Imposter Syndrome/Phenomenon
Have you ever felt like you were a fraud?
Recently I stepped into a new role with a new company and found myself having thoughts of imposter syndrome/phenomenon. Which is very interesting, because I chose this company for its core values, growth mindset and its people first philosophy. And they chose me because of my previous sales and management experience.
The company core values are:
Positive and Enthusiastic
Support our Community and Team
Grow or Die
My core values are:
Positivity-always look for the silver lining
Inclusion-greet all with an open heart
Curiosity-get curious, ask questions and keep an open mind
Growth-if you’re not growing you’re dying
They are committed to finding and hiring the best talent and the right people for the right job. They have all the right processes and procedures in place, and are open and willing to continue to look for ways to improve those processes in order to be leaders in the fitness industry.
This is a match made in heaven!
So why is it that I find myself riddled with thoughts of imposterism? Why do I continue to think they are going to find out I’m a fraud?
Well I needed answers and so I turned to the internet and wikipedia to learn more about Imposter Syndrome/Phenomenon and what I can do to alleviate these intrusive thoughts, and here is what I found.
Imposter Syndrome/Phenomenon is a real thing, and many people struggle with it.
Psychologists Suzanne Imes, PhD and Pauline Rose Chance, PhD first described it as Imposter Phenomenon in the 1970’s. They found it occurs among high achievers who are unable to internalize and accept their cussess. Those who suffer from IP often attribute their accomplishments to luck rather than to ability, and fear that others will eventually unmask them as a fraud.
Which is exactly how I was feeling. My anxiety and perfectionism was in overdrive, because I no longer had all the answers. This was a completely new industry for me, new processes, new people and a new mindset. One I am in alignment with, and one I chose to learn more about and one that is at its core sales and relationship based, which is absolutely my forte. And yet I have these thoughts of imposterism.
Imposter Phenomenon is a very real and specific form of intellectual self-doubt and can be accompanied by anxiety, perfectionism and often depression. Interestingly, most people who suffer with IP suffer in silence. They don’t talk about it because part of the experience is that they are afraid they are going to be found out.
Imes says, “In our society there’s a huge pressure to achieve.” “There can be a lot of confusion between approval and love and worthiness. Self worth becomes contingent on achieving.”
If you are struggling with or have ever struggled with thoughts or feelings of imposterism, you are not alone. And there are ways you can work to eliminate these intrusive thoughts and feelings.
But before we get into that, I wanted to share a list of people who have reportedly suffered from IP.
Actor, Riz Ahmed
Australian Billionaire, Michael Cannon-Brooks
Actor, Tom Hanks
First Lady, Michelle Obama
And Maya Angelou who said, “I have written 11 books, but each time I think, Uh oh, they’re going to find out now. I've run a game on everybody, and they’re going to find me out.”
Now let’s talk about what Imes and Chance did in a study to help those who suffer with IP to alleviate their thoughts and feelings of imposterism.
They proposed a therapeutic approach where individuals met with others who were also living with the experience. This helped them to realize they are not the only ones who experience this Phenomenon.
They also assigned the group homework. In one assignment, they were asked to write down the positive feedback they had received, and then recall why they had received this feedback and what about it made them perceive it in a negative light.
They also practiced reframing common thoughts and ideas about performance. For example: they would change: “I might fail this exam.” to “I will do well on this exam.” This research found that by extracting the self-doubt, before an event occurs, helps eliminate feelings of impostorism. This research also found seeking support from trusted friends and family was helpful in dealing with these feelings.
In another study it was proposed that intrinsic motivation can decrease the feeling of being a fraud. Intrinsic motivation occurs when we act without any obvious external rewards. We simply enjoy an activity or see it and an opportunity to explore, learn, and actualize our potential.
Which for me means, I can remind myself that I was looking for a role where I could use what skills I have acquired over the last 20+ years, while learning a new set of skills for my continued growth. I was looking for a supportive growth environment, and I found both.
Now I invite those of us struggling with IP, to take a moment to reflect on your intrinsic motivation, have an open and honest conversation with a trusted friend or family member about your feelings of imposterism. And do a little homework where you list out the positive feedback you’ve received and why you received it. And then maybe spend a little time writing about why you choose to see it in a negative light.
And finally, when you hear yourself having those negative Imposter Syndrome/Phenomenon thoughts, simply stop, and find a way to reframe those thoughts in a more positive way.
I hope you found this helpful, and I would love to hear from those of you who are currently or have in the past, struggled with Imposterism. Drop me a line down in the comments and feel free to share what is working for you.
