What do Michelle Obama, Sheryl Sandberg, and Howard Schultz have in common? They have all publicly claimed to have imposter syndrome.
While often self-diagnosed, this syndrome can cause some serious personal and professional side effects, such as feelings of inadequacy, butterflies in the stomach, and anxiety from insecurities. No one wants these symptoms, so let’s break down what imposter syndrome is and how to overcome it to be your best self!
According to helpguide.org, impostor syndrome is “the tendency to believe your success is undeserved and that someday people will realize you’re a fraud.” This happens to ordinary people and those at the top of their profession, including business leaders, actors, musicians, and creators. Research from the University of Cincinnati shows that at least 80% of people have felt imposter syndrome at some point, so you certainly aren’t alone.
Believe it or not, I am one of the 20% who haven’t felt it. Why? Well, let me explain.
When I hear someone say they have imposter syndrome, what I hear is that they think someone else is doing something differently than they are doing to get where they are or see success. And what this says to me is that the person is caught in the vicious and often unrelenting grip of comparison.
Here’s the truth: Someone might be better than you at the thing you are doing. Actually, it’s 100% probable that someone is better than you at the thing you are doing. But what does that ultimately have to do with you? Are you in a footrace with said person for the last piece of food on the planet? No. So don’t fixate on it.
Two things can be true: someone might be working harder, they might be more talented, etc. AND you can also know what you are doing and be doing it at a high level. What about these two facts makes you an imposter? If you think of it as a professional team sport, there might be a star player, but everyone on the field has a reason to have their jersey. So, don’t overlook that you are in the game, and you are scoring goals.
Remember: Scottie Pippen and Michael Jordan BOTH have six championship rings.
For me, maybe my resume isn’t the same as that of my colleagues, but our differences don’t make us imposters. They just might put us in different positions on the field. All valuable and necessary, but different.
If I haven’t convinced you yet, maybe my tips will help you cure your imposter syndrome. Of course, I’m no doctor, but here is my prescription:
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Accept Your Feelings
Your feelings of insecurities feel real, and that’s okay. You can take it in, take a breath, and let go of those butterflies in your stomach. Understand that most people share your concerns for themselves. It’s okay to have them and okay to get rid of them, too. Feelings of uncertainty about a new endeavor or a big risk don’t make you an imposter; they make you human.
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Be Your Own Cheerleader
Do you ever hear yourself talking about your accomplishments and saying, “Oh, it wasn’t that big of a deal” or “I wasn’t the only one working on it” or something to that effect? Stop. YOU did the things and rightfully own the accomplishments. Chances are, you didn’t get to where you are strictly by luck. So, be proud of it, and stop minimizing what you have succeeded in because that mindset isn’t helping you. The marketing expert in me wants you to know that you need to internally and externally market yourself. If you aren’t your own cheerleader, no one else will be either.
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STOP COMPARING
This one is in all capital letters for a reason. Stop comparing yourself right now. Just stop. Many of those suffering from imposter syndrome spend less time focusing on their own accomplishments and more time comparing themselves to others. Comparison is the thief of joy and the head coach of the imposter syndrome squad. This is a huge factor in feeling like an imposter. You can’t feel like you aren’t living up to someone if you aren’t comparing yourself to them. Everyone has their own path. Every team player has their own position. And it’s for a reason. Your successes will look different than the person next to you, and that’s just enough. I’ll say it again: Scottie Pippen and Michael Jordan BOTH have six championship rings.
Now that you have the guidebook, today is the first day for you to step into that 20% of us who don’t suffer from imposter syndrome. You can overcome it, you can get in the game, and you can be a player. The only thing stopping you is yourself, so GET OUT THERE!
