Imposter Phenomenon

Ever get that feeling where, no matter how much praise comes our way, a voice inside whispers that we’re just “not good enough“?

If that’s been hitting home lately, let’s look at a few gentle ways to handle those thoughts.

 

Keep a “Success Journal”

  • Feeling like an imposter doesn’t make it true. When self-doubt creeps in, it helps to look at the evidence. Let’s keep a record of our wins—whether it’s a kind word from a colleague or a project we nailed. Having a list like this is a solid reminder of our own capabilities when our mind tries to tell us otherwise.

 

Spot the “Dismissal” Pattern

  • Let’s pay attention to that internal monologue when things go well. Do we find ourselves brushing off our accomplishments by thinking, “They were just being polite; that’s why they praised me.” or “I just got lucky”? Once we spot this pattern, let’s try to intentionally own those wins instead of shrugging them off. We earned them, after all!

 

Shift the “Pre-Game” Narrative

  • Often, we feel the need to work twice as hard just to hide our “perceived flaws”, so we don’t get “found out”. How about changing the script before starting a new task? Instead of fearing, “What if I can’t do this?” let’s try, “I am capable of doing this well”. It’s a chance to teach our brain that we can succeed without being driven by fear.

 

Don’t Carry It Alone

  • These feelings can seem so logical when kept locked inside our own heads. But talking about them with someone we trust often highlights how irrational those thoughts really are. It’s so much easier to see the brilliance in others and wonder why they feel like a fraud—and it turns out, the same applies to us. Sharing these feelings with a friend or trusted one can really take away their power.

 

Last but not least,

“You don’t have to be perfect to love yourself. Simply choosing to be kind to yourself on your off days might be all the ‘good enough’ your heart really needs.”

 

Reference
Clance, P. R., & Imes, S. A. (1978). The imposter phenomenon in high achieving women: Dynamics and therapeutic intervention. Psychotherapy: Theory, Research & Practice, 15(3), 241–247. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0086006