How to Succeed When You Have Imposter Syndrome

If you’re here, you probably know what I’m talking about—that nagging feeling that you’re not good enough, that you’re a fraud, that you don’t belong in your job or industry. 

Yeah. That feeling. 

Imposter syndrome can be a real buzzkill, especially when it comes to your career. It can hold you back from pursuing new opportunities, taking risks, and reaching your full potential. And it’s not just a personal issue—it can affect every aspect of your career, quality of life, and confidence. 

But why is it so important to discuss imposter syndrome, especially in the context of your career? Well, let me tell you a little story. 

Meet Kathy 👩‍💼

Kathy is a smart, ambitious woman, and three years ago, she landed her dream job in a competitive industry. She was thrilled, of course, but soon enough, the imposter feelings started creeping in. 

She began wondering things like: Who am I to work alongside these talented, experienced, professionals? What if I can’t keep up with their standards? What if they find out that I am a fraud?

Kathy tried to ignore these thoughts, but they only grew stronger. She became anxious, stressed, and exhausted, working long hours to compensate for her perceived lack of skills. 

She avoided networking events and meetings, fearing that she would embarrass herself. And worst of all, she missed out on opportunities to grow, learn, and connect with her colleagues. 

It wasn’t until Kathy opened up to a trusted friend and mentor that she realized she wasn’t alone. Many women, including (maybe especially) the successful and accomplished ones, suffer from imposter syndrome. 

It’s not a personal flaw. It's a systemic issue that comes from gender biases, societal expectations, and workplace cultures that value perfection over progress. 

Talking about imposter syndrome can help you break the stigma, normalize your experience, and find support and guidance. It can also help you recognize the role that external factors, such as sexism, racism, or ableism, play in shaping your self-perception and confidence. 

If you feel like a fraud in your workplace, or you have a constant nagging feeling that you don’t belong in your job, that you’re not as competent as your colleagues, or that your achievements are just a stroke of luck—you’re not alone.

In fact, welcome to the club of MOST high-achieving, hard-working women.

But don’t worry—there ARE ways to combat this and overcome it so that you can grow in confidence and grow your career toward success. 

And this article should be enough to get you started. 

Signs and Symptoms of Imposter Syndrome 🚧

Imposter syndrome is a psychological pattern where you doubt your accomplishments and have an internalized fear of being exposed as a fraud.

The impact of imposter syndrome on your career can actually be devastating. It can hold you back from pursuing new opportunities, taking risks, and advancing your career. It can also cause burnout, anxiety, and depression, affecting your mental and emotional well-being. 

Imposter syndrome can manifest in various ways, but here are some of the most common (if you recognize a pattern here in yourself, then pay attention!) 

🤦🏽‍♀️ Self-doubt and negative self-talk. Do you often question your abilities or qualifications, compare yourself to others, or focus on your weaknesses rather than your strengths? Do you berate yourself for mistakes or setbacks, or minimize your achievements as luck or timing?

🙍🏽‍♀️ Fear of failure. Do you avoid taking risks or pursuing new challenges, fearing that you’ll fail or be exposed as a fraud? Do you procrastinate or over-prepare, seeking perfection or avoiding criticism? Are you constantly afraid of making mistakes, taking risks, or trying new things that may stretch your abilities or expose your expertise as a hoax?

🙇🏽‍♀️ Difficulty accepting praise and recognition. Do you feel uncomfortable or unworthy when others compliment you or acknowledge your accomplishments? Do you deflect their praise, or attribute it to external factors or luck? Do you downplay your success or turn the attention to others, afraid to accept compliments for your success as deserved?

🤷🏽‍♀️ Perfectionism and overworking. Do you set impossibly high standards for yourself, or feel like you have to work harder and longer than others to prove your expertise? Do you neglect your physical, mental, or social needs in favor of work, or feel guilty when you take breaks or ask for help? Do you work long hours and obsess over every detail to avoid making mistakes or being criticized?

🙅🏽‍♀️ Feeling like you don’t deserve your success. Do you worry that you’ve tricked or deceived others into thinking that you’re more competent or talented than you really are? Do you feel like a fraud or a fake, waiting for someone to expose you? Do you feel like you don’t belong in your job, or that your success is just a matter of luck or timing? 

🚶🏿‍♀️ Comparing yourself to others and finding yourself lacking. Do you find yourself constantly comparing yourself to others, particularly those who you perceive as more successful or talented than you? Do you feel like a failure when you see other people’s versions of success? Do you constantly worry about judgment from others when doing your job or explaining what you do? 

If any of these sound familiar, you’re not alone. Imposter syndrome affects women of all ages, backgrounds, and professions, and it’s not a sign of weakness or incompetence. In fact, it often affects high-achieving and ambitious women who strive for excellence and face external barriers and biases. 

⚡ STORYTIME! ⚡

Sooooo many people I know suffer from some form of Imposter Syndrome. It’s me. I am people. I won’t go into all the situations wherein I felt like an imposter because I don’t feel like making this article the length of a book. However, I will tell you about my latest attack of Imposter Syndrome. 

I haven’t told anyone this story because I was embarrassed for feeling this way. I’m a Director on the Wellesley College Alumnae Association’s (WCAA) Board of Directors. I’m loving the work but I must admit that when I was asked to join and for much of my first term, I was intimidated by the whole thing. Here I was, surrounded by amazing and accomplished women. I kept wondering why I was chosen to join them and was kinda waiting to be found out and asked not to serve my second term.

