You Don't Belong Here!

Nine out of 10 people who start a new project, job or business suffer with impostor syndrome (IS).

That's a dramatic number right? I totally made it up. But I'm willing to bet, I'm not too far off. Impostor syndrome is a psychological pattern coined in 1978 by Dr. Pauline Clance and Dr. Suzanne Imes when they published “The Impostor Phenomenon in High Achieving Women: Dynamics and Therapeutic Intervention”. As students, who felt unworthy, and later as clinical psychologists, both women were astonished by the number of people who experienced IS.

What's more troubling is that IS doesn't go away after you've achieved the success you been looking for. Maya Angelou, a renowned poet, was quoted as saying, "Each time I write a book, every time I face that yellow pad, the challenge is so great… 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."

If someone as accomplished and celebrated as Maya Angelou could feel like a fraud, what hope do the rest of us have? But the truth is, we all have moments of doubt and insecurity. It's a natural part of the human experience.

The key is to recognize when impostor syndrome is holding you back and learn how to overcome it. One strategy is to focus on your strengths and accomplishments. Make a list of your achievements and remind yourself of them when you start to doubt yourself. Another strategy is to talk to someone you trust about how you're feeling. Often, just voicing your fears can help you see them in a different light.

Remember, you are not alone. Impostor syndrome affects many people, including some of the most successful and accomplished individuals in the world. But with the right mindset and strategies, you can overcome it and achieve your goals. So don't let impostor syndrome hold you back from pursuing your dreams.