Have you ever felt like a fraud, convinced that sooner or later, everyone will realise you don’t actually belong? That no matter how much you achieve, it’s all just luck or deception? If so, you’re not alone. This persistent self-doubt has a name—Imposter Syndrome—and it affects people across all walks of life, from students to CEOs.
What Is Imposter Syndrome?
Imposter Syndrome is the persistent belief that you’re not as competent as others perceive you to be, despite evidence of your success. It’s that gnawing voice in the back of your head that tells you you’re undeserving, that you’ve tricked everyone into thinking you’re capable when in reality, you’re just winging it.
This phenomenon was first coined in 1978 by psychologists Pauline Rose Clance and Suzanne Imes, who studied high-achieving women experiencing chronic self-doubt. But it’s not limited to one gender, profession, or age group—anyone can feel like an imposter.
The Different Faces of Imposter Syndrome
Imposter Syndrome isn’t one-size-fits-all. Dr. Valerie Young identified five common types:
- The Perfectionist – If it’s not flawless, you feel like you’ve failed. You fixate on the tiniest errors and struggle to acknowledge your achievements.
- The Superhero – You believe you must always work harder than everyone else to prove your worth, leading to burnout.
- The Natural Genius – Success should come effortlessly. If you struggle, you see it as a sign of inadequacy.
- The Soloist – You must accomplish everything on your own. Asking for help feels like admitting failure.
- The Expert – You never feel you know enough. Even with qualifications and experience, you believe you still don’t measure up.
Why Does Imposter Syndrome Happen?
Imposter Syndrome often stems from childhood messages about success and failure, unrealistic societal expectations, or comparisons to others. Social media fuels this further, presenting curated highlight reels that make us feel behind. External validation—like promotions or praise—may temporarily soothe the feeling, but deep down, you still question whether you deserve it.
Breaking Free from Imposter Syndrome
While it’s tough to shake off, you can retrain your mind to combat Imposter Syndrome:
- Recognise It: The first step is awareness. Understand that these doubts don’t define your reality.
- Reframe Your Thoughts: Instead of thinking, I don’t belong here, say, I worked hard to get here.
- Keep a Success Journal: Document achievements, compliments, and milestones. Reread them when self-doubt creeps in.
- Embrace Failure as Growth: Perfection isn’t realistic, and making mistakes is part of learning.
- Talk About It: Many successful people struggle with imposter feelings. Speaking about it helps normalise the experience.
- Seek Support: Mentors, coaches, and therapists can help you work through imposter feelings with perspective and encouragement.
You Are More Capable Than You Think
Imposter Syndrome might whisper doubts into your ear, but those doubts are not the truth. You deserve success, recognition, and a seat at the table—not because of luck, but because of your hard work and talent.
So next time you hear that voice saying You’re not good enough, remind yourself: Yes, I am. And you are!