Then, I took a step back and objectively looked at the situation and realized that I did indeed deserve to serve on the Board as much as all the other Directors. I went to the school so I was an alum. I had been a very active volunteer and had even won an award for my volunteer work. So, why shouldn’t I be on the Board? Once I got past that, I’ve been a much more effective Director because I finally believed that I did indeed have something to offer.

Here are some of the reasons you may struggle with imposter syndrome yourself. 

Causes of Imposter Syndrome 😦

There are many possible causes of imposter syndrome, and understanding them can help you overcome these feelings and thrive in your career. 

👰‍♀️ Gender stereotypes and expectations. As a woman, you may have been socialized to be modest, self-effacing, and deferential. You may also face societal and cultural expectations that undermine your confidence and credibility in the workplace. Bias, discrimination, and harassment in the workplace can make you feel like you don’t belong or are not taken seriously, especially in male-dominated fields. This can erode your confidence and self-worth, leading to self-doubt, anxiety, and imposter feelings.  

😤 Negative workplace culture. A toxic or unsupportive work environment can also contribute to imposter syndrome. Whether it’s a competitive or cutthroat culture, a lack of recognition or respect, or a culture of micromanagement and blame, you can feel like you constantly have to prove yourself or hide your insecurities and vulnerabilities. A culture of perfectionism can exacerbate imposter syndrome and lead to stress, burnout, and disengagement. 

👁️‍🗨️ Personal experiences and upbringing. Your past experiences and upbringing can also shape your self-perception and confidence. Childhood experiences, family dynamics, and personal beliefs can shape how you perceive yourself and your abilities. Whether it's a history of trauma, abuse, neglect, or a lack of positive role models or mentors, you may struggle to trust yourself or your abilities.

🤔 Perfectionism and overly high expectations. You may set high standards for yourself and feel like you have to meet or exceed them at all times. Having high standards is not necessarily a bad thing, but when they become unrealistic and unattainable, they can fuel imposter syndrome. Whether it’s due to internal or external pressure, you may struggle with perfectionism and feel like you’re never good enough or always falling short.

Maybe this sounds bad in terms of personal growth and progress, but it can significantly impact your career as well. 

Impact of Imposter Syndrome 😪

The impact of imposter syndrome can be far-reaching, affecting your personal and professional life. Some common consequences include: 

🤧 Poor mental health. Imposter syndrome can take a toll on your mental health and well-being. From anxiety and stress to depression and burnout, you may experience a range of negative emotions and symptoms due to imposter feelings. This can cause anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem, which can affect your performance, relationships, and overall quality of life and well-being. 

😞 Career stagnation and missed opportunities. Imposter syndrome can hold you back from reaching your full potential and pursuing your goals and dreams. From turning down opportunities or promotions, taking risks, or procrastinating and avoiding new challenges, you may miss out on valuable opportunities to grow due to imposter feelings. This can limit your career advancement and income potential, or hold you back from a career that you really love.

😷 Burnout and exhaustion.  Imposter syndrome can also contribute to burnout, self-neglect, and exhaustion. From overworking and perfectionism to self-doubt and fear of failure, you may push yourself too hard and neglect your physical and mental health. This can lead to fatigue, reduced productivity, and even illness.

😦 The overall impact on your personal and professional life. Imposter syndrome can have a pervasive and long-lasting impact on your personal and professional life. It can damage your self-esteem and confidence, strain your relationships and social life, or impact your sense of purpose. This can affect your overall quality of life and lead to a sense of disconnection, isolation, and unhappiness. 

Strategies for Overcoming Imposter Syndrome 👏

So, what can you do to mitigate the impact of imposter syndrome and regain control of your life and career? 

🔍 Identify and challenge your negative thoughts and beliefs. Pay attention to the thoughts that are holding you back and ask yourself if they are based on reality. Challenge these thoughts by asking if they are true and if there is evidence to support them. (Hint: if you’re successful in your career, that is not evidence to support imposter syndrome!) Reframe your thoughts and beliefs by focusing on your strengths and accomplishments.

💆🏽 Practice self-care and self-compassion. Taking care of yourself is essential when dealing with imposter syndrome. Practice self-compassion by being kind and understanding towards yourself. Be patient and don’t expect perfection. Give yourself permission to take breaks and prioritize self-care activities such as exercise, meditation, and spending time with loved ones or on your hobbies. 

💅🏽 Seek support and mentorship. Surrounding yourself with supportive and empowering people can make a big difference when dealing with imposter syndrome. Seek a mentor or a supportive network that can offer you guidance and encouragement. You can also seek professional help, such as therapy or coaching, to work through your imposter feelings. And remember, I’m always here for you too! 

🌷 Celebrate your success and reframe your failures. Celebrating your successes and reframing your failures can help boost your confidence and reduce imposter feelings. Take the time to acknowledge and celebrate your accomplishments, no matter how small they may seem. Reframe your failures by focusing on what you learned and how you can improve in the future. 

Overcoming imposter syndrome is a process, and it takes time and effort. Be patient with yourself, and don’t give up. With the right mindset and strategies, you can overcome imposter syndrome and thrive in your personal and professional life.  

In Conclusion… 

Imposter syndrome affects many women, but it doesn’t need to hold you back. Remember, you are capable, you are deserving, and you are enough. Don’t let imposter syndrome feelings convince you otherwise! Believe in yourself, and take the steps necessary to overcome your doubts and fears. 

I’m cheering you on every step of the way! ✨