IMPOSTER SYNDROME – When Fake Becomes Too Real
Written by: Martin J. Fisher, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Does this sound familiar? Spoiler alert: it probably does…
You’re about to embark on something new. A new job, a promotion in your current job, perhaps on the cusp of becoming a parent for the very first time or maybe your dream partner has just accepted that first date.
All three scenarios would seem like great news, but there is one small issue – you can’t seem to shake the feeling. More than a lack of confidence, you truly don’t believe you can do it. That, you are a complete fraud, there is no way you’ll be good enough. Surely someone will notice this too. They’ll see right through you and know you shouldn’t be there.
What are you going to do? Do you not start that new career opportunity? Not go on that date? Are able to postpone parenthood?
You can’t admit that you’re not good enough so clearly, you can’t tell anyone. You either avoid it all together or just try to fake it. The problem with the latter is that the impending realization that you don’t deserve this is causing your anxiety to climb. Your insecurities seem to worsen. Instead of focusing on the task at hand, your anxiety and self-doubt take over and your performance suffers. Worse yet, you avoid it all together and never try. Never trying is the surest way to true failure.
So many people habitually feel out of their depth and are waiting in the apprehension of being called out on it. They are constantly dealing with a little voice inside their heads telling them that they can’t do it, that they’re not capable, that they’re a fraud.
The feeling of isolation makes it worse. I know this because I too had to deal with it in my early pharmacy years. I studied for 7 years of university to get my degree in pharmacy, I trained, I did my internship, but I thought there was a mistake because I didn’t know how to be a pharmacist and run a pharmacy when I graduated. That was how I felt. But feelings are not facts. The fact was I knew my stuff and I was good at it. It took me years to realize this because those feelings were real, so they felt like facts. But they weren’t. The facts were my studies and years of training had set me up for success. It was me that was setting myself up for failure.
There are many people out there who have experienced exactly this scenario now, and they can be there for you and tell you how they broke free from that feeling and either left it behind or used it to their advantage. If they can do it, so can you. Don’t let perfectionism and Imposter Syndrome be your reason for not succeeding in life, because guess what – you are good enough and you can do it.
A coach acts as a mirror and can help you recognize the underlying cause and to realization that will help you see your truth.
A good starting point would be to separate the negative emotions and beliefs from the facts. The facts will most likely show that you are indeed well qualified. You are good enough. You do deserve this.
If you have recognized yourself in the description above, know that you don’t have to deal with it alone. Please reach out for support to assist in separating true feelings from facts and facts from untruths.
For more info or support, send me a message on any of the following platforms!
Martin J. Fisher, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Martin is a Life Results Coach with a proven track record as a health care professional and corporate executive. He left that all behind to follow his calling to serve clients to create fulfilled lives they love. His expertise in health & wellness, pivoting & developing careers, and life patterns unite into the perfect holistic approach when creating your new life.
