You are not alone. Whenever we take the next step in our professional journey, we are prone to imposter syndrome. Here's how you can overcome this feeling and recognize your strengths.
Imposter syndrome, first described by Pauline Chance and Suzanne Imes in the 1970s, is the idea that you were successful only because of luck, not talent or qualification. The syndrome is characterized by an inherent fear that others will expose you as a scam that creates a developing sense of anxiety and depression in the workplace. In essence, it is a struggle to internalize success and is common among high achievers.
It is not clear why the syndrome exists. Although the syndrome is not included in the DSM, it is a well-reconstructed phenomenon in the psychological literature and in everyday life. There is no exact answer as to why imposter syndrome occurs, and there are some conflicting theories as to its cause. Some experts believe this has to do with certain personality traits, while others believe it has behavioral causes. In all likelihood, it's likely a combination of personality and behavioral factors.
We know this is the case because teams that lack diversity, that have a culture of over-criticism and praise, and that have unrealistic expectations of their employees are more likely to induce imposter syndrome in their employees . Different teams help strengthen the norm and level playing field by removing the uncertainties that someone does not belong to others than they deserve. An open door policy and clearly defined goals make people feel uncontrolled by their workload. Above all, consistent and constructive feedback gives people the opportunity to internalize their success, which is the cause of imposter syndrome. It turns out that consistency is the key to success for managers and employees.
Consistency is the key to unlocking your potential
Do you know yourself?
There are a number of personality traits / styles with which there is a higher risk of developing and suffering from imposter syndrome. Below is a non-exhaustive list. By the time you're reading this post, one or two of these are likely to feel familiar.
The Perfectionist – You have extremely high expectations of yourself. Even if 99% of your goals are achieved, this is never enough and every little mistake will make you question your competence. All of your exercise prescriptions are perfect and never deviate from the evidence base. Your notes are flawed and you are doing unpaid overtime because it is taking too long.
The Expert – You need to know every piece of information before starting a project or using a new skill. You are constantly looking for new certifications or training to improve your skills and validate your expertise. You hesitate to ask a question in a meeting or supervision because you are afraid of looking amateurish if you don't already know the answer.
The natural genius – You are used to things that are easy for you. So if you struggle or have to work hard to achieve something, interpret this as not good enough. When you have to make an effort, your brain tells you that it is proof that you are a failure.
The Soloist – You feel like you have to do tasks yourself and if you need help you are a failure or a cheat. You call back all your patients yourself, book your own diary slots and are never asked by your rehab assistant to do a session for you or do exercises with your patients. You do everything.
The Superman or Superwoman – you push yourself to work harder than those around you to prove that you are not a cheater. They feel the need to be successful in all walks of life, to see patients, supervise them, get unemployed and get published. These are all things you need to do now. You feel stressed when you are not achieving anything.
Think like a non-impostor | Overcoming the imposter syndrome
There are a number of personal steps you can take to avoid feeling like a cheater. People who don't feel like cheaters are not smarter, more competent, or more capable than the rest of us. They just have a different attitude. This is great because to overcome imposter syndrome all we have to do is think like non-scammers. That being said, a change in mindset can seem insurmountable, but keep in mind that small changes will happen over time, so don't give up.
Most people remain silent when they suffer from imposter syndrome because it is part of the experience that if they talk about it, they will be exposed as a scam. If you take the first step and talk to someone about how you are feeling, you are well on your way to changing the way you think. Plus, you'll almost certainly find that others feel the same way. The next step will be to appreciate constructive criticism. Remember, feedback is not there to expose you as a scam, it is to help you leap forward and keep improving.
It is hard for you soloists out there to understand that if you don't ask for help, you are slowing your team down, and that you are likely to prevent them from learning and developing. For you, the burnout of super men or women is just around the corner, unless you take steps to build your resilience. Those who align themselves with the expert characteristics remember that you don't have to know everything to be good at your job. Understanding the Pareto Principle will be an upgrade.
To realize that not every task has to be done perfectly every time is easier said than done. But remember, consistency is your heroic skill – it builds up over time. Be consistently good, not consistently perfect – it is not achievable. It also goes without saying that learning new skills and knowledge is difficult for everyone, but not equally. Some people find things easier than others, but that doesn't mean they're not bright or intelligent, it's just the way it is. You cannot be good at everything.
How you can use the imposter syndrome to your advantage
This video is a different take on imposter syndrome. In this light-hearted (and very fun) video, learn how to spot the positives of struggling to come to terms with your success and feeling overwhelmed. The moral of the story is to keep doing what you are doing because you are probably doing something right.
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