Ever had that sneaky feeling that everyone else has their act together while you’re just trying to keep up?

Like you’re starring in your own “How Did I Get Here?” reality show? Doubting your achievements and fearing exposure as a “dilettante”? And no matter how much you accomplish, you can’t seem to shake the feeling that you’re not good enough/ smart enough/ quick enough/ proficient enough etc.  Sounds familiar? 

Welcome to Imposter Syndrome!  

 Imposter What?  

Imposter Syndrome is that nagging voice in your head that says: “You’re an amateur, and it’s only a matter of time before everyone finds out.”

That annoying feeling that you’re faking it and that everyone is one bad day away from discovering you’re not as competent as they think. It’s like an internal spotlight that shines on your insecurities while at the same time dimming your achievements. 

Living with Imposter Syndrome is like having an in-built critic that makes you constantly question your accomplishments and fear being exposed as a fraud. Making it practically impossible to shake off the feeling that you don’t quite fit in. 

Symptoms: Are You Dancing with Doubts? 

If you’re still unsure and wondering whether Imposter Syndrome is crashing your confidence, check for these signs: 

Perfectionism: You set unrealistically high standards for yourself. Anything less than perfect feels like a disaster. 

Overworking: You put in excessive hours to make up for your alleged “lack of talent.” 

Discounting Praise: Compliments bounce off you like Teflon. “Great job!” translates in your head to “You got lucky.” 

Fear of Failure: The thought of making a mistake sends shivers down your spine. It’s as if every minor error is a confirmation of your worst fears. 

The Performance Killer 

The real problem is – Imposter Syndrome is more than just an annoying voice; it can genuinely hamper your performance. When you’re constantly second-guessing yourself, it’s hard to take risks, innovate, or even enjoy your work. This can lead to stress, burnout, and a self-fulfilling prophecy where your productivity does take a major hit. 

Why Address It? 

Because it holds us back from reaching our full potential. Ignoring Imposter Syndrome is like letting a small shadow turn into a monstrous dark cloud that follows you around and paralyzes your efficiency. Addressing it on the other hand can lead to increased confidence and productivity, making work a place of achievement rather than anxiety. Plus, we all deserve to feel good about our accomplishments, don’t we?

Tackling Imposter Syndrome 101 

Own Your Success: Start a “brag file” where you save positive feedback, awards, and achievements. When self-doubt creeps in, revisit this file to remind yourself of your awesomeness. This might potentially help you remember your achievements once the Self-evaluation request hits your e-mail within the next Performance Review. 

Talk About It: Share your feelings with a trusted colleague or even your mentor. You’ll likely find that others have felt the same way. There’s comfort in knowing what you’re going through happens to the best of us, so discussing it can reduce its power over you.  

Growth Mindset: Only the Best Antidote to the Imposter Syndrome 

Once the groundwork is laid, let’s take it up a notch and try a more lasting remedy. Ready to banish that destructive Imposter Syndrome once and for all? Enter the growth mindset, your new best friend.  

Coined by the famous psychologist Carol Dweck, a growth mindset is all about believing that your abilities and intelligence can be developed through dedication, hard work, and the learning attitude. Unlike a fixed mindset that thinks talent is set in stone, a growth mindset thrives on challenges and sees failure as a trampoline for growth and improvement. 

The Growth Mindset Playbook 

Embrace Challenges: Think of obstacles as plot twists in your success story. Instead of dodging difficult tasks, dive in headfirst with the confidence that each challenge will help you level up. 

Learn from Criticism: Constructive feedback isn’t a punch to your ego, see it as a gift wrapped in helpfulness. Use it to fine-tune your skills and expand your knowledge, not as a mirror reflecting your flaws. 

Celebrate Effort, Not Just Success: The journey is just as important as the destination. Focus on the effort you pour into your work, recognizing that persistence and hard work are the real MVPs in your success story. Don’t wait for a monumental milestone to celebrate. Acknowledge and reward yourself for the small victories along the way.    

Persist Through Setbacks: Setbacks and failures are just plot points in your epic tale. Every success story includes a chapter of blunders and missteps. They’re temporary and meant to be conquered.  Embrace them as part of your journey and steppingstones to greatness.  

Value Learning and Growth: Prioritize personal development over proving yourself. Every step, stumble, and leap is a crucial part of your path to being the best version of yourself. 

So How Exactly Does It Work?  Growth Mindset VS Imposter Syndrome: 

1. Reframes Self-Doubt: Self-doubt becomes a sign that you’re pushing your boundaries. Instead of making you a whining buzzkill, it serves as a cue that you’re growing. 
2. Encourages Self-Confidence: Everyone makes mistakes, period. They’re opportunities to learn, not proof of your inadequacy. 
3. Promotes Resilience: Embracing challenges and bouncing back from setbacks builds resilience. Over time, you’ll find yourself handling difficulties like a pro. 
4. Develops a Love for Learning: When you value learning over perfection, the fear of being “found out” fades. You’ll be too busy acquiring new skills to worry about that. 
5. Builds a Supportive Environment: Sharing a growth mindset with colleagues creates a culture where everyone’s efforts and improvements are celebrated. High-fives all around! 

Seriously, just switch up your perspective – you’ll soon see you’re not some wet blanket but a dynamic individual on a continuous journey of growth. It’s all about transforming your self-doubt into self-assurance and boosting your confidence and performance. Simple, right? Okay, maybe not easy, but definitely worth it!  

Next time you feel like an imposter, remind yourself: every step you take, even the uncertain ones, is a part of your journey to growth and success.

Embrace your path, and let your doubts fuel your determination to become the best version of yourself—not by denying your achievements, but by celebrating and building on them. 

 – Veronica Cravet

People Development Manager