"Everyone else is better than me. I am not as good as people think I am and sooner or later someone is going to find out. "
This is something I hear so many times in my coaching sessions, so many people feel this way. Do you? You may have come across this phenomenon before but if not, let me tell you a little more about Imposter Syndrome.
Imposter Syndrome
Imposter Syndrome is the feeling that we are not as good as other people think we are and that we will be found out. It is often attributed as being particularly prevalent amongst high achieving women but I would say I see it as often in men. This belief can lead to you discounting your achievements and being harder on yourself than you need to be.
Let's start with a little test. Do you (or have you) ever:
- Struggle to internalise your accomplishments
- Feel that others think you are better than you are
- Attribute any success you may have to being 'lucky'
- Worry you will be found out
- Feel like a fraud
- Believe the fact that you are able to do something means that it can't be a difficult thing to do
- Focus on what you can't do, rather than valuing what you can do
If you answered yes to more than one of these you may be suffering from Imposter Syndrome. Everyone suffers from it to a certain degree, in fact, it has been claimed that 70% of people suffer from Imposter Syndrome at some point in their life. Whether you feel it in relation to your employment, a project or raising your kids, rest assured - it's very common.
I am sure you won't be surprised to learn that people who suffer from Imposter Syndrome are often perfectionists being concerned that being 'good enough' is never 'good enough' for them. Sound familiar? If so, you may find that you push yourself further and harder to compensate for these feelings (hence your success) which can result in you feeling like you are even more of an imposter! Arghh. A vicious circle. The key is achieving a balance, insecurity can drive you to work harder and thus be more successful but if out of balance it can lead to a chronic lack of confidence.
A quick exercise to banish Imposter Syndrome
I have good news and bad news.
The good news is that you can overcome Imposter Syndrome. The bad news is that it will take time. I don't have time in a blog post to help you work through any feelings of Imposter Syndrome you may have (that's where the coaching sessions are perfect) but I can give you a tool which might help. Do you ever struggle to accept a compliment? Try this (I ask you to go into this with an open mind and to be open to thinking that change is possible) :
Can you think of 5 people whose opinions you trust and respect and who would be completely honest with you? Good. Now, I want you to write/email/message them with the following 5 questions (they should take no more than 5 minutes to answer):
- what do you most admire about me?
- what do you consider to be my greatest strength?
- what do you consider being my greatest achievement?
- what one thing could I change for my own benefit?
- what one word sums me up for you?
This exercise helps you to see what others are saying and to practice accepting a compliment.
"Imagine a compliment as a gift: you wouldn't reject a birthday present would you? So why reject a compliment?" - Kim Morgan, MD Barefoot Coaching
When you read the replies repeat what they have said, in the first person e.g. if they say 'I admire your ability to stay calm in a difficult situation' then you would say to yourself 'I am able to stay calm in difficult situations'. Remember to thank the people who fed back too!
If when you read the feedback you find it difficult to accept I would remind you to assess who gave the feedback to you - someone you trust and respect who you chose because of their honesty.
What if you vacillate from imposter to feeling that you’re better than everyone else?
Hi Robin. Thanks for your question. I think maybe it’s two sides of the same coin when we feel this way. I know sometimes that when I have felt better than everyone else it’s been a defence mechanism because really, I don’t feel better than everyone else or sometimes is a coping mechanism that I am working harder to prove that I am not what I think I am.
Hello, I have the same concern, What should we do abt it?
Hello, I have the same concern, What should we do about it?
I dont have anyone i can talk to. What should i do?
Hi Stacey, I don’t know where in the world you are but do you have a helpline to call? Or is there a coach/therapist you could talk to – depending on what you need to talk about?
I was promoted to a Manager of operations, but I constantly feel that I am not good enough nd that I may not meet expectations. How can I get rid of the fear of failure in my new role?
Hi Lidija, I would recommend that you keep a note of all the things you achieve (and have already achieved in your career) so that you can look at those and remind yourself. I would also encourage you to remember that failing is an opportunity to grow and learn so if you do make a mistake then being kind to yourself and looking at what you can learn for the future.
I was a schoolar during my secondary days and everyone has high expectations for me but coming to the university almost everyone is better than me, what should I do.
Promise, I would spend some time journaling on what YOU want and what your strengths are. If you don’t know, I would encourage you to ask someone you trust to tell you. You might be surprised.
I just feel I am dumber than everyone and am not like all the smartest people in the world. I was born dumb and retarded and that’s what everyone always believe and that’s what I’ve always been treated as. I just wish I wasn’t even living in this life right now and my whole family doesn’t even like or love me and I no longer deal with them. I am a waste of life and feel like taking my life at anytime.
Omar, I don’t know you but I don’t believe that anyone is dumb. I think that we all have different gifts. I would encourage you to reach out and get some support from some mental health professionals. Where are you in the world?