I decided not to post this… but here we are. I told myself it wasn’t good enough. In actuality I was just scared. A reader saved it when she emailed about her own Impostor Syndrome. I sent her this post and she responded with this:

image of an email from a reader

Well, here it goes…

[Update: Since posting this, there have been a ton of people commenting about their experiences with Impostor Syndrome, their stories might be even more helpful than the article itself. Definitely check them out.]

Here’s What We’re Covering:

What Is Impostor Syndrome?

I’m a fraud and everyone is about to find out. I feel that every time I am about to share something. I feel that right now writing this: I don’t even have impostor syndrome. That’s how bad my impostor syndrome is. I even think I’m faking that. If it’s part of my life, it’s fake. What is impostor syndrome? It’s feeling like an impostor when you’re not. Like you’re a fraud and the whole world is going to find you out.

This makes total sense for undercover agents and people selling snake oil. It doesn’t make so much sense for people who are trying to make the world a little better or to sell something they believe in.

The first step to feeling better about anything is to realize that famous people suffer the same thing. So here are some famous people with Impostor Syndrome:

“The beauty of the impostor syndrome is you vacillate between extreme egomania and a complete feeling of: ‘I’m a fraud! Oh God, they’re on to me! I’m a fraud!’ So you just try to ride the egomania when it comes and enjoy it, and then slide through the idea of fraud.” 

– Tina Fey
bossypants-tina-fey

“I still think people will find out that I’m really not very talented.  I’m really not very good.  It’s all been a big sham.”

– Michelle Pfeifer

“Sometimes I wake up in the morning before going off to a shoot, and I think, I can’t do this.  I’m a fraud.”

– Kate Winslett

“I have written eleven books, but each time I think, ‘uh oh, they’re going to find out now. I’ve run a game on everybody, and they’re going to find me out.’ “

– Maya Angelou

Emma Watson, Sheryl Sandberg, and Sonia Sotomayor have also admitted to feeling like they’ll be found out for the frauds they are.

comic-drawing-impostor-lady

But wait, these are all women… Apparently this is mostly a problem for women. I don’t buy that though. I think that guys just won’t talk about it. Or at least that’s the story I’m going with. (I don’t want to be girly.) In searching for famous people with impostor syndrome I did find a couple males. Tom Hanks and Neil Gaiman (artists of course, but they’ll do):

“The first problem of any kind of even limited success is the unshakable conviction that you are getting away with something, and that any moment now they will discover you. It’s Impostor Syndrome, something my wife Amanda christened the Fraud Police.”

– Neil Gaiman

Seth Godin wrote in The Icarus Deception that after a dozen best sellers he still feels like a fraud all the time. (I have a sneaking suspicion that Tim Ferriss suffers from it too, just saying.) This problem is only getting worse as more of us rely on our online presences. We’re in this weird culture where you’ve got to sell yourself aggressively while remaining “authentic”. You think you need to be perfect but you also need to feel free to fail. You need to be yourself and more! It’s all set up to make you feel like a fraud. At the end of this post I’m going to issue a challenge. If you don’t feel like reading anything else, skip down and do the thing with me! Here are the ways I keep going when I feel like a fraud:

image-of-a-dog-i-have-no-idea-what-im-doing

21 Ways To Overcome Impostor Syndrome

1. Come off it. Usually I feel like a fraud when I think I’m more important than I am. When you feel like a fraud it’s in relation to some perfection that never actually existed. Letting go of some of your excess self-importance will go a long way in helping you feel less like a fake.

2. Accept that you have had some role in your successes. We feel like frauds because we are “unable to internalize our successes”. We were given an opportunity that others weren’t. And so nothing we achieve after that opportunity was actually deserved.

John D. Rockefellar’s oldest son suffered that bad. His entire life’s work was giving away money that his dad made. Can you imagine the intense impostor syndrome he must have felt? Holy moly.

There are plenty of people born with a silver spoon that still manage to f*#$ up. They were given every opportunity and never could take advantage of them. Opportunities come to those who expose themselves to them.

It’s not all “fair”, not at all. But you did do something to get where you are. You said yes when you could have said no (or, maybe more challenging, you said no when you could have said yes.)

3. Focus on providing value. I feel like a fraud when I’m concerned about myself. What will they think of me? If I fail they’ll shun me. I don’t know as much as that other guy, I have no right to say anything on the topic. Blah blah blah. The fastest way to get over feeling like a fraud is to genuinely try to help someone else

This is hard because what if they hate you for it? What if they make fun of you for trying to help? What if your sincerity is smashed under the laughter of others? Then OUCH! That hurts bad. Not nearly as bad as it hurts to feel like a shell of yourself though. I remember the first time I wrote vulnerably. I had gone through severe depression and had benefitted from reading about others being depressed. I felt obligated to share my story. I did. It’s a couple years later now and I still get emails telling me how helpful the letter was to them. Not one person made fun of me for that. At least to my face.  

quotes about humility  cs elliot

4. Keep a file of people saying nice things about you. I just started this earlier this year and it’s been amazing. Every time someone writes that I helped them online I take a screenshot and put it in my folder. When I feel like a fraud I can go look through the stories of people I have helped. There is a mom who’s 18 year old boy was shaken out of being stuck because of something I had written. There are a whole series of entrepreneurs who started businesses because of articles I’ve written. There are successful entrepreneurs that were reinvigorated by something I wrote. There are a whole slew of people at rock bottom who have found life worth living again because of something I wrote. Those things keep me putting stuff out there. Because, honestly, it’s easy to forget that writing can do any good. Collect your wins, testimonials, whatever and then visit them when you’re feeling like a fraud.

impostor-venn-diagram-graph

5. Stop comparing yourself to that person. There’s no good reason for you to be reading what I’m writing. There are world class biographies of Warren Buffett, John D. Rockefeller, and Einstein. James Altucher has had more successes than me. Peter Thiel just wrote a book. Tim Ferriss, Paul Graham, Kevin Kelly… these guys blog! But still, I’m writing this because I think I have something to offer. Actually, when I look at my praise file I have proof that I have something to offer.

When I compare myself to these others it’s easy to fall into the trap of “my life sucks compared to that life”. You might as well not even do anything! Your life isn’t the best life! Emerson said, “Envy is ignorance…” and he was right on. You aren’t here to live the life of another person. You’re here to do whatever life you can. Turn Facebook off, get off Instagram, stop reading biographies of “successful” people and learn to respect your own experience. Limit your stress, you’re not a fraud, you’re just you.

6. Expose yourself totally. Part of the twisted arrogance that causes impostor syndrome is the (usually unconscious) belief that you have extreme powers that the world couldn’t handle. Or maybe it’s just that you think you are a freak. You certainly have the ability to offer the world something that nobody else can… but really it’s not that wild! You are not nearly as much of a freak as you think you are. Again, come off it, you’re just not that special.

Do this: write for 30 minutes the most insane things about yourself. You will never show anybody this. Write your most ridiculous beliefs, your most terrible thoughts, your biggest fraud! Just write gibberish if you think that is crazy. Push into the deepest taboos you hold. Seeing these on paper doesn’t get rid of them but externalizing things puts them in a more sane perspective.

I have a gay friend. Everyone knew he was gay. He spent years not telling anyone. He spent a huge chunk of his life without expressing himself. If the world knew he was gay everything would be over. “So, I’m gay,” he told me. Big surprise. “Okay,” I told him. The next month I saw him he was living a totally different life. There was some kind of rusty wheel in him that was now spinning freely. His eyes shone with life. He was energetic and positive. All just from letting down his guard for a minute.

science girl

7. Treat the thing as a business/experiment. Today there is a whole slew of artist-entrepreneurs. We call part of what we do “content creation”. There has never been a time in history where so many people have a “voice”. No wonder we’re all suffering from impostor syndrome.

Start treating even your art as a business. Not to the point that you start making crap because it’s what people like, but to the point that you are honestly serving the market. In a business, if a product doesn’t sell, you stop making it.

If nobody shares this post or leaves comments then I’ll assume that nobody wants to hear me talk about impostor syndrome—so I’ll stop. I won’t wallow in my failure and think the world hates me.

I’m running a test. Looking at it this way makes it easier to create the thing freely.

8.  Say “It’s Impostor Syndrome” and it immediately becomes a little less terrible.

9. Remember: being wrong doesn’t make you a fake. The best basketball players miss most of the shots they take. The best traders lose money on most trades. Presidents are wrong about stuff all the time. The best football teams inevitably lose.

Losing is just part of the game. Don’t glorify failure, but don’t let it make you feel like you’re not a real contender either.

10.  “Nobody Belongs Here More Than You”

We are all going to die, we just take different routes to get there. One of the most attractive qualities in a person is acceptance.

Acceptance of themselves and acceptance of you.

Not in the surrendering kind of way, in the “seeing clearly” kind of way. If you can admit that nobody belongs here more than you (while maintaining the belief that you don’t belong here any more than anyone else) you will find yourself making connections with people in powerful ways.

imposter-heart-comic-drawing

11. Realize that when you hold back you’re robbing the world. If you walk around feeling that you should be someone else or that you don’t deserve to be here then all your crappy vibes rub off on other people. Your stunted expression means that you can’t be there for people who need you.

Everyone has doubts, the best gift you can give the world is to move forward regardless of the doubts—because it gives us the permission to move forward as well.

12. You’re going to die. Do you want to be on your deathbed regretting that you spent your entire life stopping yourself because you felt like a fraud? Maybe you can’t shake the feeling that you’re a fraud. You can force yourself to move forward despite the feeling.

13.  Stream-of-conscious writing. I suggested something similar in #1. This is aimless though. Do this: write for 30+ minutes nonstop. You can’t put your pen down. If there is no thought in your head then write “I can’t think of anything” until you do. This will constantly put you in touch with what’s going on inside yourself.

It will show you how silly the impostor syndrome is. It’s awesome.

14. Say what you can. We are often put in the position of “expert”. When this happens people look at you like you should know everything about a topic. We can’t know everything about anything though. If I’m in a situation where there is potential to actually be a fraud—ie bullshit about things I don’t know—I just say what I can instead. People respect this much more. Admit that you don’t yet have the answer but you’ll find it.

Admit that you haven’t found the perfect solution but you’ve come close enough.

i-have-no-idea-what-im-doing-dog-image

15. Realize that nobody knows what they’re doing. Most startups fail. Even the ones that you hear about raising millions of dollars fail all the time. Nobody knows exactly what’s going on. There are a ton of people who will tell you they know the answers. These people are liars.

The world we live in is the result of a lot of brave people tinkering, failing, and succeeding once in a while. Nobody knows what’s next: some are willing to play ball in the face of uncertainty and some aren’t. You’re not an impostor for trying something that might not work. You’re a hero.

16. Take action. Impostor Syndrome lives in abstraction. It’s not about stopping being lazy, it’s about massive amounts of action.  It is impossible for it to survive when you’re taking action. Taking action proves that you’re not a fraud. It tests your mettle in the real world.

Impostor Syndrome cannot do damage to the person who consistently takes action. (You still might feel it every once in a while but you won’t let it stop you.)

17. Realize that you are never you. You’re constantly changing. You’re constantly becoming a new person. Your opinions change with new information (I hope). You spend 6 months eating donuts and then you spend 6 months at the gym. Last year you were obsessed with Call of Duty, now you don’t understand video games. Maybe you were in a terrible mood this morning. Maybe you’re a bit brighter now.

“There is as much difference between us an ourselves as there is between us and others.”

– Michel de Montaigne

You are growing into something different. You are getting better. How? By trying to do something better than you actually can. That’s not a lie, that’s valor.

image of two ducklings facing each other

18. Authenticity is a hoax. What is being authentic? I’m not going to write to my grandma using the same words as I use to write to my sister. I’m not even going to emphasize the same interests I have.

If I’m selling security systems, I’m not going to pitch a Mormon the way I pitch a rock star. It just wouldn’t make sense. There is no person you can be other than you. Ever. The impostor syndrome will have you believe that you are being inauthentic. That you are a liar. If that’s true then where is your true self!?

The impostor syndrome doesn’t give an answer because it doesn’t have one. Tell it to eff off.

19. See credentials for what they are. They don’t mean much. “Expert” means someone decided to call them that. “PhD” doesn’t mean someone knows more than you, it means they spent more time in college than you. (And actually do know way more than you about some uselessly specific topic.)

“As seen in The Wall Street Journal” means they knew how to use HARO. Don’t measure yourself by credentials. It takes the focus away from actually doing good things. And it won’t shut up the impostor syndrome for long either.

20. Find one person you can say, “I feel like a fraud” to. Being able to say that out loud to another person can be a huge help. Especially when they laugh at you for it.

21. Faking things actually does work. Sometimes faking it doesn’t make you a fraud. If you smile your body will be more generous with happy chemicals and actually make you happier. Neuroplasticity means that you can shape your brain by pretending.

When you were a baby you tried to walk and fell down every time. Were you a walking impostor? Who are you to walk!? You can’t even do it! It’s absurd!

Silicon Valley has been built by people trying to do things that probably weren’t going to work. We need them to keep trying. We need you to keep trying. We need you. Whether you feel like an impostor or not.

impostor-syndrome-cartoon

Impostor Syndrome: The Challenge

You have the opportunity right this very instant to overcome your impostor syndrome. This is what we’re going to do. A Blog Confessional of sorts.

Write in the comments one thing you’ve avoided because you feel like a fraud. (If this is too much, you can email me… commenting will be more powerful though.) You can even stay anonymous if you want. Maybe you haven’t started that blog because you feel that you couldn’t do it as well as the people already blogging about a topic. Maybe you haven’t started your business because you don’t think you’re an “entrepreneur”. Maybe you haven’t talked to that pretty girl/guy. I don’t know. There are all sorts of thing. I’ll give you mine in a second.

**BONUS ROUND** Do something about it! If you don’t know what to do, I’ll give you a suggestion. The comment itself will be a huge step for sure. It’ll be even more huge to take the thing head on.

Wrapping It Up…

grad-school-impostor-syndromw-

If you’re looking for a guide to take action I put together this awesome course on taking action!

Check out The Action Course – Learning the Art of Doing

Author

Avatar for Kyle Eschenroeder
Kyle Eschenroeder

Thanks for taking the time to read this! Let me know what you think - the good, the bad, the ugly - in the comments below.

I'm an entrepreneur (more in the StartupBros About Page) in St. Petersburg, FL

1,348 comments add your comment

  1. Hi! Thanks for posting this article. I have an issue speaking in front of groups of people even if I know what i’m talking about. I avoid interacting/networking with groups of people I don’t/hardly know. Sometimes I feel like I don’t know what to say. I have avoided customer service jobs such as IT help desk or customer service representative in fear that I might say the wrong things. Yet, i’ve been told by a previous manager that I can converse well with others and that I’m great at customer service. I know that every career involves customer service and that’s why i’m seeking to change my self-doubt. Any suggestions?

  2. How’s this, sitting in my garage grilling frozen steak talking to the dog drinking a jack and 7 reading your article, life is only perception and goes as high and low as you see it. Apologize for no good deed and life will be rich 😉

  3. I don’t speak up when I have an opinion. I tell myself this is because I work in a male dominated field and they don’t listen to me but that is only part of the problem. I don’t trust that I know enough to add value to the conversation. Even when things are right up my alley I just make a little note in my notebook about how I think it should be done but never say anything to the group.
    My friends have told me all my life that I am a bit peculiar. Therefore I don’t believe I deserve their or anyone’s friendship because they have to “put up” with me. I rationally know that everyone has their quirks but I take mine so seriously that I refuse to let myself meet new people or try something new because I feel like I will just be a burden.

  4. I came to this article looking to see if what I’ve been feeling is imposter syndrome, which I’ve heard of before. But I don’t have the fear of being found out, I have the fear of not being found out. Whenever I’m slightly successful in anything, even if it’s just something small, I feel that I’ve tricked everyone into believing the lie and I feel extremely guilty.
    If my boss tells me ‘good job today’ I think they must not have noticed me being inefficient.
    If I make friends, I think that they just haven’t noticed yet that I’m a horrible person.
    If I get called intelligent, I think that the person who said it hasn’t yet realized that I am an idiot.
    I’m not sure if this is imposter syndrome or if it is low self-esteem.
    Things that I’ve done because of this can be summed up as “oh, they haven’t realized…. well let me show them and correct their misunderstanding” because I subconsciously was desperate to find a way to escape the guilt.
    I searched for this today because I keep dragging my feet to get to my semi-new job. Despite seeing the work as important, despite slowly getting better at it, despite making less mistakes, despite my coworkers gradually starting to rely on me, I subconsciously(?) want to be fired. I sleep the bare minimum to get through the next day. I take the bus hoping I’ll miss it. I procrastinate on the main focus of my work and take care of the less important things first.
    I work around dangerous machines for part of it, and I keep hoping that I’ll get injured, because somehow I believe I deserve it, and that physical pain will give me at least some temporary relief from the constant emotional pain of guilt.
    Seeing this all typed out has made me see that it’s… pretty bad. I knew I was feeling horrible, but all the negative thoughts all the time kind of blocked out the big picture of this. I guess I’ve got to try to see a therapist.
    Thank you for asking for comments. I usually don’t leave any for things like this, and typing it out has really calmed me down and given me some perspective on all of it.
    Now hopefully I’ll be able to get at least 2 hours of sleep for tomorrow……

  5. I have started this group to plant trees in the neighbourhood and got a number for followers and entrepreneurs involved. The thing is they think I know what I am doing but I am just winging it hoping they will all do it. So in a way I am a fake but a fake with a good heart. The position of leader offends me greatly although if I could just be a leader the tree planting would get done so much more efficiently!

  6. My Impostor Syndrome is so strong I master self sabotage.

    Every time I am about to get a dream job or achieve something, I will do or say something totally out of place to prove people I actually don’t belong, don’t deserve and am a total fraud. Then they have no choice to reject me. Everytime it reinforces my belief.
    So now I have come to the point I am not even trying. I look at the years pass and because I haven’t taken action in a long time and haven’t made proper money for all this time, I have the proof I am an impostor. I haven’t achieved anything ever and I never will.
    The world has changed but I did not evolve with it as I was too busy nursing my impostor syndrome. Now I have a real reason to not even try to do anything about it as I don’t know anything about the world as it is now.
    I still have 25+ years to go as an active adult, and it seems like a long time to just wait for time to pass until retirement time. Then finally when retired, I won’t have anything to prove and I won’t have to pretend I have a career. So I guess I should take action in order to make these 25+ years somehow interesting.
    But every time I even think of it, my impostor syndrome reminds me it’s way too dangerous, it’s written fraud in large red letters all over my face, my voice, my CV.

  7. Thanks for your awesome article about imposter. I know I’m not an imposter. I saw a fellow walking down my street and thought he might be… it wouldn’t be the first time they sent a look a like. Thought it was an ambush, Well I’ll pray I see that imposter again tomorrow early in the morning- maybe he’ll lead me (safely) home. 😉 tonight might work if circumstances work in that direction.

  8. These are the most ultimate ways and effective remedies provided for the Impostor Syndrome. Never thought scrolling through searching for its potential remedies, I would land up on this website.

  9. I used to think I was an artist, but after 12 years of working and a bout of severe depression I feel like an imposter when I sit down to draw. I can’t bring myself to draw and right now way past my deadline. Yet this feeling won’t go and I can’t seem to overcome it.

  10. I have always been someone who has loved art. I’ve spent the majority of my spare time these past six years drawing my heart out. However, I constantly feel like I’m not good enough. Like I’ll never be good enough at the thing that I love the most. I try to do art challenges, such as inktober, but I always stop because the feeling that I’m not good enough unmotivates me instantly. I even made an art account on Instagram, but every time I post I always think “Oh why did I post that? It’s so bad. I don’t understand how anyone thinks I’m good at art…” and then spend the next little while picking apart my art piece by piece until I hate it. I compare myself and my work to others and that’s what really gets to me. “Why even bother trying when you’re making something that looks like trash and they made something so gorgeous? No one will think the same of what you make, and you have to realize that. Stop while you’re ahead, you’ll never be good enough.”

    I’m a senior in high school this year and I really want to go into an art-related major in college. I really want to become a Storyboard Artist or an Animator and help make animated movies, that’s my big goal, but I’m so afraid that I won’t be good enough that I’m too afraid to try. It’s hard for me to think about my future career in art when I can’t even accept that I have even some amount of talent in the present moment.

    Granted, I’m not perfect at art, but I need to start realizing that my talent and my art is worth something. It is proof of how far I’ve come and even it’s not the best in all of creation, it’s something that I put time and effort into and something that I made with my own hands.

    Before I read this article, I was thinking how could I possibly go into a career that I have no talent in? I even googled “what if I had a job I’d really like to do, but I feel like I’m not talented enough for it.” This article is the first thing that came up. “Imposter Syndrome.” I didn’t know what that was, but now I realize after reading this that it’s something I suffer from big time. I’m definitely going to think about this article every time I draw something new. I’m way too hard on myself and I need to realize that.

    Thank you, Kyle, for writing this, you have really opened up my eyes. I think I’m seeing my artwork in a whole other light now.

    Best wishes,

    Kassia, High School Senior

  11. This article has finally given me the chance to give a name to what I feel. I recently got a work placement offer in a prestigious software company and I should be super proud and feel accomplished, but instead I feel like I only got the offer because I’m a female. I feel like my qualifications are practically non-existent, and that’s without comparing myself to others. Which is not true, as I’ve heard from people that I am desirable and capable for the position. I now realize that one of the reasons I feel this way is because of my parents and the high expectations that had/have of me in terms of education. I could be we reach those expectations and even when I did somewhat well I never could/can believe in their praise. It pales in comparison to the negative things they would say about my abilities and my character. These things still affect me and I feel like there’s something fundamentally broken inside me, that they broke, which I don’t know how to fix. Don’t know if I can fix it.

  12. I’ve been avoiding going to the gym even though I used to do it all the time just fine… this helped me put some things in perspective, thank you

  13. It’s such a relief to have read this article and some of the responses.
    I suffer with this syndrome to the degree that I literally have to stop working, sometimes for years on end. Even though I have attained 2 degrees in order to work in my profession, I still don’t feel good enough to do my job. There’s so much I don’t know and I have this overwhelming sense that everyone knows so much more than me.
    I still, right now, believe that I actually don’t have enough knowledge to do my job well, even though I somehow achieved the qualifications.
    It’s helpful to know how pervasive this syndrome is and I’ve actually started cbt therapy to help challenge my thinking that literally stops me from going to work.
    In a nutshell, I don’t know the answers to so many of the questions at work, that I feel like I shouldn’t be there.

  14. In 1 hour time I have to call and either accept a great new job or not. Big promotion, much higher grade and I think I have complete impostor syndrome here, thinking I am not experienced enough, that i can’t do it, that i’ll lose the job because I’ll be found out as being rubbish.

    Thank you so much for the blog though, it helps so much to know that this is a “thing” that exists and not just me and a self-defeating inner person!

  15. I just started my Master’s in Biology. I previously worked at a well known research institute during my undergrad. Before I even started my Master’s, I was terrified that I would get there and mess up all my experiments and my advisors would be disappointed in me. Now that I’m here, I’m extremely intimidated by all the older grad students and professors. I can’t help but compare myself to them even though they have years of experience on me. I’ve been a perfectionist my entire life, but haven’t had trouble picking up concepts until now.

    I participate in a journal club every week with PhD students and my advisors/professors. This week, I was put on the spot by one of the professors and panicked. I completely floundered in front of the whole group. Now, I’m terrified to speak up for fear of being wrong and looking stupid. It feels like somehow I finessed my way into the program l, and tricked my advisors into thinking I was competent when I’m not. I know that there’s a reason labs have taken me, but it’s been impossible to shake this feeling of not belonging.

    The fact that the coworkers in my lab, my professors, and my advisors are all men while I’m a woman might have something to do with it. I don’t feel like I can talk to any of them about it because I don’t want to be the delicate, emotional woman that can’t handle pressure. Also, I feel like I have something to prove for all women since there’s tends to be bias against us in scientific research. What if I just got the position because they think I’m attractive and no one has the heart to tell me that I’m not very smart?

  16. Songwriting.
    As a child, I used to express my feelings in song form, like a musical. Particularly when I was in my room by myself. It helped get the emotions out.

    Sometimes when I was pent up at school, a song would form in my head and the lyrics would come spilling out on the page.

    As an adult, I struggle to even get any of the words out unless I have complete solitude. Fear of judgement, hurting others feelings and more stops me from even starting. With a household of 5 people, including 3 kids, this means I am pretty much always locked up.

    So then there are those moments when I pick up my guitar and play. Perform even and it’s a sad sort of thing. It feels not like me. I do it but I feel like it’s another person doing it and this drives my performances down – and the practice leading up to it down as well. This becomes a self fulfilling prophecy of poor performances due to little time practicing and little to no song writing. I feel like a fraud in this and many other areas of my life.

    I’ve spent my whole life aspiring in a certain direction and I’ve achieved just about all of it. What is a person to do when one is so used to seeking out the things one now has?

    It’s disorienting. I believe that sometimes I sabotage myself at times to give something to fix… and even then it feels like somebody else.

  17. Hi Kyle, thank you for sharing this post. I’ve only known the word “imposter syndrome” recently. And I didn’t quite understand what it is. Reading your post makes me realized that I too might have suffered this imposter syndrome at some degree in many parts of my life. I thought I was just simply introvert.
    But I now think that many decisions I’ve made in the past were probably the result of me having the syndrome.
    Now I know about this syndrome and have abit of knowledge how to deal with it thanks to your sharing, hopefully I can resolve the issue if this silly syndrome attack me again. I will defo bookmark this post for reference :-).
    I always believe that everything happens for a reason. No coincidence. I can’t tell how I’m grateful for coming across this post. Again, thank you.
    All the best

  18. Thanks for this. I can finally say with honestly that I don’t know what the fuck I’m doing, but that’s ok because the ends justify the means

    The means is me being happy.

  19. Hey sorry I’m a bit late on this but it’s never too late to try to tackle imposter syndrom right? I’m the founder of a startup and I genuinely feel like a fraud all the time. I think it’s mainly got to do with the fact that I don’t have a background in the industry that we’re evolving in. I can absolutely justify it and if I’m being rational it actually bothers no one that I don’t know much about The industry because it’s not that crucial for this specific startup and I got pretty cool skills from my previous job/background. But I do feel that imposter syndrom pretty badly. If I don’t have an answer to something I’m like “well yeah obvs you don’t, you’re a fraud” and when something good happens/ if I got complicated: have succeeded at something, I’m like buzzing a bit then quickly after that I’m thinking “fuck when are they gonna find out, when am I going to disappoint everyone”. So yeah… fun fun fun!!

  20. So… A fair few months after this was written I’ve stumbled across it. Mainly because having talked to my amazing mum about my day, she suggested that this was actually what was happening. Judging by your article, she was pretty damn accurate.

    So, I was a health care assistant in the Emergency Department for years. Then, I duel trained as a nurse/Paramedic, mainly focusing on critical/emergency care. Having done that, I managed to get a newly qualified job right back in the Emergency Department as a band 5 qualified practitioner.

    When I was a HCA I found myself feeling like I knew way more than I was allowed to actually do. And it frustrated me! I know how to count.. Why can’t I sign the controlled drug book when I’ve counted? I know how to draw up drugs so why can’t I do it?! So I went to uni.
    Now that I’m qualified and I can do all those thing…. I’m terrified! I spend so long telling people that I’ve had this training and that.. And that I’m qualified for all of the critical care and emergency care tasks.
    However. I feel like a fraud. I feel like actually I’m not qualified at ALL to make those life changing decisions (and sometimes, decisions that make the difference between life and death!)

    Put me in that place unqualified, or even as a student and I’m all over it. Now, wearing my new blue nursing scrubs, I have absolutely NO idea. And all I can think is “how the hell did I end up here and why do people think that I actually know what I’m doing?!”

    Due to the training I’ve had, I am constantly pulled into resus for the sickest of patients and I feel like I absolutely should not be there. Yeah I got through uni, but everyone gets through eventually and it was just a case of shutting my eyes and waiting for it to finish. I don’t actually know what I’m doing?!

    I absolutely adore my job and I want to do everything perfectly (unfortunately sort of necessary) but I just don’t feel competent to even take someone’s blood… Something I’ve done for 8 years now!

    Yet I smile and do it, because that’s what’s expected and just hope to hell that nothing goes wrong and I don’t get called out for the fraud I feel I am!

  21. I have never really failed at anything – good academic results, passed my driving test first time, had an offer from every job interview I’ve ever had. But rather than giving me confidence this has led to a massive fear of failure. I have avoided exam style situations where possible. I stayed at a company with a toxic working environment for far longer than I should have for fear that I might not be able to get a job elsewhere. I’m overly self critical of everything I do which holds me back from blogging, writing music and so on.

    I know I should push myself to do more, and the only way to do this is to put myself in a position where I might fail. But I worry about how I’ll deal with that, and the implications it might have on my future. Plus the over preparation/procrastination phase of the imposter cycle would make me a nightmare to be around for my family.

    I feel like the only way to deal with it is to sort of try less hard, almost like driving a car but taking your hands off the steering wheel and just seeing what happens. But that sounds terrifying!

  22. This post has exposes everything I have been fighting with for years now, even more so now. I’ve been a pediatric nurse for nearly 14 years working in hospitals all over the state and will also be graduating with my masters degree in nursing education in 4 months. In a couple years time it’s expected that I will transition from a bedside nurse to an instructor in an educational setting. And I absolutely believe I am the wrong person for the job.

    This all could be chalked up to reaching the point in my life that I believed as a child made you “old” but out of habit I tend to come up with so many other explanations or false truths that are unintentionally designed to prove what a fraud I actually am. Nursing wasn’t my dream career but life’s circumstances have nonetheless put me here. It took me years to accept that even though I wasn’t doing what I really wanted, I was actually doing the best I could for the sake of humanity and helping others, especially children, live healthier lifestyles. I , along with my team, have jumped in and performed CPR or bagged patients (hyper-oxygenated breaths with a AMBU bag) from as young as 2 weeks old to 22 years old and didn’t need to question my role in the thick of it and have saved lives. I’ve been nominated and awarded special honors in my career and have helped initiate and develop new ways to improve practice along the way. I’ve been told by those I have helped train and teach that my methods and ‘against the grain’ tactics have actually helped them see past the superficial and mundane work nursing CAN be and actually find empowerment, joy, and purpose in what they COULD be. I’m often resourced by leadership teams to carry out projects because I “always put everything I have into it and deliver my work in a timely and effective manner”.

    And yet I to this day believe that I’ve chosen the wrong role within the wrong specialty in the totally wrong career because I don’t know anything about what I’m talking about. Because of this crippling mindset, I’ve not so much avoided but FEAR the day I will actually need to teach what I am “supposed” to know to the next generation of future nurses. The idea of being the one others will listen to and come to for help frightens me because I’ve convinced myself that if I’m not careful in what I say to them, I could lead them down the wrong path and screw up their own futures and dreams in the process. Even now when I’m teaching experienced nurses new or updated policies or procedures, I fear that I myself will completely forget what exactly I’m supposed to be teaching and they will put it together that I’m not as competent as I’ve led on. A bit dramatic, I’m fully aware, but I can’t get the feeling to “eff” off.

    It’s gotten to the point now where despite all the positive and great things I’ve done in my career, I’m struggling with sticking with it and moving on or jumping ship and doing something completely different. With my history of low self confidence, social anxiety, and depression, I already know changing careers will lead to the same constant struggle that I’m just not in the right place.

  23. I feel like I have hit a brick wall and not progressed much in the last few years. I recently tried organising a school reunion of old classmates and I think I inevitably ended up comparing myself to them. I need to take action to kick-start my life again, nothing crazy or radical but just enough to start believing in myself again. I know I have amazing potential it seems to be on hiatus at the moment due to some comfort zone that I feel protected in. Thanks for your inspirational words. I hope to write a comment in 6 months time about how much I have improved.

  24. Just want to thank you for this article, it truly resonated with me. Impostor syndrome can be paralyzing and have you doubting yourself at every turn.
    In my case I am a mom, manager and hard worker with twenty years experience under my belt but somehow I never feel I deserve to be in the bigger leagues, with every promotion comes the wave Of anxiety saying “now you’ve done it, you’ll be exposed for the fraud you are”. This is crippling and limitating in so many ways, since it’s definitely keeping me from reaching my full potential and being my true self at work.
    Working on overcoming this day to day, your article and ways to move forward are a guide I repeat myself everyday to stay focused. Thank you truly for sharing

  25. All the time I feel embarrassed when talking to others , I know answers of questions but I feel I’m always wrong , I revised each word when talking in a conversation ,and I feel that people would make fun of me , I feel that I’m a fraud and don’t deserve my job, I feel that I should be a perfectionist to be accepted by others , so I take a lot of time finishing tasks, I always compare myself to others and I feel that I’m nothing.

  26. Thanks Kyle! I’ve written all this down as I’m about to embark on a massive step out of my comfort zone. I will need to re read every time my courage fails me! 🙌

  27. I’ve been sewing since I was twelve. With the skills I’ve acquired since then, I have felt confident enough to call myself an experienced seamstress at 31. It’s a dying art with sentimental memories for me. My great-grandmother taught me, and she passed away just two months ago. I took my biggest leap three years ago when I made a flower girl dress for one of my friend’s wedding. I was nervous, but I did it. She cried when she saw it. I was so proud!

    Everyone has been telling me that I need to turn my passion/hobby into a business, and I have everything mapped out for it. It really started to appeal to me because I wanted to have the ability to generate income from home while being able to be here with my children. Marketing strategies, logos, designs for the line I’m going to introduce, etc. are all ready to be used, but I’m having the hardest time pulling the trigger and create.

    It’s such a big move. I’m afraid that what I create won’t hold up to the standards of a buyer or that they’ll be disappointed with my products. They might see every little flaw and be unsatisfied. Perhaps I won’t be able to create a substantial enough income from it to do it full time.Maybe I’m just not as good as everyone else thinks I am. I draft patterns from scratch, creating my own designs. I’ve even taught workshops to instruct people how to make simplistic, yet custom, patterns for themselves. I’ve created elaborate costumes, tailored dresses, jackets, you name it. Yet, as the day passes, I stumble at the opportunity to use my designs to create something tangible.

    Reading this blog helped. Writing this comment helped. I always felt silly for believing myself an imposter. I would tell myself that I had to appear good to be an imposter in the first place. I’d look at other peoples’ work and feel like I could never do something so difficult, even though I already had. This blog, this article, woke me up. I wrote down a few of the suggestions, and I plan to exercise them tomorrow when I’m feeling inadequate.

    Afterall, nobody belongs here more than you.

  28. I’ve always wanted to do something with math. I love it, at least when I don’t feel like i’m faking being good at math. I’m afraid that I won’t live up to the expectations of others, as well as the fact that I don’t think I can do the classes next year (going into sophomore year with ap stats and pre calc honors). In clearer moments I know I can, but I’m afraid. I get the syndrome when I run cross country too. I’ve been on varsity for 3 years and every time I run I feel like I don’t deserve to be there and that I’m just faking being a runner. I still go out and do it, but on some days I just want to cry. I get it with almost everything I do and I’m tired of it. I just want to be proud of myself and feel like I belong. I get the same thing with cheerleading. I have trouble being with others as well. I talk and ramble because I just want to fit in. I want to not take every little thing as a sign that no one wants me there. I’m just tired of being afraid.

  29. Amazing and wonderful post friend. It will inspire many people for sure.Thanks author..

  30. writing a book…i feel like perfectionism gets in the way of even starting anything…thank you for this post – really helpful and validating! i particularly loved the baby as a walking imposter example 🙂

  31. I think my entire body image suffers from impostor syndrome. I’m afraid to get into any kind of relationship because I don’t feel physically pretty enough…even worse, I feel like there is nothing about me that is attractive, therefore even starting a relationship would be entrapment. Sad face 🙁

  32. I’m an artist and a writer, but I sometimes think, “Who are you, to think you can be a successful artist AND writer?” I’m doing okay as an artist but I feel like a phony as a writer, even though I’ve wanted to be an author since I was a kid. I self-published a novel and got mostly positive feedback online but I’m terrified to publish my second novel, which I wrote many years ago. I’m so terrified of people thinking it’s just vanity publishing. I’m terrified of people thinking I’m full of myself because I think I’m an artist and a writer. I’m terrified that the joke’s on me–that I’m not a REAL writer because I’m not doing it the old-fashioned way–getting an agent and a publisher. I’m terrified of being vulnerable. I hate that on Goodreads people build themselves up by tearing many amazing authors down. Honestly, I’m shocked by the negative reviews that very talented and successful authors get. I’m paralyzed by fear. I used to write 8-10 hours a day because I loved it so much. Now that I’m fearing people’s reactions, I only write a few times a year. I have several ideas for more books and I’m worried I’ll never have the courage to write them.

  33. I am a news reporter in a top 40 market. I’m only 22 years old. No one knows that because wow I can hear it now…‘who let this kid in the door?’

    I go live every 30 minutes for two, sometimes three hours. It’s the agony comparable to giving a presentation naked after missing a few weeks at the gym… every single day.

    It wasn’t always this way. I just can’t come to terms with why God placed me here. I’m right where I asked and truthfully worked to be but… I’ve really got one over on these folks.

    It’s not like I knew somebody who knew somebody who got me in the door. I certainly am the one who slipped in the door… now I’m trying to convince myself to not slip out the back door before anyone notices they let the wrong girl in.

  34. Hello Kyle, thank you for sharing this. Your words sound like you really understand this syndrome, you’ve been through it, you’re not trying to polish overcoming it like it’s an easy thing that once you think “this”, voila, you’re problem is solved.

    I have ADD and social anxiety. Recently, imposter syndrome has been getting worse after I got fired several times over the past couple of years. While I just recently realized the ADD pattern since the last time I got fired – and noticed that both ADD and my attitude about the jobs I’ve been to had a big role in my getting fired – I feel more scared of landing a new job and them noticing my weaknesses and firing me unexpectedly, again. I can’t handle another instance of getting fired. Sometimes I find comfort in joining a company that repels most applicants because I’m sure then that they won’t be firing me, plus, disliking the company feels justified (I have a hard time liking any job I’ve ever had, I feel bored half the time and feel drained most of the days, enough to feel depressed).
    I think if I had known my area of interest earlier things would have been better now, but, I think I’m beginning to have a good idea of what field I like, I hope I’m not wrong.

  35. I am nearly paralyzed by this Imposter Syndrome. I have developed incredible professional relationships during my career, and recently was offered a role in an incredible company, with an opportunity to create a group from the ground up. I’ve never actually done this before, though I believe I have the skills to do it so I accepted it. But I’m paralyzed and worry every day, “pit in my stomach worry” that everyone is going to see I’m not cut out for this. It’s a new team, all new people, new function, and in a new section of my industry.

    I think about my work all the time, but do not produce much work product because I have trouble transferring my thoughts to organized output so that I can circulate it and implement it. It’s all swimming around in my head.

    I worry I have relied too heavily on my personality and relationship skills, which served me in my sales roles, now that I am in HQ and need to work with other groups and actually produce processes, programs, and build a team.

    I have to do things I’ve never done before and am terrified of disappointing the person who referred me here, and also, terrified of not being liked/respected by the new colleagues I work with.

    When I am out of my head, I have about 15 years left in my career and see myself working in 5 year blocks – currently a director, grow to senior director and then VP. I want to do this. I’m ready to do this. But I am just stuck in paralysis and wake up every day filled with dread, then work all day to stay mindful and keep it at bay. It’s an awful way to live.

  36. I’m a fraud about to start a new job, already asked what the probationary period is! Worrying about getting sacked, mortgage, the stress of finding another new job if this is bad, having a mental breakdown, being questionned, putting on a show at interview that I now can’t deliver on, buying power dressing clothes to create an image, not true to my hippy self, more fraud. Actual, I’ve worked flipping hard despite mental and physical problems, I have met nasty people who saw & exploited my weakness, I love working to improve public services, I do my best, people want to work with me. I am scared but going to battle on & hope for no breakdown this time. If there is, I will recover & find my strength again. Nobody can impostor that. I deserve to be paid for my effort yes some luck along the way but plenty of trials. It’s not been handed to me on a plate & it’s time to refresh my plate with good food for me & life’s tropical fruits. Life can be good & sweet if I will taste the new fruit.

