One thing all artists have to struggle with is feeling like they are not “really” artists. They denigrate their work, their talents, their abilities because they don’t feel like they deserve to be called an artist. This is known as imposter syndrome and it is a real thing. Many people besides artists experience this daily and for some it is crippling. So, today, let’s delve into this topic to see what it is all about and how to deal with it once and for all.
What is imposter syndrome?
Impostor syndrome is best described as the fear of being considered a fraud or doubting one’s accomplishments. Even those who have reached a level of success in their chosen field are often full of anxiety and crippling thoughts of being considered a fraud. According to the Journal of Behavioral Science, it is estimated that 70% of people in the U.S. experience impostor syndrome.
Impostor syndrome (IS) is an internal feeling that you believe you are not as qualified as other may think you are. This is often connected to thoughts of perfectionism and can be applied to your intelligence or achievement. If you have feelings of being a fraud or that you did not deserve that raise, then you could be dealing with imposter syndrome.
Four Characteristics of imposter syndrome
Those who suffer with imposter syndrome doubt their own skills and accomplishments despite the evidence of the success. Below are four common indicators you may be dealing with imposter syndrome.
1. Deep-seated feelings of fear that you aren’t able to meet expectations.
2. Undermining your achievements even when you worked diligently towards that goal.
3. Setting unrealistic goals and then feeling disappointed if you do not meet those goals.
4. Doubting yourself no matter what you’re working on or working towards.
If you recognize any of the above, there some things you can do to move past these feelings. Begin by confronting your feelings and any beliefs you hold about yourself. If you struggle with any of this, consider speaking with a professional or close friend. Confiding in someone can help you gain clarity on your feelings and beliefs.
Impostor syndrome can be ingrained in you as a child and continue well into adulthood. Struggling with feelings of being a fraud can happen to anyone but is seen mostly in successful women. According to research done with Psycnet.apa.org, “despite their outstanding academic and professional accomplishments, women who experience the impostor syndrome persist in believing that they are really not bright and have fooled anyone who thinks otherwise.”
Do You Have imposter syndrome?
So, how do you know if you suffer from imposter syndrome? One way to know if you are dealing with it is to take a free online test. Simply answer the questions that you can find through a quick online search, or try the free test on at Psycom.net.
You can remove imposter syndrome by first recognizing it in your life and seeing how it is affecting you. Progressively work towards breaking those limiting beliefs by thinking of the quality of work you are performing versus the quantity.
If someone pays you a compliment, remind yourself that it is a fact and that you deserve it. Begin to recognize your own successes and take time to celebrate the wins in your life. Eventually your inner voice will support your new positive thoughts so you can overcome the feelings of impostor syndrome.
Signs You Might Be Experiencing imposter syndrome
Now that you know what imposter syndrome is, how do you know if you are living with it?
Five Signs You Have imposter syndrome
Here are five common signs that you are living with imposter syndrome.
- You cannot assess your skills and abilities realistically because you are giving yourself unrealistic goals to accomplish.
- You connect your success to the outcome, giving no thought to the amount of work you put forth.
- You put down your o efforts and accomplishments by shrugging them off as if they were “not that good”.
- You live in constant fear of failing to meet your own expectations, but fail to acknowledge the goals you’ve reached.
- You engage in activities that self-sabotage potential success by choosing to deliberately procrastinate.
Many people with imposter syndrome look for ways to protect their ego and self-esteem when faced with tough situations. There are negative side effects to living with imposter syndrome, such as hindering your chance of success by choosing to create a barrier. Some individuals use their limiting beliefs, or feelings of impostor syndrome, for motivation.
External Proof versus Internal Thoughts
Impostor syndrome keeps you from internally accepting or believing your abilities or successes. The more you accomplish and succeed, the stronger the negative thoughts can become.
Do you struggle with thoughts or feelings of being a fraud in your career or at school? Have you reached a goal yet you don’t feel you did it well enough? These are examples of how individuals with imposter syndrome feel. Even though you accomplished the goal you set out to do, you can’t seem to internally believe it was good enough.
Internal feelings can increase the anxiety and could lead to intense feelings of being a fraud. This creates a vicious cycle and it may require the help of a psychologist or therapist to overcome this phenomenon. If the impostor syndrome is not correctly handled, it can lead to feelings of isolation or even feelings of dread.
Impostor syndrome is often passed down to a person from their family, unknowingly. It may not be evident until later in their teens or adulthood. Another potential cause may be from entering a new career field where you internally compare your skills to those who have been at the job longer than yourself. There could also be a number of external factors that could cause a person to be inflicted with impostor syndrome.
Once you realize you have impostor syndrome, you can take steps to overcome it. Some of these steps include sharing your feelings and fears with trusted individuals. Ask yourself if your thoughts are honest and rational. Assess whether you are comparing yourself to others without even realizing it. Keep in mind that successful people struggle with impostor syndrome and often relate their success to luck instead of hard work. Let your guard down and let others see you for who you really are.
Success Is Not Luck, It’s You!
Impostor syndrome can cause you to feel that you only accomplished your goals due to luck. Maybe you think you aren’t as good as your boss thinks you are and you worry that you’ll be found out. Research shows us that both men and women battle impostor syndrome and are unable to acknowledge and own their successes.
Individuals that live with impostor syndrome think that things happen to them due to luck rather than their own hard work or abilities. This then leads to a cycle of negative thinking that can hold them back from moving up the corporate ladder. They may even end up working harder than necessary, which could lead to increased feelings of failure or burnout.
Change Your Mindset, Change Your Life
If you are living with impostor syndrome you may struggle with accepting your own success. Perhaps you feel that you don’t deserve your corporate position or an award of accomplishment. If you can relate to this, then there are some suggestions on how you can fix your inner impostor.
- Change your mindset to accept your shortcomings instead of seeking a perfect outcome with every project or goal.
- Embrace your imperfections and learn to accept yourself the way you are. Remind yourself that you did your best.
- Keep a list of realistic goals. If you have a list of goals already then look through them with honesty.
- Believe the effort you’ve put forth regardless of the outcome. You may have worked hard towards a goal just to fall short of the desired outcome. This is an opportunity to accept the outcome and still be proud of the work you put into it.
So, as you can see this can happen to anyone anywhere. It is our own responsibility to determine if we suffer from this syndrome and then do the work to change the way we think about our efforts. Most people do not need to seek professional help unless this syndrome is so ingrained into their psyche that they are unable to see it or change it and it is damaging their lives. Mostly, don’t feel bad about yourself if you have this syndrome. 70% of successful people do have it. You are not alone, but you may need to reevaluate your thoughts and thinking patterns to decrease your anxiety about your work.
Here’s a great Ted Talk to watch and hear more about this issue: Elizabeth Cox Ted Talk
