Affiliate Disclosure
Introduction
Imposter syndrome is widespread and affects people from all walks of life and ages. It often occurs in people who work hard and focus on their achievements to succeed. Those affected by Imposter Syndrome have difficulty perceiving and appreciating their successes and achievements. Instead, they feel uncomfortable and feel like they don’t deserve what they’ve accomplished.
Imposter syndrome, a definition
Imposter syndrome is a psychological phenomenon in which sufferers feel that they are incapable despite their successes and achievements. Worse, they believe that they are actually a scammer who was just lucky. It describes the feeling of not being good enough and often having the feeling that you could be exposed as a swindler at any time.
Why imposter syndrome is problematic
Imposter syndrome can lead to a number of negative effects, such as lack of self-confidence, anxiety, depression and burnout. It can also cause you to sabotage yourself, consciously or unconsciously. By not signing up for opportunities or challenges for fear that you are not good enough. Or it manifests itself in pronounced procrastination. You postpone necessary tasks further and further and do not manage to achieve your own goals. Perfectionism is another common symptom of imposter syndrome. All of this can lead to you being less successful overall than you could be, and eventually not living the life you want or could lead.
How I overcame my imposter syndrome
There are ways to deal with and overcome Imposter Syndrome. One way is to be aware that you are not alone and that many successful people have similar doubts. There are also many books and resources that deal with Imposter Syndrome and provide ways to deal with it.
One way to overcome imposter syndrome is to focus on your own successes and accomplishments and remember that you deserve them. It can be helpful to make a list of your achievements and remember what you’ve accomplished. Every evening I write 3 successes in my journal, as well as 3 goals for the next day. These are usually not earth-shattering, big things, but also small successes, are worth recognizing. But it can also be helpful to network with other people and seek support from friends and family or a professional therapist.
Apart from that, in my eyes, every person is like a puzzle that is made up of many pieces to create a special, unique picture. This reveals, on the one hand, the identity of the person in question, but also their “value” perceived by others. Of course, I don’t mean that every person is not equally valuable. But in a specific context. Here is an example:
Example of external perception
Someone who holds a doctorate in mathematics is more likely to get a professorship and a correspondingly higher salary if a university fills a vacancy. Because the university perceives it as a valuable resource. His knowledge and experience are the priority, his clothing style or his networth, for example, is probably of secondary importance or irrelevant for this university. But let’s assume that the mathematician in question also applies to a tech startup at the same time. They also appreciate his knowledge and experience, but also want him to create blog articles and appear as a person on the company’s website. For this company, the style of clothing and appearance of the mathematician will be at least as important as his knowledge. The two examples show how extremely different an evaluation of a person from the outside can be. And by that I don’t mean “evaluation” but the “benefit” attributed to a person in the context of a task.
The external perception has only peripherally something to do with you.
However, this assessment of the two companies described has nothing at all to do with the mathematician. But exclusively with themselves and their internal demands on themselves. That’s a huge difference. So if you don’t get a job, for example, you’re certainly disappointed sometimes, that’s fine. But it helps if you keep in mind that it has nothing to do with you as a person in a general understanding, but is only due to the company itself, because its assessment of the potential added value from an employment with you, in the context of the company identity and task, was not optimal.
Of course, there are a few general components that are perceived as particularly attractive and valuable in a person. People who combine a particularly large number of these components are likely to be more successful in general and are more likely to receive commitments from others. So if you very often experience rejection, rejection or any kind of perceived non-success, then it might be advisable to take a closer look and reflect on whether there are any aspects that you can change or improve.
Result
Imposter syndrome should be taken seriously, but it is possible to overcome it. By realizing that you are not alone, that you concentrate on your own successes and, if necessary, seek support, you can overcome the imposter syndrome and lead a fulfilled and successful life. It is important to remember that everyone has doubts and that it is normal to feel insecure at times.
I wish you a confident week.
All the best,
Christina
“What is certain is that nothing is certain. Not even that.”
Joachim Ringelnatz
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About the author
Christina Ernst is the founder and CEO of Linen & Quince. She is also a designer, writer and real estate expert. She shares her experience and knowledge not only in her personal blog on christinaernst.net , where she writes about financial literacy, business start-ups, real estate knowledge and personal development, but also on our Linen & Quince blog. There she regularly writes about interior design, fashion and lifestyle topics. She loves interior design, art, antiques as well as elegant, sustainable and high-quality fashion.
