Finding Yourself within Imposter Syndrome

Imposter Syndrome (IS) is the continuous psychological belief that you are a failure or a fraud. People with IS constantly brush of their achievements, qualifications, intelligence or social skills and believe they don’t actually meet the standards other people expect of them or they have for themselves.

It’s important to note that IS is not diagnosed, it’s simply a psychological pattern of thinking that influences your perception of yourself and your abilities.

IS can be hard to navigate. The lack of confidence people have within themselves can significantly challenge the understanding of their own accomplishments and success.

People deserve to celebrate and be proud of their achievements. To do so, they need to overcome their Imposter Syndrome and acknowledge their success.

Where Can Imposter Syndrome Occur?A woman Working

IS can occur within many facets of people’s lives, these include work, home, school and relationships.

Work

Work place IS is an extremely common occurrence where people attribute their success to luck or overworking. People with IS within the workplace usually lack the confidence to ask for raises or promotions because they believe they don’t deserve it.

Home

IS is prominent in parenting. Parents might feel like they are faking their way through raising their child and think they’re incapable and unprepared. These are common feelings but an overwhelming and constant negative thought process can severely impact your mental health.

School

Students are constantly learning and growing and it’s extremely common to believe a test result or a response to a question in class was due to luck or over-preparation and not their knowledge and learning. Students can be afraid to ask questions out of the fear of being viewed as stupid or useless.

A Couple FightingRelationships

Sometimes people might not see in themselves what their partner sees in them. This can make them question their partners affection and genuine feelings. People with IS in relationships commonly self-sabotage their relationships with others.

Here’s How you Can Find Yourself within Imposter Syndrome…

Acknowledgment

Being conscious of your imposing thoughts and beliefs is the only way you will be aware enough to counteract them.

TalkA Male & Female talking

Sharing your imposing thoughts or your concerns with a loved one, friend or professional. Allowing yourself that outlet can help provide some perspective or even take a weight off your shoulders.

Separate

Try and notice when you feel a certain way and ask yourself if it’s feeling or fact. Just because you might feel like you failed, doesn’t mean you did. You just have space for improvement.

Failure

Don’t base your sense of accomplishment on the idea of failure. You are human and are bound to make mistakes. Recognise the success in whatever task you have done, but remind yourself that mistakes make you better for next time!

Recognise

Take note of what you do well. This will be hard at first because IS encourages you to disregard your accomplishments as your own. Write them down, no matter how small they might be and ensure you internalise your success by repeating your accomplishments and believing them.

Female celebrating

Counteract

Once you begin to recognise imposing thoughts or actions you can then put counteractions in place to encourage non-imposing thoughts. If your IS is telling you, “You’ll get fired, you don’t know how to do this properly.” Recognise this thought as imposing and turn it around, “If I make mistakes I can learn from them next time. They believe I can do it and I will try my best.”

Reward

When you achieve any of these tips, reward yourself to internalise and celebrate your progress and success. You deserve it!

IS occurs at many points in people’s lives whether that be socially, personally or in the workplace. Whatever the cause of IS, using these tips can help overcome imposing feelings, thoughts and actions.

If you need extra support or would like to talk to a professional about any Imposter Syndrome experiences, contact us today!

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