5 ways to deal with the impostor syndrome

If you visited the idea that you occupy someone else's place and do not deserve to be where you are - it's more than uncertainty. This phenomenon is called "impostor syndrome." It can accompany you all the time there are attacks or suspiciousness. This feeling paralyzed and literally makes avoid success. I'll tell you how to recognize the impostor syndrome and deal with it.

What is the impostor syndrome

5 ways to deal with the impostor syndrome

It is a psychological condition in which a person does not believe his achievements result of their own efforts and invalidate their personal qualities. When there are obvious signs of success, such as fame, public recognition or promotion, "impostor" it seems that he did not deserve this and all cheating.

The term entered scientists Pauline Clancy and Suzanne Imes in 1978. They noticed that successful women tend to believe that they are not smart and surrounding overrated.

We now know that the impostor syndrome is equally susceptible to both men and women. For a long time he was considered a trait, but since the beginning of the 21st century is a phenomenon studied as a reaction to external situations and stimuli. Here are some ways to overcome the attacks of the impostor syndrome.

1. Talk about your successes

I think that to talk about its merits and successes immodest - a sign of the impostor syndrome. Their mistakes a man thinks regularity and another sign of worthlessness, and success - pure luck.

When spending too much time with their shortcomings, it begins to seem that one is whole life. If you tell a partner, friends or family about how screwed up at work, share and what you got. Another problem of "impostors" - the inability to accept compliments. A person with a healthy self-esteem would not contest the nice words in your address or harp on them. He calmly say "thank you" and go on.

2 switches from thoughts to action

5 ways to deal with the impostor syndrome

When a person with the syndrome of impostor something goes wrong - can not cope with the work, or does not get the result, which was waiting for - he immediately begins to doubt his abilities. Few failures add confidence, but the "impostor" paralyze errors.

If you feel that stuck in his mind about what you are insignificant, - switch. Noting that has done today, and immerse yourself in a new task. Just do not follow the doubts and do not give in procrastination.

3. Analyze your achievements

5 ways to deal with the impostor syndrome

If the impostor syndrome makes you doubt that you are all achieved something - remember what you were five years ago. It should be similar to the composition of resume. Make a list of your skills and professional successes in recent years. The problem of "impostors" that they dwell on mistakes and to focus not notice their achievements. They need to just blab to reprogram yourself. When the impostor syndrome often recommend a written therapy - it helps to organize thoughts and get rid of the feeling that you can not do anything.

4. Learn to recognize the destructive thought

Criticism and self-criticism are meaningless if they are not encouraged to take action. To think that a common error that says something about your abilities - destructively. Understand what to do to not repeat this mistake - the best thing you can do in this situation. Your task - to learn in time to find and eliminate such errors in thinking. It is important to realize that self-criticism often has nothing to do with reality.

5. Know that you are in good company

5 ways to deal with the impostor syndrome

impostor syndrome does not depend on whether a person is really successful. Many well-known personalities, which is enjoyed by millions of people are suffering from insecurity.

A lawyer and former US first lady Michelle Obama once admitted that she was worried that it was too noticeable and more she wants from life. On the problems with self-esteem say Meryl Streep, Emma Watson, Tommy Cooper.

Albert Einstein before his death he wrote to his friend:

Underlined the respect that surrounded my life's work, makes me feel at ease. I could not help feel like a fraud.

I am writing this is not to convince you that the impostor syndrome - is the norm. As you can see, the problem with self-esteem did not prevent these people to become great. You do not have to strive for world fame. Just do not let doubts poison your life.