Overcoming Impostor Syndrome

Ever felt like you were not as good as your colleagues at work or your peers at school? You are not alone. The first time we experience this feeling, we usually do not have the name for it. However, after a few individual therapy sessions, discussions with others, or even a quick Google search (something we all like to do daily), we are finally able to identify what is going on with us. Impostor syndrome. Impostor syndrome occurs when we find ourselves in good positions and we feel like we are a “fraud.” Or, as some like to say, “faking it until you make it.” The reality is that you are not a fraud. You are not in your position just by chance. You have made several decisions to be where you are today, whether that is taking the courses needed to be eligible for the role, or practicing the skills needed to be great in the role. Impostor syndrome is more common than we think and can come up in various aspects of our lives. Here are three skills that we can all use to overcome impostor syndrome:

1. Fact Checking

What are the facts? What are the credentials you have that made you eligible for the position? What positive impacts or reviews have you had from the people you have worked with? Remind yourself of who you are and what you bring to the table.

2. Affirmations

Yes, we know they are cringy. If you are new to affirmations, it is okay to not truly believe every word that is coming out of your mouth. This is something that we can work on. We can increase our belief in that affirmation as time passes. But speak positivity over your life. If there is a task that you are not great at, tell yourself that you will master it.

3. Journal

Don’t we all hate it? Well, some of us. People who find a way to pick up the pen to write or draw their thoughts are sometimes able to overcome impostor syndrome in the moment by putting on paper all the self-doubt that is ruminating in their head. Once these negative thoughts are on paper, we make room for more positive thoughts.

It will be unfortunate if we don’t identify how impostor syndrome shows up for us in the first place. First and foremost, there are many reasons why impostor syndrome comes to visit us, but we will discuss two. Impostor syndrome can easily originate in home environments where there is a high value placed on achievement. Ever felt like you had to be perfect or do things perfectly? Well, that may have been the start of your road. Have you ever felt like you didn’t belong or that you were the only person in the room who looked differently? Yup, no wonder you felt like a fraud. You were led to believe unconsciously that no one who looks like you have ever achieved the success you have today.

If you are going through impostor syndrome, you are not alone. Learning how to fight back the thoughts of not feeling that you are good enough can be difficult. With these three beginner tips, you can begin the journey of receiving everything that belongs just to you.

---

Journal Prompt: What is one thing you have not yet accomplished due to experiencing impostor syndrome? How do you plan to overcome this barrier and achieve the success you deserve?