How To Overcome Imposter Syndrome? 9 Ways To Stop Doubting Yourself And Start Thriving

Ways to Overcome Imposter Syndrome 1

Dealing with imposter syndrome is not easy, especially when you have worked hard for something, and you finally achieve it, all you feel is like a fraud. Letโ€™s find out how to overcome imposter syndrome and the best ways of dealing with imposter syndrome.ย 

KEY POINTS

  • Nearly two-thirds of the workforce experiences imposter syndrome at some point.
  • There are steps you can take to overcome imposter syndrome.
  • The committee did not make a mistake and it was not luck; you earned this accolade.

Congratulations! You are selected asโ€ฆ. This is a prestigious honorโ€ฆ.Less than three percent of those who apply get accepted. You should be thrilled, but you break out in a cold sweat.

You just got promoted. You had your eye on this role for a long time but knew the odds were against you. Eventually, you were selected and advanced to the new position. You want to run into hiding.

Whatโ€™s going on?

What you feel is imposter syndrome (or phenomenon, depending on who you ask). The term, first coined over 40 years ago by psychologists Pauline R. Clance and Suzanne A. Imes, was originally shown to disproportionately affect high achievers and marginalized groups such as women and underrepresented minorities.

Related:ย 7 Imposter Syndrome Myths You Should Know About

Later reports underscored that imposter syndrome is common in the workforce.

Logically, you understand that this suffocating feeling is imposter syndrome and a common reaction, but your body is telling you a different story.

Youโ€™re a fake; youโ€™ll have to give it back; this isnโ€™t real; it was luck, not your hard work or talent. These are all stories we convince ourselves of rather than dealing with the reality.

When imposter syndrome descends, here are some tips to mitigate those feelings and take back control.

9 Ways To Overcome Imposter Syndrome

1. Create a brag box or folder

The contents of this will be photos of achievements, thank you notes, and assets that prove your accomplishments.

2. Surround yourself with the right people

Surround yourself with a team of mentors who can give you perspective and shut down the noise inside your head.

Overcome imposter syndrome

3. Share it

As imposter syndrome is prevalent, affecting two-thirds of the workforce at some point, there is a good chance that if you share your fear, your conversation partner will relate and empathize, as theyโ€™ve been in your shoes.

Before long, you will notice that you know more people who have experienced imposter syndrome than not. The shared experience will help you put your latest episode of imposter syndrome into perspective.

4. Write it down

Often, we donโ€™t give ourselves enough credit. We think we are not accomplishing much when in reality we complete more than we realize.

Make a list of everything you have accomplished, and you will notice that you were selling yourself short.

Related:ย Why Successful, Confident People Still Feel Inferior Or Incapable

5. Stop comparing yourself

Everyone is on a different journey with different constraints and cognitive loads. Therefore, stop comparing yourself to other peopleโ€™s achievements. In the words of Marshall Goldsmith, the #1 executive coach, โ€œDonโ€™t be busy chasing what other people have.โ€

6. Stop striving for perfection

Perfection is a moving target. You will never achieve it, as there is always more to do. Instead of always striving for an A+, be satisfied with an A. Itโ€™s better than what most people achieve.

7. Develop a circle of amplifiers

Sometimes we donโ€™t recognize our achievements. Curate a circle of friends or colleagues who will amplify your work so that you donโ€™t need to. Do the same for them.

8. Visualize success

Often, we work hard toward a goal but fail to recognize when it is achieved. To combat this, identify and visualize what success will look like when it is achieved.

9. Work in draft mode

Trying to be a one-take-wonder is setting yourself up for failure. Work in draft mode with the understanding that your paper or project can be refined.

A committee of people looked through your file, past accomplishments, and future potential. They compared you to other qualified applicants and decided to award you the prize or promotion. Are you saying that their efforts are misinformed or misguided? Are you calling them fools?

Related:ย How To Defeat Imposter Syndrome and Bring Success Into Your Life

Our minds are adept at playing tricks on us. The success is new so we donโ€™t know whether to be excited or fearful. Consider reframing imposter syndrome as a marker of success rather than a trigger for anxiety.

Take control of the situation, and work diligently to control what you can control. By doing so, you will be in the driverโ€™s seat, looking at imposter syndrome through the rear-view mirror.

Ruth Gotian is the chief learning officer and assistant professor of education in anesthesiology at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York City, and the author of The Success Factor. She was named the #1 emerging management thinker by Thinkers50. You can access her free list of conversation starters.ย 


Written Byย Ruth Gotian Ed.D., M.S.
Originally Appeared On Psychology Today
imposter syndrome

— Share —

Published On:

Last updated on:

,

— About the Author —

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Up Next

The Cure For Burnout

The Cure For Burnout: Important Things To Remember

Do you feel exhausted, unmotivated, and questioning why you even started? The cure for burnout isnโ€™t just to stop overworking but also chasing the wrong purpose.

