The Art Of Imposter Syndrome: Overcoming Psychological Self-Sabotage

Nearly 70% of individuals will experience imposter syndrome at some point in their lives. Imposter syndrome is the all-encompassing feeling of self-doubt and diminished confidence, even in the face of evident success. This psychological self-sabotage is powerful, working against success. So if imposter syndrome is both widespread and deeply rooted, how can we effectively work to mitigate it?

FUEL FOR SELF-DESTRUCTION

In today’s job market, reduced entry-level hiring, unforgiving interview processes, and candidates being rejected from jobs they’re overqualified for is becoming all too common. This cycle of devoted effort ending in rejection has the potential to erode the applicant’s confidence in their workplace abilities gradually.

Imposter syndrome also holds the power to strip individuals of their pride. As a human, being prideful is one of the most powerful investments you can make for yourself. Being prideful about accomplishments, education, passion, and vigor instills the needed confidence to make use of those accomplishments for growth. With imposter syndrome, opportunities are often written off as luck. However, accomplishments that allow for opportunity aren’t chance; they are growth. 

Effects of Impostor Syndrome

In an already challenging hiring environment, imposter syndrome can further hinder career advancement by diminishing the needed confidence to speak up, challenge others, and make independent decisions. For women in the workplace, operating in an environment where one is often already undervalued, this added pressure creates a self-reinforcing cycle of diminished confidence.

Not only that, but when individuals feel inferior to their counterparts, some try to overcompensate for what they “lack.” This often evolves into a “workaholic” mindset, where an individual begins offering all they can give to their job. This sacrifice of time, mental energy, physical energy, and personal autonomy can be a powerful source of degradation in an individual’s life.

I SURVIVED IMPOSTOR SYNDROME: HERE’S HOW YOU CAN TOO

As a college student, I’ve had my fair share of battles with imposter syndrome. During my first internship in media marketing for a law firm, I was consumed with doubt. Internalizing every failure and attributing it to my lack of experience, insufficient intelligence, and incapability to complete the job. 

I turned to the individuals operating in the company around me, all professionals with law degrees and years of experience. Their encouragement, affirmation of my deliverables, and intellectual validation transformed thoughts of self-deprivation into confidence in my own abilities. 

While it took a purposeful effort to get there, denying imposter syndrome the power to take over my early career was the best thing I could have done for myself in a time of growth. By redirecting my energy, I was able to focus on personal growth, instilling the confidence in me to keep following my goals.

REFORMULATING YOUR SELF-TALK

Whether you feel yourself falling victim to imposter syndrome or you’re in the thick of it, mindfulness is a powerful tool to help you overcome. Mindfulness allows you to embrace self-awareness and respond to struggle with compassion. The first, and often most difficult stage of mindfulness for individual growth is radical acceptance, embracing feelings of self-doubt without judgment. 

Once you have acknowledged and made space for those thoughts, it is important to practice intentional compassionate self-talk. By reminding yourself of how far you have come, the effort behind your progress, and your individual power to preserve, it becomes easier to approach struggle with understanding instead of self-degradation. 

A Final note: Affirmations for growth

When you find yourself slipping into negative self-talk and letting the unique art of imposter syndrome take over, come to these affirmations for a boost: 

You were hired for a reason. Your experience, personability, and perseverance earned you your spot, not luck or timing. You are fully capable of flourishing in your role. 

Comparison not only is the thief of joy, but also of productivity. Don’t look at your superiors or coworkers and formulate opinions of yourself or your progress in life. You are following your own path, don’t let others’ successes stand in the way. 

You don’t need to overwork yourself to “make up” for what you don’t know. Growth takes time. Stay motivated, but don’t sacrifice other meaningful parts of your life. 

And most importantly: Grow towards uncertainty, embrace what you don’t know, and let the accomplishments that got you here fuel you for where you want to go.

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