It has happened to us all: the moment when something so wonderful happens, that you immediately think, “This cannot be real. It must be a mistake.” But for sufferers of Impostor Syndrome, this mindset is more than just something that happens on occasion.
As defined by the American Psychological Association, impostor syndrome is “a pervasive feeling of self-doubt, insecurity and incompetence despite evidence that you are skilled and successful.” Individuals with impostor syndrome will feel as if they do not belong, as if they did not deserve their accomplishments, and as if there were external forces that led to their achievements. Impostor syndrome is common in all age groups, but is especially common among college and post-graduate students.
Take for example, a high-achieving student who has just been accepted into college. Not just any college, their dream college. For everyone around this student, it seems well deserved, and they are immensely proud of their achievements. But for this student, it does not feel that way. Instead of feeling happy and proud of their accomplishments, they cannot help but think that it was not deserved. That there must have been a mistake. That they did not get in on their own merits, but some sort of outside force or influence. And this feeling is debilitating for them, even once they are physically attending the school. Many will arrive at college and feel like a fraud, as if they do not belong amongst their peers.
Although there is not one specific cause, there are a variety of common characteristics among impostor-syndrome-sufferers. The feeling of fraudulence, as previously mentioned, is one of the most common. Individuals will feel as if all of their accomplishments must be fake or all part of one big trick, as if there is no way they would be able to accomplish it on their own. Sufferers may also underestimate their own talent while they achieve at a high-level, convincing themselves that they are not as talented as the world sees them. Additionally, a common trait of impostor syndrome is simply insecurity: the feeling that despite success and high levels of achievement, there is still reason to be insecure in one’s field of expertise.
Black women are disproportionately impacted by impostor syndrome, largely due to damaging stereotypes and a lack of representation in the workplace. Particularly when in predominantly white-dominated spaces, Black women are statistically paid less, and often are dealing with less professional support in their careers. In addition to the pressure to fit certain stereotypes, Black women are more likely to feel inadequate to their white colleagues, although this is not warranted. There are typically very few corporate heads or CEO’s who are women of color, leaving Black women with a lack of role models and representation in the workplace; this can further lead to a feeling of impostor syndrome as women will feel out of place in their own job.
In order to effectively address the disproportionate impact of imposter syndrome on marginalized groups, one must recognize the intersection between impostor syndrome and systemic racism. There is a need for corporate leadership and employers to primarily address the systemic, deep-rooted issues in their company before impostor syndrome can be eliminated. In the case of marginalized groups, the experience of impostor syndrome falls not on the individual, but on the broader system that prevents feelings of true success. There is a lack of awareness surrounding this disproportionate effect of imposter syndrome on Black women and other marginalized groups, with a desperate need for more long-term research.
Despite the suffering caused by this impostor-syndrome mindset, there are a variety of tactics to overcome impostor syndrome. One of the most common would be affirmations, which can be said to oneself to validate accomplishments and combat self-doubt. Here are a few examples of affirmations courtesy of @createcultivate on Instagram:
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“I will not let self-doubt control me.”
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“I believe in myself and my capabilities.” “I deserve to be where I am.”
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“I am proud of my hard work.”
Chances are, if you speak to friends or colleagues, they will also have experienced impostor syndrome on some level. Many will take comfort in knowing that others are experiencing similar sensations, therefore, speaking to trusted friends and family may help your feelings of self-doubt. Oftentimes, a simple reassurance from others that you are genuinely talented can be a great step towards reviving your self-worth.
Although impostor syndrome can be debilitating, you are certainly not alone if you feel this way. Next time you begin to doubt yourself or feel fraudulent in your achievements, remember that there are a few simple steps you can take, such as affirmations, to boost your idea of yourself that you have in your head. Remind yourself that the way you feel in your head is not representative of your reality; you are stronger, more talented, and much more accomplished than you let yourself believe.