How to Overcome Imposter Syndrome

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What is Imposter Syndrome

Imposter syndrome is when people apart from having a lot of achievements think and believes that they are not capable enough of anything. They are having a lack of confidence in themselves. Imposter syndrome makes one feel that he is a fraud, it creates self-doubt and people start to feel that they are unworthy of the things they have. This feeling makes people anxious and they continuously think that the people around them are much smarter than them, although this may not be true.

People who are having imposter syndrome start to criticize themselves; they stop themselves from speaking up in the public, leading big projects, organizing any event, etc. It also prevents them from doing the things they used to do earlier.

Not only this, they always suffer from a feeling of guilt in them. They have a constant fear that people will open them as a fraud in front of other people. This condition can affect anyone no matter what their age or socioeconomic status may be. It is also equally present in both men and women.

Researchers have said that almost 70 % of people have suffered from imposter syndrome at some point in their life. And it has affected the personal and professional growth of the persons involved.

Basically, it’s just a fear of the human mind because the human mind is wired in such a way that it always thinks of what other people are thinking about them. And it is the voice which is there in their head.

There is a lot of research done as to what causes this syndrome to happen. Researchers have found that human nature, personality traits, and social and cultural norms of the individual are there which makes people think in this way.

Researchers have also said that almost everyone at some point in time feels in the same way as the people with imposter syndrome feel.

Signs Of Imposter Syndrome

Goal settings are inflexible.
Avoidance of requesting promotion.
Avoidance of volunteering because it may create distractions that could compromise the quality of other tasks.
Attribute success to outside factors or just luck factor.
Their inner self keeps on telling and yelling at them that they cannot do a task and they believe in it.
There is an intense fear of failure.
They are having confidence in them but still, they are having a lack of confidence when in public.
Do not feel satisfied when finishing a task until they feel that they know “everything” about the subject.
They have stopped applying for a job because they think that there may be other experts who should fill out.
Turned down and not offered help so that they cannot prove themselves.

How To Overcome Imposter Syndrome?

Pep talks:

Pep talks are the talks that are done to make people confident and comfortable in uncomfortable situations. This can be done while standing in front of the mirror or taking help from friends.

Hard-work:

There should be a reminder that hard work is the key. They should make them remind that hard work is all and there no luck involved in your success. It is the hard work which you have done while you were in college and it has made you a successful person.

Try to surround yourself around people who like you:

This really works. When people are surrounded by people of the same intellect as they have, they likely to feel loved and respected. If people with imposter syndrome are surrounded by people who disrespect them, it will make them disappointed and hurt.

No one is perfect:

Perfection does not exist in anything and anyone. People have flaws in them. No one is perfect. This simply means that no matter how hard you are trying to please everyone and everything, you cannot be a superwoman or a superman. And remember one thing that you cannot make everyone happy. Everyone has imperfections.

Try to celebrate small wins:

Celebrating small wins can also boost your self-confidence and make you a successful person. It can be a game-changer for many of you. You should celebrate whatever you have succeeded in and recognize that you had done it. It can make a difference in how you feel and perform everyday tasks.