  37. I’ve always been afraid to speak in front of a group because I might sound stupid. Also, I’m in sales and I can’t sell, I’ve just been lucky. I also feel that everyone is smarter than me and more decisive than me

  38. Wish you hadnt gone off on PhDs. They’re among the people who have the most impostor syndrome!

  39. I’m Transgender. I feel like a fraud because I’ve been out for years but everyone in my family still dead names me and misgenders me even though I pass but I dont feel I have the right to be unhappy because before I came out as trans I told everyone I was gay because it seemed easier than being myself

  40. I have just posted something and I really don’t want it to go public on Facebook only this site,

  41. I’m a chef, and have been for about 30 years now. I’ve worked in about 15 kitchens ( at least ). I left all these kitchens of my own accord. I’ve cooked for kings, queens, heads of state, Nobel laureates and a mass of so called celebrities. I’ve been head chef, sous chef normal prep chef, never worked in a Michelin kitchen, but I have worked with Michelin chefs ( quite a few ) in the banqueting side of food and private catering.
    The last couple of years it has gotten quite bad as I won’t even put my ideas forward in simple menu planning as I basically think I shouldn’t be where I am, scared that my ideas will get laughed at( which would be a nightmare for me ). I literally feel that I have only climbed this ladder because I am good with people, make them laugh, listen to everybody, be able to talk to everybody so on and so on. I’m literally so anxious going to work everyday thinking I will fail at some task and get found out for the talentless fraud that I think I am. This is the first time I have ever conveyed these feelings to anybody as I never new there were other people who thought the same.
    At least I feel there is a bit of hope now, thanks k

  42. I avoid taking on new projects or asking for help in fear that my lack of knowledge will be exposed. It’s in exhausting repeating loop.

  43. I avoid interviews like the plague. I’m so scared of being found out that really I worked in a job for 1 year not three and had three other Jobs I left In reality. I am honestly so focused now in my older age but just have a huge fear of feeling I will be called a liar. I’m the most honest person I know. It’s a crippling fear and on top of that, Everyone tells me how clever I am and how I can have a successful business but when in the past I have had my own business….I feel like I failed….because circumstances (moving abroad) brought that to an end. THEN I’m also complimented on my appearance a lot. I would never ever and never have…(I’m 34) dated a good looking man or even a nice man because I just dont feel good enough

  44. I’m prepping right now for an interview I have at 10:45 am. It’s 8:15 am. I’m crippled with anxiety and fear. I’m going to go through with it, and let the cards fall where they may. I’m going to fake it til I make it.

  45. Every word mentioned in the article feels so familiar. It’s so strange to see that I’m not the only one having thoughts like these.
    I’m looking to switch careers. I took time off work to travel solo for a few months. I’m still surprised that I actually went through with it.
    Now that I’ve started searching for jobs again I’m gripped with terrible anxiety. I don’t feel like I’m qualified enough for the roles I’m looking at. I feel that I’ll be able to do the work and be good at it but I keep questioning myself as to why someone would want to hire me without the relevant experience in the first place. I keep thinking I should take up a job similar to what I’ve done before even though I was unhappy.
    I don’t want to go back but I don’t know how to go forward either.

  46. One of the worst thing that impostor syndrome can give you is SELF SABOTAGE. there are a lot of times that i knew that i am in the right road, meaning i knew that what im doing will lead me to success. And there I go, either I will resign or give up what im doing just because i felt im not one of those who will succeed. And then when i see my former colleagues will ask me why i resigned and that they think im one of the best to do it. Or why i dont continue those businesses i started when they see that im going to succeed with it. That what i gave up is a sure success for me. All I can tell them is that I dont know why i gave up. I always self sabotage my success bcos of my impostor syndrome..

  47. I feel like a fraud when I try to persuade my artistic dream (who am I to try sell art and do some sculpture when 1000 other people can do better than me). Even when people tell me that I am good I still procrastinate and end up being stuck at the same point. I know that’s my dream and I wold love but everytime something stop me.
    And in relationship is the same thing, my head says “it’s impossible someone love your crazy ass. The person will find out how bad you are” and I end up destroying the relationship before the person breaks me.

  48. I have never been myself around others to the point where I can never introduce myself to anyone new because I feel like a fake just by introducing myself in a way that I think makes me seem normal

  49. “I don’t even have impostor syndrome”, this sentence just hits home, but that’s another story.

    For years now I keep telling my close friend that I am a fraud and people are going to find out about it. This would be my response every time he expressed worries about how much potential I have and why I am not acting on it. I remember countless times I did not act on opportunities, goals, dreams because this syndrome kept me paralyzed; it still does. * I am watching GOT now and my reactions to the events in the show are very strong; stronger than others’ reactions, and I even feel that those are fraudulent too. That is how bad it is.

    I felt like writing about this one particular aspect of my life. I have been taking photos for a long time now. The first couple of years I did not get past the Point-Shoot-Post on Facebook stage, as I was afraid to label myself as a photographer, I was a girl with a camera instead. When I quit my full-time job, I started photographing for living, and still, I could not tell that I am a photographer. It ruined my life and the opportunity of a career big time. I rejected a lot of offers, I did not take on a lot of chances I had because of, well you already guessed. I sabotaged a fashion shoot and said no to several celebrity shootings. Even the idea and the detailed plan for the photography blog stayed on paper; what if I start writing and the audience realized I have nothing to say, what if I actually have nothing to say? I was left with frustration, anxiety, and depression. Did I know how to take the compliments to my work? Of course not, my go-to answer to any good comment would be “It was not me, it was the light/mountains/the model/the food”.

    One particular comment here about how traveling changed a life reminded me of my own experience. I started some studies in another country and when I faced the fact of meeting a hundred people for the first time, somehow, in those moments, I was my true self, when making new friends. That kind of feel counter-intuitive, as one would assume that meeting new people is one of those situations when the feeling of being an impostor would be at its strongest. But it was different. Traveling and meeting new people was my antidote.

    Typing all this makes it a little bit tangible and it feels like I can swipe that away from me. Thank you, Kyle, for this article and this challenge. This is a much needed huge first step towards winning myself back.

  50. I’m not sure where to start here. After recently having my position changed at work I took severance package and started a whole new career in personal training no less! Totally different than my corporate gig! However now I feel like a total imposter in regards to it all. I’m still not certified (I failed the exam round one), I feel like I’m guessing at programs & I worry that my eating disorder back ground has me lying to clients (although I am open about the disorder). I am also sucking at the sales portion of the job. It’s all a lot to handle

  51. My god, reading that article was an emotional roller coaster. Hearing about this for the first time in 19 years and researching it now. Coming to the realization that I haven’t “just been sh*t at everything” and constantly second guessing myself when I KNOW I’m right, it’s all been a wave of happiness and safety knowing now (thanks to you) that I really am talented at what I do. I highly appreciate the thought that went into this list of very helpful tips.

  52. I was pursuing a career in nursing for 6 years until I changed my major to marketing in college. In every job I’ve had I’ve felt confident, strong, and ready. For some reason 3 months into my new job I feel like I can’t bring value to my organization even though I have the skills necessary to do so. I’m afraid I’ll get fired because I don’t know as much as I should. I love marketing and do freelance work on the side, but I still feel like an imposter. It will take time to get over it, but I appreciate this thoughtful article.

  53. I am constantly being told that people see a lot of potential while I fail to. I feel like I am not creative enough to come up with my own ideas. As a kid, I put together a lot of brilliant art pieces and now I feel I just copied it off. Whenever I pick a pencil now, my hand literally starts shivering and I drop the pencil. I feel like I don’t have enough skills.
    Every time I came first in a race, I felt I was only fast because others weren’t fast enough and when I joined college, i did absolutely nothing athletic because of this.
    Every time I wrote a test and aced it, I felt lucky because only what I studied was on it.
    I lost one national level competition because I tried to micro manage and failed to communicate.
    Lost two fellowships because I felt like I didn’t have enough math skills when my idea while I have been told my idea could do wonders if executed. I feel like I just don’t know enough for it. I’ve been studying for a year for it and yet I don’t do anything about it.

  54. I keep getting degrees and certifications hoping it will make me feel better and then not tell anyone because they will expect more from me and will see I really don’t know anything. I have turned down many jobs and speaking engagements for fear.

  55. After reading this article i got to know that any such thing known as Imposter Syndrom exists, and I realize that i have been experiencing it since so long and thinking that the problem is with me, i am not good enough or deserve where i am right now. I am so scared of being judged that it frustrates me. I think that i won’t be good enough as others are, so i don’t even try, which is even worse. I thought that the line that defines me best is…”Good for nothing”. I am actually terrified of failing. This is the reason I procrastinate. Reading this article helped me realize that the best way to overcome is to take action, write it down, accept and move on.

  56. When you said that your impostor syndrome was so bad that you irrationally doubted your own impostor syndrome, that really resonated with me. I feel like I’m not “qualified” to have impostor syndrome, because I’ve been so successful in my life (so far), and many people think very highly of me.

    I work on a college campus, coordinating a program that I’ve been a part of for the last 4 years. I started as a student employee, became part time staff, and a full time counterpart to my current position is opening up next month. For a while I seriously considered not applying, not because I didn’t want it, but because I feel like I’ve “cheated” somehow. The irrational feeling that the only reason I am where I am is because I’ve been part of the program for so long, and that I was just in the right place at the right time, and was given opportunities that others weren’t. That I just got lucky. It’s not necessarily that I forget about all the hard work I’ve done, because I know how much work I’ve put in, but it feels like the fact that it took so much work means I’m not actually competent or inherently good at this job.

    I don’t have my degree yet, and I’m still taking classes part time. This full time position is intimidating because I feel like I’m not “grown up” enough to work full time. I’m 25, but I still feel young compared to everyone I work with. I’ve done so much as the part-time coordinator, and everyone else has told me how impressed they are, and yet those compliments don’t make me feel better. If anything they make me feel more like a fraud. They make me feel guilty that I’m living this life, when some of my peers are close to homeless.

    I’ve decided to apply for the position anyway. I think the only person who needs convincing that I deserve the position is myself. This post helped. Thank you.

  57. I’m about to leave university and I have real impostor syndrome about entering the workplace. I just don’t feel like i’m good enough for any jobs despite having an undergrad degree and a masters. My problem is I’ve always gotten really good grades but I always put it down to luck rather than actually admitting I am good at something. This means I’m now terrified that when I enter the workplace, everyone will realise I’m actually quite useless. It’s put me off applying for a lot of jobs to be honest.

    I guess I experience it in my personal life too. I often think why would anyone want to be friends with me or go out with me? I have plenty of friends luckily, but I definitely don’t feel like anyone will ever want to seriously date me, so I don’t even really try to get to know anyone. Even with clothing, I think ‘yeah thats nice, but who am I to wear that? Leave it to the pretty people.’

    I read this article just after accepting an offer of a job interview next week (which conveniently is the week my exams start), and I’m going to keep the tab open, because reading it somehow settled me into accepting that I am doing okay. Thank you!

  58. I have been offered a job opportunity at a place that I love. I already work there and this would be a MASSIVE promotion in a field I have about zero experience in but my boss believes in me and I can’t figure out why. I even asked. Not helpful. The voices in my head tell me to turn it down, to put in my resignation and just walk away because if they believe in me to do this huge job even though I know deep in my bones that I can’t do it because there are people wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy more qualified for the position and yet they choose me then clearly they aren’t smart enough to realize I’m not good enough and I can’t risk disappointing these people who I see as my greatest mentors and peers so, instead, I run and hide and sulk and get over it and just give up on another dream. It’s easier than the risk associated with believing that maybe, just maybe, I can actually do this thing.

  59. I’m a middle-aged man with terribly irrational fears of not being liked, loved or respected. Yet, if you saw my life, you’d see the contrary. As I read about Imposter Syndrome (finally), I see me and see through me. I have achieved a lot in my life but discount it all because, to me, there was no option to not succeed (ie fail). Predictably, I’m risk averse because I feel if this fraud I feel inside is exposed, the house of cards will fall and I’ll be unloved and all alone. I intend to implement much of the above. Thank you for helping me, and most specifically, at a time of great crisis.

  60. 10 minutes ago, I was on the wave of egomania typing up my resume and now I’m in the despair of fraud and no one is going to believe me. Miserable, but I’ll hope for another wave in 10 more minutes and try to throw myself out there before crashing again.

  61. I might have avoided finishing my own short film; the post-production has been in the pipeline for several years now and I keep postponing it… But maybe it was just a faulty belief like “if I don’t finish it, I don’t have to send it in to festivals, so I cannot ‘not win prizes’, which would prove that I failed”…

    This unfinished short film makes me feel miserable in two ways: I feel like I failed because I didn’t finish it yet + I feel like a fraud when I think about the moment it will be finished and others will see it and judge it.

  62. i don’t know whether this is of the same issue or not. But 99.999% of my life has been spent feeling like i am an impostor in my own body and life. i can never seem to do anything for my self due to not being worthy or some Sh*t like that and when i do and succeed i always come up with some reasons or over 9000 as to why it i had nothing to do with it.

    However if i were to do something for someone so e.g. someone wants me to start a company for them i can get it to operational but then i have to hand it back to them as i fear if i try to take into from startup to growth i’ll crash it.

    life example = i started my own business and my fear has Paralyzed it to the exact place it was at last year at this exact time. every time i try make a move i freeze and before i know months have gone by with an almost blank memory of what the hell i was doing in those months.

  63. OK, here goes: I moved halfway across the country to make a fresh start in a new location, and now that I’m here, I’m suffering from Imposter Syndrome and I feel really stupid. As a man of 53, I should have conquered feelings like this long ago, right? I have had multiple successes in my career, but reading job descriptions these days can really make you susceptible to the “comparing yourself to others” portion of Imposter Syndrome – that is, unless you too have the alphabet soup of credentials after your name. Thank you, BTW, for reminding me that credentials of others don’t mean much – I’ve seen plenty of people in positions higher than me who had the alphabet soup but still couldn’t manage their way out of a paper bag, never mind manage and earn respect from their teams of professionals. So the task for job seekers like me becomes convincing hiring managers (if you can get to them at all) to take a chance on you despite the lack of alphabet soup after your name. This is where the Imposter Syndrome can easily insert its insidious little voice into your head and tell you you’re never going to be good enough like the other job applicants. When this happens, perhaps knowing about Thomas Edison’s experience can help: When a reporter asked, “How did it feel to fail 1,000 times?” Edison replied, “I didn’t fail 1,000 times. The light bulb was an invention with 1,000 steps.” It’s all about perspective. The lesson is to keep going and not give up. Don’t tell yourself “no” – there are plenty of other people who will do that for you. Tell yourself “Yes!”, and if you fall on your face, get up, dust yourself off, and try something else. The old adage is true: It’s not how many times you fall down that matters. What matters is how many times you get back up – And the number of times you get back up only needs to be one more than the number of times you fall. One.

    Thank you Kyle, for writing that even those of us with years of experience (some famous) can still have these feelings – I hope what I’ve written in response helps some of your younger readers.

  64. I find the imposter syndrome in nearly everything I do (and don’t). It’s the procrastination that leads me to write an essay the morning it’s due. It’s ‘not having enough time’ to develop skills and hobbies. The guitar I got for christmas has been sitting in the corner of my room, untouched. I wanted it soooo bad! I wanted to challenge myself and love doing it. I shut myself off to doing things I love and am good at like art. This causes shame in myself for not doing well and having no skills when I robbed myself of excelling in the first place. At the root of all these is self doubt that produces overwhelming anxiety.

  65. I was just about to leave this site. I realized I was doing it. This has helped me and I will begin the process of change. Thank you

  66. I am late to writing this comment but I’ve never felt so much like an article has come straight from my brain. I have never felt so free as I did in realizing that I’m just not that special. I am a normal person and not some crazy godly being and for the first time I feel like that is a good thing. Imposer syndrome has plagued me my whole life and I think I am finally ready to grab onto the confidence I feel after reading this post and set a few things straight in my life. This is crazy. Thank you. So very much. I’m going to post this before I change my mind! I know its a rocky relationship between me and yourself but at least now, I have a good place to start from.

  67. This resonates with me. I am currently in my first year of my PhD and i feel like I don’t know enough. I feel like I don’t even deserve the scholarship and admission into the university. Atimes, i convince myself I only got accepted because I had my MSc in the same university.
    I don’t talk much on my interests as i FEEL I will be judged when people ask questions I don’t have the right answers to.
    I don’t socialise as i should for fear of sounding unintelligent.
    Half the time, I feel I have not done enough for my thesis to progress.
    I think i feel this way because I don’t have enough industry experience (what was i thinking when I applied for a PhD). I FEEL LIKE A FRAUD!!!!!

  68. My new boss recently told me she thinks I have imposter syndrome. I’m still trying to figure out if that’s true. Apparently I have a habit of trying to quit jobs and volunteer work because I genuinely believe I’m not the best person for the job. I don’t quit, but I talk to my supervisors and suggest they find someone more suitable because I don’t feel like my best is good enough.
    I don’t know where this started. It might have started when I began working in the sustainability education field with no prior training on the subject. Four years later I admit I have learned a lot, but I still feel like I don’t fit in.
    I also feel like the things I want in life aren’t normal and I need to get a “real” career. I’m 37 and applying for grad school in fine arts because it’s the thing I love most. However, I’m constantly telling myself I’m not good enough and I’m not a real artist because I like to goof off as much as I like to work and real artists are always making art.
    I keep doing it anyway, all of these things. I don’t know if that means I don’t have imposter syndrome and it’s just low self esteem. It sounds like people with imposter syndrome don’t follow through and hold themselves back. I’m not sure I’m doing that. I’m a yes person and I can’t not give my best and then more. That’s a whole different problem, but I’m just trying to figure out if I really have imposter syndrome so I can deal with it. Some of the stuff I read blows my mind with how similar it is to me and other information doesn’t sound like me. How do I know for sure?

  69. I feel like an imposter when it comes to romantic relationships. I have the guts to ask out people but I always feel like I’m presenting myself better than I am. I’m also way different than I used to be both physically and mentally (lost a ton of weight in a healthy way and beat back anxiety and depression) so sometimes I struggle with still seeing myself as that person. This article helped though, thank you for writing.

  70. I’ve never wrote a comment ever before anywhere because I feel like no one cares anyway but why not do it now.

    I always bought I had anxiety but it was only when I started new jobs, yes jobs because I’ve quit to many because of feeling like an imposter :/

    Recently I got a job which I have 3 days in and I feel super underqualified because I have no experience what so ever from what I believe. I know I could do it but I am a perfectionist and want to learn everything already when it’s only my first week, I feel like I could learn but I tell myself discouraging words that I won’t be able to and will be judged for how dumb I am. Deep down I know I could do it but at the same time I tell myself I can’t just like all the other jobs I’ve quit because of severe anxiety where I wouldn’t even sleep for 24 hrs just thinking how to quit. For some reason this job feels like I could learn a lot but how do I encourage myself when there is always that voice telling me it’s to hard and to run from the problems that will or will not show up in the future.
    Why can’t I brush this feeling off and why do I always justify my discouraging words instead of the positive ones.

    Learning that this feeling is labeled makes me feel so much better however because it tells me that what I’m feeling is real and normal. I’m not the only one who feels this way when I thought I was the only one feeling like a crybaby.

    I’m scared of self growth because of the responsibility and hard work that comes with it, i just want to breeze my life but I know that’s not how it works so I have to fake it till I make it for the meantime. Hope I can get this feeling off soon because it sucks!

  71. I’m starting a new job soon that I don’t feel I deserve and that I don’t feel qualified to do, but the people who hired me know my background and know my experience. All I’ve heard from people is that they’re so excited to have me start and that they’ve heard great things about me, which only makes it all worse. Logically, my feelings don’t make sense, but for whatever reason, I can’t shake the feeling that I’m just going to do a terrible job and everyone is going to hate me for it.

  72. Thank you for your post, it is really helpful.

    One of the main tthings I avoided because I felt like a fraud are:

    1) making action with girls who clearly were interested in me. I literally would think that I dont deserve that girl thinking she only likes me because of what she sees outside and not the real me. The best example is this girl who I went on a date and it was good and made a plan to meet again in few days. As we were texting at some point I remember just simply not responding to one message because I started overthingking about the best answer aka I felt my natural response is not good enough (deep down feeling that I am fraud and dont deserve her because I didnt feel like being trully authentic with her – I demosntrated alpha traits externally but deep down felt it was just perfomance to ‘get her’) so I never texted her back. This pattern has repeated itsel often.

    2) is my writing incl producing essay for academia or simply expressing myself in social media or business endeavors. For example currently I am struggling to finish my assigment and had a block for like 3 weeks now going round the cycles of looking back into content again and again, resteucturing the structure million times, trying to formulte answer on the level which is above that of which is possible… trying to go above myself, rejecting my real ability real style… (I have selfimage of myself as someone who can produces extraordinary level stuff… and this psyches me out from actually practicing to achieve that… non-acceptance hinders improvememt). I like being exposed as a fraud if I send the essay written in my own style on my own level in a good enough way… This is a pattern which, I think, comes from me used to “manipulate” the way I express myself (supress authentic side) to avoid beiny rejected for being my real self and thus feeling like if I start being my real self everyone will see that Ive been fake the whole time…

    The way I need to start dealing with this is to develop conscious-stream writing habit daily (to be proccess-oriented) and write the essay draft for example allowing it to be messey and garbage-like so there is actual output produced. And so focusing on editing later, rephrasing, deleting, adding, checking for grammar etc. Also getting and tracking positive feedback of my work and my authentic expressions.

  73. I so badly want to branch out and start a business on my own but feel tremendous risk because I don’t have a true “expertise”. I fear that going into something I’m not “permissioned” to do will allow others in the field, potential employees and business prospects to call me a fraud for exploring a line of business I have no “business” being in.

  74. So… here I am. I didn’t even know the name of this syndrome until a few months ago.. and I tried to ignore it after looking it up even. I told a guy I barely knew on a date, “I feel like I’m not good enough at my job.. even though I know how to do it.” So he was the one who named this for me. Now I’m at a new job… but I still feel the same sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach when I think about this job.I keep thinking, “they’re gonna fire me. I’m not useful enough. Why is my boss calling me an “expert?” I don’t know everything about this. The guys downstairs know so much more than me.. maybe I should just quit and they can take over..!” It’s not really a “feeling sorry for myself” kind of feeling, but more of an urgent anxiousness to get the heck out of my job before someone else notices OR better learn everything ASAP so I can continue to pull this thing off.
    UGH. I don’t want to live in fear about this stuff. I’m capable of doing this! I have the credentials. So I’m going to do whatever it takes to move on from this… I’m glad I read this blog. I started feeling a lot more hopeful as I read it because honestly it’s so relatable.
    I really like the tips and I’m just happy to feel like I can face this a little bit more 🙂
    Thanks!

  75. This post has been made some time ago and I feel stupid and this is probably going to be awful and extremely long, but, well, so be it…(no need to read this, I just need to write it)
    I have been told too often that I am exceptional. I graduated top of my class in both middle school and high school with the highest grades, including the final exams after high school.
    I am not a native English speaker, I learned it mostly by myself, later in school, but I have grown accustomed to using English like a “second mother tongue”. I have also learned Japanese by myself on a whim. For over 10 years of education, I took part in various contests in most school subjects, especially mathematics and chemistry (national level, even, ha).
    I never bothered to actively study for any of this, I just, somehow, knew and remembered things. People expected me to excel at anything I do. When I actually tried TRYING to work harder, things went wrong in various ways and degrees and I would never get to the point I knew I could reach. I became disgusted at my own “lucky accomplishments”.
    I was part of a volunteering association for two years, I was trusted and got involved in many projects, yet I always felt like I was useless or overestimated. I have two wonderful best friends. But they must be exceptions because I am terrible at connecting with other people.
    I applied at a highly selective programme of a prestigious university. I received an offer a week (not months) after a meeting, and I was praised for my resume. Yet I feel like I was lucky to get in and hope I will not screw it up and waste these years as I did in high school.
    What hurts the most is that whenever I try to be objective and think of it like this, it may come across as boasting or ingratitude. Believe me, I am not proud-just pointing out my stupidity. I have been accusing myself of being a failure, wasting time and not doing more for years already.
    I know aspects of psychology and the brain, trying to come to terms with my childhood scars and family trauma resulted in frequent mental breakdowns in high school. I dislike bothering others, any discussion attempt failed. I had to manage it alone.
    I want to pursue neurosciences as a researcher and become a mangaka. As a first step, I thought of continuing to read ahead (I love this field) and start a series of drawings for fun.
    But I feel like crying when I draw despite having decent or funny ideas, I freeze when posting online even under a pseudonym. Whenever I try to study or read books I spend a lot of time on them because I feel I am stupid and will miss the key points if I do not.
    I cannot go to a therapist for various reasons, including being ashamed I could not handle it although I should have been able to.

    So here I am. I have ‘means and ambition’. But I frequently break down in tears when nobody is looking. I cannot make friends and if I do I feel bad for wasting their time. I am disgusted at myself when I open my mouth to speak. I expect everyone to sooner or later despise me because they might either think I believe myself superior or that I am searching for attention. I fear to one day find out I am too stupid for my desired field or still have terrible art skills, that my other skills got worse. I worry about my father, who sees me as some kind of genius. I may never be able to help others. I go day after day trying not to think about how I avoid living the life I would want-how I do not deserve it anyway.
    I cannot abandon my passions, settle for anything else (or kill myself) because it feels too wrong. I try to get out there and do things, but I notice everything, and understanding and feeling are two different phenomena. It happens that I have no energy left to keep smiling like all is fine, and I get stuck.

    I more or less know where all this comes from and why it happens and ways to address it and so on. But few things that I have tried have worked for longer periods and none hits the source completely. It is just so tiring to keep having a behaviour that is self-destructive and purely irrational but too deeply rooted to change it in just a few weeks or even months.
    (By the time I have finished this I have calmed down and feel bad for sending it and for how long it is…I really hope nobody reads this)

  76. Hi.

    I stumbled upon this page after a rather hard day of work and intense headache. I am a fairly new product owner who went from a smaller startup to a fortune 500 company.

    The product department here is brand new, I’m only the second PO here. And my manager is expecting me to answer questions he doesn’t know, either. I’m basically in a role where nobody has it figured out, and am kind of expected to figure it out.

    I wouldn’t say I hate not having direction. I think I’m creative and have great ideas on my own, but since I’m so new to the company, there’s a lot of stuff I still have to learn.

    WHAT I’VE BEEN AVOIDING:
    -speaking up in meetings because I feel like my contributions are going to be less than is expected of me. (Even though sometimes someone else will say exactly what I was thinking).
    -not pitching any ideas because I feel that I don’t have the seniority to make them plausible and the knowledge to back them up.
    -letting others take the lead on things that I want to, because I think they may do a better job.
    -shying away from talking to customers, VP’s, directors, because of a lack of confidence in my position (I feel my position is bigger than I am ready for).

    I view other people at my company as these genuises who are way higher up than I could ever be. I constantly call BS when someone tells me I did a great job or am on the right path. When something falls into place due to my effort, I think ‘No way this is right. It was too easy. I haven’t contributed enough.’

    This post helps me realize nobody knows what they’re doing. It’s just that they’re trying their best and they’re confident and stand by their decisions. Even if they fail, they keep coming back. They won’t take no for an answer because they believe they have just as much to offer than everyone else in the room, if not more!

  77. Thank you so much for this article, it’s scarily true and deep down I know its right, I agree with everything.

    I somehow manage to stop myself from having nice things / talk myself out of praise or compliments because I feel I don’t deserve them. I’m also really harsh on myself, too often.

    I recently did a part time music course to launch my own business – because I wanted to move into a career focused on something I’m really passionate about. I didn’t finish the assignment, or even start it for that matter – because I was too worried that people would think I was a fake or didn’t know enough about the subject, or that I’m too old to start now at 30 years old. Whenever it comes down to the ‘do’-ing I always put this off and find excuses not to follow through. This makes me feel like an utter failure.

    I will try to read this article as much as I can to keep this top of mind and realise I’m being totally stupid.

  78. I am a PhD student and I don’t feel like I belong with the other Phd students in the department. I am in my mid 2nd year and feel like I’m doing what a monkey could essentially do, punching numbers and pressing play. I feel really fortunate to have this opportunity and feel like I’m wasting it. Something worth noting is that I couldn’t get full funding for my project so I’m still building my student loan and it’s going to become really big by the end of this degree.
    I don’t feel like I belong, I wan’t good enough to be funded, so what makes me think I can pull it off? And what kind of investment is this? I don’t even know what I can use it for in terms of work. I’m realising more and more that this is not something I want to do, and it takes a lot of energy trying to do what others have been doing so easily in a constrained time frame.
    I used to be more or less a straight A student but the higher I came in the system, the less people were qualified. I went to good schools and became a mediocre student, which was harsh. I had to give up hobbies just to pass because the bar was higher at these shools than others. I was still the first of my classmates to start a PhD and I just don’t feel like I earned it.

    I’m having trouble socially, where if I’m in a group of more than just two others I habve to plan what I say before I say it. It results in me beating myself up scilently more times than for me to actually speak. I have to run through just a brief, unimportant comment several times to not stutter. This is so crippling, and the more people,closer to my field and louder surroundings makes it worse. Sometimes it becomes too much and I just fail to focus on anything because I’m too stressed.

    The only relief I find is in painting, origami, guitar and activities that require me to do nothing at all (reading, watching TV etc). When I wake up, all I want to do is paint, learn new techniques, try new paints, new motives and just experiment. I realised this was a good way for me to destress so I created BetmunArt. A year ago I decided to dedicate time to drawing and painting for my well being and created an instagram account. The premise is that I’m just doing what I like and what I feel like, when I feel like it. Watching the watercolour pigments flow on the paper is such a nice sight and I want to share the love I have for watercolour and calligraphy. Recently I have started looking at the opportunities of making this hobby in to a paying side-job but I’m scared that I’m not good enough, and that the calming effect it has on me will be gone. But on the other hand it could turn into the carreer I want. No doubt it would become hectic from time to time, and I wouldn’t want to be bored either.
    It would just be incredible to be able to do what I have come to realise that I love and have the opportunity to let others discover the calming effect of watercolour.
    What holds me back? Two words: student loan. It’s big enough as is and still have 1.5-2.5 years of build-up left. If I quit, I get the portion of scholarship as loan, and that is not desireable. I wouldn’t be able to make due with sparse income on paintings, much less start paying down on loans.
    So no matter what I do, I’m kidding myself. If I quit the PhD, I’ll have a world of financial problems more or less immediatly. If I continue, I will do lots of work on something I’m not actually interested in. It was more of a novelty that I thought I would enjoy, but it has resulted in awe in others when they ask what I’m doing. I have no idea how to handle a compliment, so even that has become difficult. How do you respond to ‘oh that sounds so awesome, you’re so lucky and must be so smart!’ when you don’t like it and don’t feel like you deserve the opportunity in the first place? My family just think I’m modest, and have no idea what I’m doing. Well, that makes more of us.
    And at the back of my head is a thought: what if I could succeed with watercolour and calligraphy and be happy?

    I’m mentally exhausted, and more and more physically tired too. Trying to keep up with a life I don’t feel like I’m suited for, not smart enough for. I’ve been down with cold after cold after flu, and my (self diagnosed) social enxiety is becoming worse.

    On a different note; My boyfriend and I bought a house. Sure, we have a mortgage but we own a house with the bank. But. My dad ‘had to die’ for that bit of my success. Let me explain. My dad died almost two years ago now, drowned. It shouldn’t have happened, but it did. My inheritance I put in the house, which is supposed to be a good investment (but might not be, and that’s not a story for here). That’s the way I have portrayed myself to look at it while in reality I’m more thinking that in order for me to get a house, my dad had to die and leave me money. I would so much rather have my dad around to be able to tak to about all these feelings, he always knew what to say and what I should do or how I could find out what to do.

    These are thoughts that I have shared bits of with different people, and it has been laughed off. How can I not be happy, I have a good degree and am half way to my second degree, have a house and a boyfriend. Perfect, right?

    Thanks for the article. I don’t know what I’m going through, but it sounds like part of it is imposter syndrome.

  79. I feel fraudulent when conducting my readings for others. I know I have a unique viewpoint but feeling fraudulent has stopped me from promoting myself and my work.

    I have good feedback but fail to act when it comes to advertising and showing people what I can do and how I can help them.

    I always feel “well who is she to conduct readings, what would she know!” Will happen – it doesn’t but it’s my underlying fear.

  80. I have kept myself from being more expressive because of my Imposter Syndrome. I’ve been lying to myself for so long that when I do something out in the open, I believe that I’m lying to everyone. Just typing the words “my Imposter Syndrome” feels like I’m actually lying to whoever sees this. It has kept me from being in relationships, out of fear that when they realize who I “really am” they will hate me and want nothing to do with me. It made me have a mental breakdown in front of my boyfriend in which I told him I’m relationship not material because I have this ridiculous notion that I’m a manipulative, attention-seeking, narcissist hiding behind the most impressive facade that could would blow a sociopath’s out of the water. I think I know where and how this syndrome came into my life, but now I have only the urge fix it. After this week, I’ve been feeling less paranoid about my relationships by reassuring myself that the voice in my head is a liar, and that I can’t listen to it or I’m putting my relationships in jeopardy. It has helped, but I’m anxious to eradicate this from psyche. I’m not the actress I think I am. I shouldn’t give myself that much credit, but you just don’t realize that in the moment, y’know? I have to give myself some credit. I get the biggest high from putting myself out there. It’s the best elation I’ve ever felt, and I just want to feel it without dealing with the guilt afterwards.

  81. I’m processing some existential feels into words.

    Sometimes I get caught up in this story where I’m far behind the people in my life. That I only learned bits and pieces of random places and people, only to lose it and start over again every year. That I only ingrained the ability to be a chameleon, without retaining enough info to relate to the people around me and if I did connect then it would be gone in a year anyway. That if I can’t take a year off my current life and “catch up’, I’ll be “behind” all my life and even if I do, the slate will soon be blank anyway.

    I felt this grief fully for the first time in my early 20s. It felt like identity loss. Like every piece I grew of myself from every house, school, person was just recycled into energy used for being a chameleon in a new environment. And that my strongest most ingrained functions would always be in favor of not retaining and belonging but on floating around the outside of everyone. My biggest fear then was that I will always be perpetually behind. I can now recognize that that fear used to manifest as intense social anxiety and panic and that now it has lessened over the years. 🧡
    It has come back full force this year due to decreased confidence and withdrawal from all my friends. I sense that my friends will never really connect to me so there trying would be a waste of energy.
    I feel this grief over the places of my past that never got to grow. For the connections that were constantly stated and never made.
     I feel discouraged from trying to be apart of growing in my life.
    I know there are many positive aspects to everything I have experienced, just like everyone else in the world has had both good and bad. The sense of identity loss can be so loud at times.
    Manufacturing motivation is crucial to continue to grow from here but I am slipping and so so alone.
    The only solution seems to help others so that I can feel useful.

  82. Here goes…
    —-
    I rarely add my thoughts/opinions to a conversation because I always feel like my contribution doesn’t matter anyways, so why add it … speak when spoken to. I usually assume nobody cares anyways. In text based exchanges I probably delete half the messages I intend to send because I figure nobody will care.
    —-
    There are so many other people that are better than me at X, so why would I pretend I can hang with them in Y? Guess that’s me focusing on credentials…

    I always feel disconnected from people. I only barley feel connected to my family. I can never relate to peoples feelings. I have found I feel the most lonely when I am trying to socialize. I’d rather just be alone. My interactions do not feel real, but more like me desperately trying to figure out what I should say in response so that people think I’m one of them. Afterwards I will replay that interaction in my head over and over and think about how dumb what I said was and how it makes me look. All the while I could not tell you what the other person said in that exchange. Ego I guess…

    I think about what others infer about me based on the things I’ve said, and I feel boxed into that unspoken identity.

    I have a really hard time taking complements on things I’m good at. I don’t deserve those. ANYONE can do ANYTHING so there is no reason why the thing i did is special, or even good. Somebody else could have done it so much better anyways.

    I see dependence on others as a weakness, yet not having other people to talk through things with leaves me in my own head where I continue berating myself over nothing.

    While I have started getting over this, I worry about every movement I make, literally all of them. I wonder if I am doing it wrong. I wonder how I SHOULD be doing it.

    While I am on a track to be in a career I am good at and love, I feel like I am not where I should be at this point. I feel inadequate compared to the people around me. I really don’t feel like I’m one of them in any way besides being a human.

    I really want to know who I am (or could be), but my mindset of self doubt is not helping. I’m glad I found this article today.

  83. This is what I needed right now. I usually fend off Impostor Syndrome fairly well, but recently I have felt stuck with a class assignment. I have been afraid to start because I’m afraid I can’t do it. And that just makes me feel worse because I feel behind. I have done very well in all of the other classes in the program, even when it was very challenging. The tips here helped me feel better and much more motivated to do the work I need to do.

  84. I have been suffering from this my entire life! I always wanted to be a pediatric surgeon, but I was not given the best guidance during med school. There were a handful of people who flat out told me I was not good enough for it. Initially I brushed it off, but it became so ingrained in my thoughts that I started believing it. Long story short–I became a doctor and am now in the final months of pediatrics training. I have been told by numerous doctors that I am doing an excellent job. In fact, many have commented that I am particularly good at doing procedures (ex: suturing) and that I would be a great surgeon. It got me thinking that maybe I should apply to surgery. The only thing preventing me from doing so is the fear that maybe I’m not good enough and I just happened to become a doctor by chance. I know this sounds illogical since I treat patients every day and they’re fine. But I still constantly find myself underestimating my abilities. What’s strange is that I feel more comfortable working in the ED or hospital, and it’s only when I’m at home that I feel the thoughts of being a fraud. But I think it’s time I stop this toxic thought process and do what I have always wanted. I will go ahead and apply for surgery this year. For anyone who took the time to read this, I sincerely thank you.

  85. Wow i don’t know where to start. Okay so first, I’ll start with my educational background. I graduated from high school a full year early (and I was the first person in my school to have done that), I graduated 4 years later with my associates degree in nursing, then finished my bachelors in 10 more months, then my masters in nursing in 4 months (yes, months). my friends and family all think I’m a genius and constantly praise me for my accomplishments, but all I see is a failure who didn’t deserve those degrees. The truth is, I think I’m just good at school, but a failure at being a nurse. I was too afraid to start work as a nurse due to low confidence and so I started my first job in hospice (where i’ve been ever since) because even after these years, I’m still too fearful of working in any other type of nursing. I chose hospice because I thought it was the least intense of all other nursing types. I’m mainly afraid of speaking to doctors, patients and families when they ask questions and i dont have the answers for them because i’m supposed to be the “expert”. I honestly hate having the title I do because everyone wants to ask me health questions and I never know what to tell them. Lately I’ve been battling with myself between going to nurse practitioner school in hopes I learn more and can finally put this imposter syndrome behind me, or to stop trying to prove something to myself and everyone else and just accept myself for who I am. Deep down, I think I only want to be a nurse practitioner to make others proud and to boost my own confidence, but in reality, I think it’ll only make it harder on me since I can’t even bring myself to apply to a medsurg unit. Basically, do I try and go for it with the chance that it could make me better, or don’t do it because there’s a chance it could make me worse? I honestly think I have the brains for it, but my problem is that I don’t have the confidence in myself to have that kind of authority and leadership, even though everyone around me thinks I do.

  86. My impostor syndrome is pretty new, about a year. I feel like when I’m doing my best at work, I say or act in a certain way and I worry that people are going to think I’m fake. I don’t believe I am because I am sure to be following the right path for my life. But I still fear that they think otherwise and that they hate me and want me to fail. It puts me on a crazy stress and on-the-edge type of mood. Which makes me believe even more that they think I’m fake.

    I’m not sure what to do but just doing my best.

