You’re more than good enough

In life, people often experience feeling less-than.

We often doubt our abilities, worrying that we’re underqualified or undeserving of our position in life.

🙇‍♀️ Do I deserve this promotion?

🙇‍♀️ Can I really launch my own business?

🙇‍♀️ Am I a good enough parent?

🙇‍♀️ Do my friends actually value my input?

Anxious thoughts like these are common, as roughly 70% of people will experience imposter syndrome in their lifetime.

Why does imposter syndrome happen? — Photos by Lisa Hourin

What’s imposter syndrome?

Imposter syndrome is a common phenomenon describing 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.” (Oxford English Dictionary)

The term imposter syndrome was first coined by Pauline Rose Clance and Suzanne Imes in their research paper[*] titled The Imposter Phenomenon in High Achieving Women: Dynamics and Therapeutic Intervention.

Tied directly to our sense of self-worth, it often crops up when facing challenges or stepping out of our comfort zone.

Who experiences imposter syndrome?

As stated in Clance & Imes’ paper title, the imposter phenomenon primarily impacts high-achieving womxn.

Additional research has revealed that competence anxiety is most persistent within systematically suppressed groups like BIPOC, the queer community, AAPI, and womxn.

Unfortunately, not surprising, right?

People systematically “othered,” especially people of color, must prove themselves ten-fold to be recognized for their talents and achievements. This leads to exhaustion, self-doubt, and feelings of inadequacy.

Plus, highly intelligent, educated, and talented people are most likely to experience imposter syndrome.

Why? Intelligent people are painfully aware of how much they don’t know. The world is full of vast and deep knowledge. As individuals, people are more aware of their limitations than their gifts. Plus, smart folks are aware of the variety of intelligence and expertise available to all people, such as emotional, spacial, or linguistic intelligence.

What’s imposter syndrome? — The reverse is known as the Dunning-Kruger effect, a cognitive bias where people are overconfident in their abilities compared to their actual skills.
So, next time you doubt yourself, remember that probably means you’re brighter than most.

Tips for combating imposter syndrome

Keep track of your accomplishments, big and small. Being mindful of what you’re good at daily will help you focus on what you’re capable of.

I recommend using a notes app or a good old-fashioned notebook to jot down when you’ve done something that lights you up or makes you feel proud.

Some examples:

Speaking up for yourself or someone else
Making the kiddo in your life belly-laugh
Managing a problem, personal or professional
When a friend comes to you for advice
Cooking a delicious meal

Take a break from social media. Whether you limit yourself to a certain amount of scrolling each day or designate social media “off” days, you must take a break!

Folks only showcase their best on social media. It’s easy to compare your life, your job, and even your family to the curated perfection seen online. It’s so easy to forget it’s not real.

Build community. An easy way to help build your confidence as well as others? Turn to your community.

Surround yourself with people who will support you, hype up your accomplishments, relate to your failures, and love you regardless.

Invest in self-care. Prioritize yourself!

You deserve rest, rejuvenation, and daily moments just for you. It’s easy to get lost in the daily hustle and bustle, but find a small way to create time and space for yourself.

Identify something simple you can do for yourself every day. Identifying sustainable habits that you can easily incorporate into your daily routine is vital. Then, savor those moments with no distractions.

Take a walk
Add 5 minutes to your shower
Meditate for 10 minutes
Stretch before bed
Treat yourself to a nice coffee
Journal

Prioritizing yourself boosts confidence and allows your mind and body to recharge.

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