Am i real?
7 Signs of Impostor Syndrome
Impostor Syndrome is a mix of anxiety, perfectionism, low self-esteem, and concern about others’ opinions. A person constantly doubts their achievements and intelligence, believing their success is due to luck, and that others will soon realize they are a fraud. Here are 7 signs that you might be caught in the trap of Impostor Syndrome.
- You Can’t Accept Praise When someone compliments your skills or achievements, do you get embarrassed and say, «It’s nothing, anyone could do it»? Congratulations, you might be an «impostor.»
- You Anticipate Failure When starting a challenging task, an «impostor» is convinced they’ll fail. They probably won’t ask for help either, as they’ve learned that «nobody likes fools.»
- You Don’t Forgive Yourself for Mistakes Even the smallest error, which doesn’t affect the outcome, turns into a catastrophe for an «impostor,» who will beat themselves up over it. Remember, you’re human, and even robots make mistakes!
- You Doubt Your Own Worth «Impostors» believe their opinions don’t matter and their ideas are worthless. Only smart and talented people deserve to be heard, and «impostors» don’t believe they are either.
- You Fear Exposure «They’ll soon realize I’m a fraud,» is a common fear among «impostors.»
- You Attribute Success to Luck It’s luck if you buy a lottery ticket and win a million. But if you work hard, improve your skills, and gain knowledge, and end up getting a high position, it’s not luck. It’s your achievement.
- You Hide Your Fears Behind Confidence People see you as confident and a bit arrogant, and you maintain this illusion because you’ve learned that «successful people» look like this. But remember, the mask won’t stick, and you risk a breakdown.
Here are some short pieces of advice to overcome Imposter Syndrome:
- Acknowledge Your Feelings – Recognize self-doubt as a common experience, not a reflection of your worth.
- Reframe Negative Thoughts – Challenge self-criticism by focusing on facts and achievements.
- Celebrate Successes – Keep a journal of accomplishments, big or small, to reinforce your capabilities.
- Embrace Growth – View mistakes as learning opportunities, not proof of inadequacy.
- Seek Support – Talk to a mentor, coach, or trusted person who can offer perspective.
- Stop Comparing – Focus on your progress instead of measuring yourself against others.
- Take Action – Confidence grows with experience; keep pushing forward despite doubts.
«Except the lack of confidence and fear of failure, and do it anyway!»