Imposter Syndrome... Ever heard of it?

Impostor syndrome - a psychological occurrence in which an individual doubts their skills, talents, or accomplishments and has a persistent internalized fear of being exposed as a fraud. Despite external evidence of their competence, those experiencing this phenomenon do not believe they deserve their success or luck. They may incorrectly attribute it to the Matthew effect, or they may think that they are deceiving others because they feel as if they are not as intelligent as they outwardly portray themselves to be. Impostor syndrome can stem from and result in strained personal relationships and can hinder individuals from achieving their full potential in their fields of interest.

Some of the common signs of imposter syndrome include:

• An inability to realistically assess your competence and skills

• Attributing your success to external factors

• Berating your performance

• Fear that you won't live up to expectations

• Overachieving

• Sabotaging your own success

• Self-doubt

• Setting very challenging goals and feeling disappointed when you fall short

Overcoming Imposter Syndrome:

• Collect Positive Feedback

• Talk to Someone About Your Feelings

• Focus on Providing Value

• Accept Your Role in Successes