Ariel Emmanuel, MHC

Have you ever worked extremely hard to achieve something and felt like you didn't deserve it? 

Many people strive to reach goals in their personal or professional lives. They hustle and work hard to find a sense of purpose and joy. However, some people struggle to accept and honor their success. Success, ease, and accomplishments can feel foreign and uncomfortable for people with Imposter Syndrome. People suddenly encounter feelings of unworthiness. They may struggle to feel "good enough," "smart enough," or "accomplished enough" to accept the positions, awards, certificates, degrees, or accolades they've received.

What is Imposter Syndrome?

According to the Harvard Business Review, Imposter syndrome is defined as a collection of feelings of inadequacy that persist despite evident success. 'Imposters' suffer from chronic self-doubt and a sense of intellectual fraudulence that overrides any feelings of success or external proof of their competence.

What does it feel like to struggle with Imposter Syndrome?

• Feeling like a fraud or questioning why people choose you as an expert. 

• Thinking you have tricked other people into believing you are good at what you do.

• Feeling like other people know more than you or are more skilled than you are.

• Feeling like your work is average or common knowledge and not something worthy of praise.

• Feeling like taking a break means that you're lazy or not investing enough energy into your craft.
  

Who is most affected by Imposter Syndrome?

Studies show that Imposter syndrome is more prevalent for women, people of color, and the LGBTQ+ community. People who are part of minority groups can have difficulty accepting success while simultaneously experiencing oppression and frequent doubt of their abilities based on that identity.

Women, BIPOC, and LGBTQ + people are often told that they have to work "twice as hard" or be "ten times better" in their fields to be successful. People can feel that they haven't earned the right to relax or achieve abundance. It's a type of survivor's guilt that manifests through success and accomplishments. Often guilt and shame come from being the person that was able to move past the struggle into security and abundance.

What are the types of Imposter Syndrome? 

Expert on the subject, Dr. Valerie Young, has categorized it into five subgroups. 

1. The Perfectionist - Setting unrealistic expectations of perfection and a desire to control outcomes to ensure one succeeds.

2. The Super Hero - going above and beyond and sacrificing themselves to help or support everyone else.

3. The Natural Genius - always does well in school or at work without putting in much effort. They won't attempt things if they don't feel like they will be good at it.

4. The Soloist - prefers to work alone and believes that they are better individually. They can feel weighed down by other people and don't enjoy working in teams. They are afraid of asking for help and can perceive the need for support as a weakness.

5. The Expert - only feels competent if they have a degree, certificate, or external measure, like an excellent grade to prove their competency.
   

How can I address Imposter Syndrome? 

Working on building self-esteem and reducing the need to be perfect can alleviate imposter syndrome feelings.

• Explore your thoughts about failure.

  • How do you deal with failure or making mistakes? Every successful and accomplished person has areas they can grow and improve in. Areas of growth do not negate your inherent success and accomplishments. 

• Explore how you feel about asking for help.

  • How do you feel about asking for help and support from others? Asking people for help doesn't make you weak or less capable.

• Explore your thoughts about compliments and praise.

  • Can you accept compliments and praise from others? How do you respond when people say good things about you?

• Explore how you feel about ease, relaxation, and slowing down.

  • How do you feel about taking a break, slowing down, or relaxing? What are the messages you've internalized about hard work? Do you feel unworthy of success if you don't go above and beyond?

  • Resting and success can happen simultaneously. It's crucial to balance self-care and productivity. You can be even more productive when you allow yourself time to relax.