Have you ever accomplished something significant, only to brush it off as if it was no big deal?
Have you received a compliment, and immediately said something self-deprecating while cringing on the inside?

If thoughts like “I don’t deserve this” or “I’ve just been lucky” frequently cross your mind when you achieve success, you’re probably grappling with impostor syndrome, and you’re not alone.

Many of the brightest and most capable people in the world question their own abilities. They convince themselves that they are inadequate and that their accomplishments stem from deceiving others into believing they have qualities that they don’t in fact possess.

While studies suggest that impostor syndrome is more prevalent among women, whose professionalism is often unfairly questioned due to outdated stereotypes, these thoughts can affect anyone. It’s estimated that 70% of people have experienced, at least once, the feeling of being undeserving of their achievements.

Unsurprisingly, there is a strong correlation between impostor syndrome and success. Those who have never doubted themselves may be the true impostors, as they lack the ability to introspect and grow. In some ways, this self-critical mindset can be viewed as healthy because it stems from humility, pushing us to continually better ourselves. However, excessive humility can transform into chronic insecurity.

Identifying the Symptoms

Some common symptoms of impostor syndrome include negative self-talk, an incessant need to double-check one’s work, a tendency to shy away from the limelight, and habits such as working late or taking on excessive workloads. Individuals affected by impostor syndrome often attribute their successes to luck rather than their own competence, and they blame themselves for failures even when external factors played a role.

The feeling of being an impostor intensifies when you are forced to step outside our comfort zone and face new challenges—such as a promotion or a task for which you feel unprepared. But let’s face it, at some point, you all find ourselves in situations where you must improvise. As the wise musician Amanda Palmer once said, “Professionals know they are improvising. Amateurs pretend they are not.”

Conquering Impostor Syndrome

1. Stop chasing perfection

Overcoming impostor syndrome starts with radical self acceptance. Perfection is a moving target. There’s nothing wrong with striving to be better, but instead of measuring your self worth by attaining an impossible “perfection,” it’s better to focus on incremental improvement. You are probably tying your self worth to your outcomes and outputs, so when you inevitably fall short, you feel the pain of “not good enough”. Paradoxically, by accepting yourself as worthy exactly how you are, you’re more likely to improve yourself and to do it more quickly.

2. Acknowledge yourself, and accept the acknowledgment of others

As previously mentioned, it’s all too easy to downplay our successes by attributing them solely to external help or sheer luck. However, just as you take responsibility for your mistakes, you must also acknowledge your accomplishments when you get things right. Be the first person to celebrate your successes.In the same sense, practice taking complements gracefully. Next time somebody plays you a complement, don’t deflect or say “oh, it was nothing.” Look them in the eyes, say “thank you, that means a lot to me,” and stop talking!

“Compare yourself to who you were yesterday, not who someone else is today”

– Jordan Peterson

3. Avoid comparisons

Comparison objectively is useful for setting goals, but not for measuring self worth. The problem arises when you measure your weaknesses against others’ strengths and assume that what comes easily to them should come easily to you as well. Remember, the person you’re comparing yourself to is probably struggling with their own insecurities and anxieties too.

4. Embrace Ambition

The fear of being exposed as an impostor can be paralyzing, preventing you from exploring new opportunities and discovering untapped capabilities. When you have impostor syndrome, you can be just as afraid of success as failure. When you’re afraid to step out of your comfort zone for fear of being disappointed or failing, it’s easy to play small. Instead, play big without attachment to outcome. Stepping out of your comfort zone and taking risks to pursue our ambitions is crucial. Shoot for the moon, and you’ll land among the stars.

In short, Impostor syndrome is common, and pervasive no matter how much you’ve accomplished. Look at how far you’ve come in life, even with impostor syndrome holding you back. Think of it like training with weights on, and just imagine how fast you’ll run once you let them go. By taking the time to graciously acknowledge yourself for your accomplishments, notice and refrain from comparing yourself to others, and playing big, you can take real actionable steps to live a life that is easier and freer without the burden of impostor syndrome.