“I still expect the no-talent police to come and arrest me.”
– Comedian Mike Myers
What is the Imposter Syndrome?
It’s the fear of not being good enough and being found out.
We all know risk-taking is a key part of building your career, self confidence, and life in general. However, when we push beyond our comfort zone, we can feel uncomfortable and vulnerable.
Some researchers label this The Imposter Syndrome – the fear of not being good enough (or skilled – or knowledgeable – or experienced enough), and even worse, being exposed as inadequate. Many people encounter this lack of confidence even when their qualifications, education and track record are outstanding! They can quickly list all the reasons they aren’t up to the job and can convince themselves they aren’t nearly as good as everyone thinks they are.
Successful people learn to forge ahead even when they feel like imposters, knowing they will gain confidence along the way. We overcome our fears when we realize our worth and give ourselves credit for all the knowledge and skills we possess.
The simple exercise of jotting down your recognized skills and talents (things you are complimented about, and related things you’ve tackled successfully) and comparing them to known requirements for the task at hand is one way to reassure yourself you can do it. Feelings aren’t always a reflection of reality, so remember the Imposter Syndrome is often a brief stage when your self confidence just hasn’t caught up to your actual skills and experience yet. It will lessen as you adjust to your new role.
So, if you’ve recently been given a promotion or have taken on an especially large or important task, and are feeling a bit shaky about your capabilities, give yourself some credit! You wouldn’t have landed the job or assignment if you weren’t considered capable. And you are.
Recommended reading
Canadian Business magazine – What’s behind the imposter syndrome?