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Imposter Syndrome is experienced internally as chronic self-doubt and feelings of intellectual fraudulence.
Do you tend to be overly critical of yourself? Don’t worry, you are not alone. Here are 6 different types of Imposter Syndrome women suffer from.
Even after writing eleven books and winning several prestigious awards, Maya Angelou doubted that she had earned her accomplishments. Albert Einstein also described himself as an involuntary swindler whose work did not deserve the attention it had received.
Feeling inadequate, unworthy, and undeserving of success, along with the fear of being exposed as a fraud, is called the imposter syndrome.
The California Institute of Technology Counselling Centre defines imposter syndrome, as a collection of feelings of inadequacy that persist even in the face of information indicating that the opposite is true.
It is experienced internally as chronic self-doubt and feelings of intellectual fraudulence. People who suffer from imposter syndrome share some common traits.
Valerie Young, an expert on Imposter Syndrome, shares that the following kind of people who experience imposter syndrome.
They set extremely high expectations from themselves and always feel that their work could be better. They focus on flaws and mistakes and ruminate about them for days.
It reflects in their behaviour toward others. They are control freaks; they micromanage and find it difficult to delegate.
Many of them feel the need to know everything before starting a project. They fear they will never know enough. They are forever pursuing new certifications or training programs to learn more.
Likewise, they undervalue their expertise. They do not apply for a job unless they meet all the criteria advertised. They hesitate to speak up out of the fear of looking stupid if they don’t already know the answer.
They get used to mastering new skills quickly and easily. Often feel ashamed and weak if they need to work hard to understand/accomplish something.
They interpret having to put in the effort as proof of being incompetent. They dislike the idea of taking help and even having a mentor. Not only that, but they may avoid challenges out of the fear that they may not crack the problem on the first try.
Soloist feel compelled to accomplish everything on their own. If they cannot achieve what they have set out without any help, they feel incompetent. And brand themselves as fraud.
They are known to put in extreme efforts to succeed and prove that they’re not imposters. They cannot enjoy the leisure and do not make time to pursue hobbies or interests other than work.
Sometimes being different from most of your peers in any way, e.g., race, gender, sexual orientation, etc. can impact self-worth and make you feel like a person who has cheated to get to the place they are currently occupying.
To summarize, if you suffer from imposter syndrome, know that some of the most accomplished people in the world also struggle with it.
Try out the tips mentioned above and figure out which one or combination helps you. Above all, be kind to yourself!
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