We’ve all heard of imposter syndrome, but what is it, exactly? In simple terms, it is a condition in which a successful person feels inadequate, unqualified, or otherwise like a fraud in their given profession. When we hear about this syndrome, we’re often drawn to its negative repercussions.
The Negative Impacts of Imposter Syndrome
Imposter syndrome can be identified by the following characteristics:
Downplaying or refusing to acknowledge your accomplishments
Avoiding feedback
Not asking for help
Skipping over new opportunities
Constantly second-guessing yourself
Procrastination
Chronic burnout
Obviously, these qualities can hold us back professionally as well as impact our mental and emotional health. It’s difficult to reach our full potential when we ourselves are responsible for holding ourselves back. This is different from being held back by outside factors, such as being passed over for a promotion or wrestling with setbacks.
Imposter syndrome can stunt your career if you’re not careful!
But if you recognize these qualities in yourself, you can channel imposter syndrome into something you can benefit from. Don’t let your feeling of fraud hold you back — instead, focus on the potential advantages.
3 Ways to Use Imposter Syndrome for Your Benefit
1) Let Your Inner Imposter Crush Your Limitations
Once you recognize that you feel like an imposter in your life or in your work, knowing that these are not rational feelings, you can begin to champion the opportunities in front of you. Some of us are perfectionists (a form of imposter syndrome) in which we believe we have to do everything perfectly the first time.
However, you feel inadequate. Inexperienced. Unqualified. Instead of convincing yourself that you are none of those things, embrace inexperience and the opportunity to learn. Use these feelings to allow yourself to try new things and to fail at them. This is the only way we get better. Instead of letting the imposter in your paralyze progress, use it to fuel your curiosity and drive you to try new things — even the things you won’t succeed at.
2) Keep Yourself Humble
There’s nothing good about self-deprecation. Don’t misunderstand. Feeling like an imposter can be crippling. However, when you never feel like a success, it certainly keeps you humble. There are few things worse than a person who cannot see or acknowledge their own failings and need for personal growth.
Humility isn’t about thinking you’re not good enough — it’s about knowing that you can always be better. Imposter syndrome can be used to help you remember this once you recognize your disordered thinking. Leave the imposter behind, but embrace constructive self-criticism.
3) Use Fear to Move Forward
Fear can be a great and powerful motivator. None of us like failure — we want to avoid it (and potential embarrassment) as much as humanly possible. If you’re suffering from imposter syndrome, you’re no doubt well-acquainted with this fear. For some, it can be paralyzing. The key is to make it motivating.
Fear can drive us to push beyond our limitations, make break-throughs, and do the work necessary to avoid what it is we fear. I won’t pretend that this doesn’t take work and extraordinary willpower.
We have to stop allowing fear to control us, but instead, use fear as a tool. If you’re afraid of doing something wrong or not delivering the perfect product to a client, use that fear to be exacting in the questions you ask and in gathering information on the project. Allow it to make you more detail-oriented, intentional, and insightful.
Fear doesn’t have to hold you back — you can use it to produce work of the highest caliber.
Overcoming Your Inner Imposter
Living with imposter syndrome is difficult. The disadvantages far outweigh the advantages, even if we can use some of the thoughts and feelings within this disorder to fuel success. Part of overcoming imposter syndrome means recognizing your accomplishments.
If you’ve never done it, sit down and list your achievements. List your positive qualities and capabilities. Remember the times that you were capable and did accomplish the tasks before you. Too often we focus on our feelings in the moment and not the results of our actions.
Start there. If you struggle to see your own accomplishments, look to trusted friends to show you. Don’t be afraid to share your feelings and drop the brave face. There can be a fear of “exposing ourselves” as an imposter, but you will quickly find that many around you feel the same way.
When you find camaraderie and people who understand your feelings, you are less likely to remain isolated. You aren’t the sole imposter among competent professionals — rather, you are one of many who don’t feel quite up to the task, but are willing to try anyway.
Have you ever wrestled with imposter syndrome? Share how it impacted your life and your work.