{"id":6797,"date":"2017-05-20T16:57:55","date_gmt":"2017-05-20T20:57:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ioadvisory.com\/?p=6797"},"modified":"2020-02-25T15:51:03","modified_gmt":"2020-02-25T20:51:03","slug":"impostor-syndrome-how-it-makes-you-feel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ioadvisory.com\/blog\/impostor-syndrome-how-it-makes-you-feel\/","title":{"rendered":"Impostor Syndrome \u2026 there\u2019s nothing fake about how it makes you feel"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Woman<\/a>My biggest fear is that eventually, you will see me the way I see myself.<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

At work, do you ever have the feeling that you don\u2019t belong there? I don\u2019t mean in the context of fitting-in-with-the-cool-people-by-the water-cooler, but professionally speaking \u2026 do you suspect that you don\u2019t deserve the position you\u2019re in? Do you secretly fear that you don\u2019t have the necessary skills? If so, you\u2019re not alone. What you are experiencing has been labeled The Impostor Syndrome<\/a>. The label sounds dramatic but it\u2019s really about feeling undeserving of your achievements, that the success in your life is not real, while also feeling an overwhelming sense of incompetence \u2026 even when praised.<\/span><\/p>\n

This isn\u2019t some new \u2018syndrome\u2019 to coddle those who are unsure about themselves. Rather, it\u2019s a widely recognized problem that affects 60% – 70% of us at some point. It is even experienced by individuals who have made significant successes in their life.<\/span><\/p>\n

Many high achievers report feeling like intellectual frauds and unworthy of their career. I have encountered professionals who have expressed this unyielding sense of self- doubt and inadequacy when they walk into their workplace. This is equally true for those who have difficulty accepting recognition. This also applies to those who have come into unexpected fame or wealth \u2026 or both, and who now feel the only place to land is way down, after a fall from grace.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI have written eleven books, but each time I think, <\/em><\/strong>\u2018uh oh, they\u2019re going to find out now. I\u2019ve run a game on everybody, and they\u2019re going to find me out.\u2019\u00a0 \u2013 Maya Angelou<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"Even<\/a><\/p>\n

Recently, I spoke with a brilliant, award-winning writer from South Africa. Despite having a stellar resume filled with travel to attend prestigious writers\u2019 festivals, she explained that much of the time she feels like an Impostor. She described how listening to other writers speak about their success makes her unable able to take pride in her own work, and somehow makes her feel like an Impostor.<\/span><\/p>\n

This intrigued me because I\u2019ve seen the effects that the Impostor Syndrome has had on some of my clients. So, I asked this four-time published novelist,\u00a0\u201cWhat about the first time that you learned your book was going to be published internationally – weren\u2019t you happy?\u201d\u00a0Her response was surprising: \u201cTo be honest, the thought I had in my head was that I had fooled them. I even rushed to write another book just to prove I wasn\u2019t a fraud. Then, to add to the intense emotions of that accomplishment, I was honored with a very significant award. After the fact, I found out that I was the first black person ever to receive it. None of this success changed how phony I felt. I even felt ashamed for rejoicing in any of it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

After talking to this accomplished woman I wondered why so many ambitious, intelligent, hardworking people experience these feelings. Impostor Syndrome stretches across the spectrum of occupations too. It\u2019s a sentiment that\u2019s been acknowledged by doctors, teachers, lawyers, athletes, entrepreneurs \u2026 and also artists, actors, photographers, writers, and models. For people experiencing the Impostor Syndrome, the more they achieve the less genuine it feels and the worse they feel about themselves for enjoying it.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here are a few symptoms of the Impostor Syndrome<\/strong>:<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
    \n
  1. You\u2019re afraid that you will be found out or fired despite being applauded for good work.<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. You are hesitant to seek further achievements, such as seeking promotions or other exciting opportunities in the workplace. This is true for artists who will not showcase their work, or submit their writing for fear it isn\u2019t worthy.<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. You experience anxiety and\/or embarrassment if\/when you speak about your achievements with others.<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. You worry that your accomplishment isn\u2019t real, or will be taken away.<\/span><\/li>\n
  5. You fear that you got lucky and are not actually qualified for the position or award. Further, you fear that your success was given to you by chance, nepotism, or some other form of favouritism\/bias.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    To make sure we leave on a positive, note, here are some ways that you can cope when the Impostor Syndrome is having a negative impact on you:<\/span><\/p>\n

    Cope with the Impostor Syndrome by:<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

    1) Recognizing the benefits of being a novice<\/span><\/p>\n