Use Imposter Syndrome to Your Advantage

Have you ever found yourself doubting your abilities and feeling like you cannot take credit for your own successes despite achieving them yourself? If yes, you might be experiencing what’s called imposter syndrome. This is a common feeling of incompetence often impacting individuals while working. Some common characteristics of this include feeling like a fraud, doubting oneself, self-sabotaging own achievements, perfectionism, and fear of not living up to one's expectations. While imposter syndrome can hinder your career and development if you let it take over you, it can be overcome.

Firstly, one needs to identify and accept that they are experiencing imposter syndrome and that this may never fully go away. However, rather than taking it as a negative sign, see it as a feeling that is telling you that you are taking steps in the right direction. It might not be the best feeling, but as you might have heard before, you have to be “comfortable in the uncomfortable” as that’s where “the magic happens”. This is why it may actually be a beneficial feeling as imposter syndrome often occurs when doing something new, something that will make you grow or progress in your career. On the other hand, when you are doing something that is familiar and what you are already good and skilled at, rather than feeling like a fraud, you are sure of yourself. Now this is actually a hindrance because if you stay where it’s familiar you will never grow.

Although it is easier said than done, when experiencing feelings of imposter syndrome, take it as a positive sign and keep doing what you are doing. You have stepped foot in the right direction, and you are in that place for a reason. Imposter syndrome can be a sign that you are in a place of growth and development.

Emma Huttunen

Emma Huttunen is a UK-based e-Commerce Specialist focusing on marketing & business development.

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