Have you ever felt undeserving of an accomplishment? Or felt like you didn’t belong?
There’s a name for this. It’s called the “imposter syndrome.”
It’s characterized by a pattern of self-doubt. A belief that no matter how hard you work, or how many awards you achieve, that it’s only a matter of time before someone exposes you as a “fraud.”
My own struggles with the imposter syndrome
There have been plenty of moments in my life where I have been afraid of success or felt undeserving of a good opportunity.
I vividly remember one instance in the afternoon before my second-round interview with McKinsey and Company. There I was, eating a catered lunch, surrounded by Ivy Leagues with MBAs.
What was someone like me – an engineer with a bachelor’s degree from Michigan – doing on the 30th floor of a highrise in Chicago with these people?
“I must have passed the first-round on accident,” I thought. “Surely I’m not qualified to work for a top consulting firm.”
This wasn’t the first or the last time I felt like a total fraud.
If you’ve ever felt this way, don’t worry. You’re in good company.
We’re all frauds
It was encouraging when I learned that the imposter syndrome is a common feeling, especially among high-achievers.
According to one popular study, 70% of us experience the imposter syndrome to various degrees at one point or another.
Even some of the most successful business leaders, athletes and entertainers struggle with self-doubt.
In an interview with the New York Times, Howard Schultz, former CEO of Starbucks gave the following advice:
Very few people, whether you’ve been in that job before or not, get into the seat and believe today that they are now qualified to be the C.E.O. They’re not going to tell you that, but it’s true. So everyone you meet has a level of insecurity. The level of insecurity that you have is a strength, not a weakness. The question is, how are you going to use it?
Actress and comedian Tina Fey has also been quoted regarding her personal struggles with feeling like a fraud.
Ah, the impostor syndrome!? The beauty of the impostor syndrome is you vacillate between extreme egomania and a complete feeling of: ‘I’m a fraud! Oh god, they’re on to me! I’m a fraud!’ So you just try to ride the egomania when it comes and enjoy it and then slide through the idea of fraud. Seriously, I’ve just realized that almost everyone is a fraud, so I try not to feel too bad about it.
These are just two stories of personal insecurity. You’ll find that everyone has them.
But not everyone deals with it effectively.
Choosing Your Response
Expectations in your first job are going to be higher than ever.
As companies continue to automate the mundane, behind-the-scenes tasks typically reserved for rookie hires, it becomes increasingly likely that your entry-level position will be more client facing, require a higher level of personal autonomy, leadership and decision making.
The good news is that you’ll have a great opportunity to make a real impact right out of college. But it also means that you may be faced with more uncertainty and self-doubt.
You must learn how to deal with the anxiety of the imposter syndrome perhaps more so than any other generation before you.
Escaping the feeling of the imposter syndrome altogether won’t be possible. But how you respond to it is.
Here are three coping mechanisms that might help…
- Acknowledge that the feeling is common
You’re not unique. As we’ve just seen, many people – even those who have made it to the very top of their respective professions – struggle with the imposter syndrome.
When you consciously acknowledge the fear of inadequacy, you can start to put it into perspective. It’s just a feeling, not an accurate reflection of who you are or what you’re capable of.
- Celebrate your successes
It’s okay to pat yourself on the back every once in a while. Humility is noble, but that doesn’t mean you should never appreciate a job well done.
Take a moment and reflect: When was the last time you celebrated a personal accomplishment?
Cultivate your self-confidence with a dose of praise from time to time. Recall all of the hard work you put in. It’s a healthy reminder that your success wasn’t the result of pure chance or luck.
- Separate your self-worth from your work
Is your self-worth tied to your performance at work?
One way to tell is to ask yourself, “Do I take constructive criticism personally?”
The imposter syndrome is common among workaholics who get their personal validation through the work that they do. It’s an easy trap to fall into, especially for young professionals.
If you feel pressure to work an unreasonable schedule in order to keep up appearances with your colleagues, it may be time to reassess your priorities.
Don’t anchor your self-worth to your work.
Conclusion
I’m going to give you permission to try something…Ready?
Indulge yourself, if ever so briefly, in the belief that you deserve to be in the position you’re in. You earned this success.
Was some luck involved? Sure.
Did you get help from a mentor? You bet.
But neither disqualify you from celebrating this achievement and owning the results that come next.
Embrace your capabilities. Don’t discount the value you bring to the table.
Have you ever felt undeserving of an opportunity, or like you didn’t belong? How have you dealt with feelings of self-doubt?
Let me know in the comments below.
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