Imposter Syndrome

Ever had the creeping feeling you shouldn’t be somewhere? That you’re under qualified, not suited to the task at hand, taking someone else’s place? You’ve accidentally convinced everyone that you’re right for the job – but it’s all been a massive mistake.

You’re probably suffering from Imposter Syndrome. 

Imposter Syndrome is that sudden hot panic the moment you accept a job you’ve been dreaming of - when you should be feeling pleased but all you get is a knot in your stomach. 

You may have worked for hours, built yourself from the ground and made thousands of sacrifices to achieve your dreams – but the moment they arrive, they’re accompanied by a feeling of anxiety. Despite knowing how much effort you’ve put in, you can’t shake the sense of being a fraud, that your achievements and rewards will be retracted any minute. 

Plenty of people suffer from Imposter Syndrome, from the small-business owners to Hollywood stars. The grander the success, the increased likelihood of Imposter Syndrome seeping in and stealing your enjoyment of it. Even though we may perceive someone as extraordinarily successful, there’s always a chance they are struggling with the same feeling of fraudulence we have all felt at one time or another. 

The truth is Imposter Syndrome is deeply frustrating. Perhaps deep down, you know your achievements are justified, but you can never enjoy them fully without a faint dread of being exposed. 

You may have heard of the Dunning-Kruger effect; or you may have experienced it without knowing. When you begin a new endeavour, it can be daunting – whether it’s picking up a paintbrush for the first time or leaping into a new business. You are filled with self-doubt, unsure why you thought this was ever a good idea, as you make the first tentative brush strokes. But actually, it’s not too bad. You’ve just started and you’re already better than you thought! 

However, as you progress, you become more aware of your weaknesses, the gaps in your knowledge. The vast chasm between you and the real experts of the field become devastatingly apparent. You realise you’ll never be Van Gogh, not even close, and you stuff away the paintbrushes forever to collect dust. The Dunning-Kruger effect elucidates how beginners in the field can be far more self-confident than the experts, who tend to under-estimate their own abilities. 

In other words, your Imposter Syndrome is a symptom of your growing ability. Your brain simply hasn’t caught up with your hard work.  

So, you’ve identified your own Imposter Syndrome, but what can you do about it? It’s a difficult one to tackle and there certainly isn’t an overnight fix. It’s important to bear in mind these feelings are not a reflection of your own inadequacy, and plenty of successful people suffer with them. Sharing your experiences and concerns can be helpful. Have a conversation with friends and you may discover they’ve undergone similar self-doubt. 

Imposter Syndrome is far more common than we realise. By opening a dialogue about our doubt and anxiety, we can separate these debilitating feelings from our actual capabilities. Let’s get talking: I’d love to hear your experiences and how you overcame Imposter Syndrome. 

Emily
Founder @ Evolve Chelsea