  87. a Video Blog of my spiritual journey. In fact I started to post videos a few days go but not sharing anything yet…
    Fund-raising because I feel “I’m not ready yet” although I have a product, a team, a client and revenues. The truth is I’m scare to face investor’s rejection 🙁

  88. Hello,

    Kind of funny, I already felt like I was being a fraud by trying to relate to everyone else’s comments on here but not really deserving to. I feel like I’m just trying to make excuses for my attitude or my failures just so I don’t have to take responsibility for myself. It’s weird, because people in my life would probably describe me as someone with the greatest confidence and not shy at all. I always crack jokes, and especially try to flaunt a “don’t-give-a-f***” attitude, especially about the things that I am the most insecure about.

    I flaunt my confidence despite every moment of my life focusing on my insecurities.

    I preach independence but exist completely dependent on the validation of others.

    I acknowledge my flaws and that I have the power to change, and then do nothing to actually change them.

    I just began my first year of law school and was lucky enough to receive a full tuition scholarship. Even though I know deep down I should recognize that I must have played some role in my success, I cannot help but feel that I just got lucky. I believe that I only got this far because I am a minority and I was only accepted because I’m black, not actually because I’m good enough to be here. I constantly do things and act a certain way because I want to give people a reason to doubt me. That way whenever I’m a failure, I’m not a disappointment. But if I succeed, I exceeded someones expectations and proved someone wrong. Also, because its easier to believe that people doubt me because they don’t actually know what I am capable of, than to acknowledge that people doubt me because I really am not capable. I feel like I don’t deserve to have certain opportunities because people are always going to be better than me, but I am cheating my way to get ahead because I get to swipe my “minority” and “disadvantaged” and “affirmative action” card.

  89. Even after completing my doctorate, I still feel like a fraud. I thought this would help, as if the other degrees hanging on my wall weren’t enough. I applied and interviewed for a higher position at my college several years ago, and didn’t get the job. The posting opened up again, and I feel that there is no way I can apply and be exposed as an imposter again. Everyone says I’m crazy and I have to go for it. I can’t even deal with the thought that comes along with that fear of failure and exposure. I instantly feel like I’m going to throw up when I think about it. Tomorrow I’m presenting a poster at a conference and this old feeling is creeping in, crippling me as I think of ways to call in sick. I wish this wouldn’t keep holding me back.

  90. I lost a job to my “imposter syndrome”. Except I don’t like to call it that. Never have. Only recently did I discover that “The ‘I don’t belong’ Mindset” feels much better.

    Ever since I started my first job, I felt like I didn’t belong there. That I wasn’t good enough, that they deserved better than me, and I will admit, it pushed me to work harder, and my employers liked that about me. But it made things worse because I kept thinking “they think I have a good work ethic but I’m just terrified for my job.”
    I’ve been lucky enough to have only had two jobs (and one summer internship) in my young adult life, but my in my first job, I worked so hard to “keep up”, terrified that they would start thinking I was a bad employee and they would chastise me or get rid of me. Honestly, I don’t know which is worse. I take chastisement so badly, even the thought of it gives me severe anxiety. But I began to hate my job. I loved my coworkers more than anything, but I hated what I was doing. But I was so terrified to let them down, I kept working, and kept pushing myself, until eventually, I think I just gave up, and made a pretty large mistake that cost all of us.
    It didn’t cost too horrendously, but the fact I got everyone in trouble weighed down so hard on me. My coworkers were asking me what happened, and why I seemed so different lately. They worried for my health. But all I could think of was how I let them down. I left there, a few weeks after that, that mistake weighing on my shoulders. After that, I spent the next few months jobless, staying with my parents and being their housekeeper. But that gave me a lot of time to pray and recover myself, and to tell myself “Hey, you’re not a freak. You’re a decent human being and these people really do love you.” I wrote complements that I knew I received often down on sticky notes, and put them all on my mirror. I even wrote myself a few complements. I still go back and look at them now to remind myself.
    I still deal with these things. Even at my current job I’m always worried someone is looking over my shoulder, and stressing when I don’t immediately have any work to do, and think people will see me and think I’m a slacker. I’m still working through it, and it still gives me anxiety, but I’m working through it. I’m better than before, and I’m hoping to continue to improve.

  91. I constantly grew at work. I was at the same company for 13 years and was promoted every two years until I ran the biggest unit in the business and was respected by all.

    Throughout that time I managed to get by with introversion, severe depression and a crippling fear of public speaking which is a necessary part of the job.

    My position was safe but the company was a bit stagnant and I was headhunted by a bigger firm for a bigger role. I felt like an imposter in the interviews but got the job.

    It went badly from the beginning; a combination of the culture, my boss and most importantly; my own internal issues. I started ignoring problems, focussed on minutiae and all of the depression, OCD, Imposter syndrome overwhelmed me. I ended up becoming a shell of myself to the point where I couldn’t make a decision with any confidence.

    After a head to head with the boss I quit and because I had a long notice period I was put on restricted leave meaning I had a few months off paid.

    I used this time for meditation, reading and relaxing but soon lapsed into old ways of thinking. I managed to get a contracting gig with a very well respected company. They want me to become permanent, I have a couple of other big options too and I am scared to take any of them because I am worried that I will fail immediately. Reading the above and not knowing me makes it look like I must be good at what I do and I sort of know that I am but constantly get that feeling. I definitely have the swing of knowing I can do it all through to not being able to introduce myself in a meeting. The swings make it so tough but I agree that the only answer is through action and I am a terrible procrastinator too.

    Writing this comment has helped. Thanks for sharing this article Kyle – it is very helpful and I’ll come back to it many times I am sure. Action is the key!

  92. I was born and got my degree in Brasil, was a professor in the University, came to Germany, got a PhD, live in Italy now, speak 5 languages, gave a lecture in a German University last October and….I feel like a fraud…

  93. I have pretty intense imposter syndrome. I can’t take compliments, I value all of my accomplishments and accolades as something I got either through luck, or by working really hard and therefore not actually having succeeded through merits of my ability. Failure doesn’t mean much to me though, so this mindset is just my way of life – it doesn’t make me depressed or anything. I feel like if anyone thinks I’m intelligent, it’s because I’ve just gotten really good at convincing them for my benefit, not because I actually am the things they think.
    This didn’t become a huge problem until I started dating someone, and I felt like my feelings for him weren’t real, like I was only convincing him of one more thing about me. I felt like a fraud, like I was going to have to end it because I can’t go on with him believing something about me that I felt like I was faking, but I couldn’t hurt him either. Once I realized that this was my imposter syndrome at work, I understood that because I’m having imposter feelings about him, there have to be real feelings underneath them, and that I really do, actually, love him, and they’re not fake. I’m so relieved.

  94. I am a female working towards an engineering degree, and I feel like a fraud all the time! I’m surrounded by extremely intelligent people( 99% of them are men), and I’m so afraid they are going to find out I’m not as intelligent as they are! Half of the time I ask myself why am I putting myself through this torture? Why didnt I pick an easier route? I have always been known as a talker, but when I’m around classmates I stumble on my words and end up looking like an idiot! I was just recently hired into an intern position and I honestly couldnt believe they hired me. I just knew I didnt get the job after my sweaty interview (the head engineer got up and poured me a glass of ice water because I was so sweaty) and I was relieved thinking well atleast now they wont find out I’m a fraud! Well they hired me and now I feel so guilty all the time. I feel like I’m letting them down and they are constantly thinking they should of hired someone else. It’s a daily struggle!! Reading this has helped and even writing this post has helped. I’m so happy there are other people out there like me!

  95. I have avoided contacting people that my service could help, because I just felt like an imposter. Now already exercising it and starting to talk to people and commenting on all sorts of questions in FB groups.

  96. I am turning 41 in couple days. I hide myself for a long time, I’ve self-deprecated every good word I heard about me. I wasn’t able to accept a compliment and wasn’t able smile and say “thank you” instead for years.
    I wrote beautiful! songs for my son. I really like them, they really touched my heart but I wasn’t able to say I write children songs. Instead,” I said I write some stuff, like song stuff for kids. I can’t tell they are really songs but I don’t know. I am not a musician or singer…
    Before turning 41, I have discovered the problem when I was googling “why can’t I accept a compliment” and while reading Irvin Yalom’s “Everyday gets a little closer”
    As a mom of two, who spent last 5 years with her kids at home and forgot herself, her abilities; your blog truly brighten my world and helped me to face myself.
    Thank you from the bottom of my heart! Tonight I am going to take a pencil and write for 30 minutes to meet with myself and see the smile of a little girl inside me…

  97. Started a new hobby following over a decade after my previous hobby imploded due to my being sabotaged. The fear of committing to this new, intense hobby is frightening, because I’m so sure I’ll never be completely accepted by those long-time in the group. In my mind, it doesn’t matter how much I try, because right now I suck at the tough activity they’re so good at. Mentally I KNOW I’m not going to get better not participating, but it’s such a long haul, especially at my age. Furthermore, work and real life (house, chores, relationships, etc.) have to come first. I don’t know how to get over this, and the anxiety is crippling at times, now with bonus nightmares occurring. Oddly, as a person in the group I feel validated and like a contributing member in some ways, but not in my primary focus in the group. It’s the very thing I want so much and am targeting to get good at, but it’s so rigorous to learn and DO, so I feel horribly out of my element and unworthy of anyone’s acceptance. This is so draining. It’s getting worse.

  98. I just graduated from design college and I really don’t believe I deserved it, or the grade I got. When my professor told me my A- grade, I couldn’t believe it, I was genuinely confused. I told him “I didn’t expect this, I thought I would get a C”. Throughout that whole semester, I constantly compared myself to other projects that were more innovative, that looked more amazing, and that they actually worked day and night to finish. Meanwhile, because I was constantly not believing in myself and that this project will be anything more than trash compared to the others, I kept procrastinating more and more and more. And so now I was comparing myself to my fellow students because they finished everything at a much higher pace, and didn’t feel like crying everytime they went to consult with the professor.

    On top of this, I’m in a relationship with a guy I truly love, and who loves me back. I have so much faith in this relationship, but I’m constantly feeling like I don’t deserve someone like him. I’m much more emotional and have outbursts every now and then, and it makes him sad. But that fucking kills me. It feels like, he could be with someone so much better, why is he even staying with me? I’m awful. He keeps saying I’m an amazing person, smart, brave, kind, blablabla and I just feel like, that’s utter bullshit. How could he even say these things about me when they’re not that true?

    Then comes the small music community I’m a part of. I don’t make music but I’m a huge fan of this type of music, and dance in all of the parties and befriend everyone there. And at some point, I made a facebook group that helped some people get in contact. But other than that, I contribute NOTHING. And yet they keep complimenting me, saying I’m some sort of encyclopedia on the scene, saying I bring energy into the community, when I didn’t do shit. I would tell you if I accomplished something but I didn’t. I just know that I don’t deserve all that praise. They even made an album dedicated to me, and I just had to bite my tongue and try not to tell them how I didn’t deserve this, and other people deserved it much more. I had to physically force myself not to say that.

    I know this is a lot of blabbing, and those are just 3 situations out of many where I feel like I’m not doing enough, I’m not deserving of praise, I’m not deserving of love. I’m not as great as people think I am, and I would know right? I know who I am and I know what I achieve, and I know it’s not that special.

  99. I feel like my A’s in my lower division physics courses were partially handed to me, and now I’m at UC Berkeley because of them, and I’m so afraid I’m not going to be able to fake my physics knowledge until I graduate. At the same time, my friends treat me as if I’m not able to make it through either, because all I ever do is let my lack of confidence in myself show. I thought for sure that I was going to fail my last course, and I told a couple of close friends, and I ended up getting a B. I don’t know how to overcome this.

  100. I started and quit roller derby (citing my skates were too small), I made 4 zines then stopped (my depression was overwhelming), I stopped going to karaoke (I’m losing my singing voice), and now I’m coming close to quitting being a webcam model because I feel like such a fake. I feel like they’re going to find out who I really am and they will expose me, ridicule me, eject me from their lives. But I didn’t know it had a NAME! Thank you so much for bringing this article to the internet, where lameass fake losers like me congregate.

  101. Oh boy, this article & the comments have really hit a tender spot in me right now.

    I just finished graduate school. I am the first in my family to go to college, and now the first to also graduate from grad school. I’m terrified to find a job in my new field of work because I feel like I’m not really smart enough or good enough to have graduated from grad school. After grad school, I took & passed the national board certification in my field– I was sure they must have messed up when they scored my test & said I passed by mistake. I don’t feel like I will be good enough in my new field of work. I’m terrified to interview for new jobs bc I think they’ll figure out I’m a fraud & don’t really know what I’m doing….

    But I passed the national board exams. It was not a mistake. I did the work, I am now nationally certified. I not only gradated from graduate school, while I continued to work & face significant challenges during school, but I managed to graduate with honors & was inducted into the Honor society in my field of study. I am smart. I do know things. I don’t know everything, but I never will, and that’s okay.

    The truth is, I have felt like a fraud most my life. In elementary school teachers noticed I was interested in learning & they had take tests. My scores put me in the honors classes, but I thought that was a mistake (that somehow no one ever found out….)

    I’m tired of feeling like I don’t deserve to be where I’m at. I’m tired of feeling like a fraud. I’m tired of the little, critical voice in my head telling me that I’m not enough.

    I’m ready to go be great in my new field of work because the more I do it, the better I’ll become at it. I’ll be successful as long as I keep trying. It will be challenging at first, because I’m a novice, but eventually I’ll get experience and I will feel like I belong. I’ve worked hard to get here, and this isn’t the end of the journey, yet. There’s still more I can & will do.

  102. Hi,
    I returned to college and studied to become a psychologist. I have my own private practice but I feel such an imposter. I have loads of problems ..suffer from depression and anxiety and really feel like I don’t really help my clients. Even when they seem happy at the end of a consultation I think its because its the first time they consulted. Its so bad that I recently considered stopping all consultations…and going out and getting a very basic job. But i decided to give it another go…I hope to find a similar minded psychologist and doing some learning by doing work…trying out new methods, recording the sessions and working on them together..to try to improve my skills. I love learning so I’m pretty motivated by that. But sometimes I wonder if I’ll ever feel competent…even with more training. Its been problem for me since as long as I can remember…always felt unintelligent…even though I managed to succeed twice at college. Thank you so much for your post and for giving others the possibility to express themselves on this subject.

  103. I started my business 8 months ago. My first paying client is in the process of ghosting me. (Apparently) Over the last 3 weeks or so I’ve done NO work on my business, even though I have to write a 3 hour seminar in the next six weeks. What am I going to do? Why – I think I will start with my own blog post about imposter syndrome. I haven’t done a blog post in months, and that is just not acceptable!

  104. Not pushed my self forward when there was a vacancy as head of department as I do not feel worthy of it. Now I find someone in charge who is even worse than I perceive myself and he has survived 7 months I could kick myself and it’s too late

  105. I’m afraid to let people get too close to me because I’m afriad they’ll realize I’m not as great as they thought I was when we first met. Whenever I make a new friend, there comes a point where I’ll suddenly feel the need to withdraw because they’re getting too close to exposing who I really am. I feel the need to hide behind an aura of mystery so people will keep believing the best about me. I haven’t had a really close friend since elementary school.

  106. I routinely overcommit myself to things under the illusion that if I’m not all in then it’s not real. Due to this, I’ve experienced severe burnout and a noticeable lack of joy from my success.

    On a daily basis, this tends to look like binge working without without the capability of compartmentalizing my day. If I don’t spend *all* day on it, then I’m not a good math and physics student or an audio good engineer (or a therapist, or a musician…all activities and occupations that I’ve stressed to the point of misery).

    I realized I overdid things when I received an X-Ray of my spine (I was a very serious guitar player at the time; 6 hours at a minimum most days) and my cervical vertebrae had grown with bends and folds in them that occur from years of holding your head into that position during my teen years. At that moment, I had a strange relief that I could give it up and instead play piano for a change because I now had an “excuse” to not force myself into guitar or be that person anymore.

    I always felt like everyone in the groups I joined (social and work related) simply belonged there; I did not. Some days I would write it off as being better than my surroundings and in the same day would flip to believing that I had some severely crippling psycho-social malformation. I probably didn’t and don’t – I just never knew how to fit in.

    This caused me to become very unhealthy in social relationships. I started realizing that if people weren’t talking to me about there problems that I would feel terribly anxious. If I could help them with their problems then I was being a worthy friend. I had a dire need to dig to the bottom of an existential crisis (or have a wildly good time in contrast) because if I didn’t then people wouldn’t need me. They had other “real” friends and I wasn’t one of them.

    Finally, I could never feel a compliment. I could receive them thankfully but they never hit home. The only compliments I believed were indirect compliments (I heard through the grape vine that someone said something nice) or compliments that were so hyper specific that a person could not have fabricated it without being genuine. This was because I felt people were simply humoring me.

    That felt nice 🙂

  107. I had never heard of imposter syndrome but YES i feel like a total fraud and should not be in the position im in. I dont feel worthy of my salary or inteligent enough to be a manager.

  108. I just found about impostor syndrome today. Found your article and before commenting I have checked a lot of the comments before posting my own – checking their dates actually to see if I am not late to the party – at the same time thinking that I should know about this article earlier and now it is too late and it will look stupid if I comment. After thinking for a while I realised that is exactly the type of thinking that stops me from doing what I really want.

    Had a great start of my career, doing crazy stuff with some of the best entrepreneurs in the world. I started feeling like an impostor back then – thinking how the hell am I able to pull it off even though I am not doing epic things all the time. I didn’t care about the positive feedback – just the negatives and then the feeling of being afraid that someone will question my knowledge or laugh at my question / lack of familiarity with what should have been obvious.

    I considered all the positive feedback as kindness only – still do to a large extent. Something which should have been obvious to me. I started taking on criticism less personally but more as development points only recently so I am getting somewhere already, but your article has allowed me to put all this doubts, feeling of superiority and inferiority at the same time into a concept.

    I am not quite sure how I am going to handle it in the future, but your post is a good starting point to start this journey.

    Thank you

  109. I am a carpenter by trade but have held myself back from starting my own business because I have always felt like I don’t know what I’m doing and I’m worried about people finding out. I’m worried about making mistakes and not knowing how to fix them. I feel it’s easier to work for someone else and internally deal with my insecurities. Well that’s how I’ve felt for 10 years now and still feel the same and I’m not any happier. Actually it’s getting worse as I feel that my own children will one day realise that I’m a fraud (I’ve asked my daughter before if she thinks that I’m a good dad and if I look after the family alright she’s 10). It makes me feel distant from everything that is going on around me as I’m constantly internalising situations or thoughts. I seem to be able to come up with excuses or reasons why I can’t rather than why I can. Thank you for writing this article because I felt like I was the only person who had this problem. I want to free myself of these feelings and I’m going to have to open up to my wife and tell her what I struggle with. I also have to not be afraid to accept myself which is really hard.

  110. This is my senior year f college and I feel like a fraud. I have had so many great experiences internships and fun – and now I am burnt out, I don’t want to go out anymore, but also I have been avoiding my responsibilities to others because I do not have my future figured out and I usually have it all together. I am looking at entry level jobs, but I am not applying to grad schools; despite the fact that I would be a great applicant based on my gpa and experiences. I feel like a fraud because I have not been present and supportive of the people around me because Im ashamed of how I am not flourishing and they are doing great now. I don’t want to become bitter or angry; but its hard because I dont think im giving myself enough credit for the things I’ve done; I’ve been very hard on myself which makes getting out and being me harder.

  111. I’ve avoided talking / hanging out with my girlfriend because of this feeling. It just feels like I’m fake and that the person I’m being when talking to her is different than who I actually am and it’s painful

  112. Every day, I am waiting for the other shoe to drop, waiting to that trap door to swing open underneath me. I did well at school, but I always said I found it difficult, in case my marks were bad. I purposefully isolated myself from other people because if I chose to be alone, that was preferable to not being included. I never tried at sports because I knew I wasn’t very good. Better to not try than to try and fail. All I wanted when I was little was a husband, 2 kids, my own home near the coast and a job as a scientist. I never wanted friends because who would want to be friends with me, anyway? Finding just one person who would want to marry me was enough of a pipedream, without adding friendS – plural – to the mix. That would be greedy and not something I was/am deserving of. I only have this job because my employer was desperate – everyone else who could do this job already had jobs. I’m waiting for my husband to realise how horrible I am, for my friends to laugh is my face and my boss to realise how incompetent I actually am. I’m a fraud

  113. I’ve avoided writing down my ideas for my proposal for 8 months because I’ve felt that I wasn’t good enough to write a thesis. Now I am extremely delayed and have to write it all in two days.

  114. Why did you delete the entry that we are all rotting pieces of meat etc for imposter syndrome
    Did people complain ?
    I thought it was full on but very sobering.
    Thanks.
    John

  115. I am an African American female studying Industrial Enginnering at a top 50 University. Being a transfer student it is difficult building and maintaining relationships with my peers. Especially since in the majority of my classes I am the only person of color. I struggle on a daily basis accepting that I have earned a seat in my classes. I often feel overwhelmed being the “only one” from my hometown to make it as far as I have in my field. Returning home is when I hear comments, “We’re so proud of you”, “You’ve accomplished so much”. Then it’s diffucult when things get challenging because apparently, “You got this,” “You’ve made it this far”. All of these things are positive and I recognize this. However, it can be difficult when my cry for help is responded with affirmations when all I want is someone who will empathize. Community is something I value but I find it hard building that in a new environment. I see a therapist regularly and that help a lot with managing my anxiety and stress.

  116. GREAT LIST TO HELP WITH A NOT SO GREAT FEELING. i REALLY APPRECIATE HOW CHEERFUL AND HOPEFULLY YOUR VIBE IS IN THE MSG.

  117. I had my son at 19 and daughter at 25. I have GCSEs, no A levels and I qualified as a level 2 hairdresser. All my life I did an assortment of jobs to fit around my family. I never believed I could do anything else. Then my husband left and I had to do something. I contacted a friend who, at a dinner party, one evening at said ‘goodness I would employ you!’. True to his word when I asked he did. This was turbo imposter syndrome. Here I was working in a multi million pound start up in London with zero qualifications or experience. I compensated by working every hour god sent. 5am starts, evenings, weekends, bank holidays and Christmas. I did it. Anything they asked. Answer the phone, see clients, hire and fire, make tea, clean. But all the while I still felt at any minute they would see me for who I was. A fraud. A stupid waste of money. After 5 years and 3 promotions I still felt like a fraud and I was burnt out! I decided to take a break thinking they won’t miss me anyway. They were in fact really sad to see me go and gave me a wonderful leaving bonus. My feeling… fuck how did I get away with that. 2 year break and I have recently been asked to go back and be a COO for another start up. Well that’s a job for other people. People who have business degrees and experience. Realistically I have 5 years and shit load of life experience. I’m a mum with 10 GCSEs that can give you a short back and sides. The thought of taking the job gives me palpitations. This would mean I’m a mega fraud!!! I know deep down I can do. I crammed in probably 10 / 15 years experience into that 5 but I still can’t help feel like a fony. Reading your 21 points has really helped thank you.
    I’m going to take action. Starting tomorrow!! Wish me luck. Or send me a disguise!!! X

  118. I`v been producing music for a while now and it`s always come quite easily to me, I don`t How it happens or what I do to make it happen, it just does, whenever i sit down with my keyboards for a few minutes music just happens, and requires no skill or talent on my part. my last track recveived quite a bit of praise, certainly more than I`m used to or even expected, and Now i can`t bring myself to make any more, i sit at my keyboards and nothing happens, the magic has gone, and my luck has run out. I feel like I can`t possibly top my last track (though when i made it, I thought is was just `ok` nothing special), now this un due praise makes me feel I set the bar too high for me to make anything else. how can I improve on something that Just Happened? maybe I was a Fake all along! and just got lucky a few times, it would certainly explain why I feel there`s no skill or talent involved. but the really scary part is that i`v just spent over £4000 on having my studio done up (it took me several years to save up that amount, as a mother of 2), and now I feel really stupid because of it, I`d have been ok people said it was just OK, or even crap! i would have carried on making music just for fun. how could their praise have scared me so much? surely a REAL musician would have loved that?

  119. I’m am a student in a very important music school in Mexico but every time I have singing class (which is my instrument) I paralyze even though this is what I like to do the most because the teacher might not like if I can be better than her so I always end up being the stupid girl who can not do anything

  120. Thank you for this post. I just googled “How to deal with imposter syndrome” because I just didn’t know what else to do anymore. I’m going into the second year of my PhD. I went from my undergraduate, to my masters, straight to this PhD, so I feel like I’ve literally been in education for my whole life. Imposter syndrome has left me unable to work before, because I start thinking about how, if I’m such a huge fraud, there’s not even any point in trying anymore. That I should just quit. It’s left me anxious and depressed.

    Reading your post made me think about why I’m doing this – I love my subject, and I’m genuinely enjoying the experience (when I’m not feeling like a total fraud). And yeah, I actually have no idea what I’m doing! But that’s ok, because that’s exactly why I am on this journey – this PhD would be totally pointless if I had all of the answers.

    Thank you for this post. Reading yours and others’ experiences has made this feel like a much more tangible concept, rather than this weird looming shadow of an emotion.

  121. Typing this to give it a go.

    I got a promotion in a job that’s not permanent but I avoid applying for other jobs in fear of failure of the interview (or no interview at all) even though I am unhappy in my current role and looking for a change. I come home anxious every night and afraid they will fire me cause I’m not doing a good job but I also don’t think anywhere else will take me.

  122. I feel like an imposter every single day. I work in Public Affairs and make a lot of print and digital products like annual reports and social media graphics. People always ask me how I made my designs, what software did I use, did I make every icon and illustration individually, did I go to school for design, etc. The truth is I hate designing vectors and am pretty terrible at it. Most of the vectors I use are purchased from shutterstock, Canva or creative market, but I still change the colors to match our brand and arrange everything on the page to look nice. Still, anytime someone asks me if I made each illustration by hand I lie and say yes because I don’t want them to find out that I’m a fraud.

  123. I’m in college right now. For some reason, any sort of competition or test gives me anxiety. I end up obsessing over if I’ll ever be good enough or if I even belong in the science stream. Why am I here? I could’ve joined an art school, that’s where I belong. I saw Big Hero 6 and said to myself”Gee, I sure wish I could make something like that”. It’s gonna take a lot of work and there’s so much I don’t understand that people around me get easily. This has ALWAYS been the case for me, ever since fourth grade. Even as I write this out I feel pretentious and like I’m just yammering on without actually struggling with anything. Do I actually have issues or is it just me cooking that up because I’m lazy or because I want to feel like I have some weird tragic backstory? Anyways, I have a test coming up, and I can feel my throat close up again and my eyes watering. But thanks for giving me the space to get my feelings out there, even though I don’t have time to read the whole article right now.

    On the ther hand it feels great to know that I’m not the only one who feels like this, since I’d never even heard of something called the “Imposter syndrome ” until today. So, hey, atleast I’ll be able to describe it more accurately and help myself get over it in a better way.

  124. I haven’t been video recording my therapy sessions for clinicals, to be critiqued, because I’m afraid I’m not good enough, don’t know enough, and will be found out a fraud.

  125. I have avoided applying to new jobs after graduating from coding boot camp because I have felt as a fraud. Everything you have described is what I feel at this moment, but that is all about to change. Thank you for this. Awesome article.

  126. I did not know imposter syndrome had an actual name until I was today years old. I’m highly relieved because my “madness” has a name. I love how this post holds us “imposters” accountable for the ego aspects of the syndrome. Anyways, I’ve been wanting to start a YouTube channel for months but haven’t done so because I’m afraid of being laughed at. Afraid that all of the other wonderful content creators out there will forever shadow anything I could ever make. I’m afraid to do about anything that actually puts myself out there. My entire life I’ve been told I’m mature and clever. Those compliments while validating, have NEVER resonated with me. They left me feeling as if I had tricked them into thinking so. I naturally believe if an opportunity doesn’t plop itself in front of me then maybe I’m not good enough for it. If I have to seek out the opportunity then I’m not deserving of it anyways. A terribly backwards way of thinking… a way of thinking that makes me feel like, well, a fraud. Yikes. Maybe faking some confidence in myself (a frequent thing for me) will allow me to start up my YouTube channel. Eh who knows?

  127. I feel like I can never do anything right at work when it comes to code. When that Happens I feel that everyone thinks that I’m not good enough. The minor mistakes I make I feel like it’s the end of the world and I see other building things and getting praise for it where I’m just trying and trying feel like I get nowhere. I tend to question myself and expertise all the time. But in the end I always keep pushing to be better and try my best. This imposter syndrome is no joke and I will over come it soon

  128. I want to start a blog but I’m afraid it’ll be stupid and no one will read it. Aside from the fact that I have no idea how to do it.

  129. I have recently graduated from school as a Minister in a national Church and taken my first position as a Child and Youth Minister. I have always struggled with Imposter Syndrome (through two degrees) though I refuse to let it stop me from doing anything. However, I struggle with the emotional drain that goes with the constant battle of thought attacks. I wish I could figure out how to stop the thinking before it starts or at least see the pattern and shut it down before the doubt and fear gets any kind of hold, setting up a repetitive pattern.
    Thanks for the article. It is good to remind myself of these truths as I seem to forget them easily and in this new position, the exhaustion of fighting the old messages, especially relating to perfectionism, has already started. I also know, as you say, that action is one of the best ways to combat Imposter Syndrome yet action does not seem to stop the thoughts from appearing.
    One of my biggest fears is that the exhaustion of the battle gets too much and I give in, or get sick, or give up and quit. Burn out is a real issue for Ministers and I worry this could be the thing that ends my career relatively quickly. But here I am taking action…talking out loud, and refusing to give IS power.
    Will keep trying. Thanks for the article!

  130. I would like to just love what is. Be happy with my Lot in life as it really isn’t bad. But I feel guilty for not really trying.

  131. I make excuses for good grades and accomplishments, accrediting them to anyone but myself. I have an interview for an internship this week, if i get it then it will be my very first internship and my first job with any relation at all to what I want to be my career. This week I will work hard to be confident in my skills and interests, selling myself to the interviewers and the following day to representatives at the career fair. I will not tell people that the interview is my only chance at an internship and I will not tell people I only got the interview because my dad works there. I know it helped for sure, I won’t lie, but they wouldn’t want to interview me if I wasn’t at least somewhat qualified. I will stop feeling inferior in my technical classes for no reason.

  132. I identify with this. I was born with a fascination with the military in all its forms, but I was born deaf in one ear making me medically unfit. Due to loop hole and some incompetence I applied anyway and became a ships navigator. I was an actual imposter and eventually the fear of not hearing something and a realisation that my career wasn’t going to progress (due to the hearing issue) led me to quit for a job ashore.

    Fast forward many years I’m in an executive level position in a major marine insurance company and a.m. well thought of and doing well, but I worry every day that a small mistake will blow everything and enable them to see me for what I am.

    I put in a speculative application for an assistant directors position in a government agency, I got it and now am wracked with worry. Friends of mine at work tell me I’ll be great at the job and should go for it.

    I cannot let it defeat me I’m going to go fir the job, I’m specifically going to work on my mental health and take this opportunity of a life time.

    Good article.

  133. I’m finding this very interesting and comforting.
    Spent my life thinking I’m just not quite good enough, pretty enough, athletic enough.
    I have good days and bad, It is nice to know that I’m not alone in these crazy insecure thoughts.
    I am a nordic coach, ultra Runner, race director, mother and wife.
    I’m also 56 and live in Colorado.
    My question is do you think this syndrome was brought on by some childhood trauma?
    My childhood, like many others was based on a mother with mental illness and family dysfunction.
    I’m an adult child of two alcoholics and I think I always felt that bit of Shame.

    I know better so I do better.
    I will start the journal, even putting these words down has made me feel accepted.
    Thank you for your honesty

  134. I landed my dream (paid) internship working with the Human Resources and Marketing departments at an international software company. Even before I began my new job, I was telling everyone (myself included) that I got the job because I had met the recruiter once before ten years ago and she remembered me. The recruiter didn’t conduct any of the three interviews that it took to get the job offer. In hindsight and after learning about impostor syndrome, I realize I was already belittling my accomplishments and reminding myself that I didn’t deserve/earn the position. I am now almost three months into my internship and I tell myself at least 20 times a day that I do not belong at the company. I am in constant fear of being “found out” by my coworkers and I wonder daily if they’re asking themselves how I managed to slip through the cracks. I genuinely believe that they are kicking themselves for hiring me now that they’ve seen how incompetent I am. I do understand that I’m a student intern and have 0 experience in corporate America, but this doesn’t shake my feelings of worthlessness. Because I’m below an entry level employee, I often visualize my manager approaching me and telling me to pack my things and leave – that my time is up. Compliments from my superiors just amplify these feelings. Impostor syndrome prevents me from networking with colleagues because I feel I’m not worth anyone’s time. I stay silent in meetings because I don’t think my ideas are worthwhile. I spend so much time worrying about what everyone thinks of me that I find it difficult to function. I want my employer to hire me so badly when I graduate that I’m pushing myself to the limit to impress everyone. Thank you so much for writing this article. Putting a name to this disorder and hearing other people’s experiences makes me feel less alone. 🙂

  135. Thank you for this post. I work in healthcare for the last 7 years. I’ve had imposter syndrome my whole life. Today I could finally put a name to it. I’ve accomplished a lot in my life and Career but still feel I don’t measure up or it’s only a matter of time before the figure out I’m a fraud. The last year got the best of me. I actually believed all the lies.

  136. talking to guys in general and worse if theyre cute, starting today i’ll do my best and not feel like an impostor talking w them yesss

  137. I have intentionally plateaued my career, accepting the same role at the same startup stage saying “I’m doing this because it’s what I’m good at and love” which was truly a mask for “I’m afraid to fail at something greater than”. Not saying the former isn’t true, but the lack of challenging myself has made me feel unable to do more, and comfortable in repetition (aka scared of new ‘work’ things).

    When I look back at my past, I think “where have I gone?”. I used to be someone who, with no experience whatsoever, decided to start a fashion label, and did it successfully, then a bar, and did it successfully, or be head of marketing at an e-commerce company and helped grow it a multi-million dollar business managing dozens of people (all these things before 25).

    I look back at my last 5 years and think – wow – I’ve been doing the same thing over and over and over. Lack of challenge lead me to not just thinking that I am not capable of more, but (1) believing it, then (2) convincing myself it was a choice to remain stagnant. And maybe it was a choice, but some environmental factors like buying a home (new financial pressure) and US immigration challenges (catalyst for a job change), have forced me into discomfort. It forced me into uncharted territories again, and it’s causing massive anxiety – though identifying this anxiety, then calling it something like ‘Impostor Syndrome’, and now reading up on it (thank you btw for this post), I’m feeling more empowered than I’ve felt in a long time.

    I use to have a sticky note in my desk that said “Just Do It” – then would beat myself up for not doing it and procrastinating. In writing this comment (thanks for the push to do it), I’ve arrived at the conclusion to change it to “You can do it.” And in even writing those words down in this very moment, I cried. It feels good.

    Thanks for this post Kyle – seriously.

    • Incredible comment Andrew. It sounds like you’re ready to start the next chapter now.

      Like most things – getting rid of this mindset is a habit. Everytime you feel those feelings coming up – realize it’s genuinely a chemical-state, and you can change it.

      The more often you change your mental state – eventually you just become that person.

      We used to be nobody. We had to hustle for everything, prove ourselves to everyone – and the struggle is addicting…

      Now that we’ve actually achieved a thing or two, we need to learn how to attack growth from a new angle…

      Now we have something to lose…

  138. I feel like an imposter all the time. I topped class through school and college (it really hurt to write that…”who am I to write this on the Internet ?” Certain circumstances in life have made it impossible to pursue a full fledged career (here I am beating myself up for not trying harder). Have pursued hobbies like classical music and photography for some years now – I learn fast and work hard and have been told that I am quite good but can’t internalize it. Don’t have a ton of friends now – feel like I don’t belong in any group…either I feel less than or better than ! Always feel lonely. Nothing special to offer to the world, can’t think of any difference I am making in anyone’s life !

  139. Geez. Okay well, I am somewhat experienced (11 years) in my field however have never been able to explain what I do and how I make a difference. I have won awards and peer awards yet struggle to figure out how I managed to pull the wool over their eyes.

    I struggle to hold conversations with men and women who hold higher positions than me and/or have more confident exteriors than me because I don’t think I’m going to make an impression on them.

    My thought process sabotages me in almost every interview or networking situation I have been in.

    I have a notebook full of business ideas that I don’t think I will be able to achieve and some of them have since been done by “smarter” people who created thriving businesses, but I could never have done that.

    I have a special corner in my brain which stores the excuses I have used both internally and externally. I struggle to find my place in new social environments and have struggled to understand or find my place in the world.

    I use the phrase ” the world is too full of opinions ” because I’m not sure I can back my own. I don’t like arguments because I get caught up in my own head thinking “crud, the other person is right” pretty early on.

    I lack confidence in myself and am not confident I will be able to build any up.

    Time to put the mask back on and get back to my day 🙂

    • I feel the same. It is a struggle but a part of you knows how good you are and you deserve it. When that feeling comes, no matter how fleeting. Try and hold it and remember it. Over time the feeling gets stronger.

      • You just nailed it! You become what you focus on and feel. I am grateful that I found this website but will not dwell and give energy to my false feelings and double. It will it the small oversight aka snowy ale overshadow the mountains of success and accomplishments. I will find those fleeting moments when people say, “you did all of this yourself?” And focus on that feeling and the moments that bring more feelings like that….then wait for more of the good stuff to flow to me through attraction to better feeling things. ❤️

    • The same has happened to me with business ideas. “Hey somebody should…” My husband says “Why don’t YOU?” I get excited, I research, I develop the business plan…I back away. Someone just implemented my last idea and took home multiple millions of dollars in the first year. But I couldn’t possibly have pulled it off. Could I?

  140. Impostor syndrome has prevented me from changing jobs. I always feel that I was lucky that people trusted me and gave me the opportunity to grow. After years of success in the different roles I covered in my company I had the opportunity to apply for my dream job in another company…. after the interview imposter syndrome came with a vengeance!!!!! I am glad I found all these posts, I hope they will give me the courage to accept that I can do the job and do it great (that for God’s sake I know I can do!)….

  141. Thank you so much for this post.

    I interview well. I am personable, friendly and intelligent. I have gone through three rounds of interviews and am fairly certain I will be offered a job tomorrow.

    But I am terrified to accept because I feel like I must have lied somewhere, or tricked them into hiring me. I have gotten other jobs and learned what I didn’t know and done well at them but this is a step for me into a much harder job. I can do it but part of me wants to tell them no because I don’t think I’m good enough.

    • This is almost my exact situation. I have no reason to believe I will fail, and yet I’m waiting for some imaginary shoe to drop when they find out who I “really” am. (Which, in reality, is someone well into their career who is a fast learner and excellent employee with a lot of varied experience.)

  142. I’ve really appreciated this article.

    I nearly decided not to take an Executive Director position because of Imposter Syndrome. I’m young, new, and fear I smooth talked my way through the interviews.

    I’ve decided that take the position and challenge the feelings of being a fraud. I start on Monday. Here goes nothing!

    Thanks again!

  143. I’m a tattoo artist struggling with this.. my biggest dream is to have the courage to go and do conventions and guest work in other countries. I have done it 4 years ago but then I had a network of people to travel with.

    Now I’m alone and I don’t believe anyone remembers me or wants me to come work. I’m so scared of being told “no” so I don’t even try. Everyone I used to know and work with back in 2014 has gotten much further than me by now since I’ve been struggling with depression and burn out, so now I feel even more fake and like I should just give up my work and passion cuz they’re soooo much better than me.

    I feel extremely lonely in this.

  144. I have just started a new role. I am in a new department with a very different work culture from where I used to work. It involves new processes with a new set of equipment. I don’t know anyone and for my first day I wasn’t given anything to do, just some stuff to read and a desk. Truly, I feel lost and that some how I got the job just because I was the only one who applied despite the fact that they have turned down previous applicants.

    I am terrified that they will start to question why I am even there. To combat this I sat down with my new boss and asked what his expectations are and he said that all he wants from me is to sit at my desk and learn what I can. The daft thing is that I fought for this position!

