Skip to main content

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

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

ISE L'OGUN ISE (WORK IS THE PANACEA TO POVERTY)

Ise ni ogun ise (Work is the panacea to poverty) mura si ise ore mi (Be conscientious my friend in your work) ise ni a fi n di eni giga (Through hard work can we excel) ti a ko ba ri eni feyintin (If there is none to create a pathway to the top for you) bi ole la n ri (It is as if we are lazy) ti a ko ba ri eni gbekele (If there is no one to be your mentor and godfather) a tera mo ise eni, (Work harder then, don't give up, innovate, there is dignity in labor, a way will open up for you soon) Iya re le l'owo (Your mom may be super rich) Baba re le l’esin lekan (You dad could have real estate in choice places) T’oba gbo’ju le won o te tan ni mo so fun oh (If you trust in their riches, your shame is around the corner) Ohun aho j’iya fun kii t’ojo (What you did not labor often does not last, because you might not value them) Ohun ta ba s’ise fun nii pe l’owo eni (It is what you work for that becomes a treasure) Apa lara, Igunpa niye kan (Arms are your fam...
Post a Comment
Read more

THERE IS A SHORT WINDOW FOR PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST, CONCERNED PARTIES SHOULD GRAB IT WITH BOTH HANDS

Exactly a year today, the terror organization Hamas struck terror in the hearts of Israelis. Over 1200, mostly innocent people were murdered in cold blood in the most barbaric way. The evil wrecked by Hamas reminds us of the evil we are capable of as humans if we think there will not be any form of accountability. The attack is condemned in all of its forms. Such should never happen again. My heart goes out to families mourning dead family members, and those still waiting for their families taken hostage to return to them alive.   Since then, the Israeli army has unleashed terror of their own on Hamas, in the process killing so many innocent Palestinians in an attempt to exterminate Hamas, and their own terror continues, mostly on innocent Palestinians. Israel engaged in what some called genocide by cutting off water, food, power, internet, and major resources to over 2 million Palestinians in Gaza. The world has condemned the way Israel is prosecuting the war because they have bee...
Post a Comment
Read more

Wannabee Prime Minister that is Denigrating her Native Country... for What?

Omo ale lo maa hun fi owo osi j'uwe ile baba eh - it is a BASTARD child that uses the left hand to describe her father's house.... We should speak honestly about our country, but when you hold a position like Kemi does decorum is essential. She could say the same thing in a way that will not impact the lives of ordinary Nigerians who live and make a honest living across the globe. She is an opposition leader for crying out loud... She is dragging her native country deep into the mud to gain cheap popularity.... She will need the votes of Nigerians if she will ever be Prime Minister one day. Every letter of her words will come back to hunt her... I trust Nigerians in the UK will not only mobilize against her, but they will also mobilize other Africans and Carribeans to shun her...
Post a Comment
Read more