Ever felt that you are not good enough or your skills are not up to the mark? In some situations, you self-doubt yourself too much that you start feeling like a fraud. Getting stressed about failure is quite natural and is completely normal. But, often degrading your talents and abilities irrespective of what other people think of you is a sign of a mental illness. This is described as imposter syndrome. In this blog, learn about the categories of imposter syndrome and how can one overcome it.
9 Ways to Deal with Imposter Syndrome and achieve success at Work
What is Imposter Syndrome?
Imposter Syndrome is a psychological phenomenon in which overachievers doubt their skills and abilities. This syndrome mostly affects high-achieving people in any field. Self-doubt arises in them, even though they are experts in the field. Symptoms such as high anxiety, distressed behavior, social sickness, and the feeling to show up fall under this syndrome, making one feel terrified to the edge of his/ her nerve and doubting his / her self-worth. Due to this lack of self-trust, one might not grab all the good coming their way. They make their talents, abilities, and voices unseen and muffled. We cannot diagnose this syndrome, however, some symptoms can determine this mental illness.
Categories of Imposter Syndrome
There are five categories under Imposter Syndrome. They are:
1. The Expert
The imposter feels that the people around them have high standards for their ability to master certain work in the field. They always feel the need to learn more in the specific field of study. These expectations fill them with hectic pressure, where, if failed they may feel useless. This makes them feel like an imposter because they are not completely an expert in the field as there is a lot that you don’t know.
2. The Superhero
This tendency arrives when one is not recognized well and tries to get recognition from everyone around. This type of imposter feels that they must work hard to achieve more than others. Becoming a workaholic, even though there is no need to supply pressure, is a symptom of such illness.
3. The Perfectionist
This type of illness makes them feel that they could’ve done better. People with this type of syndrome are extra detailed about every minor thing. Going through a lengthy process for a small satisfaction is what such people aspire to. They also feel that they haven’t lived up to the expectations of people.
4. The Soloist
People with a work-alone tendency are ready to be alone even if there is a need for assistance. Considering themselves as inferior and underrated makes them isolated from others. It makes them seek out no help in any kind of circumstance.
5. The Natural Genius
People with this type of imposter syndrome feel that they should know everything naturally. If they have to do any task again, they feel like they are not intelligent.
Also Read: Imposter Syndrome In Software Developers: Am I A Fake Developer?
How to Overcome Imposter Syndrome?
One could overcome this phase by keeping track of a few positive notes in their life such as:
1. Sharing One’s Feelings
It’s fine when one is not feeling confident about something. For an employee, it might be his/ her choice of presentation techniques or verbal deliveries. He/she should have at least one friend who could honestly reflect upon his or her views and processes and who could be a guide to provide good results. But venting such emotions should be with a few selective persons who understand and cheer them up not like mocking for every detail or letting someone into an inferiority complex, returning from which would ass up more struggle to the existing morass.
2. Celebrating the Victory Tales
This is the optimal way to uplift one’s inner spirits to a high altitude which will not only build inner trust and confidence but also make one belying their worth and aptitude. This doesn’t mean swelling up with pride and arrogance but indeed a way to find their significance socially.
3. Reflect Upon Failures
At times even the mightiest ranking on the top of their profession disappoints everyone with their lack of success. But it is never wrong to fall, to fail, to regain, and to stand firm. Leaving the past should become one’s foremost priority. Share failures and thoughts on them the same as you share about your success. Enumerate flaws, recollect shattered pieces of the plan, and work on it. Try to mend irregular corners and shape them through success again.
4. Importance of Acceptance
Rather than turning your back on tough things, just pause for a moment and accept them as they are in your best interests. Likes and dislikes do not ensure the work is done. One should step in and explore the ways to accomplish their tasks by being accountable and accepting. Things go wrong and you have to face them and defeat them if it’s coming your way. Be an enzyme and accept it tight so that you could release success as the final product.
5. Let Go of Perfectionism
There is a proverb that goes, “Don’t miss the moon counting the stars”. This truly fits. Don’t rush in haste to be precise and perfect. No one on earth is born perfect. Love the beautiful mess in you. Make your goals seem real and lively. No matter how many times you do it or how the way you approach it. In the end, it should be the hero who wins and is loved by the audience and not the graphics he used to reach high expectations.
6. Learn the Facts
Know the signs well. How hard you may try hard to be strong outside you should never brush off the sensible side of yours. You should always be careful and responsible for your own inner emotions. Try not to encounter them with pain and hurt. Whatever one may try to do and explore, it might be fun, adventurous, rebellious, or dirty, but in the end, one should not be the reason for their grief. Reframing thoughts and actions is mandatory for survival and one should never take them subtly.
7. Growth of Self-Compassion
Self-love and care is the most essentially valuable code one should ever regulate themselves. One might behave the oddest of all. One might not be able to think rationally or might land doing up bizarre things. One could reach cloud nine frequently due to their achievements and few others end up resting sunken at the bottom. No matter any uncertainties happening, one should be able to act strong and cuddle their soul when hurt, when failed, when fallen down to a very deep extent one could hardly imagine. Humiliation, criticism, and blaming one’s self aren’t encouraged for a happy existence even if it is physical, mental, or social too.
8. Learn From Your Peers
The healthy aspect of learning is when you have friends who are ready to share your trauma and terrors apart from happiness. Friends could give you the best advice you could ever hear. They will show your rear flaws so that you could be a better person today than who you were yesterday. There is nothing shameful and awful when it comes to pals. Learning from your friends makes you feel more confident and comfortable.
9. Visualize Success Onboard
Despite every drop of sweat you have shed to accomplish your aspirations, projects, and work, you are never ready until you imagine success on your way. You could be motivated to be strong, to be brave, to be cool, but desiring success, and dreaming about it is the main criteria. One should own his success and should also be able to visualize it.
Conclusion
Suffering self-doubt, and feeling empty can be seen in many individuals. One must learn to accept it and overcome imposter syndrome in every way possible. Speak your name aloud by letting go of what the public says or thinks. Managing a cool and calm inner atmosphere and mental peace is vital to brush away every ounce of negativity. You should become bold enough to face anything that comes your way. Stop underestimating your expertise and start feeling proud of who you are and what you have become.
