You are an achiever and you do all things right yet you feel like an imposter. You fear being exposed and challenged. It’s hard for you to internalize your accomplishments.
Sounds familiar?
Well, this is not as uncommon as the name sounds. Imposter Syndrome is a concept that has interested psychologists for long until the term was coined in 1978. A concept that attracted research and continues to be studied as a reaction to certain situations. Many studies also suggest that this syndrome is particularly common among high-achieving women.
When I first heard of the concept in Ada Camp, I imagined it to be true for women in position or power. However, I was wrong. When I was attending the conference, I was new to Open Source (I still am) and my only work in this area has been about editing Wikipedia. The other participants were coders, theater artists, activists and women achievers in the field of cross-sectional feminism. Terms and technologies I hadn’t even heard of. I felt that I was invited my mistake. Until I attended the first session on Imposter Syndrome.
It is common for women like me to feel how I felt. You may wonder why and my rationale is the lack of belief women have in themselves. Most women shy away from openly accepting that they are capable of achieving something. They prefer saying, ‘I will get what I deserve’ or “My work shows my worth’ or ‘I will give it my best shot’. When success comes, it is easily put to the team or to the help and support that was provided.
Think for yourself. Is it fair to undervalue yourself? Would you not feel demotivated if your efforts go unnoticed? Your achievements show your talent so why not stay confident and believe in yourself?
Let’s beat the Imposter Syndrome. Once and for all.
I am participating in the A To Z Challenge for the third time this year and I am penning Stories from everyday life.
happiness and food 
I wrote about guilty moms in my last post. And this one sounds similar to me. I think we women are wired this way. We need to believe in ourselves and also be confident in whatever we do.
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There are lots of folks who think I have too much of an ego, but, hey, when you are fantastic, what can you do? I have never suffered from the syndrome and maybe that is why I relate better to men than women.
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I still get that feeling when I get a big assignment. But I just tell myself – You know what I am lucky to get this opportunity and I am going to give it my f-ing best. No regrets 🙂
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Very empowering! No to undervaluing!! YES to empowering and supporting fellow sisters of life!! Great post, Parul, dear
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I still am scared when I am given a big work. I will be in doubt, thinking I might not complete it. Then if the credit of doing a job well goes to someone else, it spoils the mood entirely!
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Impostor syndrome is actually more common than we realise. Do you know some of the world’s best writers have suffered from Impostor syndrome, including Maya Angelou. For me what that affirms is that all of us, men and women, are flawed. And it’s okay to be flawed. It’s what keeps us grounded and yet strive to do better each time. All of our ‘achievements’ don’t matter because we keep trying. That’s very comforting, to be honest.
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It’s funny. This post is exactly what I needed to read today. I had one of those days where I worked so hard and felt so unappreciated that I thought about quitting. You’ve given me some inspiration — tomorrow I will feel better because I AM good at my job.
Intruder
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This is a common trait in most women as their conditioning does not let them accept that they can accomplish great things too! Self belief is so liberating and empowering and we should definitely work towards beating this monster!
Well written post Parul – love your writing verve and I hope you do feel accomplished as a blogger/writer! 🙂
Theme: Peregrination Chronicles (travel)
I is for innovation or Jugaad which we Indians are very famous for #atozchallenge
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Definitely no to undervaluing our achievements. I didn’t know about this syndrome . Thanks for sharing.
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I’m very familiar with imposter syndrome. For a long time I didn’t know it had a name, when I found out and read up about it, I was relieved to know that I wasn’t the only crazy one who doesn’t believe in herself. It’s a constant battle we fight against our conditioning, and it raises its head in so many insidious ways! It’s important to see the signs and keep battling it, though!
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Never realised this syndrome existed and coming to think of it I surely am a victim of it. I say quite often that is all I am worth and I am happy with that…. sigh!!!
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A new term for me but I have definitely felt that. Are women more prone to this syndrome? I definitely think so.
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Well, I didn’t know that’s what it was called/. Strange really since I actually studied Psychology at college…. it may be a new find ? But you are right about that for sure.. high achieving women feel guilty for being who they are…
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Yup. Familiar with the term. But let’s not do this. Let’s value our worth! Wise words, Parul!
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I know I felt like a bit of imposter while at Uni, it’s hard to stop feeling like that but I think it’s all about having confidence in your self and in your abilities.
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Imposter syndrome is very common among all high achievers who are not totally sure what they are doing ,and want to do more .Undervalue of our own worth needs inside out therapy .Mindset needs work .Interesting post
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Struggle with Imposter Syndrome all the time! It’s more common in women than men. I feel it with both my writing and my profession as a psychologist. Requires a lot of thought challenging to realise I’m very capable (especially with the psych part)
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So true. Most authors battle to call themselves “writers” when they start out. Then the leap from “writer” to “author” is huge. And yet why? I’m the author of this comment! You’ve hit the nail on the head.
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Just left a comment and forgot my link! Build A Better Blog: I is for Interesting Images. #AtoZchallenge. I’d love you to visit.
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This is something I needed today. Thanks Parul. So true, we should not undervalue ourselves.
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Oh I have heard of this term before … and have seen this so many times. Women tend to doubt themselves much more quickly than a man. In fact, I myself have doubted myself so many times, if I was plain lucky or I truly deserved the success or accolade.
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I know of so many women who suffer from this. Thankfully I learnt to deal with this at a very young age.
I’m always like, I deserve it because I did it. Or I can do it, because I know I can do it. Works like a charm all the time.
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I self-introspect post reading you and glad I don’t hve it buddy.#AtoZChallenge #PriyamMeer #Fiction #Series on #TrulyYoursRoma “Will they take us?” Excited Priyam whispered as soon as she spotted Meer, who was standing just behind her. She looked astoundingly graceful in the navy blue south cotton kurti with little white lilies print on it. “Of course we will, give your best” smiled back her prince charming who too looked oh so handsome in his new white shirt and black trouser. She loved his new clean shaven avatar which she has forced on him. They have always maintained the best grades in class and this was the time they really looked up to with a lot of sincere preparation going behind it. The atmosphere of the campus was quite exciting and eventful that day as the recession for the past 2 years has hit the campus recruitments the hardest. It was heartening things were finally looking up. Some nervous and some anxious faces waited for the pre-placement talk outside the T&P Cell. They have heard the three people in the panel have arrived late last night and included an alumnus, a technical lead and a pretty HR lady rest everything was to be revealed later that afternoon.Click on this link to keep reading the rest of the post: http://www.trulyyoursroma.com/2017/04/in-love-with-love-vol-8-of-enchanting.html ❤
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I’d heard of this before, but had no clue what it meant. This is so true though – there are many times I’ve undervalued myself, that if someone higher up in the management praises my work, I sometimes get mildly surprised. I used to think I’m overly pessimistic or something, but maybe it’s this! Gosh!
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Yes, the syndrome is true. and exists because of poor self-esteem that we all are walking around with!
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