Imposter Syndrome Exposed

About a year into my PhD program, I was at a party at one of my professors’ homes. I was sitting in a group of women that included fellow students and the Associate Dean of Arts & Sciences. While we were chatting, the Associate Dean mentioned that sometimes it was very difficult for her to put out an article or document she’d been working on because she felt like it would prove she was a fraud and didn’t really know what she was doing. She said, “You know that Imposter Syndrome! It’s always out to get you!” I was absolutely stunned. I thought it was just me. I thought I was the only person on the planet who ever felt that way. Then I got another shock when the other women started nodding their heads in agreement and sharing their own stories of Imposter Syndrome. In that moment, an enormous weight lifted off of me. I wasn’t the only one feeling this way. I had a tribe.

Imposter Syndrome affects a large portion of the population but women and minorities struggle most often. While it is very common, it’s not something that’s discussed a lot. Much like I did back in graduate school, people feel isolated and ashamed of their feelings. They think it’s TRUE that they’re frauds. They’ve just gotten lucky in life. They’ve just known the right people or someone was being nice to them when they got their dream job. People who struggle with Imposter Syndrome never accept the credit for their successes but are quick to take ownership of their mistakes. All of these thoughts serve to keep Imposter Syndrome in the dark places of our lives, but shining a light on our thoughts is one of the best ways to move away from Imposter Syndrome and on to the life you truly want.

When I was allowing Imposter Syndrome to run free in my life, I often felt like I was not as smart as my colleagues, my work wasn’t as good as theirs, I was too overweight for people to like me, I was lazy and didn’t work hard enough, and on and on. I was ashamed because I thought those things, and I was ashamed about being ashamed. It was a horrible cycle. Of course, none of those things were true, but my thoughts gave them power. Of the women I coach with Imposter Syndrome, it seems the more successful they are, the more they are plagued by Imposter Syndrome. In fact, research has found Imposter Syndrome is very common among female doctors, engineers, and those in C-Suite positions. Don’t allow Imposter Syndrome to hold you back. Let me coach you to a new level of confidence. Until then, much love!