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Impostor Syndrome

 

Late last year, I was listening to NPR (WEKU) as usual on my way to work. Can't remember which of the programs it was, and the topic of discussion was "Impostor Syndrome" (IS). I was struck by this discovery. I had thought I was the only one that suffered from this experience - apparently, it is a common feeling among those we respect, people who have inspired in history, and those who continue to motivate us.

Maya Angelou was a renowned poet and she continues to inspire humanity long after her death, here is what she wrote: "I have written eleven books, but each time I think, 'Uh oh, they're going to find out now. '” Can you imagine, Maya saying this - of course, she was an African American woman who came out of the civil rights era - being a colored person and a woman for that matter, and with a dark past. But she was highly accomplished. Here is an endless list of famous entertainers that have suffered from IS at one point in their life:

  • Tina Fey
  • Sophia Amoruso
  • Barbara Corcoran
  • Tom Hanks
  • Sheryl Sandberg
  • Lady Gaga
  • Howard Schultz
  • Maisie Williams

So, what is impostor syndrome? It is a feeling of "I am faking it", "I cannot be this good", "only if you knew my struggles", "I am not whom you call me, "they will soon find out I am a fraud - I am not that good". Worst feelings are those of "I am an impostor", "I am fake", in the words of verymind.com - "an internal experience of believing that you are not as competent as others perceive you to be". Experts say it is a feeling common with people who have perfectionism attitude to life - they are hard on themselves. I bet it is a common issue with minorities in a society that already tagged them as "not good enough", and oftentimes they work double hard to prove to themselves and others that they are more than competent and in that process are always in self-doubt.

Researchers report that as many as 70% of us suffered from IS at one time in our lifetime. Someone wrote: "Apart from serial narcissists, super low achievers, and outright crazies, no one is immune to the self-doubt that feeds Impostor Syndrome"

I was able to overcome my experience with constant self-evaluation and being factual about my low and high points. By choosing to accept that I cannot do it right all the time and I am human. Being satisfied with my record of achievement against the hordes - I have found that inner peace.

I found these resources very helpful if you think you suffer from IS - https://impostorsyndrome.com/10-steps-overcome-impostor/.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/margiewarrell/2014/04/03/impostor-syndrome/?sh=19045c6348a9

#impostorsyndrome, #iamvalued, #respect, #experienceImpostor

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