The Impostor Phenomenon was first recognised in the 1970s by two psychologists named Suzanne Imes and Pauline Rose Clance. People with Impostor Phenomenon or Syndrome find that they are always waiting for their latest success to be torn from them as if they don’t deserve it. It’s more common than many people think. Often, these self-doubts of highly successful people are internalised. Even those around them do not know that there’s fear and internal self-doubt because the sufferer keeps it to themselves.
The Cause
While there doesn’t seem to be a root cause that can be pinpointed for the phenomenon, it comes from people who feel they are undeserving of their success. It happens to actors and actresses frequently. Writers, artists and successful business owners could all feel like they are an impostor. Often, the fuel for this feeling involves how we look at ourselves. Imposters believe that they are different from their peers. They feel they are not as talented, smart or deserving.
Fixing the Problem
Whether the cause of the person’s insecurity and self-doubt or comparison of those around them, people who feel like they’re a fake or a fraud need to confront the problem. Even those with demonstrable skills and intelligence can feel as if they’re undeserving of their rewards. There are ways to recognise the feelings and understand that the cause of the problem is self-doubt that can be overcome.
It’s Normal
When you’re completing a new task at work, receiving an award or dealing with a positive feedback, try to take a mental step back and know that it’s normal to have self doubt. Studies have found that women suffer more than men, with many women leaving successful careers for something less ambitious, for fear of being found out as a fraud. Ironically enough, true frauds rarely experience this self doubt, having the confidence to bluff it.
Skills and Experience
Take a real look at your skills and experience. Of the actors and actresses who admit to feelings of being an impostor, it was the ones who have tons of awards from their peers and the public that seem to have it the worst. Maya Angelou who was an honorary doctorate with over 50 degrees as well as a poet, writer and filmmaker once said that even after she’d written eleven books, she thought that she would be “found out” as if she’d played a trick on people.
Positive Attitude
One way to overcome these feeling of inadequacy is to be aware of the thought processes that are making us have these doubts. Mindful meditation encourages focusing on thoughts, feelings and emotions in a compassionate way. By being aware of how thought processes work, techniques can be used to stop negative thoughts taking over. Daily practice of mindful meditation has been found to have a range of positive results, including increased confidence and less stress.
Feedback
It can be hard to believe those around you because it may feel as if they are biased. You can find other professionals and mentors who will give you candid feedback about the parts of your work that make you feel like an impostor. It can help to seek help from a mental health professional if you feel the negative thoughts might be holding you back from success.
