We Are All Imposters! So Let’s Imposter Together
Irrespective of how you define success, you’ve probably had moments when you felt like you were not doing enough and found it hard to believe your cheerleaders who marveled at your achievements. Sometimes, you might be accused of pretense or praised for being humble, but deep down, you just don’t see what they see. I understand, and so does a significant body of research. It’s been established that around 70% of adults experience this at least once in their lifetime. In other words, 7 in every 10 people go through this, so you’re not alone.
This feeling or phase, as it may be, can be summed up in two words: imposter syndrome. According to the American Psychological Association, it is a form of self-doubt where high-achieving individuals cannot accept their success and instead attribute their accomplishments to luck rather than skill. However, don’t be quick to assume that this phenomenon is exclusive to high achievers; imposter syndrome can affect anyone, regardless of their level of success or achievement. It is only more common among high achievers, who often feel pressured to maintain their performance and fear being exposed as “imposters.”
One thing I have come to realize is that imposter syndrome, unless broken is an endless cycle! You set a goal, work hard to achieve the goal, and reach that set goal — only to find that the sense of accomplishment is overshadowed by doubts about your worthiness and fears of being exposed as a fraud. Instead of feeling proud and patting yourself on the back for a job well done, you worry that your success was just a fluke, which drives you to push yourself harder to avoid being “found out.” And so, the cycle repeats, with each new achievement bringing more self-doubt rather than confidence.
Now that we have been able to establish what imposter syndrome means, let’s look at the dynamics. Imposter syndrome is not a one-size-fits-all experience; it manifests in different ways, depending on personality, environment, and life experiences. Below are the various ways that imposter syndrome manifests, where they may stem from, and how to address them effectively.
1. The Perfectionist
Perfectionists set excessively high goals for themselves and, even when they achieve success, they often feel it’s not enough. They are hyper-focused on flaws and mistakes, believing that anything less than perfect is a failure. This relentless pursuit of perfection creates a cycle of anxiety and self-doubt, where they constantly feel like imposters for not meeting impossible standards.
How to overcome: It would surprise you to know that this very article that you are reading has been sitting in my drafts since the second quarter of the year. I have taken my advice and published it regardless of how imperfect this article is. Perfectionists need to learn to celebrate progress, not just perfection. It’s important to recognize that mistakes are a natural part of learning and growth. Setting realistic and achievable goals can help manage expectations.
Remember, “Little by little, one travels far.” — J.R.R. Tolkien
2. The Superwoman/Superman
People who fall into this category feel the need to work harder and longer than everyone else to prove they are not imposters. They often over-commit, believing that their worth is tied to how much they can accomplish. This leads to burnout, as they struggle to balance their professional, academic, and personal lives while still feeling they’re not doing enough.
How to overcome: The key is to redefine what “enough” means. Superwomen and Supermen must learn to set healthy boundaries, delegate tasks, and understand that overworking isn’t a measure of worth. Work-life balance and self-care are crucial.
3. The Natural Genius
Natural geniuses believe that things should come easily to them, and if they struggle to learn or accomplish something, they feel like imposters. They are used to excelling without much effort and may shy away from challenges that require hard work. When they do face difficulties, they feel inadequate and question their competence.
How to overcome: It’s important for natural geniuses to embrace the idea that learning and growth take time. Facing challenges is not a sign of failure but a necessary part of personal and professional development. Besides, you need to normalize the fact that failure is a huge part of life, everyone has failed at some point in life. It is necessary to understand how to manage failure, rather than wallow in self-pity and give up. You don’t find your true self by following familiar routes. Instead, you discover who you are by starting your journey, one that will be uniquely experienced by you. In addition, seeing challenges or roadblocks as a part of the process helps you develop a growth mindset, which is essential for success.
4. The Soloist
Soloists believe they should be able to handle everything on their own. Asking for help feels like an admission of incompetence, making them feel like imposters when they rely on others. They equate independence with capability and see collaboration as a weakness.
How to overcome: Soloists need to understand that seeking help is not a sign of failure but a strength. Collaboration often leads to better outcomes, and no one achieves success in isolation. Building a support network can enhance your performance and well-being. Besides, teamwork is an integral part of life, no organization, relationship, or system can survive without collaboration. You can read books or take online courses that will help develop soft skills like teamwork.
Remember this African proverb that says, “If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together”.
5. The Expert
Experts feel they need to know everything before they can consider themselves competent. They often downplay their knowledge and skills, believing they aren’t qualified unless they have every piece of information or credential. Despite being highly knowledgeable, they often feel like imposters for not knowing “enough.”
How to overcome: Experts must recognize that no one knows everything. Continuous learning is a part of life, and it’s okay to not have all the answers. Focusing on what you do know and trusting in your existing expertise can help you overcome feelings of inadequacy.
Conclusion
As the famous Nike slogan says, Just do it. Despite the countless doubts swirling in your mind, convincing you that it’s beyond your reach, still go for it. Imposter syndrome may throw endless obstacles your way, but remember: these doubts are only as powerful as you allow them to be. Embrace every small step forward as a win, and recognize that each effort brings you closer to your goals. The journey isn’t always easy, but you’re not alone. I see you. I hear you, and I’m rooting for you every step of the way.
