On Imposter Syndrome

I suffer from imposter syndrome. There’s a good chance you do, too.

Imposter syndrome is the persistent belief that your success is unearned, despite clear evidence of competence. Cognitive distortions, like catastrophizing and overgeneralization, turn small doubts into sweeping judgments about your worth. Paradoxically, it hits at the peak of achievement—when your performance outpaces how you see yourself.

Women and other minorities often feel the weight of stereotype threat, where external biases are internalized as self-doubt. High achievers, perfectionists, and folks prone to neuroticism are especially vulnerable.

Techniques to combat imposter syndrome

1. Acknowledge your feelings. You’re not alone in feeling this way.

2. Adopt a growth mindset. Shift your focus from perfection to progress.

3. Archive your success. Compile evidence that you’ve (actually) got this.

4. Avoid mincing words. Remove words like “just” or “only” or “kind of” when talking about your work.

Stop magnifying your mistakes and discounting your wins.

Imposter syndrome doesn’t need to disappear for you to thrive. It’s actually a signal that you’re operating at your edge—exactly where real progress happens.

Read the foundational study:

1. Clance, P. R., & Imes, S. (1978). The Imposter Phenomenon in High Achieving Women: Dynamics and Therapeutic Intervention. https://www.paulineroseclance.com/pdf/ip_high_achieving_women.pdf