    I have never felt so unsure or like I don’t have the abilities to succeed before so this is all alien to me. Nothing is familiar which is making the feeling worse. I’m not sure how I will over come it but I’m just going to tackle each day hour by hour. Then each week day by day and so on.

  145. This article has really struck a cord with me. Obviously I didn’t just stumble in here but i searched for it.
    I have been an artist for about 5-10 years now. My artform is a bit different than most and i use existing designs and modify them for my art.
    This is where the problem lays. I feel that even though I get loads of praise for my work that I should be drawing my own stuff but I am a terrible artist and cant draw. I am working on it but it is a slow process.
    Regardless i keep pumping out my current artwork and interpretations. People assume that i sell my works but I dont feel like I should because I am not the original artist.
    Sort of like a tattoo artist not doing tattoos of an eagle or a flag because he did not design it, or a band not playing covers because they did not originally write the song.
    It is driving me nuts to the point where I quit my job so I can do nothing but this but am still too afraid to sell my stuff. (I am sort of financially stable so not the end of the world but still).
    I have never told anyone this stuff so thank you for reading it.

    • Dear Crupiea and Kyle

      it is so brave to write all this down and thank you two for sharing this. It helped me a lot, I am not the only one struggling with this form of imposterism (@Crupiea).

      Although I am not an artist but a product designer, within my work I make sometimes use of existing designs, which I transform to the projects needs. (the final product never looks like the original, but nevertheless the core idea is the same).
      Within these projects, most of the time I feel like a total fraud not deserving to get any credit/money, I am hundred percent sure I do not deserve it. (Somehow we could agree that I am a real fraud)
      But when I am working on a project (this is probably you as well) I always put all my hart, effort, a lot research and hours in there. This is what matters. Your effort and the appreciation for the designs you want to revive and give it your own piece of mind (love ore whatever).

      I don’t know if it helps (and surely don’t take advice from a fraud who tries to justify his wrongs.) But I strongly want to encourage you to sell your work, maybe you could put a price on the time you spend reinventing the designs you adopt 🙂
      You probably love what you do, you sound like a vibrant and enthusiastic artist, so please take in count al the thought plus effort you took, it is worth praise and money!

      In addition to your comparison:
      What I always like to tell myself is, I am a cook, cooking a masterchefs recipe with the freedom to putting my own flavours into the dish.

    • I was a gallerist in NYC and I can tell you that many of the artist don’t “fabricate” their own work–some photographers don’t even take their own photos. It’s their vision or idea that is created. The actual person painting the painting or snapping the photo is not the artist. I think you must let go of your perception of art and start to see it as an idea that you are creating in your mind. Because your mind is uniquely yours and this vision comes from your mind, then you are its creator. The others are helping you facilitate your vision.

  146. I want to be a freelance makeup artist but I’m so scared of reaching out to people I would like to work with because I’m afraid they’ll think I’m not good enough.

  147. I have this huge call on my life but consistently feel like I’m not enough–not good enough, talented enough, pretty enough, fit enough, so on and so forth. About 98% of the time I don’t understand what God saw in me or why He would call somebody like me in the first place. I have many books in my heart that I know I need to write, but I continually feel that I must first become an “expert” in order to “qualify” to do so. It helps to remind myself that God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called. Blogs like this are a blessing because they serve to inform each and every one of us that we are not alone. Thank you for taking the time to face your fear–it’s giving me the push I need to face mine.

  148. I’ve had this my whole life. At one point I was doing well in my career but did not take opportunities to advance. But far worse is where I’m at now. I’m a stay at home mum who needs to be earning some $$, but finding it very hard to take a step in any direction due to imposter syndrome. I’m wheel spinning so bad and it’s almost like I’m frozen (for a couple of years). Good to know I’m not the only one and that there are strategies to improve. I’m looking forward to powering through this.

  149. I am still undergraduate student, but I got brilliant opportunity to hold a research in the lab in my university. However, I feel myself so underqualified that I cannot propose any item on weekly meeting. I often feel that I am not skilled enough to be there, and do not know why professor accepted me when I applied. I have some ideas and started analysis already, but I have no confidence in my results. I have to seek for advice from professor, but I am afraid that people think of me as a stupid.
    However, thanks to your article, I can believe in myself. I know that it will not be easy, but I am on the right start. Thank you. I really want to overcome these stupid things about me and I want to accept my successes (I really did a lot, but I always think of this as a luck, like I dont deserve it), and I really do not afraid of failure, but I am afraid that people think of me. It is hard, but I have to go forward. Because I cannot give up on what I have done till now on.

  150. I am now trying to quit my job because I am feeling like I know less or contribute less than anyone at my team. I am most senior in my team and even recently got promoted. I’ve been getting positive feedback from management and peers. The more they are telling how amazing my work is, the more I feel like a fraud. Then I feel even more pressure to give more of myself (that would cover all my shortcomings) which generates even more stress. That makes me want to quit. But they are convincing me not to quit… because I am so useful for the team… but really… I am just a fraud.

  151. Ok….I don’t have anyone I can talk to about this, so I’m trusting the anonymous hands of the Internet. Here we go.

    I don’t have/share my opinions because I’m afraid that they’ll be wrong or I’ll look stupid.

    I have trouble explaining things I’ve thought for hours about because It’s hard getting all my thoughts together.

    I write a lot on a writing website, but not a single draft has ever been posted (except for one, but I took it down) everytime I come clise to finishing a story, I remember how terrible I am at writing.

    I’ve gotten straight A’s for the past three years of middle school, and everytime I get an award I can only think about how I didn’t earn it.

    I avoided going into French 3 this year because I thought the class would be too hard to get an A in. (No one knows this. I lie everytime someone asks me why I’m not doing French anymore, and until now, I don’t think I knew I was lying.)

    I’m in a special highschool program that I had to apply to called the ACA that will allow me to earn my Associate’s degree by Senior year. My friend applied too, but she didn’t get in. A day doesn’t go by where I don’t think, “I don’t deserve this.”

    Reading this article was really eye opening. I hate saying I have problems because there are people worse off than me, but I think I actually might have Imposter Syndrome. The question now is what I’m going to do about it.

  152. Almost daily, I’m scared that my friends will one day call me out on how self involved I am. That I’m not a loyal enough friend or I think only for myself.
    I’m an artist. I’m one of those people whose work is their life, so there is some truth to how self involved I can be. If my friends want to hang out, but I’d rather be working on my art, I almost always choose art. Not just that, sometimes I just don’t like hanging out in general, and I don’t like to do online chats because those REALLY get in the way of my work. But I usually give in because I don’t want them to figure out how much of a shitty friend I am…and of course when I go out with them I’m usually thinking in the back of my mind “I could be getting so much work done right now, what am I doing”. Same goes with my family. They almost never see me because I’m away in my studio. I care for my friends, but I’m so scared that one day they’ll think I’m a fraud of a friend, just because my work is really important to me. And of course, my friends and family ARE the only people I can confide in, but I can never talk to them about this. No way in hell.

  153. Everything you have written here rings so true. I have only recently found out there is such a thing as imposters syndrome and it was like seeing myself described – I thought I was the only one.
    To me, the thing that is missing from so much of the coverage of imposter syndrome is that so many unsuccessful people suffer and that it can be a direct contribution to their failure.
    I have been a failure – a chronic underachiever – because I simply do not believe I can do what I set out to do. Finding out imposter syndrome has shone a light onto my thought patterns and behaviours and I am starting out again – and I am doing so open to the world. My therapy for my own imposter is to share with the world through a blog.
    I am panicking just commenting here – who do I think I am to think I am good enough to comment on someone else’s post but I will push through.

  154. I’m afraid to put my gargantuan goals out there because I’m afraid of judgement.

    I’m even afraid that what I’m writing here in this very comment isn’t good enough and doesn’t warrant being read in an article about impostor syndrome. I feel like my anxieties aren’t serious enough to be heard.

    I freeze and want to run away at the prospect of pricing a project in case I offend anyone for pricing too high, for asking too much, even though I know I’m REALLY good.

    I feel like everyone is just putting up with me and following me on Instagram out of pity, and that every time I post something sincere they’re just rolling their eyes and thinking “oh my god just get over it!!”

    I’m ugly. I’m stupid. I’ll never succeed. I shouldn’t even try.

    The real me knows all these things aren’t true, but it’s like they get amplified every time I feel that someone starts to show that they believe in me or trust me. It’s like part of me believes I will always let people down and it’s better to stop before I’ve started so I can avoid disappointing people.

  155. I just read through the comments and I can’t believe how much I connect with it. I have had such severe anxiety about failure all my life. I am afraid that if I make a mistake, people will realize I didn’t deserve half the things I have achieved and I would be abandoned. I postponed therapy for a long fearing that the psychologist would just prove that I wasn’t suffering from something, I was just an overall bad person, who was faking it to manipulate others. I am so glad, I am not the only cuckoo out there (no offense intended). I just see myself as a freak most of the times. But this post has helped a lot. My parents have been encouraging me to have more confidence in myself I just didn’t know how. Thank you.

  156. Trying this out, don’t know what’s going to happen when I start typing…

    I often avoid having an opinion because i feel like I have no right or experience to have one or for fear of finding out I’m wrong.

    I avoid talking too much about things I care about for fear of being called out or not knowing as much as I should

    I avoid asking certain questions because I feel like people will make assumptions about my intelligence and abilities based on that (but I don’t do this to others, so why would they to me?)

    I avoid talking about things because I often have trouble verbalizing what I truly mean (which is usually some high level concept and no one gets it, but that’s likely because it makes no sense anyway).

    I avoid people in my profession because I feel an awkward mix of jealousy and superiority at the same time as being very unconfident in my own abilities. I know that’s not a fair assessment from either point of view. It’s almost like I feel like I have a lot of untapped potential and I compare myself and get upset with myself when I see others succeed in ways I feel I could (but at the same time feel I can’t).

    I have no idea if any of that makes any sense, but it was cathartic.

    • wow, this is exactly me – it’s as if I wrote this. This is how I’ve been my whole life, and slowly I’ve been trying to train myself to not fear being judged by others.

    • Wow. You and I could be the same person!! Every paragraph. It’s a bit errie having someone else descibe themselves but you feel it’s you and they don’t know you and you’ve kept it hidden for so long and there it is written down in front of you. You have written it down in a way I can’t. So thank you. I hope it helped you to write it. It helped me to read it. X

    • This pretty much where I am. I have the academic credentials, to teach on the collegiate level, but I feel inadequate. Thus I am afraid to apply for a position. I feel jealous when I see other professors.

      • I feel the same. I got my masters and justified it by saying I would teach online (as a second job) to pay it off. 9 years later, I am (not qualified, too busy, not able to commit consistently, it won’t pay enough, traveling…) full of excuses as to why I won’t apply or even try for what I want to do which is share information with others. I love teaching people. I’m allowing myself to buy into the crap and am holding myself back.

    • Meg, I feel like you entered in my mind and pulled out my very own thoughts! it’s comforting to know that I am not alone in this. Maria

    • Thanks Meg. I feel like you pulled my words right out of my head. I feel like I’m on my own because I’m afraid to bounce my ideas of my peers so I have so work harder and sometimes it is more inefficient. If I trusted the quality of my opinions or ideas I feel more free to bounce them off others.

    • Absolutely everything you’ve said and more I also feel!
      Imposter syndrome has also keeps me from furthering my career (I quit after a week bc I convince myself they’ve caught on and it’s better to quit before they fire), having deep conversations with those who are most important bc I can’t let my wall down for fear of being judged by them ( I can never convey what I need to correctly and I just get frustrated and shut down even more) and it creates other issues in my life. I’ve never felt adequate my entire life and I’m not sure why.
      I recently discover imposter syndrome is a thing and I feel a huge weight lifted off my shoulders now that I can name it. It’s the first step I’m taking to tame the beast!

      • Stephanie,

        I have experienced similar feelings as you and Meg. I just want to encourage you to be brave and and have faith in your abilities. If you’re not sure how others perceive you or how you are doing at your job, don’t worry. Have faith and keep going, and you will be rewarded in the long run. I’ve been battling these feelings for a long time and I’ve also looked at opportunities at big companies before and thought “eh, I’m probably not going to get the job anyway, so I might as well apply for smaller companies”. Once I fought this thought, I made a pretty big jump in my career. And even now, I don’t feel like I have fully fought this, but I’m still having faith and am steadily working on improving my skills and knowledge so that I can make more and more of these jumps. I just wanted to tell you this story to encourage you to not be afraid and pursue your dreams. You will find that people will respond well and tell you “I’m so happy for you – you deserve it”

  157. Thank-you for writing steps to overcome The Imposter Syndrome. I have written 28 drafts for Linked In and only last week had the nerve to publish one of them. I love to write but hold back from putting them out there because it doesn’t feel good enough. What if people read it and think “that’s pretty silly. Anyone could have written that fluff.” ON the other hand if it just stays as a draft no one will ever read it except me and what is the point of that? It is reassuring to know that many suffer from this malady. I liked points 1 and 11 the most.
    Positively, Pauline

  158. I’m supposed to be starting my college applications now, but I’m afraid that all of them will see that I do not deserve to be there. I have a hard time realizing that I might be someone worth an admission.

  159. I’m about to start a new role with a company I love, and I desperately do not want to fail them. They’ve given me so many opportunities others haven’t, and all I want to do is KICK ASS at this for them to return the favor.

    But I am shaking in my motherlovin’ boots over here. Because what they’re asking me to do, I have all the skills to do, but I’ve never actually done before. And I’ve made that clear, but they’re paying me so well, giving me the freedom to work as a contractor, and I am terrified that I’m not cut out for it.

    What if they realize I’m just a stay at home mom who works in her leggings and isn’t an expert in this specific field, just might have the stuff to pull it off?

    One foot in front of the other. I’m going to act anyway. I’m going to do it. But I am so freaking scared right now.

    • I feel just like you, OMG! The same situation…
      But I’m also going to act, even though I feel really scared right now. 🙁

    • OMG I’m in my leggings too! And I’ve also been given an amazing opportunity by a company that believes in me. Allowing me to WFH, at a salary I want and even part time.
      But their belief in me scares me more than a zombie apocalypse. How? Why? Will I ever be as good as they think I am?
      Reading your comment has given me light and hope.
      Tomorrow I’m sticking some notes on my office wall.
      We can do it.

    • I feel every one of your words. I am in the same place. New venture that no one has ever done in a company I love and afraid to let them down and fail. I am given the ability to be the expert and learn as I go because its new. I will do my best, I always do. I will pray for grace not perception along the way while I KICK ASS as I already have.

    • Wow. This is exactly my situation right now (minus the leggings). Thank you for sharing. I have my dream job with my dream team and they are counting on me to do great things… I am terrified. To make it worse, one of the veterans on the team literally said “you’re an imposter ” jokingly when I was downplaying my skills a bit in an effort to underpromise.

      Anyway, I’m with you, and even if you didn’t do all the things you wanted to do for them, I bet you developed into an even more awesome person capable of taking scary risks and rising to challenges that others would run screaming from.

    • Writing this on a stream of consciousness——This me too. I start tomorrow. I’ve been out of the workforce going to school & raising 3 kids for 15 years now. I took all the classes for my masters but had a baby during thesis & never graduated. That lack of diploma has re-fueled a previously beaten down imposter syndrome.

      I applied thinking “I have a snowballs chance in hell, but I’ll give it a go.” Now that I got the job, all this panic has bubbled up. I know I have the skills, and am beyond excited to get back to work.— I just don’t want to fail and ultimately hear family tell me they knew I couldn’t hack it. — which has happened a lot…true or not— which may be the origin of this syndrome after all. A lack of faith & trust in my abilities from those who should have been cheering me on to push myself to try more.

      Huh. It feels like I just deflated the imposter balloon a bit.

  160. I am so frightened of public speaking. I am worried people will think I don’t know what I am talking about and I will be criticised for it.

  161. Well here it goes; I actually just overcame some of the syndrome by asking lost friends to have a drink with me! But I usually feel that I can’t make any new lifelong friends. Also when amongst a group of friends that I’m new to, I get this feeling of not belonging?.. it is a really weird feeling that I can’t explain and I had my whole life in certain situations.. it’s this deeeep loneliness in the bottom of the stomach that happends at a wedding or party or even some busy street. (If anyone knows this, please tell me!). I didn’t get a job in the last degree I had because I felt like I wasn’t good enough, even though I have a degree but yeah.. now I am studying for something else and I was afraid to apply since I’m older than every one now and I thought I wouodn’t be smart enough (a teacher at a another shool even told me I shouldn’t even try) but still I did and I ace every test the first try, but still I feel fake.. (its biology so the meme with the dog really hits home haha!). And the last thing is.. I created am instagram for my own art, ofcourse I don’t have a big audience, and most of the time I don’t care.. but somedays I think “why did you think you were special enough to make a whole acount around it?? You don’t even draw enough to post every day.” And I got very close to deleting it.. but didn’t. Anyway these were my two cents on it 🙂 thank you for this post! (As an extra push out of the comfort zone I’ll even put my real name on here)

    • Your whole not feeling like you belong in a group of friends thing struck me. I swear I’ve always had that, I never feel like I belong despite having lots of varied friend groups.. I don’t think I do a good job of keeping them choose either… Maybe we weren’t meant to have many choose friends for long, maybe we prefer many more surface friendships… Or maybe we’re just afraid they won’t like us once they get to really see who we are..

      I just wanted to tell you, I’m with you

    • I know exactly what you mean about the feeling of deep loneliness. Like no matter where you go you won’t be able to make a true friend despite evidence to the contrary.

      • Hi guys, constantly feeling like a square peg blows. I experienced the ‘unbelonging’ through my teens and twenties but overcame it in my early 30s. I thought I’d share my story with you in the hope that it will help you guys kick your peg to the curb earlier than I did.

        Things shifted for me when I went travelling the world and moved overseas – the catalyst for meeting a ton of new people and experiencing the many highs and lows that accompany new experiences. In my home town I had little of either. Same people (type), same shite, same feeling of not belonging – of being misunderstood. I later discovered that my personality type really likes to fit in which compounded these feelings of loneliness.

        So, two things cured me of the loneliness plague:

        1. Travelling and meeting lots of new people in different contexts and circumstances allowed me to ‘find my people’. When I left home, I automatically became more ‘me’. I didn’t do this consciously, it just happened as a result of not being known to anyone, which meant there were no expectations of who I was or should be. As a result, I attracted like-minded (open-minded) people who accepted me for who I am.

        I know what you’re thinking; It’s all very well to met new people but you have to able to connect with them right? Absolutely, and this is how it works…

        2. To really connect with others, you have to be vulnerable and share deep parts of yourself. For me, this was made possible through experiencing the lows and highs of intense situations that travelling or living abroad (or being out of your comfort zone) bear. These shared experiences bonded us and letting others in on my most hellish feelings bonded us like nothing else can. All of a sudden I belonged and felt understood. Being open, honest, and vulnerable with people is the quickest way to connect and the only way to have authentic, deep and trusting relationships.

        Hey, I still suffer from Imposter Syndrome. Why else would I be on this site? Buttttt, I can say that I am 100% confident in who I am as a person, that I am loved and love in return. Because of this I very rarely feel lonely – even though I now live in a city where none of my close friends live.

        Remember, your people are out there so don’t be afraid to bare your inner thoughts with others because the rewards far outweigh the perceived risk.

        All the best!

  162. I really want to be a pro gamer. I let imposture syndrome scare to me so much I don’t practice as much as I should.

    But because of this blog, I’m going to stop doing that. I have to put in the effort to achieve what I want to achieve. Yeah it’s not what most people would think is a decent living, but gaming is my passion and I would love nothing more than to pursue it.

  163. After going through 3 rounds of gruelling interviews, I have just been offered a job as a Consultant, but I am having a lot of self-doubt. I feel like I coasted through the interviews because I put in so, so, so much effort that I was being inauthentic. Because in real life, at my real job, I would never care that much to devote that much time and effort at my work. So now, I feel like it isn’t the real ME who got the job.

    Consulting is something I have always dreamed about doing, but I never gave it a go because I knew I didn’t have the Straight A’s to even get an interview. I know that everyone in my new company is going to be super smart, and while I like to think of myself as a smart person as well, there are days, and even extended periods, especially at my current job, where I feel stupid, where every move I make seems to be wrong. Add to that the fact that my last two jobs ended rather badly, I can’t help feeling that I will not last long in this new job too.

  164. I have always had constant insecurity about my talents/skills because I did not start learning them at what most people consider the “correct” age to learn: I’m a guitarist/bassist who has been well respected amongst my peers, yet I did not start learning until I was 19. I’ve had a relatively successful career as a CAD drafter and digital artist for 20 years, though I did not begin this until I was in my early 30’s. I’ve been a programmer, creating my own tools and getting accolades from computer scientists, yet I didn’t begin this til I was in my 40’s. I hide these facts from most people I know, even my own wife, and I’m terrified of people knowing these things, even though, logically, it should not make any difference. I’m scared that all the work I’ve done will be made irrelevant if people knew that I didn’t take the “proper” course to get there.

  165. I’ve avoiding being pro-active about the last 15-years of my life because I believe I don’t deserve a place in a world of artists and writers with far greater talent than my own. I allowed the idea that a lack of formal education and being exposed for a fraud or poser as I called it in my head, hold me back. On top of health issues, this has also kept me from holding any kind of job for very long. I’ve reached the point in my life where if I don’t fix this now I may never be able to and the depression may get to me.

  166. I often feel so stupid around my colleagues. I feel that they must wonder how I am in the role I am in and they must be so annoyed by me. It’s so shocking how at times people will tell me that they appreciate me or that I am doing a good job. I have a hard time seeing it or feeling it.

    • Exactly my position! I’m a speech language pathologist which requires a Master’s degree but I feel
      Really stupid & I am SURE my colleagues find me annoying & know I’m faking it & wonder how on earth I got the job. I am riddled with anxiety whenever I’m @ work despite having done this type of work for 10 years! & I’m filled with anxiety typing this for fear of spelling/grammar mistakes!

      • Hi Cyn, my Son has seen 5 speech therapists, all different, all skilled, all competent, all helped him. I feel so grateful for the help he has had. You are competent to be approved. Is there a best therapist? No! The clients are all different. How would you know if you were the best? One therapist got my son to say “f”, one s&z, one t & d, one got breathing & slowing down, one built confidence on multisyllabic words. The efforts of the whole mean my son can now communicate. Yes, I thought some were better than others but the impact overall is life changing for him. Bringing any help to someone is a gift & you are bringing joy to life. Namaste

  167. I feel like my jewelry isn’t good enough, despite having had some success with it in the past. (I’m restarting my business, but it’s slow going.) I feel like there’s always room for improvement, and I wonder sometimes if I’m just wasting my time on something that’s ultimately doomed to fail.

  168. I don’t make the art that I want to because ‘who am I to be having a voice like that when really I’ve got nothing to say??’

  169. Hi i have missed out on many jobs due to feeling i was not good enough despite getting the job in the first place and support from manager’s.

  170. My Imposter syndrome started in Grad school. Recently i got an internship but i feel like it was a fluke. I am constantly working more than my peers because i feel that i might get exposed. I grasp things quickly and articulate them properly but when my manager asks me to explain something i feel that he has seen through my disguise and is just asking me to explain because he wants to make fun of me. I have started letting go of opportunities. Also, the people around me are all more experienced and from more renowned colleges which makes me feel inferior to them. Recent setbacks at cracking interviews have added to this fear. I am really questioning myself if i am good enough ?

  171. My Imposter Syndrome revolves around being hopeful. I speak it, not as much as I used to, but I rarely live it. Inside I am filled with emptiness, depression and a constant feeling of failure. These days I am paralyzed by fear. With the life I was given I felt I had to beat all the odds but they have always been so stacked against me. The ways I envision having to overcome them seem unusual and impossible. I like to think that I can do it. I can accomplish this. Then reality hits and I’m stuck not trying. Today I am suicidal. My fear leads me to believe I will never accomplish anything. It’s too late. There really is no way for me to accomplish anything. All of my talents are wasted. I have nothing of value to leave behind. I will be forgotten and little good will be remembered of me because I never did anything worthwhile in life.

    • Dear Valerie, I can see myself in your comment, apart from being suicidal. I can imagine that the pain is so intense sometimes that you just want it to stop. Sometimes I think about dead but not in a dying wish but as sleep where you don’t have to feel things. Then, I carry on with my life, knowing that that was just a moment, it’s not reality and we’re all here for a reason, even if we don’t know what it is yet. This too shall pass. There’s a part of you that feels like an Imposter but there’s also a part of you that accepts yourself and has hope. Just give this part some more space. Don’t give up and I won’t give up as well.

    • I’m so sorry you’re going through this, Valerie. I went through it too. I was able to heal from my depression and anxiety doing a type of therapy called EMDR. Please look into it. There IS hope! Hang in there.

  172. I don’t speak up when i feel compelled to… makes me feel like a fraud. I built my life around false assumptions and dreams.

  173. I’ve just realized had impostor syndrome my entire life but I had no idea other people felt this way too. I can’t seem to find the difference between humility and having the imposer syndrome. I don’t like making people feel inferior to me so I negate every accomplishment I have by saying “It wasn’t hard” or “It was just luck”. Every accomplishment I’ve had has been really hard for me to accept, and I tend to just brush it off and think little of it. I also have impatience (which I’m working on) and I sometimes think, “When will life get exciting and adventurous?” but then I think to myself “Why do I deserve to have fun if there is so much to be done and so many people with many problems in the world? I don’t deserve a super exciting life when I have so many problems to solve and people to help”. Its kind of an endless circle. I am a recent high school graduate, and my senior year was full of many awards and accomplishments, but I found it extremely hard to recognize my achievements. It’s very hard for me to learn how to acknowledge an accomplishment since I hate feeling superior and bragging about successes. There isn’t anything specifically that I’ve been procrastinating on from the impostor syndrome.. its more of a general “there’s nothing special about me or my accomplishments”. Thank you for a great post, I will definitely be reading more of your writing

  174. I have often felt like an ‘imposter’, but had not heard of Imposter Syndrome. Interesting to know that it is a real thing. I started a blog and wrote posts consistently for about 2 years, but Imposter Syndrome got the best of me and I questioned why anyone would want to know what I had to say when there were many others saying similar things. I haven’t posted for a couple years. In that time I did start a business. My age leads people to believe that I have been in this business for many years, and while I know a lot about the industry, I certainly don’t know everything (or even as much as some think), and Imposter Syndrome rears its ugly head again.

  175. I’ve been failing to finish writing my thesis because I feel like I cant do it, what did they ever see in me, why am I even in grad school? I’m surrounded by people who try to give the impression that they are perfect and expect perfectionism. I obviously failed to meet these standards and I was consumed by depression and a lack of self-worth.

    • Grad school can really mess with your head. When I finally defended my thesis I felt like I was an imposter- like I could have done better or like I really had no clue what the heck I was doing throughout so the outcome wasn’t great. Looking back on it now after reading this article I feel I really did put in a lot of work and I still use what I studied in my teaching profession 5 years later.

  176. I’ll go back and read this article from time to time to remind myself that I’m not the only one who feels like a fake. It’s hard to let people see the real, complete you for fear they won’t like what they see and run. As a massage therapist, I feel that if I can’t help someone resolve their pain issues that means I’m a failure and a fraud, even if it’s their own resistance to letting go that is holding up their progress. Thanks for this post!

  177. Up until yesterday I didn’t realize I had ‘impostor syndrome’ when a colleague who knows me really well pointed it out. I was afraid of applying for my boss’s position even after i have demonstrated time after time again my capabilities and gotten promoted to senior management. I have always felt like every time I got promoted was by chance. My fear was that if i applied for the position I would be exposed for all the things I don’t know. I have issues accepting and internalizing my success … but no more! Thanks for the article.

  178. Up until yesterday I didn’t realize I had ‘impostor syndrome’ when a colleague who knows me really well pointed it out. I was afraid of applying for my boss’s position even after i have demonstrated time after time again my capabilities and gotten promoted to senior management. I have always felt like that every time I got promoted was by chance. My fear was that if i applied for the position I would be exposed for all the things I don’t know. I have issues accepting and internalizing my success … but no more! Thanks for the article.

  179. I have recently realised that I have imposter syndrome after nearly ten years of being a yoga teacher and I really hope I can get some relief from the soul destroying feelings this creates,

  180. I feel so much better after reading this. The pressure of society is a difficult beast to manage when you feel like an imposter. I have felt on many occasions that I couldn’t carry on speaking to groups of people as I felt my knowledge wasn’t sufficient to hold a conversation or be in their presence even. It felt demoralising each time but felt it was the best option to get out of there as I would of felt like I was faking it even being there at all. Tis article reinforces the idea that every person has a worth and just because one knows more about something than another, it does make the one superior in a status sense. Thank you for this article

  181. Congratulations,
    You really nailed so many of the aspects of what I go through and I’m sure may others do too. I have people who call me an expert. I know people more knowledgable which obviously proves I’m not but I still want very much to speak publicly on my field, my passion. I want to write out that expressions and I get on highs of how fantastic that would be and how it would look. But a “high” proves it isn’t real which proves my impostership and keeps me in the whole filthy spiral. There have been a few times though when the wall wasn’t there and I did write and I did express and I accepted my personal mode and colors. Just writing this I realize how many more aspects of my life are ruled through this syndrome.

  182. Kyle,

    Thank you for sharing this blog. Currently, I’m in the process of changing careers into very different directions. I find I feel fraudulent by staying in a career that no longer motivates me, yet they take excellent care of me and I will also be able to change career paths while still working there…and I also feel fraudulent trying to practice in the career that I do not yet feel prepared to be a part of. I’m working with my coach on imposter syndrome right now. To answer your challenge, I have not been blogging the way I want to because I don’t know exactly what message I want to put out there, And I am too worried about how it will be received, or who will even receive it. To answer what I’m going to do about it: I’m going to just write on the topic that I think is relevant and go from there. if I don’t get time to write today, I will tomorrow.

    Thank you again.

  183. Kyle, I felt so empathetic with your situation!

    I feel like a fraud when I have to do something realted to “my field”. And I put quotation marks on it, because my field is broader than I can explain, and that makes me feel like I am no good at anything, but that’s a lie I tell myself. I have studied every part of my discipline and I have been giving consulting to small and medium companies on that.

    Recently, I have been asked to do a talk about a topic of my field, and I am so afraid! I am going to do it anyway, but I literally think that someone is going to think I know nothing and tell the whole world I am a fraud.

    I hope this exercises help me overcome the imposter syndrome.

  184. Hi, Kyle. Thank you for writing this. So I’m writing on this local social media site (I live in Indonesia) when we can write anything, like a facebook for people who simply love writing, a little safe paradise with flexible standards.

    I mostly write fiction because of this Impostor Syndrome problem. Because I think people will judge my work more objectively because they’re fiction with entertainment purpose. I’m afraid of using ‘my own voice’ to talk directly to the readers in a motivational or self-improvement articles which ideas come around occasionally. I tried a few times, a couple of them even got pinned up and achieved a little boost of traffic, and it scared me a little bit. And I’m still shaky about posting such thing again.

    Like I mentioned before, people can write almost anything on this site including ‘statuses’. So the preference and quality are vastly varied. Not little of them are still (understandably) neglectful to basic writing canon like punctuations and grammar. But what gets me sometimes are the typical repetitive romantic, sentimental and religious topics people write on. Some of them spark quite sour judgment in my mind but I never speak of it. While some other try to educate the others through posts about how to write more properly, sometimes with decorated words and literary profile that I personally don’t think I have the capacity to do. I feel uncomfortable reading these appeal-for-improvement posts. I feel like someone shouting my mind with different voice. It makes me feel like a really bad person. And when some other members write short pieces and statuses, appealing for not being proud and feeling better than other people, possibly responding to other posts, my heart would start racing as I feel like they’re talking about me. It must be me. At least I’m one of the people they direct the post to. They can sense my thoughts and assume I’m actively judging them.

    This is not stopping me from writing on the site, but it definitely stresses me out. Most of the site is very positive. But how do I apply your tips in my situation and stop worrying about what other members might think of me personally?

    Thank you.

    • Hey, I revisited this article multiple times and I finally learned and encouraged by it. Thank you. I’m writing again.

  185. Hurry and read more about GREAT MUTABA on net if you have a relationship problem or any problem he can help you out, he just helped me and I am so so happy

  186. I study computer science at a top 3 university in the US and hoping to work as a programmer for the rest of my life. There are these classmates that seem to just understand the concept on the spot. Many times I find myself comparing to classmates who are doing so well in class and feel like I just won’t make it, whatever that maybe. I see myself average at best, which is definitely not in any way me being humble. Like you had pointed earlier, I also feel like I’m faking imposter syndrome for my genuine incompetence.

    What’s even worse is that every time I get stuck in a CS problem or when there is a concept that just I can’t possibly understand, I just feel like I’m not meant to do CS; that I do not have enough intelligence to do CS or even become a mediocre programmer, which I’m okay with as long as I can still be employable and make a living. This is how bad it is…

    After reading your article and going through comments, it really relieved me to know that I’m not the only person feeling this way. I think I can do this. I think sometimes feeling like a impostor is inevitable, but I can still keep on continuing my journey and that’s maybe part of the journey. Thank you so much for this article.

  187. I’m a 20 year old queer person who comes from genetics that are predisposed to mental illness, family history of verbal abuse, and a 5 year long abusive relationship. I’ve felt for ages like I just completely lack a personality, and that I just act in a way that I know people would like in order to get them to like me. It’s been especially horrible lately, as it’s extended to my gender identity, and I have no idea if I’m a man or a woman or both or neither, and I find myself just wishing I could be whatever would be ideal for the moment. This leads to me feeling like I am just lying to everyone about who I “really am”, as I myself have no fucking clue who I “really am”. It leads me to often think that if I’m always going to be like this, I would be better off dead. It’s been a rough life, honestly, but seeing that this is an issue that effects people in all sorts of ways, I have some hope that I can learn to grow past it and find some stability in my sense of self some day. Thank you for this. And thanks for letting me self indulgently share my issues namelessly in the comments section in front of a bunch of strangers.

    • Our stories are nothing alike, but we share very similar feelings. When the troubling ones take over, I’ve found helping others helps me. Also, after living as an atheist, I discovered Buddhism two years ago, but only became consistent recently. I don’t think of it as a religion, the word makes me cringe. I think of it as a tool to help me evolve into my best self. I could say I wish I had started off consistent, but I believe I had to go through some major challenges to realize how much it helped me. We don’t worship anything, rather we believe everything is cause & effect, and the only way to find peace is by living up to our fullest potential. If we are full of depression, anxiety, & constant confusion, we are living in our own hell. I was tired of living in hell. I believed in karma & had inherited my family’s, but had no idea how to change it, because I was still hanging onto all these false beliefs about myself. Chanting “Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo”
      over & over helps me feel more aware of my thoughts & magically began changing my perception of myself & my environment. I feel more alive & grateful for everything & I find I can take on more challenges & help more people this way. You can Google Nichiren Buddhism & find an SGI (soka gakkai international) Community Center closest to you. If you ever want to talk or have questions, my email is [email protected] .
      🙏🏼❤️

  188. I was born in Colombia and raised in the US since I was 12 years old, I was always a very good student but a horrible trouble maker, my teenage years were full of partying and doing the wrong things , the only thing that saved me from trashing my life completely was God and the values my family always thought me. By the time I was 22 I became very wealthy by hanging around with the wrong people, I had to spend 1 year and a half in jail and was kicked out of America. Ever since I have been troubling the world , lived in China for 3 years, learned Mandarin and opened several import and export related businesses between China and Latin America. I am way over my immature and reckless past and have been working hard for the last 7 years to serve and create value to society. I guess my biggest obstacle has been thinking im a fraud when talking about entrepreneurship or empowering people to travel and make their business global. Always the hunting thoughts about my past mistake has blocked me from pushing to the next level. Thanks for the article it was very inspiring.

  189. …I refuse to acknowledge how smart I am. When in school,I was on the A-B Honor Roll. I only studied the night before the test and crammed at the last minute and RARELY got Cs. I didn’t have to TRY, so,I STILL think I didn’t deserve the high grades I got. I was never proud of them because I didn’t feel I earned them. Earning something, I feel, takes hard work, perspiration, and dedication. I never did that. I…I was lazy. I’m 21,22 in August, and I feel like…Like a fake in everything I do. The food I cook is never good enough, my writing is worthless, and I just…I’M not good enough.

  190. Hello
    I have recently started a new position heading a new department. The owner and CEO of the company sought me out and personally recruited me for the position. My CEO is supportive and only speaks highly of me and expresses gratitude for me joining the team. I’ve only received praise in the short time I’ve been with the company and while i know i am more than qualified for my new position i feel like a total imposter. It has crippled me in a way that has stopped me from truly being me and shining in my position.
    An old colleague of mine mentioned imposter syndrome to me and i am absolutely suffering from it. I have experienced great anxiety and paranoia because of it and have done a large amount of medical tests to figure it what’s wrong when it is pretty obvious.
    I’m trying all steps to move forward and this read was great. Hopefully this post and the other steps listed here will help me to overcome and get going on what i was brought in to do.
    Thank you

  191. Great article and this is something I’ve struggled with for years. I’ve risen the ranks into a leadership role in one of the biggest software companies in the world. I mange PhD software architects and MBA grads and I barely graduated with a Liberal Arts degree. I candidly couldn’t even tell you the first thing about certain aspects of our software platform. So many times I’ve struggled with the “How did I make it here?” “When are they going to realize I’m a fraud?” But this is a great reminder that I have made the most of every opportunity given to me to grow and learn. My teams’ IQ’s may be much higher than mine, but my EQ is off the charts and I know this is what has enabled me to grow the ranks through my career. I’m very perceptive of people and reading situations which has enabled me to make strategic decisions to allow me to grow professionally. My leadership style with my people is all about growth mindset and it enables others to feel comfortable to try new things and empower themselves. So I know I’m adding value to their lives which is fulfilling. Thank you – I’m glad to be able to list this!

  192. I avoid even trying to write at all even though i think there is a book in me and it would make me so happy to finally write it. I avoid people , building on friendships, i avoid going after life.

  193. I loved your article. I just got an email that brought up my deepest fears of finally being exposed. I am ready to face this false belief head on and your article is very skillful. Thought you might enjoy this from the onion. Peace!

  194. Hi Kyle, Hi all,

    well I just found out that the Impostor Symptom exists and reading all of this really helps a bit. I have been hiding my struggles for quite a long time and it is indeed a huge burden.

    I am currently studying Computer Science and my problem is that I wanna find a part time programming job to gain work experiences.
    Before starting at uni I have been working full time and everybody had huge expectations of me (especially myself) since I am kinda an A student, and I seriously wanted to rock and provide value at work, but I just kept on failing badly (or at least I think so). I wanted to be good at work so much, and I know the work environment was not exactly the most “supportive”, but I keep on blaming myself for it. Leaving this work and going to uni was a relief, but I felt like: here is my proof, I am a failure and everybody at work knows I am, and now i am running away from it.

    Normally I would have to tell myself: I survived that, it is not my fault, so now everything is fine, I am more skilled now etc.
    I feel like I should treat the job application like an experiment, but I am just so scared that I am going to fail again, so even though there are several job offers I just can’t even start to write the application. I feel like I have no value to provide (even though I learned programming in C++, Java and currently learning Python and so on, but I am so scared of how different programming at a work would be).

    Thank you for writing this post. It is a relief to read it (and to be able to write this down 😭) Kind regards

    Monika

  195. Last week I won a medal at the world championships in historical swordsmanship. Yet I’ve dropped out of more than just a few fights because I was sure I was not fit for the task. I was a crappy fighter. I had no place there.

    And yet here is that medal. So I’m going to overcome this.

    Thanks for writing this.

  196. HA! I see what the author is doing. He takes input such as replies as a source of validation of your work. And he is seek to bolster them because HE IS A FRAUD! Not that anything written is wrong but… well he probably feels like it despite being right and being helpful.

