Simple ways to deal with impostor syndrome
| Oct 5, 2019, 09:59 IST
Are you crippled with self-doubt? Feeling insecure? Do you feel like you are not good enough for the job you have even though you are thriving? You may have imposter syndrome.
The root cause of it is fear and it can be hard to shake off no matter how successful you are because you constantly feel the need to prove yourself.
Now, a new study that investigated imposter syndrome explains how you can overcome it. For the study, the team conducted a survey answered by students. Close to 20 per cent of the respondents revealed they experience strong feelings of imposter syndrome. They were also asked how they coped with the issue.
"Those outside the social group seem to be able to help students see the big picture and recalibrate their reference groups," study co-author Jeff Bednar, a Brigham Young University professor, told a news portal. Adding, "After reaching outside their social group for support, students are able to understand themselves more holistically rather than being so focused on what they felt they lacked in just one area."
Being in denial and video games did not help students to cope with the issue. The team were also surprised to find no link between impostor syndrome and actual performance.
"The root of impostorism is thinking that people don't see you as you really are," co-authors, Bryan Stewart told a news portal. Adding, "We think people like us for something that isn't real and that they won't like us if they find out who we really are."
It is also important to bring your feelings of impostorism to light so they don't feel like a frightening monster you have to deal with on your own. "It's important to create cultures where people talk about failure and mistakes," Bednar told a news portal.
Adding, "When we create those cultures, someone who is feeling strong feelings of impostorism will be more likely to get the help they need within the organization."
The study's findings were originally published in the Journal of Vocational Behavior.
Picture Courtesy: Google Images
The root cause of it is fear and it can be hard to shake off no matter how successful you are because you constantly feel the need to prove yourself.
Now, a new study that investigated imposter syndrome explains how you can overcome it. For the study, the team conducted a survey answered by students. Close to 20 per cent of the respondents revealed they experience strong feelings of imposter syndrome. They were also asked how they coped with the issue.
"Those outside the social group seem to be able to help students see the big picture and recalibrate their reference groups," study co-author Jeff Bednar, a Brigham Young University professor, told a news portal. Adding, "After reaching outside their social group for support, students are able to understand themselves more holistically rather than being so focused on what they felt they lacked in just one area."
Being in denial and video games did not help students to cope with the issue. The team were also surprised to find no link between impostor syndrome and actual performance.
"The root of impostorism is thinking that people don't see you as you really are," co-authors, Bryan Stewart told a news portal. Adding, "We think people like us for something that isn't real and that they won't like us if they find out who we really are."
It is also important to bring your feelings of impostorism to light so they don't feel like a frightening monster you have to deal with on your own. "It's important to create cultures where people talk about failure and mistakes," Bednar told a news portal.
Adding, "When we create those cultures, someone who is feeling strong feelings of impostorism will be more likely to get the help they need within the organization."
The study's findings were originally published in the Journal of Vocational Behavior.
Picture Courtesy: Google Images