Imposter Syndrome
Tags: mentalhealth, productivity, beginners, 100daysofcode
Published: 2020-06-09 17:09:21

> Everyone feels like an imposter sometimes, and **THAT'S OKAY.**

In this blog, I'm going to talk about *Imposter Syndrome*. What does this mean, the characteristics, the effects and also I'm going to introduce you to someone who can help you with how to identify this and how to cope with it so stick with me till the last :)

Imposter Syndrome is something which is neglected and not talked about more often. But it affects us day-to-day and can sometimes prove to be dangerous if not identified and tackled.

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**Let's talk about what does this means. According to Google -**

>The persistent inability to believe that one's success is deserved or has been legitimately achieved as a result of one's own efforts or skills.

**Or in simple words**, we doubt ourselves that we are not good enough and have fear of being exposed as a fraud. Even our success feels like due to luck and not due to our skill and talent.

![Janelle Gerrard breaks down ‘imposter syndrome’ amongst high-achievers](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/i/0n5n8hkwxp40xjuv4nc5.jpg)

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**Let's talk about some of the characteristics of this -**

* Self-Doubt 
* Criticizing your performance
* Setting very challenging goals and getting disappointed after not achieving
* Giving credit to others or luck for the success due to your hard work
* Lack Of Confidence
* Fear of Failure
* Etc.

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**Let's talk about some of the effects of this -**

**Negative Effects -**

It affects us in a lot of ways.

* Some great ideas remain buried inside minds due to this.

* We are not able to start the project , the blog , the startup we wish to, due to this.

* It is easy for us to go into depression.

* It also sometimes affects the relationship with our colleagues by creating some misunderstandings like when we refuse to help others due to lack of confidence.

**Postive Effects -**

Yeah, you read that right *Positive effects*, sometimes Imposter Syndrome gives scope for improvement.

Sometimes giving less importance to your success compels you to do more each time, leading to development.

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Now it's time that I introduce you to someone who can help you to identify this and also with how to cope with it. And that someone is none other than **YOU**. Yeah, only you can help yourself to get past this and bring positive changes in your life.

**Lets talk about how you can identify this -**

**Ask yourself these questions -** 

* Do you agonize over even the smallest mistakes in your work? 

* Do you give credit for your success to luck or outside factors? 

* Are you very sensitive to even constructive criticism?

Whether you have imposter syndrome or not lies in the answers to these questions. The answers to these questions will help you to assess your problems of imposter syndrome.

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**Lets talk about how to cope with it -**

**Researcher Queena Hoang proposed that intrinsic motivation can decrease the feelings of being a fraud.**

* Watch Motivational Videos or listen to Podcasts or talk to your family when you feel low -

It has been observed that motivational videos or podcasts help to build confidence. Also talking to near and dear ones helps us to get out of depression.

* Stop Comparing with others -

One very big reason for disappointment is when we start comparing ourselves with others. We must understand we all have our own race to win. The goal should not be to overcome others but to be better than what we were yesterday. Our competition should be only with ourselves.

* Praise yourself even after small victories -

When you'll start appreciating your work even after small victories you'll start to see your worth which will help you to identify your skills and talents. Start giving yourself some rewards for your victories. It'll help you to try to give more.

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I would like to conclude that it's only up to us how we handle this and cope with it.

Thanks for reading :)

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Pic Credits -

Cover Picture - [Valentin Salja] (https://unsplash.com/photos/0aX51h4WvAk)

Body Picture - [Janelle Gerrard](https://www.hunterheadline.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/2_JanelleGerard_ImposterSyndrome_June2019Image.jpg)

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