    On a serious note, I have 2 for 1 special here. First off, I tend to feel dumb, despite the fact that basically every job I have work in involved technology, never had a below average score on an IQ test etc. And even my co-workers have been dumbfounded by things I easily understood. My evidence for being dumb is I dropped out of college because I had low grades and lost funding. I never did homework though so… I was lazy not stupid, although that was dumb of me. I really, really want to go back to school, pay out of my own pocket, and get an engineering degree. But I feel like I am not smart enough and would fail. That’s even what happens in my dreams, I am going to school but I missed most of the classes and am so lost I try to fake it and fail. Now I would do something about it but I have bills to pay. So I kind of cant. I will jump on the next opportunity to go though.

    2nd, and this goes along with the interest in engineering. And it is making things. Crafts, or more technological projects I want to do, but I don’t because I don’t know enough or am too unskilled or don’t have the exact tools that some professional has. Its like, wtf I want to do them to build skill, so I don’t even understand why I let that stop me. But I know exactly what to do. I have a workbench that is basically being used to hold stuff on it. I am gong right now to clear it off. I have a box full of projects I never completed too. Most of them are in the “gather materials” phase. I am going to clean that bench and grab something out of the box and start working.

  197. thanks for writing this article. this was very helpful. I feel so guilty for receiving money for the work i do because i do not consider myself good enough, as if i am stealing the money from people and i am a fraud.
    *my first ever comment on a blog*

    • I know exactly how that feels, used to feel the same and left the job 🙁 You’re not the only one. I even thought the company looses money because of me…

  198. Imposter syndrome isn’t just about work, it’s also about ordinary every day life.
    I have fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, chronic sacroiliac joint syndrome, diabetes. I feel like I’m making it up, that I’m a fraud. Therefore I don’t feel I am believed when I apply for benefits, because I can’t work, actually the application for benefits makes a person paranoid by having to prove their dependence on the statedge thereby reinforcing their imposter syndrome. I don’t think doctors believe me either because I am a fraud, even though I’m in pain, am disabled and exhausted all the time. After all who in the world has all these illnesses, and on top of that diabetes 2 and peripheral neuropathy! I’m a fraud. As soon as I stop being a fraud all this pain and illness will go away, but how do I stop being an imposter

  199. I don’t even write comments on facebook or forums because I feel like a fake.

  200. I gave up on being a CEO in my own company because of the Impostor Syndrome. I put my husband in front of me every time I discovered a business opportunity because I thought I wasn’t good enough to go for it. I do sales consultancy and get surprised every time my work actually helps my clients (and it lasts for 13 years!). Just to mention a few…

  201. I typed “fear of being an entrepreneur” (a transition I’m trying to achieve), and, for some reason, I decided to skip to the others pages of google search, instead of reading the first or second article. And I found this gold.

    Thank you a lot. It’s amazing to see (and experience in first hand) that most of the time what hold us off is not what we don’t know yet, but things that we “already know” (many bullshits and that internal voices telling you that you can’t do something).

    I’m feeling an imposter, but with this text, I can guarantee you are not. Success for you!

  202. I just started my private practice as a therapist after years of agency work. Now people talk to me and pay me mo eye which totally freaks me out, because surely they will catch on that I am a fake and not worth their money. This thinking despite my advance degree and years of clinical work. Thank you for this article!

  203. Hi,
    I’m not sure this is the place for me, but I’m giving it a shot. I’m not going to school or trying to do anything that others might consider extraordinary. I have a position at work where many people count on me and often, I feel like I’m way over my head, then I wonder if it’s my anxiety making me feel that way because there are times when I surprise myself with what I know and “Whoa, where did that come from?”

    In my personal life, I feel like the biggest fake. I smile when I don’t feel like smiling and often wonder if my caring for people is fake, too. I think others caring for me is really fake because if they knew what kind of person I am deep inside, they wouldn’t feel the way they do. They couldn’t. I feel like I have my whole world conned into thinking I’m this wonderful person, who’s so nice and caring. I’m not. I’m just me, whatever that is, and I don’t even know what that is. I’ve spent the majority of my life looking for love and acceptance in the wrong places that I now feel I have none to give (except to my grand babies, which seems all too real to me).

    So this is it. No one in my life knows about this or would understand (in my mind, they wouldn’t, anyway).

    I read what you posted and can relate to a lot of it. Finally, someone who understands how it is for me.

    I have this t-shirt that I wear sometimes. It says “Perfection is boring…be imperfectly you.” I get some serious looks from people, but you know what? It describes me and I’m ok with that. I’m imperfectly me. It’s taken a really long time to realize that it’s ok to be just that. Doesn’t help with the fake feeling when I’m around people, but by myself? I’m totally ok with it.

    Thanks

  204. Well I am a HR research consultant for 4 years now and I have absolutely no idea what I am doing…or that’s what I feel like 99% of the time. Sometimes I wanna scream at my clients: NO DONT GIVE THAT PROJECT TO ME. YOU DONT KNOW THAT I DONT KNOW ANYTHING. But somehow most of the time ppl are genuinely satisfied. But it’s tja damocles sword feeling, all day everyday.
    And I mean my job isn’t even that hard, it’s no rocket science for sure. Thanks for proposing solutions

    • Hi Maya,

      I just got hired on at a midsize organization to create their very first HR department. When I sit in meetings with people, and they start by saying “I just talked to Johnny and….” I can’t help but think the end of that sentence is “…he said you failed miserably at XYZ task and we are very concerned with your ability to be successful in this role.”

      But every time I do something, you are right, everyone seems very pleased and genuinely satisfied! I don’t know how they don’t see it, but I guess that’s none of my business…

      Just keep working, I guess!

  205. I am a female musician and sometimes when I’m playing I feel like I don’t deserve the money I’m going to get paid and that I’ve tricked my way into playing at the venue. I’m scared that nobody really likes me playing, in spite of getting invited back to venues pretty consistently. I’m working on accepting that I’m good at what I do and that I have put work into where I am, it’s very easy to discredit everything I’ve done to get here. I don’t want to feel this way anymore.

  206. I’ve quit two different educations right before graduation because I was affraid I would not get a job. I was a straight A student both times, but I did not believe that anyone would hire me. I was convinced that I got my good grades because of luck and that the professors mixed up my grades with the grades of other students.

    This spring I’m supposed to graduate, and I’m doing everything I can not to quit. I’m terrified that the professors will stop making mistakes while grading and finally give me the grades i deserve.

    • Hi Lilly,

      I connect to what you wrote. Heads up though. You can do it, fight your fears. Maybe that’s the real challenge for you and many of us here. And if you do that, you already deserve your graduation.

      The feeling seems only too familiar. A colleague of mine actually broke off in the last moment before defending his thesis. It came like a shock to us, his colleagues.
      I am suffering from the impostor syndrome as well, I am scared that once my thesis is finished, people and jury will see that my work is no good. I still believe that myself. And that I might get my degree out of pity. So I am delaying my writing unconsciously, distracting myself with bigger world problems to avoid thinking of my own.

      But I will finish this, and I hope you, too.

  207. I have been afraid to try and become an animal behaviorist. I feel like I may not have what it takes, that people will realize what a failure I am, that I don’t deserve be an animal behaviorist, because it’s a job I think so highly of.

  208. My name is Alberto, and sometimes I do feel like a fraud. Thanks for the article and the ideas, by the way. Right now I’m struggling with the choice of continuing or not my studies of Human Nutrition and Dietetics. I compare myself a lot with references and class mates, and I feel like either I go full gas or I don’t go at all with it. Some days I feel like there’s nothing wrong with going at my own pace even if others are going at 3x speed. That’s okay. In other days, I feel like a fraud because I dont take interest in things useful for the profession that others take interest in. Oh boy. I think I will continue with it, at least for another year, as in the 2nd one some interesting things are going to happen (interesting classes and projects). OHHHHH BOY. Hahaha. Wish you all good.

  209. um well im deciding between colleges, specifically my reach school and my match school and i just feel like i dont deserve to go to my reach school and i tried to do the stream of conciousness thing and im just in the wonderfully viscous cycle of feeling like if i go to my reach school ill be a fraud and exposed when im riding the bottom of the curve.
    i dont want to ride the bottom of the curve…

    • JDP, Were you accepted by your reach school? If so, they think you have what it takes. Realize that college is difficult by its design. First year students often take that year to figure out what they need to do to be successful. I believe this will most likely be the case no matter where you go. Is it possible you are mentally elevating your reach school beyond reason? It is normal to have some performance anxiety when faced with a new situation like college. I’m not sure that this is exactly the same as Imposter Syndrome, though related. I would suggest that you work to clarify your strengths and to learn all you can about the challenges of being a first year student. Realize you don’t have to know everything all at once. Students are supposed to learn! Best to you!

  210. I am in grad school and feeling like I am not good enough. Everybody seems so much smarter than I am. Since high school, I always was the top of the class, and I am not anymore. I feel somebody much more naturally talented in the area where I am working at should have come to this school instead of me. I think throughout my life I was just lucky that classes and professors were easy and that is why it was not a problem for me to get an A in all of my classes. Now I have had to realize I am not good enough and that I was never really “that” smart. All of this is making me wonder whether I should continue striving, because as of now it seems that from a start I was just a sham. I was never intelligent enough or talented enough to do what I did, I was just lucky and now grad school is showing me all that is true. That is my version of impostor syndrome. Thank you for your post it makes me able to give a name to what I am going through and to look for a “cure”.

  211. I’m a single mother and have been told by specialists that my toddler son has 9 weeks left to live. Everyone has questions and they question the given outcome in an attempt to keep positive, even though I’ve known this for four years, which makes me question do I even know what I’m talking about, am I telling the truth, is this even really happening. Sadly it is real, it is the truth, maybe its hope that makes me feel like a fraud. I’d be happy if really I had made it up and my son doesn’t die and that I’m discovered to be a fraudulent.

  212. I feel like I don’t deserve all my academic success. My friends always study hard for any test and I leave everything to last minute.
    I just think that I study well under pressure. In the end I always had the best grades and I felt awful that I did better than my friends who studied non stop for that test.
    I’m often overwhelmed by the thought that I have never did my best in any school or personal project. This makes me believe that I have much more to offer to the world. I have really high standards to which career I should pursuit. Even though I’ve done well in several areas, I never felt passionate about anything in my life.

    • Me too. I have always been a procrastinator who pulls out great stuff. It could be adhd, you may find some material on that helpful for understanding yourself. Also, give yourself credit for how hard you do work in those crunch times. Don’t feel like you don’t deserve success just because you work pattern is less than ideal. Yeah, it could ideally be better but you do done get some things done well.

  213. I feel I got my job purely by chance. Well, maybe I did but it’s time to get to work!

  214. I’m an excellent actor but I’ve never had the courage to just drop everything and move to LA, there are just so many obstacles. How will I eat? Where will I sleep? It’s next to impossible to find an agent.

  215. Ive got all the Skills to start a business and become a entrepreneur…but within i feel imposter and Lack Confidence because of such …i hope i over come it ..and get a Head start to implement it..

  216. Stumbled upon this article while looking up the lyrics to Simon & Garfunkel “Faking It” I know I’m faking it,not really making it.”
    Most of my life has been a series of getting to a secure place, and then asking myself how did I get here? I have a decent job, but contstantly feel I will never “fit in”. A decent salary, never enough. Married , children , grandchildren to the outside world I’m doing fine, inside my head I’m a mess! The great thing about reading this is now I feel more “normal”
    Thank you!

  217. I guess I’m actually doing this, then. Okay, something I’ve avoided because I feel like a fraud: financial aid/scholarship applications. I’m an undergraduate in college, and every time I try to do a application of that nature, I’m overwhelmed by the belief that I don’t deserve to get any form of financial help, especially when there are so many others who need it. The kind of people who deserve scholarships are the ones who volunteer and participate in organizations, the ones who have jobs or other responsibilities. I just have to deal with school, so I often don’t feel like I should be judged by the same standards as them. “So what if I have a high GPA?”, I’d think. “If they can do well while doing so much more, I should get perfect scores.” Yet even though I don’t have to deal with as much as others, I still struggle sometimes and lose sleep trying to keep up. It doesn’t help that the state I’m in forces public universities to accept everyone in the top 10% (or maybe 7%) of their class in high school; I can’t say for sure that the college I’m in actually wanted me. So yeah, I have trouble filling out applications. I’ve always been able to force myself through the university’s application, because if I don’t, it’ll be my parents paying the bill, and that would make me feel even worse. Beyond that, though… *sigh*

    This was surprisingly therapeutic, even if it ends up being temporary. Thanks for listening, and thanks (to the author) for writing the article. I think it might help.

  218. j’ai 24 ans, et je n’ai encore jamais vivez la vie que je veux, toujeurs je change mes planning que ce soit une sortie avec mes amies a causes de mes vetement qui n’en pas a la hauteur, ou bien mes etudes je ne postule meme pas parceque je sais au fond de moi que je peux pas le faire, je suis en 1ére année doctorat. et le sentiment d’incompétence s’est agravée maintenent je suis sur le point d’abondonner ma thése parce que jai peur que mon professeur decouvert que je ne suis pas a la hauteur, et je sens que j’ai trahi la confiance que ma famille a fait en moi ainsi que tous l’entourage.

  219. I’m always worrying that I am not good at planning and organising. In fact, I do it every moment of every day! I’m going to plan less & let go in acceptance more ☺️

  220. I’ve never had something in my life I felt I was the best at, like it was my destiny. I was pretty good at sports, foreign languages, sciences and art. In highschool I had to decide between being a doctor and an architect and decided on the latter. Managed to pass the admittance exam and finished in the top 20 and I always felt I was lucky. Started working in an architecture company the last 2 years of university and got to stay after finishing, while most of my university friends just changed careers right after graduating. Got my architecture license by scoring the 4th grade in the country at the national exam and finally decided to leave architecture 2 years later because I didn’t like the environment anymore.
    Took a sabbatical for 6 months and in that time decided I want to become a User Experience designer in an IT company. Took me a year to finally get the job I wanted (well paid, excellent colleagues, all the benefits). I applied on a whim, didn’t think I’d get the call because they wanted a midlevel or senior position and I was a Junior. I passed the technical and the practical tests, to my surprise. So I’ve been working here for almost 4 months, our yearly reviews are coming up and am scared they’ll totally find me out, even though I specified at the interviews that I am a beginner. I don’t really have a mentor to guide me and I always feel like the dog doing chemistry in the meme.
    Rant over.
    Your article did help and I will try to leave the negative thoughts behind.

  221. This syndrome may explain why I haven’t accomplished anything significant in my life despite being highly competent. I would identify as an underachiever. Has anyone tried rejection therapy?

  222. My name is Wilhelmina and I am a fraud. That’s not even my real name. That’s the name of a little girl in the neighborhood I grown-ups in, who nobody believed. Even the grown ups said she was a liar. Well so was I! But no one ever caught on. They said I was smart, cute and talented. But I was lucky at school, ugly in the mirror and a fast thinker. It’s just that I could solve problems, not a big deal. They said that I was going to be successful. We they were fooled about that too. My success was simply a series of blessings from God. The senior role in the businesses that I’ve served and the credentials that I have are a result of a lot of hard work, but not talent. So now that I know that even this is a lie, I will reconstruct my truth.

  223. Don’t know if this counts as imposter syndrome, but when talking to people I always feel like I’m fake and can’t really connect with people because of it and if I am alone I will try to just be in a group of people so that I won’t be seen as a douchebag. This has been the story my whole life and I never feel truly happy because of it.

  224. We’re all impostors; it’s how we learn. We emulate and we copy and we are chameleons. Daniel Pink in his book “To Sell is Human” says that being a “chameleon” is a way of attuning to others. In fact, it’s part of our evolution. TBH, I hadn’t even heard of “Impostor syndrome” until today, but I’ve often felt it. Wondering when my students or my team were going to figure out that I really don’t know what I’m talking about or doing or planning. But, as Socrates said: “The only thing I know, is that I know nothing.” That being said, in the professional world, I feel like George Costanza and the Penske file. 🙂 I think we all do, at some point!

  225. Kinda funny – I need an Impostor Syndrome Queen crown…I’m giving a talk on it tomorrow…I can’t figure out if I’m going to be talking to them or myself.

  226. Great words. I am following your advice, leaving a comment, because even that takes courage.
    I am a senior doctor in a small district hospital with over 30 years of experience. It is easy to feel irrelevant when young, freshly graduated doctors , highly digitally savvy , but still polishing their fledgling patient interaction skills, talk and act like they know everything.
    From my own memory of youthful cockiness, I can see beneath the facade to the quaking mass of nerves. Still, on the surface, I do get fooled, everyday, till I remind myself to address what they are feeling, and not what they are projecting.
    My most successful moments of intergenerational connection have been when I have acknowledged my own past feelings of “Oh God I don’t know this”, as well as the current ones of “I am past it, what I have learnt over the years probably does not matter” the basis of both being inadequacy, completely different but each crippling in its own way.

  227. I have realised that I have been suffering from Imposter Syndrome for a long time now.
    Just when I reach a point where exciting opportunities happen I back away, because I am scared or I feel I don’t deserve it. Almost dooming my own success.

    Saying it out loud helps and I have a close friend who is also going through the same thing. If I am honest I am not sure what to do about this now. How to claim it back.

  228. I’ve avoided training to teach because I feel like I’m a fraud. I have passed my course but today fell apart in an interview because of this overwhelming feeling. It also meant I cried during a presentation in front of my peers, both experiences were totally humiliating, but I felt I was bent exposed as an impostor in those moments, both before and during. Bad times!

    • Perhaps crying is a natural expression of empathy and nerves. Try to be kind to yourself because crying is a human release. I’m a teacher of 18 years and recently, in a very difficult class, I wept in front of one particular bullish student. Years just rolled down my cheeks. Rather than being the laughing stock of the class, she warmed immediately; all her rage defused and she quietly reassured me: “It’s alright Miss”. News flew round school, via Snapchat etc but not one person was horrible. They wanted to see how far they could push me & when I broke, was vulnerable, but still there, being professional, they respected that I am a fallible human, just the same as them 😊

  229. Got it in one, I’m very good at my job- I have been told a lot. So want to share my brain with people via a blog.

    I worry I do not live up to the credentials of others, and why would people listen to me?

  230. Every time i’m talking to someone I feel like i’m trying my best to say whatever they want to hear. When this is going on I feel like they’re looking right through my disguise and seeing me for who I really am. But the thing is I don’t even know who I really am. No matter what happens in my life, no matter the significance, nothing ever makes me feel like I have any kind of meaning or purpose. I go day by day doing the same shit over and over and over and over and over and i’m stuck in a constantly loop on auto pilot. All of my time consists of me thinking about why i’m even here right now, what will people think if I do this, what will they think if I say this, I should just go back home and lay in bed and do nothing. Sometimes I just lay there with my stomach rumbling from hunger but I don’t even care to eat because I don’t feel like I even deserve to eat. Like i’m robbing the world of food that somebody more important could be eating. They need it more than I do anyways right? Because they’re actually relevant in this world. Despite all this, sometimes i’ll have days where I don’t give a fuck what anybody thinks or how they react to me. People usually respond well to it when it happens, and I try my best to stay in that mindset. But evry time it never fails that the thoughts start to slowly trickle back into my head like some kind of sickness. It feels like it’s been sitting there the whole time just waiting for me to notice so it can show me how much worse it’s gotten since I forgot about it. I’m hoping that someday i’ll get back in my good mindset and i’ll never get out of it. Fingers crossed.

    • Honest and emotional. 1. You only need to care about what YOU think about yourself. It starts there. 2. Your thoughts attract your reality. Please look into a free app called “Insight timer.” It’s a meditation app and it offers a range of meditations, talks, posts…quite amazing. 10 minutes a day for five to six weeks and you *will* start to attract a different reality. 3. You give yourself meaning and purpose. It doesn’t have to be found in a job; it doesn’t have to be found anything external to yourself. When you have a difficult time, please compare downwards, not upwards. This means that you should compare your life to other’s who have it worse. Your existence to others whose existence is fraught with unclean water, distended bellies, homelessness….and when you eat your food, feel GRATITUDE. 4. Medication can help, if you need it. Taking medication for chemical imbalances in the brain are the same as taking meds for high cholesterol or high blood pressure, etc.

      Sending you good thoughts. (Emily Dickinson: I’m nobody. Who are you? Are you nobody, too?)

  231. I was telling an old friend the other night about how I always feel like “The day is going to come soon, when everyone will realize that I really don’t know anything. I suspect that several people already know”. My friendsaid “I’ve worked with you before, and it’s not true. You have impostor syndrome”.

    Bear in mind, I’ve got 20 years of experience in my field (health analytics). I’ve never had anything other than a stellar performance review. People ask for me by name when a new project is proposed. None of this matters; in my gut I feel I’ve been mostly a charming fast-talker with a few basic skills I learned by watching other people.

    Every time I make a mistake, I privately fall apart and imagine the worst.
    This happened today… I realized I’d missed something after giving an initial report, and when I realized my mistake, I told my boss. She was very understanding, and glad I caught it. Did I feel better? No. I told my husband “I’m going to lose all credibility”, and burst into tears.

    It’s exhausting living this way; and it doesn’t only affect me. My poor friends and family probably think I’m fishing for compliments, but these fears are genuine. No amount of rationalizing from them helps.

  232. > 9. Remember: being wrong doesn’t make you a fake. The best basketball players miss most of the shots they take. The best traders lose money on most trades. Presidents are wrong about stuff all the time. The best football teams inevitably lose.

    That’s a massively powerful line mate.

    I’m suffering HUGELY from Imposter Syndrome after moving for a new job that is really well paid but the stress is unreal.

    I’m constantly fearing failure as my ticket out and the end of my career. But to read that paragraph, settled something in my mind and deknotted that ball of worry in my stomach.

    I’m going to print it out and put it on my desk.

    Thanks man.

    Nik

  233. My background is in fitness and wellness. We touched on activities and recreation while in school, and alas, I’m now an activities director at a fancy high-rise retirement community. While I have experience in the retirement field, I’ve never had experience making full calendars, taking 125 opinions/trying to please 125 people at once, etc. Most days I enjoy what I do. It lets me be creative and at the same time is fairly structured. When I was hired last year, my corporate boss was very excited about me and thought I was going to bring a great new energy to the community. Fast forward a year and, after a few accidental missed email replies to her, I think she doesn’t like me (I’ve never even met the woman). My first big annual review is coming up in two weeks and I haven’t done about 20% of what I was supposed to. My coworker didn’t either, and she started about a month before me. We both sometimes feel underqualified and too stressed out to keep up this charade. Most of the residents really like me and tell me often how well I’m doing and what an asset I’ve become. But about three residents hate me, mainly because I’ve had a few time slip ups/changes on their calendars lately. It’s a silly thing to get upset about, on both of our ends. But they are very rich, very entitled, very accomplished white folks who think that having the wrong napkin color is the end of the world (I wish I was kidding). I am terrified that one day it’s going to be too much and my boss will be forced to fire me because I had two conflicting events…again. I feel like I’m not cut out for this job and I often feel like I’m not doing enough good in the world (hello, millennial expectations…). I’m grateful to have found this forum and I hope someone can relate to me. Even reading this, I feel inadequate though. Everyone works in finance or investments or has their own start-up. I put on events and activities for old people. I want to do more. I want to quit my job and be a part-time personal trainer and part-time professional photographer. But even if I do that I know that I will not feel accomplished enough, not fit enough, not have the best equipment, etc. Buh. I’ll try writing all of my thoughts out after this and see if that helps a little. Thank you for reading this if you made it all the way down here. Stay strong, y’all.

  234. Omg. This article helped me a lot. Thank you for this!!

    I just founded a startup company and we’re launching on Feb. 8. I’m wayyy behind my schedule and I’m launching and not finishing many tasks to be finished. I was supposed to have finished an e-course we’re launching soon, but because I don’t feel like an impostor, and I feel unworthy to teach this course, even though I know I’m naturally a teacher and I’m good at what I teach. But I feel like a fraud and I feel like people will judge me and make fun of me. My greatest fear? Failing and seeing my family not proud of me. Ghad I hate this haha.

    But your article worked and I was able to do tasks more than I did the past MONTH. Yes. I’ve been procrastinating for a month. Haha. Thank youuuu!!! You solved my problem, and apparently a lot of people’s problems. Very much appreciated. Keep doing what you do! We don’t need the impostor syndrome.

  235. I feel that people are stupid and in an act of stupidity , nothing makes sence unless you force it too and in a world perfect for a conscious being to exist things should make more sense people should be more helping and looking what’s going on , there actions and there work is mostly nothing but like a chemical reaction

    I suddenly feel that writing all this can be the part of imposter syndrome or is it not ???
    I really don’t have anyone to talk to about this so guys please reply
    ..
    I think that I have a poor voice and I cant sing
    I think that in a 5 star place people are going to look me as pitty
    I think thaty friends are better then me , cooler then me and can handle this world better then me ..
    I think there is a part of me hidden and a little bit of it is surfaced right now
    I think too much about life and it’s flows
    I think too much if my handwriting and spellings are right
    I think and type so I can know it’s not boring
    I really don’t understand the problem with me

    • I haven’t been drawing or creating lately because i feel that I’m not talented….at all…or not even good. Even when people would compliment my work , i’d assume it was some form of pity. i feel like when i show my work it should be perfect, and it should be that way on the very 1st attempt. i feel that way because i tell people I’m a graphic designer and using that job title instead of just saying ,”I’m learning to do this”, expectations are way higher. I just feel like a fraud , like I’m tricking people to thinking I’m going to give great quality work,but i have no idea when I’m doing.

  236. I wasn’t happy at my last job, I felt like I wouldn’t be able to achieve something better in there so I decided to have a career change. This actually took me months to decide, until I finally went for it. I left my job to start a course that would prepare me for a high-technical one.
    After the end of the course, my plan was to look for a job and be (and feel) useful again.
    But I can’t.
    I feel that I can’t do it. I want to work, I want to have a job and stop wasting my savings… I love to work, I love to spend money I’ve earned with my loved ones, I love feeling useful, I love the sensation, at the end of the day, that I’ve been taking the most of it.
    But despite all that, I still feel I cannot do it. I feel that I am not prepared for that, I need more time or I will do it wrong. I feel that I am a fraud even if I got here.
    This is not the first time I feel this way, I cannot even recall how many times I have rejected something because of this feeling…
    But I thought this time would be different. I thought ‘If I commit 100%, I will achieve it’.

    It’s amazing how much it can affect you mentally and psychologically, that’s why lately I’ve started to think that maybe I should get a job as the previous one (no difficulty, no ambitions), and forget about growing professionally.

    But I want to go for it, even feeling as a fraud, I want to try it. Sometimes I gain confidence enough to feel like I can do it, maybe not now, but in a month… But then later, I can’t. Again.

    I hope didn’t sound childish or superficial or fake, I do not know how to describe all this. Sometimes it is easier to carry, but sometimes it completely collapses me and makes me hate myself and be a person I don’t like.

    • I’m in the exact same boat. I went through a small career change a couple years ago, in the same field but slightly different discipline. I’ve even been working in my new role for over a year and I still feel like I’m not good enough for this career path. Not feeling good enough has accompanied me from my first job though. Thinking back, I’ve consistently taken jobs because I felt lucky that I was offered one and wouldn’t be good enough to pursue something else. I’m feeling so frustrated with myself that I found this page, haha.

  237. I enjoyed and could relate to your thoughts. I am on a long journey of self improvement/awareness. As a part time independent beauty consultant I have many times felt “less than” but proven when in action those feeling fade.
    Also I am currently working as a contractor in high tech and am applying for full time positions, again feeling like an impostor because I don’t have a college degree even though I am smart and have the chops.

  238. I feel paralysed by this self created syndrome. At work I believe everyone else is better than me, better placed to answer questions. I have just completed my accountancy exams but am now terrified of getting a better job because everyone will find out how utterly stupid I am. Sometimes the feeling is crippling and makes me want to end my life, just to stop these thoughts.

  239. For years I’ve been trying to figure out, why I’ve felt so on edge and and dislocated from the friends I grew up with. I would always move from one friend group to another. I was always the quiet one who never spoke her opinions, in fear of others discovering who I really am as a person. I think this branched out from my need to constantly be perfect and on top of my game, when in reality, I was barely passing by successfully without having mental breakdowns or little anxiety attacks. It’s nice to finally know what I have and how to work on it during he next chapter of my life. I’m 18 and graduating high school this year, and I would like to start college with a fresh start, as the girl I always was but couldn’t accept inside.

  240. Whenever I got praised by my lecturers, I smile and beam and say thank you; but at night I’m deathly afraid that one day they’ll know that I’m just bullshitting everything. I’m not bright or outgoing at all, I’m a house-goblin who does not like socializing. I constantly feel like I’ve done a bullshit so right that many people are convinced that I’m great, even though I honestly have no idea what I’m doing…

  241. I’m terrified of writing code because I’ll sit there staring at the screen telling myself I don’t know anything and haven’t learnt anything. Even asking for help, which is best practise makes me feel as though I’m cheating.

    • I am a surgeon and my greatest and crippling fear is hurting a person bec i did not read or train hard enough, i feel like Leonardo’s character in “catch me if you can” knows more… this makes me panic and want to withdraw from ppl and the external environment bec to them none of these insecurities are on display!

  242. It’s affected my creative side. I can’t draw unless my drawing is going to come out amazing. I keep rewriting a story I’m working on because it’s not as good as the best seller novels. My work is never good enough. Someone is always going to be better than me. I can’t take any compliments. I’ll dismiss them, thinking that they’re just saying that to be nice. They don’t actually think that about me.

    It’s really bad when it comes to things like school and work. I’ve never considered myself smart or good enough. In high school, all my friends were getting straight A’s in advanced classes and I could only manage C’s in regular classes. Anytime I got an A I would just say “Oh, it was just a super easy class. I’m not smart, I swear.” I remember in my first year of college I took a handful of art classes and science classes, and was even in a sophomore level english. I got straight A’s that year, but I dismissed it all as just a fluke. I had easy art classes, I had easy teachers, I had very little homework to do. I refused to tell my parents about my grades. I was embarrassed. I was not, by any means, a straight A student, and I didn’t want them thinking that I was, only to have me disappoint them when I took some “real” classes.
    It’s hard for me to ask for help too. Smart people don’t need help. They figure it out on their own. Plus, why bother them with my stupid questions? They have better things to do than to coddle me.

    I work as an instrument repair technician. I’ve only been doing it for a year now, but I feel like I have to know everything, and be able to answer every question my customers ask me. I’m often told that I’m the tech, I’m the expert, but I feel far from that. There’s so much that I don’t know about repair and different brands and quality of instruments and things like that. I’m hardly better than the average person when it comes to fixing things. I just know a few tricks and have a bit more practice at it.
    To make matters worse, in repair school, we’re told that our personality and reputation will have a huge impact on how successful we are. I’m a very shy and quiet person, and it’s hard for me to strike up a conversation with people when all I hear in my head is “I’m too shy. I’m not outgoing. Nobody likes a shy person. I don’t have anything interesting to say. I’m not a good person to talk to. I’m not really qualified to give my opinion.”

  243. I tell myself not to draw or create because its not going to be as good as other artists so there’s no point and it wont be perfect anyway. I see being creative as a waste of time because while others will do it or teach I will never be good enough to make money or support myself and im fouling myself to think other wise. Its a waste of time that could be spent accomplishing something worth while. Im not an artist and never will be no matter how many times ive tried or how happy it makes me.

    • I’m at the exact same point right now myself.
      I’ve decided to create a small 2D game for mobilephones.
      The coding of the actual application isn’t a problem for me, I feel very confident there.

      But when I was about to start making a background for one of the scenes it took me four days to even open up the software for it. I did get some work done and looked at it the next day and felt that a 3 yo. could have done it way better than me.

      I dabbled a little more and was feeling OK with parts of it, but still it all sucks and will never be good enough to put in a game.

      So I took a pause, starting writing down why I feel so stressed and ended up here 😉

      It feels a little better and I might even convice myself that I too can actually produce some good 8-bit pixelart – it’s not rocked science.

      Falling forward is a good thing, I think I am doing that right now. So you’re not the only one feeling like this.

  244. I sometimes feel when I make people laugh or do something funny that I’m actually a boring person and that everyone is gonna find out that I’m actually boring and not fun.

  245. I recently qualified as a life coach? Who am I to be able to coach others who are smarter, slimmer, more successful. Why would anyone pick me….. and yet I am a natural coach

    • Hi S!

      I am also a life coach, and I have facilitated a lot of self-improvement seminars, and every time I do either one, I feel like a fraud! Even when my coaching clients tell me I’ve helped them a lot, the praise doesn’t last. Besides I’m afraid they’ll discover that I really don’t have it all together like they think I do! They’ll discover that my own life is a fraud and that I have fears and insecurities that are worse than theirs!!!
      I want to start my own seminar company here in 2018, but I keep procrastinating because I feel like a phony! What do I know! And if I DID know something about a topic, no one needs it! They’ve already heard it from someone WAY SMARTER than me!!!
      One thing that is helping me is not only realizing that I have Imposter Syndrome, but also becoming more spiritual. Some of you may not believe this or want to hear it, but believing that God has a purpose for me and that I am worthy in His eyes and that it doesn’t matter what others think of me has started healing my feeling of unworthiness. I know that He values me. God knows the desire in my heart to help others is genuine and authentic, and He will honor my passion and desire to help others. He alone has the power to help me achieve my goals, overcome my low self esteem and lack of confidence, and trust the abilities he gave me!

      Just saying…Something to think about.

  246. For the last year and a half I’ve been putting off my stats class incomplete grade because it’s the only thing standing between me and my internship before graduation. How can I complete an internship with actual clients if I don’t know crap about HR? I barely remember the classes I took. Of course I have a high GPA because I’m good at homework, but that’s way different than calling myself a master of something. Who did I think I was going for a masters degree. I didn’t sign up for stats for a reason. I think I tell myself I have imposter syndrome, but really it’s an excuse because I don’t know anything.

    • Yes since you mentioned it, I can definitely see how this has affected my romantic relationships…

  247. Thank you for this article. I have only recently admitted to this feeling. My poor therapist has to talk me off the ledge weekly. I told him that I feel like an alien watching humans live life as they are supposed to, but I’m mimicking them poorly. I know that I’m smart and have something to offer most days, but the self-doubt, depression, paralyzing perfectionism, and fear of rejection creep in quite often.

    Like several others who have posted, I’ve always had high expectations for myself because I was told early how smart I was. Most things came easy to me when I was growing up. My undiagnosed ADHD kept me distracted and unable to focus a lot. As things became more complicated, I wasn’t equipped to handle them, and I thought the facade had been shattered. I learned to manage it and took medication to get the distractions under control, so I was able to keep fooling everyone.

    In most jobs, I have been able to overcome imposter syndrome to get the job done, but I know it has held me back in advancing up the corporate ladder. Now that I’ve started my own business, I have let this syndrome shut me down, mentally. It all overwhelms me, and I can’t move forward – thus, the therapist.

    There is some relief in acknowledging this feeling to others and knowing that it’s an actual thing that others experience. I am thankful for my God, my therapist, my tribe of friends and network of other business professionals who have helped me know that I’m not an alien. If only I can remember that each day.

  248. I have been given an opportunity to be a junior researcher in an area that I’m very interested in but I am afraid to start. Most of the people I work with have PhDs and I’m still finishing my masters.
    This list has helped me realize that there is a reason I have been given this opportunity and having a “broader perspective” than the PhDs could be an asset.
    Also, if I don’t accomplish as much as I hope, I will still have great experience and have learned a lot in the process.

  249. I know I’m brilliant and I’m a good person but I constantly hold myself back from letting my light shine. For instance, I have an archive of finished and unfinished poems, songs, books, and videos… After I create something (video, music, painting, poetry, business idea) I and others tell me wow this is really good but then I don’t share it or try to pursue it, so it just becomes another dreams deferred. I don’t want to hold myself back anymore. Reading this article puts a name to the disordered mentality even though I still have doubts but want to see myself really make an impact in this world. I don’t want to die wishing I could have yet I don’t know how to just do it as some say! Perhaps I am making it all way too complicated… I guess I want to believe in myself but don’t really know how to…

  250. I’ve won awards and been highly praised for my work ever since I started out doing it in high school. I avoided applying for internships throughout college because I felt like I wasn’t skilled/qualified enough and like I wasn’t ready to do real-world work in my field. I convinced myself that I had to get better and more prepared before applying. I didn’t understand that internships are HOW you get better and professionals WANT to help students succeed. I finally lucked into an internship last semester through a connection I had. I’ve been embarrassed of myself there ever since the day I interviewed because I felt like I rambled too much and sounded pretentious and dumb. I was a few minutes late to my first day because I had a panic attack that morning and got lost on my way there because I couldn’t think straight. I think about it every day. I constantly feel like I’m blowing this amazing opportunity, even though my colleagues (and even my far superiors occasionally) tell me that I’m smart, that they like me, that I’m doing a great job, etc. One of my professors recently told me that he and others he’s spoken with consider me an “impressive individual”, and I seriously can’t bring myself to believe he was telling the truth. I got offered to stay another semester at my internship, and I feel like I’m just barely skating by. Now I’m a senior, four months away from my degree, and I’ve been especially nervous at work recently because I feel like I’m always being critiqued and compared to the other intern, who has been there a year longer than me, and is incredibly lovable, talented and almost guaranteed a job offer there after graduation (and we are graduating at the same time). Even though I’m an anxious wreck all the time, I’m absolutely in love with working for this organization, and I’m going to be so upset when I’m shooed away after I graduate. The worst part is that I know I’m smart and that I’m good at what I do, but I seriously just can’t convince myself that I’m not actually a complete idiot. I feel like everyone knows so much more than I do. I hate it.

  251. A big hi from an investment world here.
    I am in charge of a big real estate portfolio for a second year now- first year went very well, we had 100% success on the market. Now I am at the beginning of a year two and I just feel like I should resign and find a ‘lower’ position because a year one was just a big luck! Like I did not do anything, it was all just a help of my colleagues etc. I am really stressing out because I do not feel like I have done anything right and people are just keeping congratulate me to my success. All I want to do is to scream “are you all mad?”… glad to know there are more of us feeling the same way 😉

    • Hey Lucy, I just wanted to say: you’re not alone. I work in banking – I never planned to, I just sort of fell into it via marketing (which I never really wanted to do either). Every year I get excellent performance reviews. Last year I literally got 5/5 – my boss told me that in 7 years of working there, managing dozens of people, he had never had anyone achieve that before. I was was of only five people in the company of thousands to achieve a 5/5 last year.

      Think I feel better? Nope. I turn up to work every day, convinced I’m a fraud, that the senior managers all loathe or pity me, that I’m about to be rumbled. I exist in near paralysis for most of my days at work.

      I can’t shake it. What is it? Why is it there?

      A few weeks ago I got a promotion. Like you, people keep congratulating me, and it surprises me every time because I remember: oh, to most people this would be a GOOD thing, but to me it’s just one step closer to letting everyone down.

      I just wanted to say, anyway, that I really relate to your story, and wish you all the best.

  252. I’d never heard of this until I confided in a friend that I’m afraid of playing Trivial Pursuit when it’s not on teams because I’m terrified people will think if I answer incorrectly I’m not intelligent. I’ve always been an excellent student and gotten nearly perfect grades, but I feel someday people will find out it’s just luck and I’m an idiot. It’s part of what keeps me from furthering my education as well. I also am afraid people will find out I’m a horrible mother. So afraid that I feel the need for constant reassurance that I’m not, and even then I don’t believe it. I wish I’d know about this syndrome before. Thank you for writing about it.