How shifting your purpose can restore your joy.

Key points

Burnout often stems from chasing unattainable “Big P Purpose,” not personal fulfillment.

“Little P Purpose” focuses on enjoying the journey, not just achieving distant goals.

Adding joy to daily tasks can help combat burnout and boost career longevity.

Happiness comes from small moments, not just the next big achie

Up Next

Purpose-Driven Leadership: Being Intentional In An Unpredictable Environment

Effective Purpose Driven Leadership In Unpredictable Environment

Can we stay intentional and focused when faced with constant uncertainty? Purpose driven leadership provides clarity to navigate unpredictable environments successfully. Learn more about it!

Right now, it feels as if the world is on fireโ€”one crisis after another, across multiple arenas. There is economic uncertainty, political instability, rapid technological shifts and evolving definitions of workplace.

Itโ€™s easy to feel overwhelmed. As a psychologist, I would say itโ€™s even normal to feel overwhelmed. Some of that response is necessary and natural. By being conscious of these shifts, we protect ourselves from being even further shaken.

But it may surprise you to hear that the real solution to steady oneself in times of constant disruption is to seek and hold fast to purpo

Up Next

Stuck In Crisis Mode? Hereโ€™s The One Thing Youโ€™re Missing!

Stuck In Crisis Mode? Hereโ€™s The Thing Youโ€™re Missing!

Constantly firefighting, feeling overwhelmed, and stuck in crisis mode? What if thereโ€™s one thing youโ€™re missing that could change everything?

The surprising crisis tool you’ve been overlooking, and why it works.

Key points

Mentorship offers perspective to help you see beyond the immediate crisis.

A mentor provides emotional support, helping you feel heard and validated.

Mentors guide strategic problem-solving, offering clarity amid chaos.

Mentorship turns crisis moments into growth opportunities and resilience.

Up Next

7 Everyday Habits That Make You Look Unprofessional At Work

Worst Habits That Make You Look Unprofessional At Work!

Whether youโ€™re a fresh Gen Z recruit on your first job, a Millennial climbing the corporate ladder, or a Boomer with decades of experience, the way you present yourself can significantly impact your professional reputation. Below are 7 habits that make you look unprofessional at work.

The workplace is competitive and professionalism isnโ€™t just a bonus, itโ€™s essential for your career growth and success. And believe it or not, we unknowingly engage in unprofessional habits that make us look bad in the eyes of our colleagues, managers, even clients.

So, what are these unprofessional habits, and how can you avoid them? Here are seven common workplace missteps to steer clear of…

Read More Here:

Up Next

How To Embrace The Fear Of Change: 3 Transformative Steps

How To Embrace The Fear Of Change Transformative Steps

Many of us are afraid of change. Whether itโ€™s a new job, a new relatiomnship, or even going to the grocery store for the first time in months. In todayโ€™s Best Day Blog article and attached video, I will show you how to embrace the fear of change in three simple steps!

Why do we fear change?

Anything that we havenโ€™t seen, tasted, touched, felt, or smelled before will instantly trigger the fear response. This means that any time there is a change or you want to try something new; it is normal to be somewhat afraid.

We will all have the fight or flight response triggered when we face new experiences. Thereโ€™s nothing we can do to stop this natural reaction from happening.

Up Next

Love Shouldnโ€™t Feel Like A Full-Time Jobโ€” 4 Signs Youโ€™re Carrying The โ€˜Invisible Loadโ€™ In Relationships

Signs You're Carrying The Invisible Load In Relationships

Are you the only one remembering birthdays, keeping track of the grocery list, scheduling the doctorโ€™s appointment, or sensing the shift in moods before a single word is spoken? Thatโ€™s the invisible loadโ€”the weight of responsibilities, emotions, and mental labor that often falls on your shoulders without anyone noticing. 

And when love starts to feel like a full-time job, the burden becomes even heavier.

So What Is The Invisible Load In Relationships?

The term “invisible load” or mental load is described the unseen mental and emotional work that goes into managing a home or relationship, such as organizin

Up Next

The Story of That Thing You Loved Doing as a Kidโ€”But Quit

That Thing You Loved Doing As A Child, But Quit

Remember that thing you loved doing as a child? The one that made you lose track of time? Why did you stop? Let’s learn more about reconnecting with passions from our past.

Personal Perspective: Reconnecting with a past passion helps shape who you are.

Rediscovering Something You Loved Doing As A Child

hobbies and interests or passions from our