Navigating imposter syndrome and beyond
I haven’t written for a while as life has intervened, and, as you know, things can get hectic. I’ve been contemplating adding a new section to my website that delves into the softer side of freelancing - those aspects that you can't learn from a book or outsource like you might with taxes or bookkeeping.
I'm talking about soft skills. It’s that inner voice that cheers you on when you're on top of the world, or, conversely, beats you down with self-doubt after a string of rejections or endless client corrections make you feel worthless.
This nagging doubt is known as imposter syndrome, and unfortunately, it visits us far more often than its affirmative counterpart - though it really shouldn’t. I’ve grappled with this more times than I’d care to admit, and I know many others in the creative field have too.
So, how do we overcome this?
But first, let’s define imposter syndrome with help from the experts.
Understanding Imposter Syndrome
Imposter syndrome is a psychological phenomenon where people doubt their accomplishments and fear being exposed as a "fraud" despite evident success. Dr Pauline R Clance and Dr Suzanne A Imes first identified this syndrome in 1978, noting it predominantly among high-achieving women, though later research recognised that it affects men and women equally across various professions.
They described it as a feeling of "intellectual phoniness" that persists regardless of contrary evidence of success. This syndrome often involves chronic self-doubt and a sense of intellectual fraudulence that override any feelings of success or external proof of competence.
Individuals with imposter syndrome remain convinced that they do not deserve success and are not as competent or intelligent as others might think. This can lead to anxiety, stress, and hindered professional advancement as the people continuously undervalue their worth and abilities.
Why people experience chronic self-doubt?
People suffer from imposter syndrome for a variety of psychological and situational reasons. Here are some key factors that contribute to its occurrence:
Perfectionism: High achievers often set themselves exceedingly high goals. When they fail to meet these standards, they may feel like imposters, despite typically having a track record of high achievements.
Upbringing: Childhood experiences, including how parental expectations and family dynamics were handled, can significantly impact feelings of inadequacy. Those who were either highly praised for successes or harshly criticised for failures may feel they must constantly excel to be accepted or valued.
Personality traits: Traits such as neuroticism or elevated anxiety levels can predispose individuals to imposter feelings. Introverts might also experience these feelings more acutely as they might spend more time reflecting on their doubts and fears.
Workplace environment: Competitive or highly stressful environments can exacerbate feelings of being an imposter. Environments that emphasise an individual's status, intelligence, or achievements might contribute to someone feeling they don’t genuinely belong or are not competent enough.
Social Stereotypes: Societal pressures or stereotypes related to gender, race or social background can also contribute to imposter syndrome. Individuals from underrepresented or marginalised groups might feel an additional pressure to prove their competence in environments where they are in the minority, reinforcing feelings of being an imposter.
Lack of representation: Not seeing enough individuals who resemble oneself in certain professions, leadership roles or receiving recognition can also lead to doubting one's abilities and feeling like an imposter.
Strategies for overcoming Imposter Syndrome
Overcoming imposter syndrome involves self-awareness, psychological strategies, and sometimes professional help to manage and potentially overcome these pervasive feelings. Recognising that imposter syndrome is common and can affect anyone helps to diminish its stigma.
Sharing your doubts with trusted individuals often validates your experiences and provides support. Objectively assessing your skills and achievements helps counteract negative thoughts, while ceasing comparisons with others can alleviate feelings of inadequacy.
Accepting that perfection is unattainable reduces undue pressure, and setting small, manageable goals builds confidence gradually. Employing positive affirmations reinforces self-worth and helps shift negative thought patterns.
For significant impacts, professional help such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can be essential. Additionally, reframing failure as a learning opportunity encourages risk-taking and innovation. These strategies, collectively implemented, pave the way for a more confident and fulfilling personal and professional life by managing and overcoming imposter syndrome.