Often called the “impostor complex,” Pauline Clance, PhD, initially referred to it as the “impostor phenomenon.”
Imposter syndrome is the psychological experience of feeling like a fake or a phony despite any genuine success that you have achieved. It can show up in the context of work, relationships, friendships, or just overall. It is a very common and frustrating phenomenon because it holds us back from the self-confidence we have earned and deserve to feel.
The four P’s are People Pleasing, Perfectionism, Paralysis, and Procrastination, according to global Imposter Syndrome expert Clare Josa, who defined them based on her seminal Imposter Syndrome Research Studies.
Types of Imposter Syndrome
According to researcher Dr. Valerie Young, there are five impostor types:
1. The Perfectionist:
In this type of Imposter syndrome, success is rarely satisfying because they believe they could have done even better or acted better, but it is neither productive nor healthy in any form.
Owning your stand and celebrating your achievements is good if you want to avoid burnout, be content, and cultivate self-confidence.
2. The Superwoman/man:
In this type of Imposter syndrome, workaholics are addicted to the validation that comes from working and not to the work itself. Train yourself to veer away from this external validation.
No one should have more power to make you feel good about yourself than you—even your boss when they give your project the stamp of approval. Also, learn to take constructive criticism seriously, not personally.
3. The Natural Genius:
In this type of imposter syndrome, people under this category set their internal bar and standards very high, just like perfectionists.
But geniuses don’t just judge themselves based on ridiculous expectations. They judge themselves based on getting things right on the first try. When they are not able to do something quickly or fluently, their alarm sounds.
4. The Soloist:
In this type of Imposter syndrome, the lone wolf category, people tend to do things on their own without asking for help.
Being independent is great, but not to the extent that you refuse assistance in order to prove your worth.
5. The Expert:
When it comes to imposter syndrome of this kind, building up your skill set can help you advance professionally and maintain your competitiveness in the job market.
However, if this inclination is allowed to go out of control, it can lead to procrastination as well. They fear being exposed as unskilled or ignorant because they feel they will never know enough.
How Imposter Syndrome Affects Our Mental Health And Things Around Us
Here are the symptoms of the ways imposter syndrome can impact your mental health and affect your space:
- Low self-esteem.
- Anxiety and depression.
- Limited personal growth.
- Strained relationship.
- Burnout.
- Discounting Praise.
- Overworking.
- Fear of Exposure.
- Attributing Success to External Factors.
How To Overcome Imposter Syndrome
1. Share your feelings and try to reframe your views.
2. Let go of perfectionism.
3. Celebrate your wins and success.
4. Practice Self-Compassion.
5. Challenge your inner critic.
6. Set Realistic Expectations: Recognise that you cannot achieve perfection. Establish attainable objectives and acknowledge that making errors and growing from them is acceptable.
Acknowledging your humanity and fallibility might lessen the pressure to be perfect.
How To Embrace Your Strengths And Accomplishments
1. Practicing positive words of affirmations daily-
For example, “I deserve this”, “I can do this”, “I am capable”, “I’m competent”.
2. Set personal achievable goals.
3. Owning your success.
4. Developing your mindset.
5. Seeking for help when you need it.
Conclusion
In summary, Imposter syndrome can severely hinder personal and professional development, but it is not impenetrable. You may overcome self-doubt by identifying your emotions, reframing negative beliefs, and concentrating on your strengths and accomplishments. Remember, you are not alone on this path; getting help from others can make a big difference. Accept your strengths, enjoy your triumphs, and let yourself thrive with confidence and sincerity.