  253. I’ve been promoted to a lead position for a game company. I’ve worked in the company for over 9 years and I’m constantly freaking out on what I don’t know and keep comparing myself to other people in my fold. No matter how many blogs I read trying to combat this feeling, I can’t stop this unsettling feeling in my stomach daily. It doesn’t help there is a long lead-in time before my project kicks in so I have the opportunity to see other leads lead their project. People I’ve trained or known for years now seem to flourish and present this presence of confidence I simply lack. I ended up leaving the company for year and came back with everyone in my previous position are now leads (in way less time than me). To be honest, this a promotion I should’ve attempted earlier and when I talk with most people they feel I’m “perfect for the role”. It’s a horrible cocktail of “regret for not taking the opportunity sooner” which leads me to feel inadequate in comparison to others in the same position and ends up negating the experience I know I have. Everyone I know and trained currently moved up to Producers, Project Managers and such and here I am freaking out over a basic lead position. Yes…..don’t compare myself with other people. I know, it’s just instantly where my brain goes when I have any thought. In my quest to be perfect, I end up associating people in similar position as the STANDARD and putting them on a pedastal (….I think that’s how you spell the word) and constantly measure progress based on them (abilities, time taken to comprehend, ability to foster a team, etc). I wish I could see what they’re seeing and trust that I can handle it. I guess I can say I’m 50/50 there, I’m at the stage where I’m aware that how I’m feeling is felt by most people and that what people have been saying about me isn’t completely wrong…..just getting past this sickening feeling in my gut every time I have to do anything specific to my role. Things I’ve already done before but now carry the added weight of “leading” and “creating” instead of “following” and “improving”. Okay, this comment is way longer than I wanted to type but it does feels good to get it out there. I feel like I could keep typing but I don’t wanna break this website. Thanks for hearing me out

  254. I have been experiencing Imposter Sybdrome because I want to teach personal finance classes to help those avoid the financial pitfalls I have experienced, but I am struggling to pay off my credit card debt and student loans too!

  255. I’m an amateur writer-director who’s working on his craft (and getting pretty good, though there’s still a way to go).
    My father has always told me that what you do or whether or not you succeed is important, just try your best (which my mind reads as “Get ready to blow it”).
    Most of my friends, though aware of my ambition, have little to say by way of praise or criticism, which I translate as “They don’t believe you can do it because you’re not a director”; then when I actually get some sound advice from someone I hear “Do they not know I’m not a director?”
    And finally, most of my family talk about me in relation to other professions I might be interested in, and people I meet never seem to instinctively think of me as a creative character or an authority figure (people often think I’m an actor, which, though it is something I did once, is also something I don’t want to be), which my mind reads as “All authority figures are recognisable as sich, so you must be one”.
    I am aware of the problem, and I savour the advice of the handful of friends who know where I want to go, and I try to rest assured that most people wouldn’t have thought a young Hitchcock, Kubrick or Spielberg would ever have the mettle to be authority figures… I just wish I was able to purely trust in myself…

  256. I started a new job a little more than a month ago and I feel like such a fake. Honestly, right now, I feel like I can’t do it. I simply feel like maybe I don’t actually have the right skills. I’m a bit overwhelmed by how much shit I still need to learn about the organization and the actual job before I can even get close to becoming good at it. The people I’m supposed to line manage will eventually realize how much I DON’T actually know, right? Plus, in this new position, I’m totally being pushed out of my comfort zone. I have never actually done this kind of work before but somehow I managed to convince the people that hired me that I had the right skills and personality to pull it off. What a phoney! To make matters worse, I moved to another city for this job and now I fly back almost every weekend to be with my husband. He is incredibly supportive and thinks this is a great opportunity for me to grow professionally. But is it really? Or am I just a selfish narcissistic bitch who will eventually disappoint him? So now I have a huge amount of responsibility at work and I’m expected to start delivering results asap and I’m not sure I’m up to the task. I keep on telling myself that I’ve overcome even tougher professional challenges in the past but I’m wondering if maybe, this time, I just bit off more than what I can chew. Now I’m even wondering if I really wanted this job. Why the fuck did I get myself into this?
    A few weeks ago, I met up with someone who used to be an intern at another organization I used to work for a few years ago and she told me that she looked up to me, that I was a role model for her, and she wanted career advice from me. Me? Really? I felt like such a fake!

    • this is exactly whats going on with me…I feel like an impostor 🙁 I also make a lot of sacrifices for my new job…I feel like I havent got that perfect skill yet

  257. I wish to believe I have done a great success up to now. I have just finished my bachelor with a first class honor. But I have NEVER feel like I actually got it. All my friends compliment me for doing a great job. But I never think I really am. And it always bugs me in trying something news.

    Since young, although my friends said I have talents but my family usually says that I am just not good enough. There are so many things I want to try. But when i finally decided to try something, they always bring up my weak spot saying I am not good enough, I am stupid (in a humorous way for them, but not for me) and that is very discouraging. I find myself harder and harder in trying new things even posting stuffs on facebook because I am afraid to hear those discouraging words. Although everyone says I can, I always doubt that I could.

    • I’ve had literally the SAME problem. Both my parents are researchers and my mom is truly one of the best in her field in the world (it’s very specific of course, in neuroscience). I always had to go the best schools in my country while my mom said “oh I didn’t even think they would call you back for the 2nd interview.” My chidhood was spent being under the siege of my father’s utter criticism for literally everything I do (from what music I lieten to, to HOW I DONT PUT MY SHOES IN PARALLEL.) LOL fucking ridiculous. Later I found out my dad was also struggling with impostor syndrome, he almost didn’t dare to post his bachelor thesis in experimental physics. This helped me to see how unimportant seeking the perfection is.
      I was a very stable kid and I always got the balance in my life in this constant battle, until i just got overwhelmed and “mentally collapsed” around 18. And now I’m in an engineering uni (the best in Hungary, of course) where I’m very close to being fired. I failed my math course so many times even though I found some new formulas proven by my teachers, and even though they say I am good at it. I also battle severe depression and agoraphobia because I’m a slightly older girl with 80% boys. But I’m in my last chance and it seems like I only succed if I beat myself through the fright of the possibility to fail.
      My advice for you: 1. Leave your parents, find the possibilty to move out or distance yourself. They won’t change their attitude. Ever. You will feel relieved a lot. 2. Don’t even talk about your ambitions. It’s enough if they just see the results. Remember, it’s not them who evaluate whether you’re good or not.
      You are enough the way you are. I wish you luck to find the way to settle down and be in your confident self.

  258. First, this is absolutely incredible, thank you. I’ve known that I’ve had this issue for a while, but I shoved it under the rug up until recently, as I’ve been feeling awful about myself. All this morning I had a terrible feeling in my chest and I’ve wanted to cry out of some kind of despair, but now I want to cry because I feel understood. It’s amazing.
    Second, I don’t know that I can come up with one concrete example of imposter syndrome in my life, but something generalized is that while I speak of my accomplishments, I tend to draw out my sentences and make them seem less than they are. I’ve always been told not to brag, and I think that’s where this comes from. Speaking about good things I accomplish isn’t bragging or boasting, it’s speaking about the good things I accomplish. I need to be more to the point where this is concerned, and I’ve been working on this lately, but I intend to work on it even more after reading your post. I am proud of myself, I do matter, and I am relevant. Everyone is relevant, and their relevancy does not diminish mine, something else I picked up from your article.
    Lastly, writing this down does help. Thank you for that as well.
    Best wishes to you, Kyle, and best wishes to everyone else!

  259. I feel like a fake coach. I have no clients and have made few efforts to get them. It’s too much trouble and anyway they might not want to pay as much as I want to charge, whatever that is. I tell people I’m a coach, but I feel very queasy inside because I know I’m not really a coach if I have no one to coach. I’m afraid to go out and find speaking gigs, because they will be sure to find out I’m a total fraud and a loser. There! Big imposter! I said it out loud!

  260. I am 23 years old. I used to be very much full of life but recently I have been different. I used to be the life of a party and someone who would solve problems, any sort of problems, on the go and forgive easily and move on. I have failed for 3 years in my bachelor’s degree of engineering. I am interested in branding and I took up a job as a graphic designer for 2 years. My degree isn’t over yet though but I have no other option but to finish it because I need a bachelor’s degree. All my other friends have moved to US for further studies while I am still not sure about the path. I am lagging behind in life.

    On top of everything, I’ve recently fallen for a girl. She is a very beautiful soul and I just found out that she suffers from clinical depression which is in control now. We are not dating yet though. I told her about the problems I am facing at home and with the directionless-ness of my life and I felt good. I want to be the person who she turns to for help and not the other way around.

    It’s not that I didn’t have problems earlier. I had them but I dealt with them very smoothly without overthinking. I used to have infectious energy within and around me. I used to set things straight and happy for people. Now, I am the one who needs support and this feels very helpless. Everyone thinks I am super smart and I will make it big in life. Even more so because I am an underdog now and the underdog always wins. I have lost faith in things and I don’t know what to do.

    On the lighter side of things, I feel my life is an ideal case study for someone who wants to observe problems in all the areas of life because right now ALL the areas of my life are pretty much on fire and I am just a fool not taking action.

  261. I feel like a fake. I just started a new job in a field trip that I know nothing about and I feel less deserving of it. I feel like I will fail at the job and loose everything. I feel like things will eventually fall because I keep taking risks and I don’t feel smart. I feel like I but off more than I can chew and people look at me like I’m stupid for being in this position. I met the qualifications but I still feel like I shouldn’t have gotten the job versus someone with over 20+years of experience. I’m scared of work because I know some people want to see me fail because I’m young and African American in a position that would be suited for an older Caucasian individual. I’m scared I will fail.

  262. I have been avoiding applying for internships because i feel like i can’t do any of them despite fitting all of the requirements. I’m so terrified they’ll accept me and when I get there find out I’m not actually qualified (even though I am). Even when it comes to my hobbies, gaming, cosplay, writing, I feel like a fake. Am I really interested in all this stuff or am I just faking it to fit in. Sure I’ve poured thousands of hours into these interests, but I still feel like I’m not as “into” them as I should be. I know it’s ridiculous, but I can’t make my brain stop screaming liar at me.

  263. Thanks a lot! I keep going back to school because I’m scare of actually working in my field. I’m collecting diplomas so i can prove to the world that I know how to do something that I haven’t done yet. That’s life in academia.

  264. The interesting thing about imposter syndrome is the mindset needed to process the fact you might be failing….the irony is that the same mindset will be the one making you succeed. I work hard to see it as a double edged sword that I want to work with more than without. After two decades not knowing what this was, putting a name to the thought process alone makes a difference, reading people’s thoughts and experiences even more so. Thanks all.

  265. I’ve just landed a much bigger job leading a team of engineers. I’m lay here in bed , it’s 1.26am, and I’m in a cold sweat thinking about how in three months I’m going to leave the comfort of my secure small team faux leadership role and leading a group of guys who I feel will see through me. I’m smart but my field is vast, I know so many weaknesses I have but have gotten by somehow so far. Strangely the tempest in my gut settled as I read this. Perhaps I will read it a few more times…. I need to also plan my 3 month self improvement plan to work on my weaknesses… Gotta keep these demons under control somehow…

    • Dude, just accepting the fact that you don’t know everything has already set you up for success. You got this Kev! Just do me and yourself a favor and sit down with each of your team members every 3 months and ask them how they’re doing, feeling, etc. Ask them their goals, and what YOU can do for them. Also ask what they ARE doing, and then ask them if it aligns with what they WANT to be doing. You may find you’ve tasked the wrong people, and they can actually swap… Best of luck!

  266. I am a researcher/scientist in biological sciences. When we submit abstracts to a conference, we can go for a poster, a talk, organising a symposium. One critical thing I have avoided doing due to Impostor Syndrome was to even attempt anything better than a poster. The reason was not the fear of having the abstract rejected – it was having it accepted and then be faced with having to talk about my research (in my head, useless, unworthy, etc) to an audience and have them ‘out’ me, i.e, see that I am a fraude. 🙁

    • Words can’t express how much I relate to this. I recently published a paper as first author. And I don’t feel like I deserved it. I did all of the grunt work but my PI came up with all the ideas. I feel like he put me as first author out of pity. Its a low impact paper anyway. I’m terrified they’re going to me make present about it. And people will realize I don’t know what I’m doing.

  267. I have always been expected to achieve greatness. Not because I was pushed, but because I showed potential beyond others at a very early age. My mind works differently from others, and I can barely focus on one thing at a time. People around me started to call me “expert” in certain areas and rely on me to provide advice, opinions, and guidance. I have a lot of books on my shelf in special subjects, but I haven’t read a single one cover-to-cover. Every day I feel like I am losing ground on the life I should be leading. Thank you, Kyle, for giving me some ways to step back and overcome Impostor Syndrome!!!

    • I’m with you dude. And honestly, don’t worry about reading those things cover to cover. You should read “Refuse to Choose” by Barbara Sher. You’re probably a Scanner. And the reality is you have gotten what you need from the book, hence you stopped reading it. This one you’ll want to finish because it appeals to the Scanner mindset, which tells me she knows her stuff.

  268. Thanks for such an in-depth post on this Kyle. We recently covered impostor syndrome but from the perspective of freelancers, who often feel like this.
    Would love you to check it out.

  269. I don’t know if I should thank you more or thank all the people who wrote comments here which were as important in changing my view as your article. It is so nice to see all these high credential people who share the same feeling like I (a simple bachelor degree) do. So it can’t be lack of credentials as you said… I wrote all your steps in my book, but I referred them to my own topic so I could really feel what you were talking about. This is going to be my “To read” when I feel like fraud. Man! I thought I was the only one in this word! Now I actually have a name for this stupid feeling!! This is awesome! I’ll finish my book this year. Thank you for writing this Kyle!

  270. Im only good at taking tests, not writing papers, but a masters in organizational leadership is all about the latter, and I’m about to fail out because I can’t continuously write papers. My family and fiancée all believe I’m smarter than I am, and I don’t want to let them down.

  271. I’m 26 years old and recently finished my PhD in computational neuroscience. People call me smart but I feel like I’m faking my smartness. There is so much that I don’t know about, and be smart at the same time. I’m going to start a new post doc position soon with an amazing professor. Everyday I feel like I lied to her about me somehow and I don’t deserve this job.

  272. this isn’t even the hugest thing, but I still feel like an imposter for it… well, I’m 16 and just recieved notice of my PSAT score: 1500. I got near perfect and I feel for some reason undeserving of the score. Like I have a restless anxiety that College Board will be like “aha just kidding!” And swap my score report for one that gives me a 1460. At school, I’m not usually associated with being smart. A lot of people think very little of me and have low expectations for me. Apparently I got a higher score than a handful of very very bright people – people whom you would actually expect to have gotten a 1500, but didn’t. It’s just surreal to me… I feel like I don’t deserve my score. I’m in constant denial.

  273. Wow, I’ve just read comments all the way back to Nov. 11 and many of them seem to be from younger-ish adults who feel they are imposters due to their age and seeming lack of experience. O-Ho! Guess what? I’m 55, have been in my career for darn near 20 years and have always received good or excellent job performance reviews. Yet, I feel like an imposter as I start my own gig in the same career framework. Why? Because things are always changing, and while I LOVE to learn new techniques, technologies, methodologies, you name it, I feel like the younger generation will ALWAYS be the better choice over me. I have to realize that No One – at any age – with any life – can stay on top of everything and be more knowledgable than me in all situations. So, thank you Kyle, for reminding me that I am not perfect, will never be perfect – and that is also true for everyone else!

  274. I say I am “just good at taking tests” and that I don’t know anything when I am in medical school and pass a test. I’m afraid they are going to find out that I’m not a good student and that I shouldn’t be a doctor.

  275. I often feel like I’m still this little girl that needs to seek others’ approval to go ahead with my ideas, even though I’m in my forties.

  276. I’ve played at international level of my sport and I’m a PhD student. I’ve dropped out of my club and stopped going to work because I don’t think I deserve to be there. At this point I can’t tell if it’s impostor syndrome or if it’s simply true.

  277. I’ve just started a small online business selling my handmade custom herbal tea blends and I wake up feeling like a fraud so often. It’s what led me to google “I feel like a fraud” at 5:45 am the minute I woke up and ultimately what led me to this article. Having anxiety has always made me put off starting my own business because I don’t feel equipped to handle it. I don’t feel like an entrepreneur. But I’m forging ahead anyway, and so far the business has been successful.
    Appreciate the article and its advice. Cheers to ignoring the crappy voices in my head!

  278. i feel i’m a crap scientist, and i dont know my field. i want to quite science because feeling like an impostor.
    not going to social events, not talking to girls because feeling worthless.
    not writing on topics i’m not formally qualified to do so, though i know a lot abt them.
    the list is infinite…

  279. Kyle, thanks so much for this article. I have just started a new job (dream job in something I’m so passionate about). But with this I am definitely feeling the grips of imposter syndrome. Where I feel that I’m going to be caught out or not now ENOUGH or EVERYTHING. I seem to be continually seeking approval so that I don’t feel like a fraud. I must say that just writing this makes me feel better. Your advice of not taking everything so seriously and having as much right as anyone else to be here is spot on. I know that I have to just keep moving until a pass this phase and start to feel a bit more comfortable. Until then I will use your technique, including writing on a daily basis.

    Cheers

  280. I have learned about this syndrome today, the very first time in my life!! Your article literally changed the way I look at myself today…. Thank you so so so much!

  281. Today is the first time I have heard the term “Imposter Syndrome” yes I have it. I recently bought a little condo and I feel I don’t deserve to own a place….I walked away from a condo I was buying 8 years ago.
    I am also an abstract artist and have sold my art in the past…I say to myself…it’s abstract art, it’s not really art.
    I havnt painted for years. I want to paint again and sell my art again.
    Thanks for the blog and the comments.

  282. I knew I had imposter syndrome so I read your article and helped me with tools to overcome it. Thank you.

  283. I am objectively successful, but feel like I do not deserve it. I look at the skills of others and think “I am a great BS’er, and that is it.”

    I honestly think about this every single day and constantly worry that those around me are about to call me out on it and my whole life will come crashing down around me.

    This is the second greatest fear in my life.

  284. Thank you. I googled Imposter syndrome because since starting my mental health counseling business I feel like a fraud. Thing is – I love counseling, and I’m licensed to do it. It’s just the small business part that scares the snot out of me. I started to doubt myself, not because I’m underprepared to counsel, but because running a business is something I was never taught – I’m literally learning as I go. Thank you so much for your vulnerability and encouragement.

  285. My imposter syndrome is so bad I actually sabotage myself to prove it. I got my personal training certification and I work at a health food store but I am now 60lbs over weight. I have no money because “I can’t find something I’m good at and because I don’t have a university degree I don’t deserve it.”

    I’m a heterosexual trans man and with women I feel like a fraud yet publicly no one notices the difference.

    Thank-you for your article and your insight. Stumbling onto this will change my life. It already has.

  286. I have been telling people around me that I’m a business coach, I even have a certificate. But how can I be a business coach when I don’t even have a successful business yet?! I’m a total fraud so instead of talking to prospects – because I couldn’t help them anyway – I just keep being small and struggling to make ends meet. Smart right! I’ll even give you my website so you can check out just how big of a fraud I am!

  287. I am studying to become a life coach everytime I am going to begin a session in my practice I think I am going to stink at it, that they are going to know I am a rookie and that I am full of it. After reading this I understand why, I imagine myself being praise almost like a savior, and becoming the next life coach guru in the world and I am just going through the certification process, like what the hell do I do this to myself why do I put so much pressure on me, maybe I will be great at it later on, but expecting the things I daydream about when I am just getting started is just not only an impostor syndrome but a self sabotaging

  288. my biggest dream right now is to go to a specific art school.
    i have my doubts about my art skills and that i’m not talented enough so i won’t even draw.
    i wan’t to draw more yet i’m not.
    talk to new people, getting praises from other and not knowing what to say – those are also examples.

  289. I am a Junior clerk in a retail industry now, about 5 years ago I was in a senior management position and I was fired for misconduct, I was young and ashamed and decided to close that chapter of my life. I then started afresh from the ground up, from being a shelf packer to jnr clerk, Recently Senior Management had appointed me for one of the department management position that has just opened up but I have this great fear and I am actually dragging my feet with regards to giving them an answer, and I don’t know what they see in me that made them appoint me, but everyone around me Say’s I’d be perfect for the position but I have self-doubt, my previous failures are getting the best of me, but I’m not getting any younger, but the fear is also so great! And I have no doubt that if I could get over those fears I would rise, excel & exceed their expectations.

  290. I’ve been working in IT for almost a decade. I’m completely self/on-the-job taught. My bachelor’s degree is in biology, so, completely unrelated to my career. I get paid very well for my position, but I’m always afraid they’re going to figure out I don’t know what I’m doing and I’m afraid to look for new jobs at higher levels because they might figure me out.

  291. I have been postponing in creating a series of design album to promote my interior consultation business because I am terribly afraid that I am just that. Not as good as what my lecturers used to say or not as good as I always believed. Though I have a job now(continuing family business that have almost no relation to my interior degree), I feel like it’s a job that I get because I am my dad’s daughter. That if I were to promote myself or trying to get a job on my own, many offices are going to turn me down.

    Honestly I keep thinking that I’m just someone with a big mouth waiting for other people to say it in my face that I’m just too arrogant and what I aimed to do will fail miserably

  292. I’d like to write novels. And I’d like to teach the books I’d like. I guess I feel that I’m not qualified to talk about certain books; that I’m not smart enough, haven’t read the right theoretical models, or I simply am not a good enough writer/teacher. I constantly think I’m not doing the right thing.

  293. I was just selected for a huge job in the federal govt. a rare opportunity and a high rank/grade and all I have to do is retire from the military and take it. I feel everything about it is luck, because I already work at this place as military, I know those who interviewed me even though there were 25 candidates and 6 people interviewed I feel like I’m always just lucky. I can never accept I’m good because I feel like I only ever give 75% but everyone see this superstar at work…how can it be anything else? No college degree not even an associates but now a chance at a job based on experience that people would dream to get an opportunity at.

  294. I move from job to job all the time and only ever stay in a job for a few months for fear of being found out as a fraud. I have changed career twice. Although I have many qualifications and accolades I never stop feeling like a fraud. I am in a constant state of fear that if I express myself it will expose me as a fraud. It is worse now than ever.
    I would love to start my own business but am too scared to try because of this.

  295. I feel like I’m too dumb and not funny or witty enough to keep up with conversations when I perceive the person is cooler or smarter than me. I downplay any success I’ve had because I don’t want to come off as arrogant and unlikeable. I also feel like people perceive me as “fake” because I try too hard to be friendly and I want people to like me. This comes off as cheesy because after the small talk, I’m not intellectual enough to have a genuine conversation so I just keep smiling like an idiot (even though I genuinely want to connect). Then perhaps people think I don’t care. (and sometimes I actually don’t care….does this make me a bad person?)

  296. Despite graduating with a master’s degree in social work with a 4.0 GPA and actually SEEING that I make a positive impact on my client’s lives (I work as therapist with kids in foster care) I am afraid one day everybody will find out that I am a fraud (supervisors and clients). I feel anxious and depressed. I started therapy last week and my therapist suggested to do research on the impostor’s syndrome. Yep, it makes sense.

  297. I hide being a co-founder of a company cause i feel like im too young, not an authority, and compare myself to others.

  298. I am a therapist and always afraid that my clients will find out that I have to little knowledge about things. Therefore I avoid going out broadly and make it big business 🤔

  299. I feel like a fraud because I want to be a writer, filmmaker, photographer, musician, singer and actress. I have studied all of these things and have a bachelor’s degree in journalism with a minor in theatre, and I do have a business now where I film commericals and events. I do product photography and I work as a project manager for a company in my field. I freelance write for other publications as well as my own blog.

    I feel like a fraud because I feel this is too many things to aspire to… like who do I think I am? When I was a kid, my father used to tell me all the time that there was no way I could be “all these things”…that I needed to pick one thing and just get really good at it and that’s it…and I truly believe that has stuck with me and part of the reason why I feel like a fraud 99% of the time..I hold myself back because I feel like there is no way I can do all of these things. When I go to events with other creatives, I see their work as so much better than mine, even though people constantly respond well to my work. I feel like people are going to find out I’m untalented, that I have no business being in this industry…. and that I think too highly of myself because i’m attempting all these things instead of “just picking one”. Most people are happy just to be a good singer..or a good musician…and here I am trying to do both plus like 5 other things. Sucks…

  300. Sometimes I feel that I’m just pretending to be a good person. I am trying to come to terms with the fact that I am who I want to be. If I want to be a good person then I am a good person even if I don’t always make the right choices.

  301. I didn’t finish my PhD because I was sure they would find out I couldn’t do it.
    I don’t go to parties where there are too many people I don’t know because they’ll realize I have nothing interesting to say.
    I don’t look at attractive men because I’m afraid they’ll notice that I’m not attractive when you look closely and not interesting.
    I don’t like going to courses for teachers because I’m sure they’ll find out I’m a fraud and shouldn’t be a teacher.
    I’m even afraid doctors will tell me I’m not really feeling the pain I’m feeling, I’m just complaining for nothing.

  302. People tell me I am intelligent, but i believe they just don’t know who I really am. That results in me feeling bad about feeling good and inhibiting myself by the things I love (Do I actually like them? – My confidence is actually going up at the moment because I have started pinning good experiences I made on paper to internalise them {harhar, it’s myyyy story} ) and the people I care for. It’s actually a really weird kind of arrogance. Sometimes I feel like I can’t believe that I am only that and afterwards I am stunned by something I did and can’t believe it either.

  303. I’m interviewing for a new managerial position and I feel like I’m faking my way through the interview, I’m normally shy and abit reserved but when it comes to my work I put that all aside to really excel at my role, however moving to management is really scary seeing that I’ve never really managed people before I feel like they’ll find that out and probably not give me the job. I know I trully excel but I’ve got so much doubt about my self … this article is really helping me see how I can deal with this

  304. I’ve been in a new management role for 9 months & I feel like a fake. I think it’s holding me back from really excelling in this position & doing my absolute best. I still do a good job, but I’m holding back because I’m afraid everyone will find out I’m a fake.

  305. Took on a new management position. Not feeling like I’m qualified to lead my team. Have been procrastinating on a large accounting project for months.

  306. I’m hesitant to watch TED talks (you know, the short talks about complex subjects that are simplified specifically so that regular people can understand them), because I’m afraid that I won’t understand them. My friends have repeatedly recommended them to me, but I’m afraid that I’ll listen to one, not be able to grasp what they’re talking about, and my entire charade of getting good grades in school, getting a decent job, and generally doing well at it will be shattered, and I’ll have to face that I’m actually just an idiot who’s managed to fool everyone into thinking I’m intelligent.

    The other day my mom told me that she’s never tried to play checkers because her older sister told her she would be too dumb to understand how to play. Strangely enough, my mom is smart enough to understand how to play chess, and plays quite well. I guess it runs in my family.

  307. I finished my master’s program 2 years ago as well as getting my teaching credentials. I’ve been so frozen by fear from imposter syndrome that I haven’t even applied for a teaching position. I don’t know how to move forward.

  308. I started my teaching qualification and got through the university and placement parts of it and am now in my first year of teaching my own class.

    As time has gone by I’ve been feeling more negative about my capabilities and have lost belief in myself. I have convinced myself I got through the my placements due to luck and although people keep telling me I am meant to be a teacher and I need to keep going, I’ve become really depressed and anxious and each day is a struggle and I feel I’ll stop myself from completing the year

  309. I am in a high position at work and appear to have the respect of everyone on my team, but it feels like everyone is humouring me with my “bad ideas”.

    It’s hard to get past. I am waiting for someone to say “be quiet, the grown-ups are talking”.

    Because of this, I find myself rambling a lot to try and get as much out as possible to cover as many angles as possible hoping one of them will be right.

  310. I am in my second year PhD. I think I have imposter syndrome from the past 12 months. I am afraid tgat people will find out that I can’t do this, I can’t do that. I feel like I don’t deserve to receive that scholarship. But sometimes I feel like I deserve to study at higher rank university. Well i don’t know what I am thinking. After all I am very confusr and I don’t know how to approach the situation I am in properly.

  311. I have been working at one of the most innovative and creative studio in the world and had great success during this time. My boss and all collegueas were enthusiastic and I was also very happy at the beginning… But after a while I got so obsessed and overwhelmed by my sense of duty and responsibility that I overdid, I was always the last one to go home even if it was an internship, and I got sick (depression, tiredness and lack of sleep for months). After that I should have started a Master in London with experts of another sector of mine and I was so weak and so full of doubts about my capacities and my credibility that I was not able to start it…

  312. Applying for a job, trying in exams for my degree sometimes, going out at times on weekends. Loads of things I stay away from.

  313. Even though my boss tells me I’m doing awesome and my teammates are full of compliments, I’m constantly struggling with my fear of getting fired. That I’ll take a risk at work or will finally be ‘exposed’ as not knowing as much as people think I do (‘fraud’ is a great word). I’m super responsible and none of the actual facts back it up, but I always have a dark cloud over my head afraid I’ll lose my job because I don’t deserve it and then lose my house. I’m working through it but it’s hard. Nice to read this article and hear others stories too.

  314. I found that NOT giving 100% works ok. Trying not to think to much and make some choices. Hopefully will find another way one day.

  315. I don’t want to take a job, as I feel the interview was awful. I’m worried that if they take the job, they’ll be talking behind my back about how bad I was, and that I’m not qualified or deserve the job. My dad told me that I need to stop thinking it’s all about me, that I beat other candidates to that job, and that I need to take responsibility for my own sucesses. If they are offering me the job, they believe in me, so I should start believing in me as well.

    Reading this has really helped me see that it’s not just me who feels like this. I’m not the only one. 😊 So I’m gonna work on it.
    And I’m taking the job, cos I’ve earnt it and I’m experienced.

  316. I’m trying to think of a way out of a massive overseas work event where I need to provide digital Comms support. It’s been given to me to develop, I’ve asked for it, and already I feel a failure. I definitely realise I see my role as more important than it actually is.

  317. I’ve avoided talking to the lawyers at my firm who work in areas I’m interested in because I’m scared they’ll realise I don’t belong here and talk among themselves about it. I forego exploring my own interests because I’m terrified I’m useless at them – it’s easier to think I like something and not do it than to do something and not like it.

  318. I was taking a quiz trying to find my niche when I stumbled across this term…”Imposter Syndrome”. Then I found your site, Now why did I click on your site instead of the hundreds of other pages? Because you’re good at this. I feel like I’m ‘stuck’ just starting out as an entrepreneur… I don’t want to be a fraud! I soon found out, I too, suffer from this syndrome. I have put off drawing pictures all together because I’m amazing at copying what I see but have no imagination. To me, that’s not art, that’s fraud. I need to get over it, you’re very right and I’m now intrigued in your blogs. Thank you for helping me!

  319. This has been a theme throughout my life and I’ve never had a name for it.. I got top in my year for 5th form graphics (tech drawing) but didn’t continue as I didn’t think i really knew what I was doing.

    I studied music composition at uni but never got a piece of music performed publicly as I didn’t want everyone to hear it and realise I was terrible. Nor did I do conducting past year 2 as after that you had to conduct the uni choir and I was worried that then they’d all see me pretending to know how to conduct.

    Now it has appeared again in my work. I’ve been promoted and my boss is the person who has pointed this out to me. Reading everyone else’s experiences and the coping mechanisms above is so helpful. Glad I’m not alone in this struggle.

  320. Mannnn….its been a long time coming. I was always regarded as this incredible basketball talent by my peers, family, and friends. But for some reason when i got on the basketball court i was terrified of being exposed as a fraud. Im 6’6 with the ability to be very versatile and also a 36 inch vertical leap. Loved basketball forever but convinced myself that maybe it wasn’t for me. Maybe im just not a team player i thought. Since high school I’ve had numerous crappy jobs just barely getting by. Im 25 years old now snd most family and friends have shunned me and believe im done for. They’ve criticized and turned their backs on me and it hurts. I never knew what i was experiencing and I’m still a bit hesitant to take the step to try an make it to the NBA. Filled with emotion. Hopefully i come out pn the other side victorious. Thanks for sharing your story.

  321. Wow! honestly wtf. This was the most amazing blog read and extremely eye opening for me. I glazed over some of the comments and now i’m here feeling so comforted. I am a singer/songwriter who moved to LA at 24. I am now 31 and For the last 7 years of my life, I’ve had such a lack of understanding for how hard i am on myself and how i cannot for the life of me internalize what i have accomplished. I’ve written on grammy nominated songs with major artists, i’ve put 3 projects independently that have received quite a lot of praise, now after all these years of building i’ve finally been scooped up and invested into by one of the most prestigious A&R’s in the music industry to now getting ready to release my next and most proud works yet. (These accomplishments took me approx. 37 minutes to decide if i was going to post on here, afraid of some sort of lashback smh) even as i continue on.. i’m urged to say non of the accomplishments i’ve expressed really matter, and truth be told something doesn’t feel right about even mentioning them. This is an issue. Even in anonymously speaking, it’s uncomfortable to face or speak on accomplishments, accolades, credit of my works etc. I’m on the verge of tears thinking about it. My man who i work with always tells others we work with “She is sooo modest and nice.. too nice for her own good.” What’s interesting is my man is usually the one who constantly speaks of my accomplishments for me and isn’t afraid of what anybody has to say about it. I admire him so much for being so brave in this world, not just for me but about everything! For so long i connected these feelings to social anxiety and low self esteem issues that have followed me from my early teenage years. Maybe those are valid culprits, however i’ve now realized there is more to this. there is particular mystery that surrounds me as an artist, to my viewers and followers.. but it’s not for show. It’s there because i’m honestly afraid of self-expression, voicing my opinion, being wrong and being exposed, Deemed an expert on my craft and making mistakes when it comes to it.. and interviews.. omg, i hate them and i want nothing to do with them, though i will be forced to do them. I’m so nervous as to how i’m going to face the world, seriously face to face. i try not to, but sometimes tend to question why God chose me to be another artist to be looked at as a leader, even though that’s what i worked my whole life to be. And i know i’ve been made to be exactly that, that’s why it’s happening. It’s so strange and contradicting! I think i’m going to need therapy and soon.. Which to me isn’t a bad thing! I want to get over this. I need to get somehwhat over this so i can use the experience to properly express to others that might be facing the same mental blocks.
    Also I’m not sure if anyone else experiences this, but in new crowd situations where i’m speaking to people i have never met.. or the environment calls for me to be alert and interested. In these moments spent conversing, I’m truly not even present. I’m mostly in my head trying to think of what i should say next to keep the conversation going so i don’t appear awkward or lost. So it doesn’t get too quiet in between subjects, because that feels like exposure to me. I begin to speak to myself in my mind and coach myself through conversations in hopes that i’m not stunned with a question i have no idea how to answer. I then admire those who are quick witted and and communicatively intelligent and usually at that point.. i gracefully bow out of the event in entirety and leave. Convincing myself that i’m too cool to be there for that long anyway lol! Honestly, i feel like an alien walking the earth sometimes, so i really needed to read this blog this morning. Now i feel like i have identified my issue for the most part and finally i can begin to conquer it. Thank you Kyle, seriously.

  322. Wow! This is great! I did not know about impostor syndrome. I keep trying to find out why I feel so inadequate in the master’s program. I am a new grad student. I feel like I cheated and somehow I got accepted into the program. I keep comparing myself to others and very often I bite my tongue (not literally) when I have a comment/thought that I want to share in class, afraid people will laugh at me. I just started to realize this self doubt is affecting my clinical experience. I need to overcome this feelings. My family, friends and mentors are very proud of me and think highly of me, Why do I keep second guessing my abilities??? I cannot thank you enough for this!!!!

  323. Ive let other people gain the credit of the things ive done because I thought I didnt deserve it, still do even when someone tells me that somethings happening because of me I deny it and overappreciate them or else i feel im being rude. Anf sometimes i cant even appreciate someone cos think theyre gonna think shes just idk tryna be too nice and think im noy being honest. My friends think i care too much about others feelings. And even my family tells me that i overthink about what everyone else thinks or about anything in general. Idk. And sometimes i have this urge to tell oeople every single thing im feeling exactly how it is or else somethings gonna go wrong and i hink thats exactly what ive done herecos i think most of the stuff i wrote is irrelevant or incorrect. I keep asking poeple that what ive done ot said is acceptable or not and keep finding critism in everything i do or say. And i can NEVER justify myself and if i try to ill feel sorry for the other person and regret it forever. I didnt even know writing this comment could be such a huge challenge for me but its also kind of a relief. I had no idea i was holding in so much stuff. Nevertheless your post has opened up a new perpective for me cos I didnt even know such a disorder existed. I dont know if i have it, maybe im just overanaylyzing anr relating myself a bit too much idk but thank you so much really i think if i try following what u said it would help me and a lot of other people through different things. This probably doesnt make much sense but if it werent for the challenge I wouldve erased all of this. Okay Just this last bit i just have to let it out im sorry, i think im alright i just probablythink too much

  324. Yep, this blog sure rings true for me. I have procrastinated about finishing a certification program, fearing it will not be perfect enough. Believing someone will challenge my legitimacy my field of work is the next fear in the chain because I feel like a fraud.
    This blog has been truly helpful. Thank you!

  325. I got a girlfriend. Nearly six years since the last one. It was about this time last year. And I was so happy. I had said for many years that if it couldn’t be her (this particular woman), it couldn’t be anyone. And then one small disagreement – miniscule, eminently fixable, but poorly timed and badly dealt with – mushroomed mainly because of me. It could have been fixed. It should have been. But My behaviour was so irrational whenever we communicated that she told me I was never to speak to her again. I messed it up. And I think it’s because I was looking for that trigger; that little push for me to into full impostor mode and mess the whole thing up before I could get too happy. That was in March. I’m thinking of it now because I was such an idiot I even blocked the possibility of her being my friend again. And as a result I’m sitting here crying.

  326. I am reading this because I am tired feeling like a fraud at my new job. This helps a lot ! Very good insight and practical advices. Thanks a lot and keep up the good work !

  327. Good to read your article. Glad to see such current comments on it! I’m a musician with a first class degree, and consider myself a jack of all trades within that field – including a certain amount of music tech. I’ve been given opportunities in the world of theatre – as a musician this suits me, but I’ve also been able to take on more sound design and theatre sound engineering roles. The level of tech knowledge within the industry feels way above me and I seem to be surrounded by professionals who have the schooling and background to handle complex sound systems, which I don’t. My approach to this technical work has always been positive and I know I work well within teams, and I feel this is why opportunities have kept coming. But I feel there are people way more qualified than me – why should I be booked over them? I’m grateful for all the opportunities I’ve had. I’m going to continue to learn, and draw strength from the positive testimonials and feedback I’ve had. But it doesn’t help shake the feeling that I’m not necessarily the best person for the job…!

  328. I was trying to explain this feeling to a non-developer friend quite recently.

    I think a lot of it has to do with the nature of the job and the pace at which things change. I can’t even look back on projects and feel a sense of accomplishment – even after doing this for almost 20 years I’m learning new techniques every week, so every past project “could have been better”.

    The job can often be isolating which intensifies that idea that everyone else is better than me. And more often than not the skillset is so broad reaching that it becomes impossible to be a master of every aspect.

    But, no matter how burned out, I always feel a sense of quiet joy in the job. It’s sometimes a kind of ekphrasis – transcribing something visual into another language – even “getting” the most simple thing right is rerwarding.

  329. Thank you for this article! I’m 45 years old and only yesterday in a very difficult conversation told my manager I was terrified of one of my projects because I’m not the expert and don’t think I’m the right person. Took me an hour to get the words out – when I did, she cheered, and told me “now we can work together and I can help you”. I almost messed up my job due to this, by trying to hide it as I felt like such a fraud to get the promotion and the project that came with it earlier this year. Turns out my job is completely safe, and they were desperate to find out why I was behaving how I was. I hadn’t heard of imposter syndrome until yesterday, depsite the fact I’ve spent my entire working life telling people “some day they’re going to find out I’m not good enough to do this!” in every job I’ve ever had. Now I know what it is I feel I can do something about it to stop having these thoughts.

    • Hi Paul, thanks heaps for sharing your story. I can relate my experience to yours easily. Like your sentence “……. I’ve spent my entire working life telling people “some day they’re going to find out I’m not good enough to do this!”

  330. I feel like I’m a fake at everything. I (think that I) talk a good game but then when I reflect back on conversations, I think “I’m the biggest idiot in the room and they’re all being nice to me because I’m too slow to catch on” . Not only do I think I’m a fraud, but I think that by thinking about it makes me self centered, or discussing it would make me an attention seeking narcissist. I just wish someone who knew me would be 100% honest and give it to me straight. If they said anything positive tho, I probably wouldn’t believe them.

