You put in the work, you researched and applied for your dream job, and you got it! But now that you’ve started it you’re worried that your secret will come out. Do they already know? We’ve all been there and juggled with self-doubt about how qualified we are for our jobs. Imposter syndrome is something we can grapple with no matter how far or early into our careers we are.
But how do we fight it? It’s not about how you prove it to everyone else, but how you prove it to yourself. The short answer is that we have to stop thinking like an imposter. Easier said than done. But there are a few things you can do to help, beginning with understanding what type or types of imposter syndrome you experience.
According to Dr. Valerie Young of the Imposter Syndrome Institute, there five types of imposter syndrome:
- The Perfectionist’s primary focus is on “how” something is done. This includes how the work is conducted and how it turns out. One minor flaw in an otherwise stellar performance or 99 out of 100 equals failure and thus shame.
- The Expert is the knowledge version of the Perfectionist. Here, the primary concern is on “what” and “how much” you know or can do. Because you expect to know everything, even a minor lack of knowledge denotes failure and shame.
- The Soloist cares mostly about “who” completes the task. To make it on the achievement list, it has to be you and you alone. Because you think you need to do and figure out everything on your own, needing help is a sign of failure that evokes shame.
- The Natural Genius also cares about “how” and “when” accomplishments happen. But for you, competence is measured in terms of ease and speed. The fact that you have to struggle to master a subject or skill or that you’re not able to bang out your masterpiece on the first try equals failure which evokes shame.
- The Superhuman measures competence based on “how many” roles they can both juggle and excel in. Falling short in any role — as a manager, team member, or volunteer — all evoke shame because they feel they should be able to handle it all — perfectly and easily.
Below are a few tips to help you fight imposter syndrome.
Make a list
We’ve all made a pro/con list at one point or another. Fighting imposter syndrome is similar, except instead of pros and cons, you’re listing evidence that shows you’re inadequate at the task/project/role on one side, and evidence that you are adequate on the other. Once you start to actually write them out, you’ll start to see more reasons you are qualified versus the reasons you’re not that are more about emotion and less about skills and knowledge. This allows you to see proof of your competency in a way that you can fully acknowledge.
Reassess, refocus, and reframe
Whenever we feel like we don’t know what we’re doing or how we got here, and that voice of doubt is creeping in, it can be a good time to take a step back.
- Reassess your priorities and goals. This can be on a project-by-project basis, or even overall in a role or relationship. Do you still have the same goals you did when you started or have they shifted?
- Refocus on your goals. Once you’ve figured out why you’re doing it you can take more time to figure out exactly how to get there. Whether the priorities and goals are the same or new, it can be helpful to reprioritize.
- Reframe your thinking and process. Think about your strengths and how those can help you achieve your goals. Or is it time to upskill or learn something new? If we reframe our thought process and approach to the end-goal, we allow room for understanding of our strengths and limitations, which allows us to continue to grow.
Don’t forget about failure
Whether we like it or not, failure is just a part of life. We don’t have to let it define us, though. We can and should take time to learn from it. When we think about a growth mindset, we tend to forget that failure is a big part of that growth in the form of resilience. That resiliency allows us to work toward overcoming failure, and by using the reassess, refocus, and reframe steps above we can find our new motivation. Failure also allows us to be flexible. When we leave this room for failure and error, we can adapt quickly to changes and allow for more creativity in problem solving. It’s a chance to really shine in adversity and humility.
Look for feedback and remember to breathe
Humility when you are experiencing imposter syndrome can sometimes be hard to come by. In our quest to not appear as a fraud, we can rely too much on ego to carry us through. A trusted and respected source of constructive feedback is vital in this situation. Humbling ourselves through feedback shows that we appreciate what others are trying to tell us, but it also allows us to see what others truly think of us and the work we’re doing. Suddenly you feel less like a fake and more equipped to meet your goals.
And sometimes the most basic things are the ones we forget to do most often! Take time to breathe and ground yourself in your physical space and be fully present for a moment. Then get back to it.
It can be tough to navigate through feelings of imposter syndrome, but taking these tips can help y0u manage it a little better. If you’re in need of a more personal approach to combat imposter syndrome, we encourage you to seek out the help of a mental health professional.