Are You for Real? Or Are You An Imposter??

You are an overachiever.  You are the team leader and the ice breaker.  You have x-ray vision and can leap tall buildings in a single bound.  At least that’s how others see you.  But how you feel is a completely different matter.

When you go home at the end of the day, you wonder what made it all work out and why others look up to you.  Oh, you feel like Superman alright, but there’s a small piece of Kryptonite that’s gotten stuck on you, and you just can’t seem to shake it.  You really are terrific but you are suffering.  You have Imposter
Syndrome.

Although the condition is not found in the DSM, the mental health professionals’ bible, it has been a topic of research for psychologists and is commonly found among ambitious, top-level professionals.  Professional everything, in fact; from actors and writers to supreme court justices and business executives, the syndrome appears to favor women but has been seen in a sprinkling of men as well.  The syndrome is characterized by an individual’s inability to internalize success with the feeling that she is not who others think she is, but rather an imposter whose high achievements should be dismissed as undeserved, illusionary or a stroke of luck.  The person believes herself as a fraud who unintentionally fools everyone into believing she is accomplished, unable to accept the validity of her own successes.

If you’re thinking that you’ve accidently stumbled upon a psychology blog, think again.  As is the case in life, the way we feel about ourselves has much to do with our stress levels and our performance.  And with the number of high ranking positions we fill within our industries, it’s important to acknowledge this esteem attacker which affects an estimated 70% of successful career climbers in various fields.  The professionals that we work with are prime targets for this self-demeaning force.

So, if you find yourself explaining away your accomplishments with comments like “I just got lucky” or “I really have no idea how I won this award”, it’s probably a good time for an emotional overhaul.  But where do you start?

First you must consider perspective.  It’s easy to be aware of all the things you DON’T know, but to others you are an expert on something.  Understand that all of your education and experiences are assets that others value.  Internalize your talents; they are a part of you.

Second, your personal weaknesses known only to you and your loved ones do not subtract from your public successes.  Both strengths and weaknesses cohabit in each individual.  Don’t expect more than that because that thing called a pulse will keep you from becoming anything more than human.  But remember that all things are equal because everyone else is human too.

Finally, realize that you are not alone; in fact the majority of the high-achieving population also thinks they are fraudulently held in high regard by their peers.  Even Kate Winslet is a bona fide “imposter” and we thought she was epic in “Titanic”.

So the next time you receive a compliment or an award, take it and run with it – you deserve it!!!