Taming the Impostor Within

Source © Economist

Have you ever felt like a fraud? That your successes and achievements are a result of sheer luck, rather than of your talent or qualifications? That one day, your peers or colleagues will see through the duplicity, and realise you don’t deserve it?

That’s none other than a classic case of impostor syndrome, or otherwise known as the impostor phenomenon.

Impostor syndrome tackles the ugly feelings of inadequacy and fears of deceiving those around you. These feelings of impostorism stem from the conflict between self-perception and perception of others. When you fail to internalise your own success, however big or small, this creates a festation of fraudulence, and in turn, makes you feel like an impostor.

Some of us are familiar with the notion of the ‘impostor’ through Among Us, the popular multiplayer game that took the pandemic by storm. But much like in the game of Among Us, impostor syndrome also tackles the idea of living as a fake, while trying to not get caught in the process.

Believe it or not, the impostor phenomenon is more common than you’d think. According to a review article in the International Journal of Behavioural Science, an estimated 70% of people experience impostor feelings at some point in their lives.

Psychologists Pauline Rose Clance and Suzanne Imes first came up with the idea of the impostor phenomenon in 1985, referring to it as an “internal experience of intellectual phoniness” in individuals who are highly successful but unable to internalise their success.

While initially recognised in women, the study acknowledged that the phenomenon existed in all genders, races and career paths, but in particular, was especially prevalent in high achievers.

Source © Economist

Dr. Valerie Young identified in her book, ‘Why Capable People Suffer from the Impostor Syndrome and How to Thrive in Spite of It’ five distinct types of ‘impostors’ among us and how they find themselves lacking.

• The expert: the need to know every piece of information available before you can begin a new project or endeavour, which eventually leads to feelings of incompetency when you identify holes in your knowledge.

• The perfectionist: the drive to achieve your hundred percent in every aspect of your life, to the point where anything less than that makes you feel like a failure.

• The natural genius: having navigated through life with little effort, it can conjure up feelings of fraudulence when you have to invest energy or face difficulties along the way.

• The rugged individualist (or soloist): the urge to handle all your tasks independently, and if not, it gives rise to feelings of unworthiness.

• Superheroes: pushing yourself to prosper in every given role - be it student, friend, employee, parent - by linking your competence to your ability to succeed in these roles.

The Big Question is - Why?

There is no single answer as to why we feel this way.

According to a Healthline editorial, some cases of impostorism are linked to upbringing and environment. Facing criticism or pressure from parents can contribute greatly to feelings of impostorism, especially in areas of academic success.

Other cases include personality traits such as perfectionist tendencies or low self-efficacy. Mental health symptoms and emotional distress are also significant in creating fraudulent feelings, like fears of failure, depression, anxiety and inferiority complex.

However, this isn’t limited to the layman.

Renowned novelist Maya Angelou once said, "I have written 11 books but each time I think 'Uh-oh, they're going to find out now. I've run a game on everybody, and they're going to find me out." These feelings are all too familiar to some of us.

Similarly, famous actor Tom Hanks explained in an interview with Fresh Air, "No matter what we've done, there comes a point where you think, 'How did I get here? When are they going to discover that I am, in fact, a fraud and take everything away from me?'”

Mind over Matter

Rather than lying in wake or with bated breath of being found out some day some ways you can douse the feelings of impostorism are through your own actions.

• Take time to celebrate your wins, no matter how miniscule. No one, but you, can recognise and acknowledge the time and effort poured into your achievements. Own it, and give credit where it’s due.

• Self-awareness is key. Sit with your feelings of impostorism and slowly, but surely, peel off the mask. Acknowledge these feelings of inadequacy, and share them with trusted individuals. Bridge the gap between your perceptions and how others perceive you.

• Stop seeking approval or validation from others.

Success is a rocky ship, one that can sink and submerge any time. But clinging on to the idea of perfection, whilst not acknowledging the triumphs and tribulations you underwent, leads you down the never-ending path of self-doubt and low self-worth. Be kind. Be compassionate. And most of all, be forgiving, even when you fail.