What Is Imposter Syndrome? Dealing With This At Work

What is imposter syndrome? Imposter syndrome is the sense of doubt or fear that you don’t belong, or don’t deserve what you have. It can feel like standing on a stage wondering why you aren’t just sitting in the audience, even if you are the very one winning an award that night.

Imposter syndrome at work is more than common. Looking around, you might feel like you’re not as good as everyone else, or that, at any time, you could lose your job because you’re an “imposter.”

But, the thing with imposter syndrome, is that it's all a mindset. Most of us who feel this, do deserve what we have. We just don’t have the confidence to accept the rewards of our hard work.


What is imposter syndrome?

Imposter syndrome is the fear that your abilities or accomplishments are not enough, or that you don’t deserve the status you have achieved.

Imposter syndrome hurts. It can crush you with doubt and fill you with anxiety. You might be burdened with the thought that a simple mistake or conversation will present you as some sort of fraud.

This is very common for high-level management positions or entrepreneurs, those who are newer in a company, and even employees who have worked in the same place for 5+ years.

Why it’s important to overcome imposter syndrome

If you are in a near-constant state of fear, anxiety, or shame about your quality of work, you put yourself in the mindset to fail. And if you do fail, you’ll have trouble recovering because your confidence will be even lower.

Whereas, owning your achievements and feeling confident in your success creates a ripple effect and resiliency.

Dealing with imposter syndrome at work

Imposter syndrome is a tough rut to get out of. It can feel like you’re climbing a mountain without the confidence to bolster you. But, there are consistent ways to chip away at this infectious doubt.

1. Talk it out

French philosopher Emil Cioran once said, “Everything that is expressed becomes more tolerable.” When we put words to what we are feeling and what we are going through, it boxes those experiences in, making them more understandable, approachable, and solvable.

Better yet, when we express our problems to others, it eliminates the feelings of isolation and shame that simply serve to feed them. Keep in mind that as many as 82% of people may experience imposter syndrome. 

2. Practice mindful thinking

Try mindfulness — the art of practicing closer attention to what you are feeling and why. Negative thinking can work like a spiral that is hard to get out of. Negative thoughts lead naturally to other negative thoughts, unless you find a way to calm them from the start. 

Dealing with imposter syndrome at work is no different. In short, mindfulness will help you let those negative thoughts pass over, instead of clouding your mind. Breathe and don’t dwell on it.

3. Keep a work journal 

If you develop a work journal that keeps a record of all your work accomplishments and goals, you then have a concrete reference point with which to counteract imposter syndrome at work. Part of overcoming imposter syndrome can be just a quick peek into a drawer.

It’s a lot harder to harbor negative thoughts when the evidence against them is right in front of you. So, keep a list of major accomplishments, rewards, and compliments from peers. 

As a part of this journal, it can help to also use it as a way to track your goals. Be sure to set realistic goals that you know you can achieve. Otherwise, you may just be setting yourself up for more self-doubt. 

4. Confront your shortcomings honestly

At work, we all make mistakes, all have things we could do better. Overcoming imposter syndrome will mean confronting your shortcomings honestly, but with grace and kindness to yourself. Mistakes, almost always, are outliers. They are not indicative of your quality of work or well-being.

You’re a human, not an imposter.

Learning to look at your failures with a charitable, keen eye will bolster your defenses against future self-incrimination. Practicing mindfulness will help here too.

Getting through this together 

With these tools for overcoming imposter syndrome at work, we hope you will feel better able to face the day and all its challenges, at work and home. And remember, you are not alone. Feel free to read more on self-help

If imposter syndrome is becoming a major hindrance to your quality of life or your functioning at work and at home, we warmly suggest seeking out a mental health professional.

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