How to Overcome Imposter Syndrome?

Nagging feelings that you aren't good enough to do a given job, that you don't deserve to be promoted, or that you aren’t capable of managing your adult life are feelings that can turn everyday life into a nightmare. In fact, it turns out that most people have felt this way at least once in their lifetime and this phenomenon has a special name in psychology. What’s imposter syndrome and how to overcome it? Keep reading!

What is imposter syndrome?

If you’ve ever felt like a person who doesn’t belong in a given place or gets more than they feel they deserve, you're not alone. According to this study, 70% of us have suffered from imposter syndrome at some point in life.

In a nutshell, imposter syndrome occurs when you aren’t self-confident, you doubt your qualifications, and you feel that your being in a given place is a fraud. Those who struggle with such feelings find it hard to accept and acknowledge their accomplishments as they constantly convince themselves that they aren’t enough.

They may feel that they simply had luck or that their work and achievements get more attention and praise than they deserve.

However, imposter syndrome doesn’t solely impact our careers and professional lives. It can manifest itself in different circumstances, including:

1. Home setting - many parents find it hard to figure out what the right thing to do is in a given situation. Those who suffer from imposter syndrome feel clueless and unprepared for raising children, which may negatively affect their self-confidence and the decision-making process.
2. School setting - have you ever been afraid to voice your opinion in class because you thought that the things you wanted to say were obvious, or didn’t make any sense? Or maybe you were afraid that teachers or other students would laugh at you? If so, you can bet that imposter syndrome was the reason behind this state of affairs.
3. Relationships - some people in romantic relationships may think that they don’t deserve the affection they get. As a result, they’re constantly anxious that their partners will discover who they really are and will leave them. Imposter syndrome sufferers frequently self-sabotage relationships and break up with their significant others to avoid rejection.

Constant self-doubt can cause anxiety, fear, and stress, thus decreasing our quality of life, satisfaction with our jobs, family life, or relationships. How to overcome imposter syndrome?

The takeaway

Imposter syndrome negatively impacts on quality of life. Knowing how to get over imposter syndrome will help you reduce stress, feel more confident, and minimize negative thoughts. If the above tips and self-development work aren't enough, it's a good idea to have a mentor to help you understand that you’ve figured it out and that your accomplishments fully deserve praise.