Imposter Syndrome: 5 Ways to Get Rid of It

Let's say you've completed a work project. It took seven working days and spent a million of your nerve cells. Looking at the results of the project with admiration, they praise its performer and creator. And you, the creator and performer, feel that he is disgusting. And that you don't deserve the praise you get. Congratulations, you have impostor syndrome.

In this article we will analyze what it is, where it comes from and how to overcome it.

Imposter Syndrome is a psychological reaction that causes a person to view their accomplishments as undeserved or as a result of pure luck. And a person subject to this syndrome considers himself a deceiver. Allegedly, he takes the wrong place and prevents more professional people from taking it.

Many, even celebrities, suffer from this syndrome. Hollywood actors are afraid to go on set, feeling they lack skill. Musicians burn albums because they heard similar notes in another. And this happens to everyone. Because the human psyche is designed so that it is more difficult for him to believe in his own success.

Scientists studied this phenomenon and came to the conclusion that it is not a disease. This is just our reaction to some phenomena, caused by a sum of factors: upbringing, susceptibility, level of self-esteem.

But impostor syndrome is something that can be beaten. And here are 5 principles that will help you deal with it.

1 Understand that you are a victim of the syndrome

As the experts say, the first step to fixing is recognizing the problem. It's hard to disagree here. One has only to understand that it is not you mediocrity, but your brain is trying to impose this, and life becomes easier.

We are not saying that you are obliged to consider yourself the crown of creation and not evaluate the work adequately. She will definitely have flaws. But the benefits should not be forgotten either. The main thing here is to understand that the result was influenced by skills, abilities and personal qualities, and not by sheer luck.

2 Imposter Syndrome Is A Good People Problem

And this is a fact. A real impostor will not think about whose place he takes. If he does a terrible job, he will only care about getting caught. But if you worry about the quality of your creation or fear that it will not be useful, you are not an impostor.

Think about the fact that your doubts are caused by uncertainty about the benefits that you bring with your work. Or the fact that you take the place of another professional who supposedly has a better chance of bigger success. And there is nothing terrible in these thoughts. Even vice versa. Because it characterizes you as a worthy person. After all, you don't care. And this is a rare indicator in the cruel world that we call home.

3 Pay attention to the benefits of your work

Take a moment away from the oppressive thoughts. Understandably, Imposter Syndrome does everything to make you feel worthless. But try to brush aside these thoughts and see the benefits. Maybe you write articles and your texts helped readers understand a complex topic. Or a reader has overcome trauma because of a story on your blog.

There are thousands of options. It remains only to see the benefits that your work brings. Because for at least one person it is useful. And if you have influenced a person's life, you should not consider work useless

4 Don't overestimate

The more we want something, the less likely we are to get it. The impostor syndrome successfully uses this rule against us. Therefore, we advise you to carefully monitor what you expect from the results of your work.

Predicting audience response is almost impossible. What was liked yesterday, tomorrow will be considered vulgar muck. And so put your emotions and energies into working on a project, and not into trying to adapt it to people's expectations. In this case, it is likely that neither your expectations nor the expectations of the audience will be met.

And these are typical conditions for the emergence of impostor syndrome.

5 Don't compare yourself to "successful" people

When you look at idols, the heart involuntarily shrinks. There is a tickling feeling of envy. And self-pity, of course. Tony Robbins manages three dozen businesses, Stephen King writes three books a year. Semyon Petrovich, your downstairs neighbor, does three more push-ups. Everywhere there are people whose successes seem more serious.

But comparing yourself to idols is a losing idea. They started earlier, achieved success in completely different conditions and with different resources. Instead, look at your life and evaluate your progress.

Soon you will begin to notice that people appreciate your work. And that no one considers you an impostor, mediocrity and a fraudster. Because your most dangerous opponent is in your head. And his name is impostor syndrome.

We hope these points have helped you deal with the syndrome that has arisen. But in order to finally consolidate success, we advise you to read about the five principles of David Goggins, and then you will reach the desired level of motivation.