  331. I feel like a fraud calling myself a professional actor when I’ve moved into smaller cities with limited opportunities for theatre/film, and when I haven’t been cast in anything in a long time. No matter how much I rehearse monologues on my own, or try to write my own screenplays to produce, I feel like it’s never enough and doesn’t mean anything outside my home office or even outside of my own mind. It doesn’t help when people in this community look at me confused when I introduce myself as an actor… like, what are you doing HERE, then? Which is what I ask myself every day. But we are in this town for my husband’s job and I am trying to make the best of it but feel I’m losing my identity, and more and more feel like a total fraud claiming that I am still a full time actor. I realize I’ve always felt this way, even auditioning for Broadway in NYC— like nothing I did as an actor was enough. But now it’s like my external circumstances validate the impostor feeling inside, making it much worse.

  332. I thought I had social anxiety disorder but I couldn’t figure out why I thrive in social settings but in work situations (interviews, meetings, conferences) I get nervous…butterfly sick nervous and my skin gets all blotchy. While I’m talking, I can hear my own voice out loud but the voice in my head that doubts me is louder. Tonight I got help and my counsellor told me it was Impostor Syndrome. What a revelation!! The first step is naming the problem…all evening I’ve been saying in my head “you’re totally smart and capable, it’s just IP” and I smile. Why hadnt I heard of this before?!! I’m really excited to move forward now that the problem has been named. Eff off IP!

  333. Wow, it’s kinda scary how accurately this describes me. Then again, it’s also a relief to realize that there are tons of people out there suffering from Impostor Syndrome as well, and that I’m not the center of the universe. Actually, reading your article was like a slap in the face – but the good kind, like a wake-up call. So thank you very much for writing this article!

    A couple of years ago, my oldest brother and my mother both died and I feel like I’ve never really recovered ever since. For the past years, I’ve been spending most of my time thinking about it and suffering from it. I feel anxious and helpless, I don’t sleep very well and I am suicidal regularly. But every time I try to get the help I need, every time I want to pick up the phone to make an appointment with a psychologist, I don’t because I get overwhelmed by the feeling of being a fraud, of just faking my bad state of mind. I’m afraid the psychologist will expose me as a fraud and tell me to ‘stop being such a p*ssy’ and to ‘just get over it’. I’ve been trying to find help for years now, but I just can’t because I feel like I don’t deserve any help and I’m just ‘pretending’ to be in need of it.

    It was my trainee teacher who ‘exposed’ me as someone suffering from Impostor Syndrome, and I really hate him for doing so. But I’m also deeply grateful for showing me the truth because it feels like he’s my reflection in the mirror, but at the end of road of a successful recovery. It kinda gives me hope, and yeah, he’s my role model.

  334. I was very successful as an arts student in college. I would get in to 80% of the plays I auditioned for and audience members would often tell me after the show I was their favorite part. Now I’ve moved to a small city where the theater community is so small and therefore very selective, and they don’t often accept newcomers into productions, they typically cast people who’ve been in the community for a long time. I’ve done plays but haven’t really broken into the scene. I’m struggling to enter this community and worry that I won’t ever break into it. It’s been a general disappointment as I get called back for second auditions but haven’t gotten cast in the productions themselves. I’m struggling to understand why I’m here to begin with if I can’t seem to break into the community I’ve always loved.

    Thanks for this post, it’s a great reminder that I have to remain generous and not take any decisions personally. I think this all comes down to struggles with status. We have to remember that trying to achieve something doesn’t ever make you or anyone else any higher or lower status than anyone, in the grand scheme of things. It just makes you in pursuit, curious, and eager to share any answers you’ve come across. Just keep asking questions. Best of luck everyone.

  335. I moved to a new city and feel alien in it. It’s a place that is now full of outsiders that all have good intentions, trying to learn from the customs of the city and from the people and culture in it. But I can’t help but feel the city would be better off with fewer outsiders. I don’t feel like my opinion matters here because I just don’t know “what’s best” for the city yet. It’s a really traditional place. It feels actually very closed off rather than open-minded. I find that attitude among the people here, and I respond with a similar attitude cause I just don’t know how to breach that. I don’t want to lose the culture I come from but I can’t help but feel like assimilating is the only way I could actually feel a part of the community and be happy here. Makes me want to leave, but that makes me sad cause it’s such a delightful culture here. I feel like to be happy here I have to be willing to change my ways in a way I’m so unfamiliar with, shed my taboos, basically take the stick out of my ass, but I worry that if I do that I won’t ever chase the dreams I had of my adulthood growing up–the career I wanted, the kind of place I wanted to live in. It makes me wonder if values really can change or if I was never planning on staying here. Perhaps the latter.

  336. I just moved to South Korea to teach English. I have worked with kids since I was one as a babysitter and then a nanny, and a camp counselor. I have more experience with kids than some of my friends who went to college for teaching. My bachelors degree was in music, but i got a teaching certification to supplement it. I know deep down i have the personality, experience, and training to do this, as well as I have been praised by my fellow teachers here that I am doing a great job, but I just keep having this paranoid feeling that I’m gonna get fired any day because I’m not supposed to be here. I’m really ambitious too so it’s like i set myself up to be miserable. I have wanted this for so long but I can’t even enjoy it because I’m overthinking everything and I’m so scared someone is going to find out I’m not cut out for this. This is how I was at my camp counseling job, and my job as a barista, and when I got into the top level music ensembles in college. Logically, I know I need to get over myself but I just find it SO HARD to not tell myself that I’m a fake and they just dont know it yet. But, this definitely helps. Thank you so so much for these. I am going to write some of them down and put them on my wall so i don’t forget to keep them in mind moving forward!

    ps- the one that resonated with me the most was “being wrong doesn’t make you a fake.” my whole life i have had a complex about wanting to be right all the time so i don’t look inferior and i think that also plays into my imposter syndrome. so, that one really is gonna help my perspective. Thank you so much for this! 🙂

  337. Wow..,I have never heard of this before. It describes me perfectly. I have two Masters Degrees and I can’t figure out why. I have worked in numerous jobs trying to figure out who I am. I was a cop, probation agent. Now I am a realtor, network marketer, manager, hair stylist. Everyone praised me at doing all of this and keep pushing me but I feel like a fraud because I really do not care for any of these things, except maybe hair and managing. I start and stop things because I compare myself to others and get tired of pretending that I like it. I get praise at how well I’m doing and how I can go far but deep down I don’t have the confidence nor do I like it, I just waste money and pretend. I feel like if I let my guard down to be honest I will disappoint people and lose my fake credibility, so I just keep faking along. I’m really not sure how to function without this and I wish I could just drop everything and start fresh but then I would probably be faking that. Huh….,.

  338. I’m currently a 2nd year student in a PhD program. I feel like it’s not real. I also hold down a full time job as a therapist and help other children realize their dreams. But meanwhile I don’t ever raise my hand in class or at staff meetings at work. I never talk about my accomplishments and if people compliment me for having reached so far in school my usual response is, “I just read a lot”. Terrible!

  339. I had very good marks at the university. I even finished with a phd. A lot of people valued my opinion. But the whole time I thought I was just lucky and everyone is overestimating me. I am even ashamed of my phd and believe that I do not deserve it. Extreme illogical to that is also the feeling of shame that it just got the 2nd best mark, because it only shows how stupid I am (regardless of the fact that I do not deserve any mark for that piece of shit in the first place)
    However, I got quite an interesting job. Of course I only scored it because I knew the boss through some other people I worked with at the university. I know he must have known my previous work, still I believe I just got lucky.
    Of course I feel I suck at my new work and someday they will find out I am fake. Disturbingly, I feel underestimated because I could’nt prove myself yet at work. So, people there do not appreciate my opinion as the others at the university did. Therefore, I believe everybody hates me and also think I am stupid. Really stupid is, that I also think that I am much smarter than most people at my work. But I am afraid that the people I believe to be much smarter than me think that I am not only more stupid than everybody else but also a fraud.
    Finally I helped my colleque attending as Interviewer in a job Interview in his place, but there was not any time for briefing before. So I really were unprepaired and sucked. Of course I think it was a trap.
    Unfortunatly, my other Boss also attended as main Interviewer and I now believe he found out I am fake. Also there were a lot of questions he asked the applicant that I couldn’t have answered myself because I could not remember any of it (I once knew). So I also couldn’t tell if the applicant was right. I also don’t know if the applicant should be hired or not. So I am frightend what I should say when my Boss finally values my opinion in that matter.
    At last I am afraid that I don’t have the imposter syndrome but the dunning Kruger effect of not even knowing that I am too stupid too see that I am stupid. And certainly I learnt there is a lot I don’t know, but if anybody finds out they will take away my job and probably the shitty phd (which, how shitty it is, sucked all my tears, sweat, strength, happiness and love away and got me only sadness anxiety pain and loneliness)

    • I feel sad after reading your post just because I understand your feeling! I think You are very smart and capable/knowledgable in order to get to your position right now. Not many people can do that, and nothing come from pure luck. It came from hard works…! Please try to make peace with your self… or try to practise meditation or have an open mind with Buddhism philosophy. I hope that you will feel much better, find happiness and confidence in your work/life. I wish you a happy succesful new year 2018 !

  340. I had never even heard of impostor syndrome until about a week or so ago. Once I started doing some research it described me perfectly. I’ve been living this exact life for most all of my adult life and career. It has been exhausting trying to do everything I can just be keep form being “exposed” as a fraud. I hope to continue my research and find out who I truly am. This article is truly informative and will be a great tool for me to use to get my life moving in a positive direction. Thanks for putting out there.

  341. I have the skills and tools to produce a movie but I’ve been afraid to move forward for fear it won’t be good enough. This article provided me much clarity in that if I don’t at least TRY then I will never know whether the film is good enough or not. Also, that I am not alone in my fears.
    THANK YOU for the much needed tips!

  342. I majored in a language but never became fully flent to the level I wanted to. I can read and write, live in this foreign country (thought I dont), make friends, and hold a job, but because I dont know the meaning of every kanji or know the direct translation of every phrase, I feel like an idiot telling people what my college major was. Im so sad about it every day. I feel like I wasted my life doing something im still “no good” at. :(:(

  343. Firstly – Thanks for a fantastic article at a fantastic time in my career.

    I am in the middle of shifting jobs – from a great firm that I had worked for the past 14 years to a new job at an absolutely new firm. Why am I shifting? – I had been on a fast track in my career up until 2 years ago, when things started slowing down for me. It got me worried and concerned, and had me start looking out. I am now stuck in between ‘excitement from change’ and a ‘what the eff am I doing’ feelings, leading me to doubt my own caliber, skills and authenticity. Thanks for helping me understand these feelings better!

  344. Although I’ve been admitted to top schools in the U.S., I always considered myself as not smart enough. Especially when I was surrounded by very intelligent classmates, I started to consider myself as a fluke. I looked at my admission to such prestigious school as pure luck or mistake of admission committee.

    As a matter of fact, I did struggle a lot in school and some classes I ended up failing, which I never imagined myself getting into. I failing classes was just another proof of that I am not good enough not just to be in the top university, but also not good enough to even make a decent career. I always wonder if I can ever have skills and intelligence to make a living and might just end up working at McDonald’s for the rest of my life.

    Friends from back in high school always used to admire how smart I am and perceived me as a gifted kid, but it was remotely true. They always thought that I would make it to medical school with ease and become successful. What am I doing now? I dropped out of school because I couldn’t resist the feeling of ‘not good enough’. I was scared and I was embarrassed 90% of the time I was in class. 90% of lecture material, I never understood and seemed quite challenging.

    Although I can’t still quite shake off the feeling of ‘not good enough’, I guess it’s certainly relieving to know that I’m not the only one having these self-doubt issues that I carry on in my head on my day to day life.

    • I’m exactly the same. I recently changed jobs and went into a completely new field of work. I got into it through a friend. I have since made other friends who are very competent in their roles, I feel like I know nothing, and a total fraud.

    • Me too. When some things are starting to be better I subsconsuly feel that I don’t deserve it, that I don’t deserve to be happy.

  345. I have 10 years experience in Bioinformatics, but because I learned on the fly – I took a 2 week bootcamp course and then taught myself Perl and R as needed for analysis at work, I have resisted calling myself a Bioinformatician. I had this fear that I would be considered a fraud because I just make up scripts one problem at a time, googling and trying and retrying the code until I get the results I need. I don’t even remember the code I’ve written. I have it indexed and have extensive notes on how I do different analyses and remember the person I did the analysis for, look up the notes and associated code and modify it as needed.

    The fear that I was not good enough has prevented me from applying for jobs as an analyst. It has also lead me to choose more safe seeming jobs to prevent myself from having to go through the interviews needed to get a new job. I have recently realized that there are no “safer” jobs – regardless of the funding source or employer, so this time I am resolved to apply to anything that interests me and that I can learn to do – not just jobs I feel I can handle from day one.

    I have been worried that if I take a risk and I fail, I will hurt my kids by putting my family in a bad financial position, but I realized that by working in a bad environment for fear of taking the risk to look for a new job, I am hurting my kids by showing them that you have to put up with unacceptable behavior because looking for something better is too risky. The worst part is that after putting up with unacceptable behavior from my boss and his wife, I was fired to make way for someone younger and less expensive. If I had started looking for a new job as soon as I realized that I was in a bad situation, I’d be closer to a better situation.

    • Kathie,

      I just learned about this syndrome, and realized that I’ve had this my whole life. I was always told that I was “gifted”. Anyway, I walked into genomics 10 years ago, and recently started to feel like more of a fraud with the increasing responsibilities of each more senior position.

      This has prevented me from taking a position at a startup which the founder reached out to me and said, “Come interview tomorrow. You have the skills that would make a big impact here.” Instead, I went to a startup that I knew would fail from the instant I was in the interview because the other one was too scary.
      I just recently went through the same situation at work as well. My boss was promoted to group director, and their behavior towards me got even worse. I took it time and time again, and got into fights with my partner over working too much because I was afraid everyone would see me as a worthless faker.
      My review was a slaughter. I was told things about myself that no one had ever said to me, or seen in me before. I put up with it for months, and then same as you, fired because the junior members were “better” than me.
      I hope your disclosed thoughts helps you-I’m certainly going to take this advice as well.

  346. I just finished an intensive program where i learned full stack web development. I built websites, I learned all that i need to know to build more websites, and enough to know how to ask for help as i need it. Yet, I still feel like a big fat loser fraud. I know at the same time that this is a false belief and that I have proven myself to be able to do the things I also simultaneously feel that I cannot do, I still havent been able to get over this mental block. I want to code I want to learn more I want to undertand more, yet, I keep hearing that little voice that I am not good enough, not as good as the others, and if I start applying for work, they will see that I am a fraud, I am not a software engineer. Im a little faker.

    This article has helped me to get a little further towards overcoming the mental block I am currently battling. Thanks

  347. Thank you for writing this Kyle. I have never heard of this until I came across your blog. It describes me. HA! HA! HA!

  348. I’m starting a new job tomorrow, and I have to work with a software I haven’t touched in ages. Even though I will remember quickly, I’m scared as sh** that ‘they’ will find out that I don’t know anything. Writing this down, I realize how much my mind is exaggerating.. And being aware that this is just a mental projection into an unforeseeable future + reading this article, I rest assured that everything is going to be fine. Once in a while we need to be reminded that all of this is just a grand illusion anyway. So thank you for your insight and making me kinda snap out of it!

  349. Wow…I am a mess. I have spent a great deal of my career talking about information security, even went so far as to get two masters degrees in the subject, I know and think about what threats exist or how I would try to take advantage of systems or processes.

    It is all academic, theoretical. Yes I have taken many technical courses in the infosec industry, have a few certifications, but it is more of an I can remember X or Y, but can I actually “DO” it? I fear the failure that if I try the hands on that I will fail and be recognized as a fraud.

    There is just so much out there to learn that I get overwhelmed that I avoid taking action because it may prove that I dont know anything about security and shouldnt be trying to guide others.

    Am I just as screwed up (normal) as everyone else?

    • No mate, your fine. Info security is a huge topic, its impossible to know it all. I’d suggest to focus on one sub-topic and to know it, and if you can’t be able to explain why that is. But ye, I am in a similar situation

    • I can totally relate to this. I work in the field of marketing as a consultant. I have a masters degree and many smaller certifications but feel like I can’t actually ‘do’ it. Marketing is such a big field, with so many sub specialties and I feel like I should know it all. It don’t. I’m constantly waiting to be found out and let go by my clients.

  350. My first job was with a big consumer goods firm where I always felt that others were way more skilled than I was. I never got promoted, though. In fact, I didn’t do great in one job rotation, so I got shipped to another dept.

    I got my MBA, but was frustrated with how much there was to learn and how little time we really had to read/absorb it all. It was tough, and I was surrounded by people who looked so confident and sounded so knowledgeable.

    Then I joined an accounting firm where I found that I really didn’t understand tax and accounting/auditing weren’t easy. Eventually, I got the boot b/c I didn’t pass my exams, although I did bring in some business.

    Then I worked for a car leasing company and, although I learned a ton and enjoyed much of it, I wasn’t a natural salesman and people around me seemed to be. I did bring in some business, though.

    After that, I went to school to become a teacher, and was very stressed out by all the work, the huge learning curve, and how confident everyone else seemed to be. I felt good about my grades, but not so much about my performance in the schools where I taught.

    After graduation I got a job teaching, and I wanted to quit for each of the first five years. I found the work overwhelming and the kids’ behavior a challenge. In all that, though, I know I made a positive difference in some kids’ lives.

    I’ve just begun a year’s leave of absence b/c I’m ground down by terrible student behavior, unfair expectations by Admin, and long hours prepping/grading. All the way through the past 20 years of teaching I saw my colleagues as way better than me, but I kept going.

    Now I’m pondering whether to stay in education, start my own business, or do something else. At this time in my life, I feel very much like an imposter–the young ‘uns seem super-skilled and the old guard have forgotten more things than I’ll ever know. My dad had his own successful business for 40 years, my brother is very successful in finance, and I’m trying to find something that I’m good at–preferably really good at–so that for once I don’t feel like an imposter.

  351. My life feels like I’ve lived the imposter life instead of the life I wanted, forever in fear of doing what I actually was intrigued by because it was silly and unproven. I want to research resonance of environments and the impact on the body. I have a geophysics degree, graduated 15 years ago and since then have never had enough belief to look into it myself and continue even in writing this to think I need to find someone else who’s already doing in to follow. The imposter syndrome has become my life such that now I’m worried others will find out about me living worried. Redic.

  352. I have 11 successful years in marketing and customer experience and have generally always done well and been promoted consistently. But I think due to never completing my tertiary studies, I always feel like that will be found out, and that others all have this level of qualification to be in the job they are in (even though often people don’t, or it’s in an unrelated field). I have been asked to speak at a conference, and I’m petrified. I imagine them saying, “This guy isn’t saying anything special, why would we listen to him, he hasn’t even got a degree and has done nothing that amazing really”. I’ll do it, but be quite humble try not to act that I know more than them, just sharing my story and experience.

  353. I have 20 years’ work experience in a variety of roles across the private, public and voluntary sectors (UK). Every time I start a new job I feel like a complete amateur – a joker who has dared to take on this role that is completely beyond her capabilities. Every time I leave a job everyone is shocked that I am going – they don’t want me to go, can’t believe I’m leaving, tell me what a huge loss it is to the organisation etc etc. It doesn’t get any easier with time. It doesn’t get any easier the more people tell me they’re sorry to see me go – I still start the next job feeling like I’m incapable of the simplest task and that people are going to ‘find me out’ for the fraud that I am…

  354. Great article!
    I’m a consultant and often provide services to big corporations and international clients. I’m often hired as an expert but I’m so aware of the many many things I know little about but have to occasionally consider when providing advice… I often work under a more senior consultant but am now being pushed to lead on projects and am often finding excuses not to.. I know I’m smart and able and have great qualifications but often feel like a fraud and afraid clients will see me for the non-expert that I am! I just read about impostor syndrome today and a google search led me to this article which was great to read and likely useful in managing this frustration going forward. Thanks!

  355. Firstly thank you. Its great to hear so many people struggle, not that i want people to struggle, just that im not alone in my struggles! Comfort zone and leaving it is scary as hell. The thing is comfort zones are little dull. Youre 100% right, change only comes from pushing yourself out there, trying something. Ive handed my notice in at work and i’m setting up a business. I have this over whelming feeling of self doubt and self worth and not being worthy, thats the irrational part of my brain. The rational side knows that im good, i can do it, i may even do ok at it. Its a contant battle between everythings going to be ok and ‘what the hell have i done!!!’

    • I know that feeling all too well, my fear is that I will get alot of attention for following my dreams. I don’t want the attention.

  356. I’m building my career in a men’s world. I am not from this business, I never studied it and still I managed to get promoted several times. I’ve never had meetings / dinners with clients and now I’m going to Europe as my company’s representative. I am scared as hell! I constantly am thinking they will find everything out! There will be around 300 people from big companies and I’ll be fooling around there.. Still, this feeling doesn’t stop me from doing things, but it keeps spinning around in my head and keeps me in fear. It’s an eternal battle…

  357. I’m afraid of engaging in anything remotely intellectual for fear of not being smart enough to understand anything and terrified of sounding stupid to anyone else. Hope that makes sense. Great article!

  358. Great post!
    I am stopping myself from going into consulting business, because I’m afraid that I don’t know everything and will look like a fake. I find that when people ask me for advice I end up helping, but I feel like the information I give everyone knows so it’s nothing special.

  359. Great post. I have to admit though, I do things. I take action steps however, I feel I take steps in a fashion I am told through other “successful” people will work instead of following my own process with just as much enthusiasm. I expect my thoughts to automatically fail because what do I know? What credentials do I have? So I pay people, programs, etc to feel more confident in what I am saying. Even use their words all because I am forcing myself to take an approach with the expectations of, “after I succeed at this, people will listen to me.”

    When in fact, looking back on my life, more people have been impressed by what I have said, in my words. I could nitpick that somewhere in the world, in some time or some way someone else has said the same thing. Why does that make me a fraud if its coming from my own understanding?

    It doesn’t.

    Thank you for this post.

  360. Fantastic post. Thinking about it now, imposter syndrome is probably the only reason I’m not a “real” entrepreneur. I don’t own my own business because, despite an entrepreneurial spirit, I’ve never felt my ideas were good enough.

    Even writing this comment, I’m feeling hesitant. Who cares what I have to say?

    While I’ve never built a company, I have worked diligently for 4 years to build my personal brand. Recently, this work directly resulted in me landing a 6-figure, work-from-home job with a exciting startup. 4 years ago, this is exactly what I was hoping would happen. But I can’t shake the thoughts – who am I to be here?? Sooner or later, I’ll be found out. And then, it will be back to working a dull job writing blog posts in my free time that I tell myself no one wants to read.

    In my moments of clarity, I know I deserve my position in life. But the job has come with responsibilities (thought leadership at an industry level) that scare the $*** out of me. I’m working hard to beat back the real imposter — my anxiety and panic disorder. I’m not the fake. That voice in my head is. This post has helped me realize that.

    Thank you.

  361. Brilliant post. Glad I have found a name for what I have been feeling. I left a very well paid (felt overpaid at the time) job and for the last 4 years felt like a fraud even in a lower paid role. I recently avoided applying for a promotion because of “it”, and keep doubting my ability to do what I have been doing for 14 years. Interestingly I kept a blog for a while about 4 years ago and thinking back I believe it may have helped. I will be trying the write for 30 minutes approach and will stop being so hard on myself and basically be kind to me!! Who knows, this could just result in a career change or me starting my own business. Failure is a lesson learned. Sounds positive already!! Thanks

  362. I’m really thankful for this.
    Until now I didn’t knew this had a name.
    I’m 26 years old, I’m an engineer and I have a decent job at an university, but for the last 4 years I’ve been assuming I got this job by sheer luck.
    Now I’m studing a master degree, and two weeks ago I was told I’m being considered for a better possition, one more related to my field of study.
    That’s when the impostor syndrome kicked in, harder than ever.
    What if they discover I’m only working here by luck? I don’t feel capable of taking the new responsabilities, but I know I need to do it, I have to take the challenge or I will remain stuck.
    I felt so related with this article that I almost cried.
    Thanks, thanks a lot for this.

  363. I am a hair stylist and have been one for quite a number of years. I’ve had people follow me from other salons and refer new guests to me. I would say I have a pretty good raport with my clients. But, I won’t teach (cutting/styling) because I think I am a fraud and everyone will find out I don’t know what I am doing.

  364. Phenomenal article. There are 1000+ things I could write as a response, but I’ll just say “Thanks”.

    I have a Theatre Arts degree, but work in IT. I’m surrounded on a daily basis by people who have advanced degrees and are highly technical. It feels like they earned their jobs and titles, while I read 1/2 a book and took 1 class online. I don’t have the degree, the business background, or any certifications to do what I do. Needless to say “impostor syndrome” runs rampant. The good part though, is it drives me to excel.

  365. As I write this, I’m literally sick to my stomach because of Imposter Syndrome. I’m a graduate student in the medical profession, and convinced (despite what others tell me and my own logic fights to understand) that I’m not going to be good enough in my career field. I’ve struggled with Imposter Syndrome for the last several years, but this acute bout was set off by my desire to do a clinical rotation with a practitioner and business that I very highly respect and have worked with in the past. What scares me is the idea that I won’t be good enough if I am able to return to work with him and his team. I know that I would learn so much and be challenged to be a better practitioner with this team, but don’t want to disappoint them. Hence, I wonder why even bother trying to join them, even temporarily? I feel like despite the training that I am receiving won’t be enough in my case, and that I will fail miserably once I’m in the real world. I feel like it has all been luck and other people helping me that has gotten me to this point–no matter that classmates, mentors, family, and friends are quick to battle this sentiment. I wonder if other people in my class feel the same way, but don’t know how to start this conversation for fear of being found out about my fear (a bit of a vicious cycle, fear breeding more fear and self-imposed isolation and limitation). I feel ridiculous for worrying about this to the point of making my stomach sick, but I haven’t mastered this Imposter in my own mind to be able to appreciate my own skills and abilities.

  366. Such an excellent article. It really hit home for me as I just started an MPH program and I’m 51 years old. I’m double the age of most of the other students all of whom are incredibly well-spoken. I am a nervous wreck in class, afraid to so sound like a fool in front of all these geniuses who will think I’m an idiot. Thank you for bringing me back down to earth! It’s not all about me after all.

    • I’m in my late 40s and just finished an MA with a course full of v bright 22-25yr olds and felt exactly the same! They were fresh from studying, knew how to write essays and used to academic debates. After a rabbit-in-headlights first semester of steep learning curve, I started to realise that my work/life experience helped me handle stressful situations differently in ways they hadn’t learned yet. By the second semester so I began to view the bits I lacked as learnable skills (e.g. Academic writing) and re-remember that there are things I knew that they did not, and that we each had different areas of knowledge and skills. My advice would be stick with it and know your course will be different to theirs, but just as worthwhile 😃

  367. I am an accountant that was accounting, before accounting was my degree. I pretended to understand it then and I continue to somewhat understand it now. The truth of the matter is, I just don’t care. I don’t care about how assets have to be depreciated or the various methods. I don’t care if the numbers are right. This is because I am on the wrong side of them(I too suffer from believing that the world isn’t ready for my jelly). I’m too fucking smart to be an accountant, yet here I sit, hacking away at numbers that no one really cares about, pretending that I do care.

    Truth is, it makes money. I got into accounting because I was good at building processes to collect the numbers and an employer invested in me, i.e. paid for my tuition. The only reason I ever cared about getting the numbers right is that I might get fired if they weren’t. People quote GAAP rules to me and I nod. Agreeing and “knowing” exactly what they mean. AHHHHHTTT (buzzer sound). I couldn’t give a crap. The truth is, I have always been intimidated by CPAs. I am not one… and, therefore, I am afraid of not knowing something and then sounding like an idiot, thereby losing credibility and eventually the potential for more money and advancement.

    Fast forward. I was offered an opportunity to put what I know to the test and join a group to start a company. I feel like the embodiment of the undeserved. Why me? Four years later, all of that is over. I am currently in the process of divesting… I am reading this because I am terrified of submitting my number and having holes poked through it because the opposing side had the CPAs prepare the numbers. They made mistakes and I have corrected them, but I am resistant. Why? I built these processes and numbers. They belong to ME. Because I am afraid of being wrong, that’s why… I am afraid that I don’t actually know what I know and that they will expose me as a fraud. Either way, I walk away and I don’t ever have to work again. I worked for four solid years with oppressive personalities to make all of this work, yet I am still terrified of being exposed. I enlisted the help of one of my old colleagues to “check” figure me. Pathetic.

    This article…blog…whatever really helped. I am pretty good at self-evaluation and was on the cusp of identifying it on my own. How empowering it is to know that I am not alone, and my self-crippling mentality has a name.

    Part of my problem in coping with my position and success is the awed reverence given to “people in business” by my parents. Their ignorance of “business owners” and their awe-inspired status in our family conversations was always backed by the firm belief that it was unattainable (for us) and that people who were successful in business were genetic lottery winners or anointed somehow. So why am I so special? Why should I deserve to do the impossible? Because…I decided to.

  368. I’m a vocal coach and part time rock star. And I find it hard to believe either of those job titles.

    Ever since I started teaching I’ve been saying I’ll record lessons to camera and sell them online. I haven’t yet, because I feel so much like a fraud. I’ve been teaching students for three years now, some keep coming back, others fall by the wayside and I worry I was too rubbish to help them. Although I now teach at a singing school, and have had many compliments from students there…

    As for being a rock star, I’m struggling to write lyrics for a new EP from one of my bands. I turn other projects in late, usually because I hate the way my recorded voice sounds. I love performing live, but listening back to my recordings, hearing every single bum note, makes me feel completely talentless…

  369. I’m a tattoo artist. I’ve been on the brink of guesting at other studios (a common practice to cross-pollinate techniques and knowledge with counterparts, and to increase social circles), for over a year, but the anxiety of my peers seeing how I actually work, and judging me on my substandard technique and ability, has stopped me.

    I’m an award winning tattooist, and despite having the awards displayed in my studio I can’t seem to shift the feeling that I somehow won them unfairly, and I’m unworthy.

    I hate how I’m self-limiting the career I love, and the enjoyment I get from it.

    Also, sending a little dose of positivity to everyone who also struggles with this. The fact that we stumbled across this terrific and helpful article is a great start in getting to grips with our imposter syndrome! Much love x

  370. Well, I discovered this article this morning and I feel genuinely blown away.. I am receiving therapy for anxiety but, this is it.. I worry constantly about my work, I can’t sleep through worry and wake up in the middle of the night fretting over things I might have or have missed and constantly look for validation from superiors.. it’s got to the point where work is all I really think about and hobbies are ‘time I could have spent fixing the mistakes I made during the week’… I even left my last employer to take a lesser paid job with less responsibility even though on paper, I was actually doing well and after making my excuses and handing my notice in they really tried to keep hold of me.. (I presumed this was because they didn’t realise at that point that I really had no idea what I was doing..) I procrastinate to the last minute, trying to find a ‘silver bullet’ and end up panicking and rushing tasks.. I take on too much, struggle and then presume this is because I’m not very good at my job!
    Anyway, admitting there’s an issue is the first step right? So I’m going to put some of these ideas and methods into practice and remind myself.. it’s about progress not perfection.. and everyone makes mistakes! (We are only human after all!)
    Thanks, and all the best
    Tom

    • I completely understand this comment. I am very similar except the feelings also clash with my drive to reach higher.

  371. I was promoted almost 4 levels last year from a supervisor to an assistant CIO. I have an associates degree but never finished my bachelors. I’m a woman in a male dominated field. I got the job over a peer who had been there almost twice as long as I have. I love the challenge of the job but I’m about to give it up because the anxiety caused by my self-doubt (grateful to hear that it’s not just me and to finally have a name for it). What’s weird is I think I’m actually very good at it, but when I’m away from work I worry and fret and drive myself (and my family) half mad. My whole universe has shifted from the joy of my family to the perceived impending doom that I feel about my job every day. I have accepted another job with a lot less responsibility and, although it feels me with a sense of relief, I am not also feeling like a quitter. It’s all very confusing but it fills me with hope that I’m not the only one and that there are some techniques to help deal with it. Thank you.

  372. I’m a writer. People read my work and are simply amazed. Many people say that I am one of the best writers they’ve read but I feel like they are patronising me.
    My mom read one of my books and I peeped and actually saw her crying while she read. I felt like -she’s my mum, she must like my work. I have had many such reactions but I don’t believe them.
    I want to have a book presentation/unveiling but I wonder that I have so many people eager to read it. I have cancelled the first few dates fixed for this unveiling.
    I have however learned that I am not alone and I’m not abnormal and so I will go ahead with it. I will inspire whomever I can in my own little way.
    I have a favourite saying- training turns trash to treasure. There’s treasure in me and I will let the world find it.
    Thank you Kyle, I really needed this.
    And thank you Bo, love you dearly.

  373. I’m studying a post grad later on in life and also did an undergrad not too long ago. My tutors are constantly praising my work and that it’s at a higher level than it should be. Still I’m afraid to change jobs as people might not see me in the same way and think that I’m not that good at all!! I also worry that my employers don’t think I’m good enough despite that fact that I’ve generated millions of pounds of new business, I worry at appraisals my flaws will be pointed out!

    • Jamie,
      Your comments about all you have done prove you are more than capable and worthy, you simply don’t believe in yourself or accept that no matter what you will be ok. It’s just fear holding you hostage. You can shift that by doing something quite daring to create a physical shift. For me it might be going down a vertical slide or abseiling, rock wall or jumping off a boat into a lovely clear blue warm sea on summer holiday.
      You could try something physically daring (within safe limits) to create a shift that will alter your thinking about your capability.
      All the very best to you,
      Frances

  374. I am 3rd year grad student to one of the elite instituion.
    Self doubt and fear of not knowing the things, which won’t allow me to ask for help that others get to know about it.

    So many thoghts self question-answer go into infinity loop and whenever I have deadline for something then I have to work and get anxiety to think about the time (lost during that infinity loop).
    Main is fear to get exposed as a fraud, this is really hard time going through.

    It’s impostor syndrome…….:)

  375. I recently started a new job. It is a wonderful job, I feel so lucky to have been offered the job. I don’t feel qualified or like my employer made a good choice about me, I feel like the interviewer woke up on the right side of the bed the day of my interview. I am sure it could not have anything to do with over 20 years of experience in my field, running a successful non profit, being a good writer, great references or anything like that I swear that I am simply lucky.

  376. I own a small, independent shop in the UK that is doing well 2 years in. I’ve been asked to be on a panel at a conference and haven’t called back because I just don’t feel like I’m good enough/experienced enough/knowledgeable enough and I’m so bothered about it that I’m worried about speaking in front of the conference.

    • Dear Suzi,
      One of the most fearful things for many is public speaking. One way to conquer that would be to join something like Toastmasters or your local speaking club. At the end of the Suzi you success is evident – you are still in business. Look up the statistics on start ups and know thst you are ahead of the game and well done to you as you are definitely doing something right.
      The best way to address any audience is to simply be yourself and talk about what you know from your own experience and don’t be afraid to let people know that you’re nervous – that’s humility.

  377. I’m a photographer, I always try to make good pictures, many people like them, but I don’t believe it. They say I’m intelligent, I don’t see it though, I just know stuff, but my ideas are worthless. That’s how I feel.

  378. I work in IT and I know that I am not as technical as some of the guys I work with. I have never been told I am not good enough but I have made mistakes that have had repurcussions on the business and my team. I feel that if I had been a bit more on the ball then these mistakes wouldn’t have happened.
    Others come up with great innovative solutions to problems but I can never think of anything.
    I must be doing something right but I have always felt that I have just been lucky to get the jobs I have had. Obviously self esteem takes a hit because of this but what is the problem? Self Esteem, imposter syndrome or are they the same thing?

    • Hi Bob,
      The imposter Syndrome is a limiting belief about who you are and how worthy you are. It is the state of low self-esteem (not the trait – which would be with you majority of the time). Our self-esteem affects our confidence and we then unconsciously choose to either push through even though we feel fear or we pull back to the safety of our comfort zone. As Kyle says, our Comfort Zone can be a boring place. All the magic happens when we stretch ourselves and see what we’re actually capable of.

      Our self-doubt is triggered by uncertainty and putting ourselves in a vulnerable position- e.g., putting forward innovative solutions – is more difficult when we feel we aren’t good enough. We fear the judgement and rejection of our ideas (and ourselves) if we were to expose our suggestions. It’s unlikely others will ever judge us as much as we judge ourselves. And their judgement only hurts if we believe they’re right.

      To grow their comfort zone, I get my clients to do something they wouldn’t normally do every day. Something small with the intention of breaking the familiar and creating new pathways in their thinking. Then you can increase the gradient (i.e., do something more challenging) over time. You may surprise yourself with what you can do.

      To reclaim themselves – their strengths, successes, qualities and the value they bring – I get clients to make a list, then get others whose opinion you would normally trust (they say the sky is purple, so you look at least) to give you feedback on what they see as your strengths, qualities, and successes. Then sit with them noticing how you feel about what they’ve said. Allow the possibility that there is an element (at least) of truth to their feedback. See if you can embrace it.

      I hope that helps. All the best Bob.
      Cheers
      Suzanne

  379. I have gotten into the habit of double checking and rethinking everything I say before and after saying it to the point where I do it in my own head, having a thought then having to confirm or deny whether or not it does or should exist. as a result I always had feeling I was disingenuous with my family and friends, so much so that I often felt guilty for not being open or honest. It got to the point where I thought of everyone around me as better because they weren’t lying to themselves. I thought of everything I thought as being a lie I thought up to make myself feel like an individual and consistently tried to validate my existence as if I had something to prove and yet no one to prove it to. the thing I would never do because I felt fake was let anyone know how I felt or accept who I was. Deer Kyle, the other of this blog you’v helped me more than I know how to express. I hope this properly shows my gratitude.

  380. I work in the IT field, but no longer find the job I’m doing satisfying. To be brutally honest
    I find it boring and most days I just don’t want to go to the office. I’ve actually felt this
    way for about three years but I just keep putting off looking for a new job because I feel
    like I don’t have any skills or enough experience. This is despite friends and former collegues
    telling me that I do and should just go for it.

    • John,
      That is me all over. exactly how I feel. I interview OK usually but I don’t really apply for anything else these days because I think I’ll be found out. I’ll tell you one thing I have realised over the years though, there are some really switched on technical guys out there but a lot of the ones you think are good are really just a load of bullshitters!

  381. For years, I didn’t let myself go to conventions because I didn’t feel like I was enough of a fan. My dad finally convinced me to go to a Dr. Who convention. I was extremely shy and hesitant to talk to anyone. It didn’t matter that I had watched all the episodes, it didn’t matter that I could supply quotes from them or thoughtful critiques of the writing/directorship. I was sure that everyone would realize that I didn’t like my favorite show. But I went, cut conversations off at about 10 minutes (so that people couldn’t “interrogate” me too much and find out that I was a liar), and managed to have a good time.

    The next year my dad helped me cosplay as Lady Cassandra. I spent weeks putting it together and making sure that the costume was as perfect as I could make it. And then, it was time to go to the convention. I figured people would think it was crap or that it didn’t match the tv-version well enough. Instead people really liked it and gave me a lot of compliments. My dad had helped me make it – so I decided it was his touch that made my mediocre attempt good.

    Part of me expected that everyone was some Dr. Who guru who expected me to talk like how I expected “true fans” would. When people asked me what episode she was in, I would assume they wanted the precise season and episode number rather than a quick episode recap. I would freak out and say I didn’t know what episode she was from. The costume generated attention which would send me into panic whenever people approached. Thankfully, Cassandra is a thin piece of flesh so my “outfit” was a piece of stretched vinyl attached to a makeshift cart with a hole cut out for my face. I could easily allow other people to try her own – so to speak – and divert attention away from myself.

    I can see how silly it is to think that I was tricking people into thinking I enjoyed a show that I really, really liked. But I know that anytime I try to sell this fan version of myself part of me will be panicking. This is just one example of how imposter syndrome has crept up on me – let’s not get into how I feel when being awarded scholarships or academic/workplace acknowledgement.

