open a lot of doors for you. They can help you learn, grow, and advance your career. So ensure you don’t let your inner impostor turn down new opportunities – say “yes” to new prospects! 

Control your imposter syndrome once and for all  

If you feel like you’re suffering from impostor syndrome, know that you are not alone as millions of people around the world also have these feelings. Remember that there are ways to help curb these negative feelings in a healthy and proactive way. Whether you’re concerned about your progress or those around you, we hope that our tips and best practices can help you eliminate imposter syndrome in the workplace.  

If you’re ready to take the next leap in your career, check out our open roles here or feel free to contact us directly!