Shivering as you Sail?-Here’s Why

“You don’t belong here. Every storm that you have successfully navigated has been a very calculated interplay of everything you can name-luck, privilege, connections-anything but your talent. Did you really think it was your hard work or your skill set that has gotten you so far? It is only a matter of time before people find out.” 

Pause. Breathe. Keep Reading

If the initial words sound anything like that not-so-little voice in your head, Congratulations! You are one of those 70% of individuals who have had this experience at least once in their lives- the infamous imposter syndrome. 

Originally coined by Pauline Clance and Suzanne Imes, imposter phenomenon or “syndrome” describes an experience where you believe that your success is not deserved- actually worse, that you’ve just been lucky. You are more likely to feel this way if you are in a transition phase in your career. But here’s the twist- this experience often indicates that you are a high achiever, but maybe just a doubtful one. 

But how does that even work?

Let us break it down further. 

Individuals who are plagued by this experience feel most threatened when faced with an achievement-related task. This creates anxiety and fear leading them to respond in one of two ways- Overpreparation or Procrastination. Both serve as a cushioning for expected failure. However, in most cases the outcome is success. Does that mean that the problem is over? Sadly, that could not be farther from the truth. This fleeting sense of relief and positive feedback is immediately discounted as luck or effort, anything but competence. This eventually causes the person to feel like fraud, waiting to be exposed and getting stuck in this drill. This is known as the imposter cycle. It is like being dragged into a whirlpool by nothing else, but your own mind. This cycle tends to resist even repeated success. This is ironic considering that this experience is common among high achievers who cannot run away from their repeated success. 

This self-deprecation does not stop with career outcomes. It drowns itself much deeper in the mind’s ocean. The anxiety and self-doubt eventually increase the stress hormones called cortisol. This means that the person is more often than not in a sense of distress. Further, when a “good news” is discarded every single time, the brain decides to follow suit and no longer perceives success as something positive. This means that it no longer releases the reward and happiness chemicals such as dopamine and serotonin. 

Finally, the complete picture looks of an individual who is seen as an infallible, over-achiever by everyone else, but who quietly feels like they are sailing under grey skies with no signs of the sun or the destination. In the professional world, that translates to someone who struggles to take risks, take up new roles or look forward to promotions. And let us not sugarcoat it- that does appear to be self-sabotage. 

Where do you go from here?

1. Get in touch with reality

   
   

   You have probably mistaken this for being humble all along. But while modesty is an attractive trait, self-betrayal helps no one. The first step is to admit that. Your thoughts are not facts. Something that is common to all negative thinking is that it tints your perception. Every time you hear that voice in your head that we spoke of in the beginning- give it a reality check. Write down 3 instances where you achieved something and soak it in till that voice silences. If you still do not feel satisfied, you can take a step further and ask your trusted peers to do this activity for you. Sound relationships have a quality of making us feel safe. 

   
   

2. Go easy on yourself

   
   

   Yes, that does sound easier said than done. But we truly can be our worst enemies sometimes. Next time when you hear a praise, hold it for a moment and reflect on it. Allow your mind to relish its happy hormones and your brain to rewire itself towards self compassion. Plus, research shows that a surge of positive emotions builds a reserve of resources leading to more positive experiences. Think of it as an immune system designed to fight your downward phases. 

   
   

3. Accept and Change

   
   

   Even the most self-regulated individuals have their moments of spiralling. The change begins with acceptance of your experience. You will always find yourself in situations where that voice will emerge again. It may go quieter but it will not disappear. But here’s another secret: that voice in your head that is making you miserable- it is not even your own. 

   
   

   

   
   

The wind can keep pushing your sail. Only you can steer it to the destination. It may be time to drop your anchor where it belongs and re-caliberate your Kompass.