Home / Health & Wellness Articles / News / Feeling like a Fraud?  It Might Be Imposter Syndrome

Feeling like a Fraud?  It Might Be Imposter Syndrome

Doubting our abilities, lacking confidence, or feeling incompetent in the workplace can be signs of imposter syndrome and it’s a common mindset for many of us. Imposter syndrome effects about 70% of people at some point in their lives and the best way to overcome it is to better understand it. Below are answers to commonly asked questions about imposter syndrome that can help us all.

Q: What is imposter syndrome?

A: Imposter syndrome is the feeling of being less competent than you actually are, and can include a fear of being “found out,” that you’re not competent and that you are misleading people or inflating your abilities in some way.

Q: Who does imposter syndrome happen to?

A: Though imposter syndrome can be experienced by anyone, it is most commonly experienced by women and members of historically marginalized communities. For people in these communities, feelings of “otherness” can already be commonplace, especially depending on their role in the workplace.

Q: How does social media play a role?

A: Social media is a perfectly curated view into other peoples’ lives, often times showing only positive highlights. This can give us an unrealistic view of the real life challenges and leave us feeling less than.

Q: Aside from social media, what else can trigger imposter syndrome?

A: As we learn more in life, we also become aware of things we didn’t know before. Instead of recognizing this as normal, those with imposter syndrome may begin to internalize it and start to believe that they don’t know as much as they think they do, and aren’t worthy of their professional roles.

Q: What can I do to overcome Imposter Syndrome?

A: Usually, imposter syndrome comes from a narrative we have in our heads without evidence, so asking yourself things like:

  •  Do I actually have a reason to believe this?
  • Has my supervisor given me feedback that my performance is not meeting expectations?
  • Have colleagues told me that my work is not up to par?

If you have no evidence, to support your self-doubt, you can then start crafting a more positive narrative about your competency. It’s important to remind yourself that if at any point you aren’t up to par or are underperforming in some way, it will be brought to your attention.

Sometimes imposter syndrome occurs when we’ve tried something new, and it didn’t go the way we expected it to. Mistakes are a very normal part of the learning process.When trying something new for the first time, we wouldn’t expect someone else to get it perfectly on their first try, so giving ourselves grace is key.

If you are experiencing overwhelming feelings of workplace anxiety and self-doubt, Centerstone can help. We can work together to help you feel like your best, most confident self. To learn more, visit our counseling services page, or call 877-HOPE123 (1-877-467-3123).



Related Posts

Relationships
Health & Wellness
For some people, being single can be an awesome experience, and for others, not so much. Feelings of not ...
Mental Health
Health & Wellness
Many of us have heard the saying, “comparison is the thief of joy,” but what does that really mean? ...
News
Health & Wellness
Can hobbies really lead to happiness? Absolutely! Developing a new skill or hobby helps keep our minds sharp and ...
News
Health & Wellness
Have you ever felt down as the seasons change and the days get shorter? Or maybe you experience lingering ...
News
Health & Wellness
The day-to-day life of a first responder is much different than for the rest of us. Instead of worrying ...

Call Now

Skip to content
Centerstone Logo
Centerstone
Customer.care@centerstone.org
1921 Ransom Place, Nashville, TN, 37217, US
877-467-3123
Centerstone Alton Office