  382. I’m an only child of academically achieving (McGill, Dartmouth) parents who never taught me how to handle criticism. I was also picked on from age 7-17 for being different and weird. No close friends so I looked to love and sex for validation until I came out as a lesbian and dropped out of college to emigrate to the U.K. and live with my ex. I got a lot of shame, rage and guilt from my parents at first for being gay and quitting school and I changed careers. Got my Bachelors and Masters in Social Work, Highest Honors later on in NYS. Diagnosed with ADHD in 2005 and found myself paranoid they (Board) were going to find me out as a loser and incompetent fool. Was fired 2 years later and entered deep depression and gained 150 lbs. I just was offered a job after 9 years of unemployment. Scared to death I’m going to fail and be exposed as incompetent and a liar.

  383. Finally! This is everything I have been dealing with. I just got a job at a university teaching teachers, and despite 20 years teaching experience, I convince myself that I don’t belong and they made a mistake…I’m terrified teaching at the university because I’m afraid the students will expect more from me. Help,please!!

    • Hi Caroline,
      I read your post on 21 ways to Improve Imposter Syndrome and it really touched me. I want you to know you are good enough.
      As a former lecturer, tutor and now a coach and mentor I want you to know that your feelings are not unusual. It’s why books like Feel the Fear and Do it anyway are written. Caroline, remember one of the best things about teaching is that as teachers we often learn more from our students than we teach. It’s a 2 way interaction and you can facilitate learning rather than be expected to hold all of the answers. This empowers our learners and develops their confidence and cognition.
      Seek support and reassurance where you can on your fantastic new journey. I’m sure there are friends, family, colleagues and confidantes who will help.

  384. My boss recently told me in a round about way that I stuffed up. The reason I stuffed up is that I’ve recently been promoted to run a team of people whose job I’ve never done but overseen and understand previously. When one of my staff members was battling, I thought I had the situation covered by chatting to her and getting feedback from her. I didn’t however follow up with the project manager of the team she is working in to ensure the plan we’d put into place was working. And it wasn’t. And my colleagues stepped in and ‘saved the day’ in bosses eyes. He told me I should’ve stepped in and saved the day. As I hadn’t followed up, missed the opportunity to save the day. I now have to approach said colleagues again to determine if the new plan that has been put into place is indeed working. But now my confidence is shot and I don’t believe I would do as good a job as my colleagues so I’m kinda scared that I’ll fail and they’ll discover I’m an imposter.

  385. I can’t keep a job because I stress out so much about failing. I always get the next job because I interview well, but a month or two in I begin to get super anxious that I will “be discovered”, so I quit before they can find out I am a fraud.

    • Dear Becky,
      I read your comment on 21 ways to Improve Imposter Syndrome and want to let you know that many of us carry that awful debilitating thought of not being good enough. So the good news is that you are not alone in your place of self doubt.
      It’s great that you have voiced your concern as it’s out of your head and ‘out there’. You know it’s really just a limiting belief you hold which can change to a more helpful belief with practice or much more quickly with training and the support of a coach.
      Best wishes, Frances

      • What, no shameless plugs. I guess alrusim does exist. Thank you your comment helped me tremendously. I resent people for some reason who must attach strings to everything.

        That could just be a part of myself that I don’t like.

    • Hi Becky,

      I’m glad I read your comment as this is me! I was promoted in a job I did around 8 years ago and was good at the higher level. I was offered a job without really looking for a lot more money so took it. From the moment I was there I felt they had made a mistake. Everyone around me had degrees and spoke several languages, even the people I was managing. I eventually walked out due to the stress of feeling like a fake. Since then I have had 4 other jobs, all of which were really impressed with me at interview but I felt like a fraud and I walked out on each for the same reason. I feel that I can’t sustain anything and I hate myself for it.

      I’ve decided to go back to uni and study law. If I can get qualified at something then I must be good enough to do it but since discovering imposter syndrome I now know that although this is is what I want to do I don’t need credentials to work hard and keep working hard at something.

      Try to find something you enjoy and just keep going in every day. Try to realise that the people around you or another person that got the job would probably feel that too. Your boss probably feels it. Try to share these feelings with someone. It might be the breakthrough you need

      People who are successful at something have just failed more than other people but kept going

      Good luck!

  386. I got a voicemail from my college about a possible scholarship a few weeks ago. I never called back because I figure it must’ve been a mistake. I’m not special, my grades are okay. I’m not even a full time student, and it’s looking like I’ll finally get my bachelor’s after *7* years. It’s probably just because I’m a girl in a tech field.

    I do basic IT troubleshooting at work, and whenever anyone submits a ticket I’m terrified. I don’t know how to fix anything, and I’ll just look like an idiot and make things worse.

    • Dear AF,
      I chose to abbreviate my reply because you are absolutely Not a fraud though you may be quite anxious. Bless you for sticking with your studies and very well done on your achievement. Life and achievement is not a race. You demonstrated tenacity and perseverance and that’s to be applauded. The great thing is that you are working in a minority field and despite your fears are getting on with it.
      Fear is the absence of love and perhaps you’ve not yet found love of your work or even love of yourself,
      Warmest wishes, Frances

  387. I left a position where I was having measurable success, was helping my team and company win awards both locally and nationally. I used the excuse that I was ready to go out in my own, moved back to my home state to plant my flag and have been floundering since. All because I feel like at some point, someone is going to figure out I’m as big a fraud as I feel like I am. I have found it hard to follow through with job offers because I feel like I have faked my way through the interview, and it’s just a matter of time til the interviewer catches on. I’m not doing well with this.

    • Dear Anonymous,
      It seems like you are ignoring the evidence of your success and capability by telling yourself the lie that you are not good enough. You could study the work of Byron Katie or get yourself a coach to help you through this phase. It sounds like you may very well want to run your own business so why not explore that with the various business start up supports or with the support of a coach

  388. I constantly feel I ain’t smart enough at work and at times, I feel inferior. I judge my capability and compare myself with my peers from time to time. It is possible that I overthink and undermine my capability. Perhaps what I have is really impostor syndrome. Thanks for sharing!

  389. I am starting my Ph.D. this year at one of the top programs in the country. I was denied acceptance to my “safety schools” but I got in here for some reason. I am convinced it is a mistake. I have even been offered an assistantship to teach a class. I feel so undeserving of this success. I am so nervous that I will be exposed as a fake on the first day of teaching these students.

  390. I had no interest in completing high school, I didn’t attend all classes except the ones I enjoyed. Subsequently I didn’t receive the university entrance points that I needed for a course that I was interested in doing.

    I attended and completed an Acting degree through a private uni. I got an agent and acting gigs on Discovery, channel 7, 9 and 10 during the course.
    Once finishing the course I gave up on acting because “I wasn’t good enough”.
    I used the points obtained from the acting course to study a Paramedical Science/Nursing Bachelor Degree. I completed assignments in the last few days leading up to deadlines and received mostly Distinctions and High Distinctions – I laughed at the marks I was receiving, as I wasn’t putting in much effort.
    I dropped the Paramedic element in my last year because I was feeling as though I wasn’t good enough for the job and my knowledge wasn’t up to scratch. I was super depressed and all too.

    I completed the Nursing element with a Distinction overall and applied at the biggest and busiest Emergency Department in Brisbane. They offer 9 grad positions per year and had over 500-600 applications.
    I interviewed and subsequently was offered a position.

    All throughout this journey, I’ve wanted to DJ at a night club. I mix regularly in my studio at home, but am not able to do so in front of my mates, as they’re club DJ’s and I know that whatever I mix won’t be up to scratch. When I do mix in front of people, I’m so concerned with what people will think that it actually has an impact, and my mixing falls apart. On the flip-side, if I have a drink or two I seem to lose the inhibition and mix as I would at home.
    I have recorded great mixes of all different genres, but I dare not send them to booking agents.

    I can’t help but feel as though I’ve cheated my way through almost everything, and I’ll soon be caught.

    I hate this. The self-esteem aspect is crippling and works as a positive-feedback system, seemingly affirming the feelings that I experience.

  391. My gut tells me that the singing voice I was gifted with is what I’m holding back because I’m afraid that I’m wrong in believing that I was indeed born to heal through singing. Writing this in this way makes me feel so egotistical and arrogant. I hate knowing that I think of myself so self important and that I do have something great to offer. But if we think about it, we all do. In different ways and expression. Sitting down and writing my own lyrics scare me because I start comparing my none exsistent words to the words that have been written and are soul moving. I stop myself. Fear of being rejected or judged for showing my vulnerablity in whatever way that may be fills me with so much anxiety.

    • Dani,
      You clearly have a gift to offer the world – we all do. It’s wonderful that yours is so obvious to you – many spend a long time trying to work out their purpose – some never do. Guess what though – you can choose to enjoy what you do with the gift then you’ll release it more easily.

  392. i’m afraid to share my opinions publicly because i feel they are dumb and i won’t sound smart or appealing to others and i will be judged. even though so many people share their dumb opinions everyday and are praised for them.

  393. I am a person with 10 years of experience in software programming but I feel I’m not able to understand basic concepts, and I haven’t been able to establish myself strongly in this career . I was rejected by 10 companies because I become too nervous during interviews and also, I feel my problem solving skills are not great. I have been assigned to new complex project with new set of technologies with a new team sitting remotely and not being able to make much progress. I feel the more time I’m spending on this project, the more it’s becoming clear that I’m an imposter. I have put good amount of effort in this project but still haven’t made any solid progress. Currently I’m being assigned somewhat trivial tasks for other projects which are again kind of indicating my failure to perform at expected levels. All this is making me more nervous and I have started going to shell.

    • Dear John,
      You are getting caught up in a downward spiral of negative thoughts about yourself. Going into a shell won’t work so choose to take action to change this. Consider speaking to friends, family supportive colleagues or workplace supports e.g. Employee care scheme or perhaps even workplace coaching may be on offer. Ultimately this is an issue of self esteem.

  394. I’m afraid to leave my job because I have job security, but i’m so unhappy. If I go somewhere else they (and I) might find out that i’m actually not that good at what I do, or smart, and get fired.

    • Dear Carmen,
      Well done on voicing your fear – this in itself is an act of bravery. The pain of being unhappy daily will your current job will rob you of future happiness.
      Can you find happiness outside of work to compensate for the job itself? Can you get support from anyone to help chat through options?Best wishes, Frances

  395. I’m an architect and have had my own business for 22 years. I’m intimidated by most of my clients and are sure that they picked me because they don’t know what they are doing either. I’m afraid to show my clients some of my ideas because they just want something basic or “mainstream”. They are not interested in spending money on something that could be amazing, so I won’t even bother going there.

  396. Throughout my university years, I felt like a complete impostor. I had no idea what I was doing and a lot of the time people had expectations that I was good at something that I was doing. But I didn’t feel that way. I never gave credit for myself when I did well and thought it was just a luck. Because of constantly feeling that way, I hesitated most of the time and did a less than average job. Now that I’ve graduated from university year with a science degree, I’ve turned to freelance writing which in the beginning was a blast. Overtime, the more I know about the literature world and the more people thought I was “inspiring”, the more I doubt myself because I am afraid they will find out that I don’t do everything that I recommend people to do. Currently, I am even anxious for what’s to come because my writing career is actually progressing which I thought started off as just a luck.

  397. I’m 22, started college late, went to community college, graduated with 3.9 GPA (out of 4) & now am moving on to a prestigious university to study physics. But I can’t shake the feeling that I’m not smart enough to succeed. My academic accomplishments feel meaningless. But I won’t stop trying.

  398. 22 and I’ve always dreamed of being a stylist or a model of some sort. I get compliments all the time on my style and my looks, mainly facial structure and my hair (lol). People have even always told me I could be a model but I think the reason may be that holds me back is the fact that I’m on the shorter side for a male (5’7ish) and that’s always been an insecurity with me to begin with so I’ve never made an effort. My cousin is a photographer so I have some direct support but I feel so unmotivated :/.

  399. Hey, I am a Russian girl doing a PhD in Spain. I can’t write my thesis because of this Impostor Syndrome. I feel weak and stupid in comparison to my peers. Because of that, I can’t even study: I start reading an article thinking “I won’t understand it anyway”. I can’t write not even a page of my chapter, thinking of how silly it will look. I feel that I am not in the right field. I started applying for jobs and I even got some offers, but I was afraid to quit the PhD programme, since it gives me a visa to live in Spain.

    • Hey, I’m in exactly the same position as you. I’m currently doing my masters by research and I’m in my 2nd year. And I have been ‘suffering’ from this for quite some time now. And as much as I try to talk myself out of it, the problem grows bigger I think. It’s the same thing, where I’m reading a paper and I think ‘this is so basic how do I not know this and then it escalates to I have fraud-ed my way into this course’. I was wondering if you have found something that helps you.
      Email me if you feel like – [email protected]

      • Hi I am also in the same situation. First it was difficult to find out what was happening with me. I am aslo doing Phd in europe.
        I was windering if you have found a way out of this situation.
        Write me if you would like to share
        [email protected]

  400. Every time I think a person is attractive, I convince myself that I’m not good enough, that I don’t have anything to offer, that someone else will be much better. I shied away from my favorite pastime because everyone told me I was great & I didn’t want them to find out how bad I actually was. I wanted to write for a living, but why read my stuff when everyone else does a better job? I’m a hack. I think everyone hates me because I’m constantly pretending to be something I’m not. But who am I anyway? I have no clue. I’m just pretending to be someone else. People tell me all the time that I’m extremely real and authentic. How do they know? I thought that I was alone in feeling this way, but I feel better knowing that this has a name and that there’s a way around it.

  401. I am a teacher and have been in some fashion since 2007. When people ask me how long I have been teaching, I never will say 10 years ( If I had been teaching that long, I would know what I was doing…right?). It’s so silly. I teach kids to read and I am a favorite teacher to many. My coworkers tell me they would love to have been a kid in my class, and those with kids put their children in my class. I must be doing something right! But please, please do not observe my class. You will expose this teacher for who she really is… a big kid in a teacher costume!

  402. I’m 26 and I’m on a last year of my PhD in quantum optics, because of the syndrom I’ve been avoiding studies and completely lost focus on my research. I think I am subconsciously trying to sabotage it all, so that I can finally fail and stop pretending. I know this feeling won’t leave me even if I change my career, name and home. Whenever I’ll go, whatever I’ll do I can’t runaway from myself. I’ve tried pretending to act as if I’m actually good, as if I am the one who I suppose to be, but the feeling never left me. Reading this post, writing this comment made me feel better. Knowing that I am not alone is refreshing. I will try to stay humble.

    • Hey,
      What you wrote really describes my situation. Avoiding writing the PhD, useless escapism, pretending… Should we start a support group?

  403. I’ve stayed in a dead-end job for the past 5 because I’m afraid that if I get a new job everyone will discover that I am fraud and that I don’t actually have any ‘real’ skills to offer.

  404. I said aloud to my wife tonight, “I feel like a fraud.” Is the first time I’ve ever said that out loud and ever admitted it to someone. I’ve been going through some challenges at work, where I left relative safety of working with people I had worked with for years and went somewhere else to “spread my wings” and try to make my own mark. It’s been hard recently, what I thought was successful wasn’t being perceived that way and it got me thinking something I had thought before, “I’m in over my head, I’ve been lucky in the past, I’m a fraud.” My wife said, “Oh, that’s impostor syndrome, my client was talking to me about it.” Seconds later I was reading this post and now a few hours later I’m writing here. This was an awesome article and I’ve saved it to my home screen so I can read it again…and again.

    Reflecting, I’m not a fraud, I can improve, I can stop making excuses and try different approaches, but I’m certainly not a fraud and I’m very capable at what I do. In fact, I’m damn good at it. Just because I’m running into challenges doesn’t mean I’m a fraud, it just means I need to try new approaches. I need to not worry about might happen if X doesn’t happen, I need to do everything I can to make it happen. Could I still fail? Absolutely, but that doesn’t mean I’m a fraud just because the effort doesn’t result in fulfilling expectations that I, or others, may have.

    Baby steps, that’s what this post is for me and what saying making that comment to my wife was earlier. As you noted in the article, babies don’t just start walking, they fall…a lot. I know I’ve seen it with my children, but they were curious and determined and had us there cheering them and encouraging them to keep trying. Parents do that by instinct, as much as kids look to their parents by instinct for that reassurance. It’s easy to forget we have folks around us every day who are encouraging us to keep at it, to stay determined, to walk. However, they are surely there, as sure as I am that writing this post is helping to stave off feelings of being an imposter and start to pack them away completely. They may try to creep back in my head, but now that I know those thought for what they truly are, their power is dismissed and my confidence is returning.

    Thank you for your post, for sharing yourself and giving others the opportunity to share and face their challenges armed with knowledge.

  405. I think I have lived with this Impostor Syndrome for several years. Whenever I got a little success on something, like got a scholarship, got promoted or done some pieces of work, I felt like I was lucky or that not good enough… Those thoughts filled in my head day after day and made me a quitter sometime (I quitting my jobs few times).
    Thank for your post to help me realize that it’s Imposter syndrome and I need to be cured and stop this kind of negative thinking.
    Stop caring about the others, stop thinking that I’m important, and just do what I need to do

  406. I have avoided mailing people tips because I feel a fraud because I’m no expert despite the fact that I’ve done a shit load of training, reading and thinking about it. It is ridiculous. And yet has handcuffed me.

  407. Well aint this a slap in the face. I’m currently in America on my last day of holidays with my parents, and all I could think of these weeks were that I don’t deserve this, that I am a fake person, that I cannot do anything and that I am worthless. I have done a lot of things in my life but never have I actually pushed through on a level that satisfied me. I play the guitar, I play the piano, I do photography, I draw, I study, I sing, and the list goes on and on. Meanwhile, my design portfolio for my freelance jobs in between studying is a perpetual “in progress” since I never actually get around to finishing it, as I think too much about the past which blocks me for actually getting stuff done that I want to finish. :/ I always need guidance, otherwise I don’t do anything. It sucks the life out of you. It really does. I’ll come back to this post in the future to see what I can do about my situation. Thank you for putting it into perspective.

    First off, let’s kill this Master Thesis with all the action I can muster!

  408. I spent 30 years as a highly regarded educator but that didn’t stop me from feeling like a fraud. The day I turned in my keys to retire I still felt like someone was going to “find out” I really didn’t know what I was doing. I was also an award winner actor in my town. But after being drawn into the less creative side (board of directors, fund raising, etc) for 10 years I don’t feel like I ever had talent and that is keeping me from auditioning. It’s terrifying.

  409. Thank you for the wonderful post. I am a 27 year old male and still don’t know what I am doing with my life, I work as a journalist.

    this article has clarified so many things that are wrong about my thinking and that have stopped me from achieving anything in life.
    all my life I have never been able to decide anything, extreme self negation has killed so many opportunities that I just cry whenever I think of them, I thought I can do anything and everything but never actually did anything. I always stopped myself thinking people would call me undeserving, I am extremely conscious but never admit. I know this and feel bad and maybe that’s why I feel guilty and fake.
    I can learn anything quickly, don’t have much problem understanding any concept or theory. I’m good at my work and get praised often, but the more I get praised the more I feel bad about it. I feel I am not hardworking and getting praised at work makes me feel morally wrong. I don’t take initiatives at work, I keep thinking of thousands of story ideas to write for news papers, but only do the one’s my boss asks me to because I fear rejection.
    also, I think i am just lucky to be intelligent and it would be wrong to use my intelligence against others, I help my colleagues with ideas to work on because they can’t think of it themselves but don’t do anything my self.
    I have realised how I am being taken advantage of because of being too nice, I don’t get angry at anyone cause i think that’s subhuman, I don’t confront anyone thinking they’ll feel bad and I’m the wise one and should let it go. but the truth is all this hurts and I’m in extreme depression, I don’t eat a proper meal for weeks at a time and have become extremely underweight, can’t take care of myself and feel bad and the cycle continues.
    I sometimes think I really don’t want to work or achieve anything, I am lazy. I think I’m still a child and have not grown up. but this article gave some clarity. I guess extreme perfection, unreal morals that don’t suit the real world have stopped me from doing anything.
    also I was sexually abused as a child and this led to extreme daydreaming as a coping mechanism which in turn gave me unreal morals and all my problems. I have even not reported the abuse to my parent or anyone thinking they’ll kill the person and put him in the jail and his family would suffer and forgiving is a nice virtue.,( though I have taken care of warning some of the people about the abuser who confronted him so that he won’t do this to others) but at the same time I feel bad of taking ask this shit in life.
    until the age of 25, I had not touched cigarette or alcohol, but for last two years I have been struggling with them.
    I struggle with dissociation and depersonalisation because of smoking weed. but still abused weed and alcohol to numb myself from all the shit that troubles me.
    part of me knows how big of an idiot I am by getting stuck in this shit instead to enjoying life, but as soon as start moving in other direction, I find myself ruminating over past, thinking I’m bound to fail.
    recently I gave myself a personal challenge to just stop thinking about past. realised past doesn’t matter and keeps giving me guilt. I have decided to just do whatever needs to be done and try to keep myself engaged, I have somehow managed to stop smoking up, and reduced smoking and drinking, eating food regularly for past few weeks. sleeping eight hours a day, and finally feeling better.
    i still have doubts whether I’ll discontinue my recovery and revert to old habits as I have done multiple times before, but this article has cleared many things and hopefully I’ll be off cigarettes, alcohol and excessive thinking and just enjoy life like it should be.
    life will get better if i get up and just do whatever needs to be done without thinking to much.
    a big hug to everyone struggling in life. than you

  410. I have been postponing starting a freelance illustration career for years! “I’m working on it and feel like I’m really starting to move forward and make progress” I will say, to anyone that asks about my illustration. In reality I just draw and put my art on social media and nothing more. I dont sell prints , even though ive had them printed. I dont enter competitions. I havent built a website. I dont apply for the jobs i should go for. I freeze… Like a deer in the headlights. I’m so afraid that I am not as good as the other illustrators and as a result build a wall of obstacles that make it nearly impossible to actually succeed. I constantly feel like a fake (Creatively and Socially)! I steer clear of intimate relationships because I dont feel like I deserve them. Which in the end causes more hurt internally than is necessary. But being alone hurts less than being rejected. I constantly feel like I’m going to mess up at any second and everyone will know and I will be called out for it.

    I had never heard of imposter syndrome until today. I read a post by an artist I admire, talking about her experience with imposter syndrome. Then after googling it, I found this blog post. Thank you, for sharing this. It has put many things into perspective. I never usually comment on anything online and i rarely send anyone messages or texts (i did hesitate before posting this!) but I’m actually i am posting this comment.

    Thank you again 🙂

  411. I am a 25 year old woman and I’ve been trying to figure out what I want to do with my life careerwise. Switching from a job to another, getting a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management, I’ve always been bored of what I’m doing for living. Yet I’ve known, since the age of 15 that what I truly want to become is a singer, an artist. People say I have a voice of an angel. Believing very little of myself, always doubting my skills and comparing myself to others, I haven’t even given myself a chance to do what I’m most passionate about. I hate being so harsh on myself but it’s my biggest struggle to let go of it and do what I really love. Thank you for this post, it helped me to understand myself, and many more people a lot better. I don’t know where to start, but I will not give up on this. Thanks for giving me chance to share.

  412. I dont have any big ideas or big dreams but I have carved out an existence where people come to me for guidance, and see me as a pretty stable and happy individual. At work, I am seen as a subject matter expert but I’m not happy there, I am not fully interested or engaged with what I know and it is starting to show. At home I am seen as a source of strength and confidence. All of this is feels phony to me. For someone who has never followed through on pursuing an idea completly on my own, and is not particularly “good at something” I feel like my whole path through life has been phony. It may be some level of depression.
    Disappointment in comparison to others, not having any real interests to hang my hat on. Self worth is waning, I feel like I don’t really have much to offer. I have not been assertive in this life.

    It is definitely affecting my family. As I have tried to mask the fraud by hiding my true feelings of unhappiness until the pot boils over. In the boil over moments my spouse is caught completely off guard and is left confused. “Who are you really? All this time I thought everything was great. Meanwhile you are internalizing everything!” I think the cover is starting to come off here as well as things are quite rocky now.

    Reading through this article some of these 21 really hit home matching who I feel I am and my thoughts. Unfortunately, imposter syndrome may not be anywhere near the cause of my problems…

  413. Despite obsessively writing, drawing and postung popular fan comics that were proven to make people happy and inspire others (I too have the comments and messages to prove it to myself), I have refused to make an original comic in the five years that I left the world of webcomics. No amount of praise for my drawing ability or writing has convinced me to share my original ideas with the world. A great deal of the time, I get a great idea, start to write it down, and then never return to it out of fear that I myself will discover that its not as good as I percieved. As for the ideas I do keep and love, I keep them hidden and refuse to share them with even my friends or family. I always feel like once I share my original ideas, the world will realize I’m not as good of a writer, artist, or comedian than they previously thought. My imposter syndrome succeeds in shutting me down everytime.

    I should really shake myself out of that. Its stupid that I’d be afraid if something that’s more for me than anyone else anyway.

  414. I have some pretty rad imposter syndrome for my violin playing and singing. I always feel like someone is going to call me out for how bad I am, despite all the practice, the work, and how much I love it. I’ve been in my city’s highest level youth choir and constantly felt like it was a fluke that I got in. I was scared of the others finding out that I didn’t deserve to be there, etc. I was also in my city’s youth symphony, and had a similar experience, constant afraid that I was going to be exposed for being the worst in the orchestra, the one bringing everyone down. I *still* feel like that. But I think I do a pretty good job of acting around it. I still took on leadership roles within my section when others were struggling, despite being terrified that this would show how bad I really was, and I’m going to audition for the Utah Youth Symphony when I move for school this fall. I’m so afraid of my skills and passion and heart being served up on a silver platter and rejected. But I’m going to do it anyways, because if I don’t, I’ll never know if I could. I just have to practice as much as I can and remember that I’m doing this because I enjoy it, and that the rest is just side effects.

    Perfectionism is a bitch. I’m trying really hard to beat it though and I’ll get there someday!

  415. I just read about this in some other site and only started researching about it. I actually graduated with honor but refused to accept that I deserved the recognition and hated when people praised me about it. It was a good thing that I ran into your site. I learned a lot. Thank you.

  416. Thank you for writing this out so eloquently, my brain is all fuzzed up from all the stress I keep shoving on myself.
    I’m lucky to have that person to talk to about my fears with imposter syndrome (who does laugh, and then we both laugh which is good and helps).
    The quote at the end was perfect. I’m leaving one career to go to grad school and ultimately it is because I think I can make a wider positive impact with the skills and connections I make in the field I chose. Which I might be totally wrong but there’s no way of simultaneously fully exploring two paths, and then I remember I can always stop grad school if it isn’t right. Doesn’t mean I failed.

  417. For years I felt like a shadow among living people. I won’t talk to people, won’t express my feelings and I will get intense anxiety when I have to speak publicly, my whole body will shake, I have to stare up at the ceiling while talking. This lead to me avoiding more people and being really lonely and depressed. I think the imposter syndrome could definitely be a major factor in my downfall because it feels like I’m holding a lot of my good characteristics back.

  418. okay so i am 20 and was still acting childish and really that was making me crazy. i think that all this was due to emotional traumas in my adolescense. at age of 10 i had a cousin whom was a maniac. putting porn films n we were masturbating. i didnt know what it was but at that time that was weird crazy excite and i this was even before i knew what a girl was so an excitement of some sexual sort. i started smokin at the age of 15. getting numb emotionally and therefore going to every types of highs. weed alcohol and syntetic mariguana was getting me hiigh n numb. by this period i met someone and fell in love. due to family problem i left her cruelly. due to lack of money i sold myself to someone n he would pay for an oral i didnt realise what i was doing due to lack of emotions. and did it three times. then i met someone with someone who i saw really like my ex and i entered in an extremely narcissitic relationship which caused me to become extremely primitive n sensible. 2years in this relationship and we broke after numerous ‘tromperie’ for her side. yes i was broke. and now 1 year after all that i’ve done in numbness is actually resurfacing everytime am trying to change. from the taboos to the tabos between our relationships i am literally thinking am not worth anything and today am even thinking of suicide. i try to hold on and change but at everytime i think about it all. like its stuck and a self sabotaging self got installed. i even look at someone’s private part unconciously and that really affects me as if i was a type of maniac or gay. well, i am a Man and girls are my vice. but that trauma cant get out of my head and am pretty ready to do whatever i feel to get in ease with myself. just tell me, what’s better then your girl on the bed doing all the kamasutra u ever imagined well really there no comparison and nothing better than the preliminaries and the good sex after and the caress at the end.

  419. This article literally made me cry out of relief. Every single word resonated, I cannot thank you enough for putting it out there. It has a slight possibility to even change my life:)
    ___
    I am struggling in my first job, even though i know i have value, i just cant take it out from the box it sits in inside me. i get bored, i just cannot focus on tasks, because i worry about ME. when i think of things i did bad or my vulnerabilities i come out with a list of 100 points. when i think of things i did well couldnt come up with a word (i tried for days) . my manager is also sad, because he knows i have value, and mad, because i do nothing to take action….

  420. I am a second year medical student and just learned this morning about what Imposter Syndrome is and immediately felt so relieved– I have lived with this ever since I can remember. I cannot believe that I am just discovering this now. I wish that somebody had told me about this in high school. But enough complaining. Now that I know about this, I am confident that tips like you have described here will help me to overcome this syndrome and perform at everything to the best of my ability. Thank you for this blog post. I am definitely going to be bookmarking it and referring to it often.

  421. Thank you. You gave me the tools to know what I am feeling and also to know what might help. The next is up to me, but I am really happy that I found this.

  422. I recently took a career test of what career suits me. Oddly enough most of the degrees in business and analytics and human resource level four ( Bachelor’s Degree) came back Great matches, but when I turned the page to check my level 5 (masters degree, Phd…) psychology, engineer, industrial psychology are all THE BEST matches for me. I freaked out, because I don’t want to fail if I actually try to be a psychologist or engineer, I’ve always loved the mental health field, but I’m scared to fail, what if the test was wrong and all this intrusive negative thoughts start popping up. I’m still trying to decide what is best for me. I just need to believe in myself and push.

  423. I was afraid to apply to art school because I didn’t want others to see I wasn’t as good/passionate as other “true” artists. I’m still trying to develop that passion more. It’s there but sometimes it doesn’t feel like enough to keep me going.

  424. Won a full scholarship to my top choice university. I refuse to accept that I deserved it and instead chalk it up to luck. I don’t tell anyone that I do well in school, in fact play it off that I don’t because I don’t feel intelligent. Sure I get good grades but… I feel like I don’t know anything.
    Was an award winning composer but won’t compose anymore because I was certain that the people who awarded me didn’t know anything about music. If I compose anything new, surely it won’t be good enough.
    Truth be told… I should get over it. It’s been years. And you’re right, I don’t want to live my life like this.

  425. I’ve felt fear in social / work situations since childhood but still haven’t examined what is going on….it scares me to think about it. I need to find a job but I am spending my time in a shit storm of anxiety, avoidance, shame, isolation. I have been fired or quit from pretty much all my jobs because I’m socially anxious and so ashamed / defensive. I just cry when I think of having to do it again. I know I’m suffering from massive impostor syndrome, I guess I just don’t think anything will change. My social life feels like a minefield of potential rejection and I don’t feel that I have anyone to help me.
    Thanks for listening.
    I just realized….I don’t want to work. I just want to spend the days seeking comfort. I want someone to take care of me. I think I have Peter Pan syndrome as well. No wonder I feel like a fraud…I’m pretending to want to work. I’m not sure how to work through this. I’d expect to hear….you have to find your passion, etc but I think my passion is comfort/avoidance and I am ashamed of that.
    Thank you for this opportunity to write it out!

    • Michelle, thank you so much for the vulnerability and for sharing your thought process.

      I don’t know if you’re looking for any feedback on your comment; but I feel like you would really benefit from finding a “tribe” or community that you can lean on for support at this time.

      The fact that you completed the process of posting a thoughtful comment that adds value to the conversation should also be noted. You’re walking that line right now of playing it safe and having a burning desire to get your feet wet in the vast ocean of the “unknown.”

      I would also like to suggest (all of this from personal experience, BTW) that you look into contacting a mentor or coach immediately. No really, do it right now =). My intuition is telling me you have someone in mind who you’re interested in working with. Go with your gut and reach out.

      You have nothing to be ashamed of.

      That’s just your ego trying to “protect you” from the unknown. Tell it “Thanks but no thanks. I’ve got it from here.”

      Start writing. Publish a blog post right now. Share it with your friends on social media. I promise people will receive your message in a much kinder way than you anticipate.

      What happened to me when I started posting a few pieces of my content on my personal social media accounts?

      In my experience most people either didn’t care or said something encouraging.

      You have a unique gift to share with the world. There are others out there right now just waiting…needing for you to share that gift.

      Let go of your attachments to what you’ve been telling yourself that gift is.

      Create something with the sole purpose of hoping it helps someone improve their life in some way, no matter how small.

      When you do something truly out of service for others you’ll find passion. If you’re not sure exactly how to monetize this yet, then get a job that you can tolerate that won’t deplete too much of your creative energy.

      Then spend your free time improving your self care routine, doing things you enjoy, participating in hobbies that interest you, learning new skills and connecting with people that inspire you.

      Finally, have gratitude. Write down a couple things you have gratitude for every day. You’ll start to realize how much you actually do have to be thankful for.

      Best of luck!

  426. keep prcrastinating on my thesis; cannot for the life of my finish the thing since “it’s not right enough or i’m a copycat or an impostor”

  427. Lol. I recently graduated medical school. I cringe when people call me Doctor and I’ve been avoiding applying to top programs because I’m just too incompetent – not stupid but socially incompetent. I can’t play the game. P.S: I’m a girl.

  428. WOW! Today I started reading about impostor syndrome. I haven’t known that what I feel like around… 10 years is that well defined. I wouldn’t say that I’m fraud. I described that feeling to my wife as the feeling that people overestimate my skills/knowledge/wisdom and I failed to convince them that they are wrong and now I need to face all challenges they throw at me. And it is too late to say it out loud. Yes, like a fraud. I didn’t think about it that way. Kyle Eschenroeder, you wrote as first example this sentence:

    “Maybe you haven’t started that blog because you feel that you couldn’t do it as well as the people already blogging about a topic.”

    100% about me 😐 I wanted to start a blog around 5-6 years ago. I bought a domain last year and that’s all. I have a feeling that before I publish my first post I need to learn about the topic year or two so I could feel that I’m allowed to write about it.

    Since around 1-2 years I realized that there is a problem with me which I should fight with. Now it will be easier when I can name it. I took it to the next level thanks to your blog post. Thanks a lot 🙂

  429. Presenting how the most successful people in the world “suffer” from impostor syndrome isn’t really going to help, because they are successful – of course _their_ case is just an impostor syndrome, whereas I’m just a regular person so it cannot be the same, I just simply suck at everything.

  430. I’m 67 years old. From the time I reached junior high school, I realized that I must be “a genius in a world of idiots.” That was the only way I could reconcile so many accolades and so much praise since I knew, as the complements and awards stacked up, that I was a complete impostor–never achieved anything near competency in any endevour, skill or profession, not even an average level of competency in my mind because I was too lazy, unmotivated, worthless…

    I have a Masters in English Literature and Secondary Education, taught high school English and computer science for 33 years, inventing innovative teaching methods and garnering awards and collegial respect along the way. Started the school’s first website. I worked summers and holidays in the construction field (my father was a contractor and I grew up learning that trade) and I had steady contracting business for over 40 years by word of mouth alone–never even had a business card. I studies both aikido and tai chi for 50 years and running and was often singled out to “show how it’s done.” Was offered a job teaching tai chi, but refused because I did not know anywhere’s near enough about it. Became a professional dog trainer in my 50’s and was CPDT certified. Within three years I was specializing in fear, aggression and major behavior problems. This time with word of mouth and a few business cards, I just reached 21 years of dog training. 90% of clients are amazed at my knowledge, interpersonal skills and results. Currently serving as nutritional and exercise advisor to my 41 year old son and his wife and other family members because of my vast acccumulated knowledge and experience with herbs, supplements and exercise know-how ranging from HIIT, martial arts, yoga, Alexander Technique, resistance training, etc. Dedicated meditator, starting from Ram Das’s “be here now” in the 60’s to the current trends in Mindfulness, ACT and yada, yada, yada…

    And my secret: I am a complete fake. I do not see myself as competent in any of the above. Actually it seems to me I am a total lazy screw up as far as life goes in general, yet over and over again–and it gets ANNOYING!–everyone has to keep telling me how talented, personable, knowledgeable, professional, well-rounded and wonderful I am.

    All the acknowledgement means nothing to me: I’m just a genius in a world of idiots. Actually, these days I’m more likely to think of it as “I’m the smartest idiot among idiots.” Impostor Syndrome also usually drags along a few other things. I am an incurable perfectionist. Which means I am an incurable procrastinator. Which means no matter what I do, I feel no pride and never have a sense of completion. Also often attached to Impostor Syndrome, I am a People Pleaser. Because I have to maintain the facade that I am flawless and always the go-to guy.

    And the effect of this on me, as I suppose it is on many other Impostors, is that I have to work harder and harder, become busier and busier, fix more broken things today than I did yesterday, help everyone with everything, research the answer to every question, worry and nitpick every decision… because in the eyes of the world I can never be wrong. They expect so much of me and I must pretend I know what I’m doing. I must pretend I know what I am doing! I must pretend I know what I am doing!

    It can make you wonder why you’ve been suffering from panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder for 25 years.

    • Thanks a lot that You wrote this. I have been facing this craving for perfectionism and know-it-all. Eventually, I also started experiencing anxiety. But change in my attitude, daily routine and practice of meditation made things better, though not completely.

      Reading your post feel like I am not the only one in the world, who is not eternally content and blissful.
      Your comment suggest me that instead of knowing too much, I should start living more.
      I think 99% of human beings faces such internal conflicts and discontentment. Wisdom is to accept the uncertainty and ignorance, and surrender ourselves at the feet of almighty.
      Thank you so much once again.

  431. I am terrified to make the leap as a UX designer because every job I look at is way beyond my skill level even though I know people who have less experience than I do that are making the change successfully. I feel like I have no business even trying. Who am I? It’s crippling. But… I apply anyway even though with every click of the submit button I feel nauseous.

    • I feel the same, I have seen people knowing less than me applying for good jobs, and they stay there, and everytime i try to apply I feel I’m an idiot unable to fill the job….and the nerviousness overtakes me, even so…I still apply, and I hide my feelings deep inside…I start acting….

  432. I want to be a screenwriter and maybe even director one day, but I constantly tell myself I’m way in over my head and people know that I don’t know as much as I think I do. Because of this, I stop myself from writing or filmmaking. I have been stopping myself from starting that first short film, because I figure, “why bother!?”
    But I will start it tomorrow, even if it’s the tiniest step ever.
    This article really really helped, thank you so much, Kyle!

  433. I don’t share my opinions openly.
    I’m kind of known for being revolutionary in my opinions… I push a lot of boundaries when it comes to self acceptance and body positivity… Yet I am unable to actually share the deep truths about all of my opinions. I am unable to back up my views with the extremely complex human social psychology that I have exhaustively researched and personally experienced… Just because I think I’m probably shit.
    I think that because I came to these conclusions, if I vocalize them, everyone will stop listening to me. Stop believing the things I’m trying to say… Everyone who applauds me for my strength and for pushing boundaries will just… laugh their arses off at what a giant joke I am for thinking that any nonsense I believe has any importance.
    They will all see me for what I really am… Some random bitch who says stupid shit on the Internet… I wont be someone trying to change the world for the better, I’ll be a selfish ugly moron who just wanted people to treat HER nice, and doesn’t actually want the world a better place for anybody else.
    It’ll turn out everything I feel that I’ve researched is actually some very obvious and disprovable piece of common knowledge to every single person with professional training in the psychology field, since all I have to back me up is an obsessive mind fixated on social politics. I don’t know the right words… I couldn’t afford to go to school, so I’m just a big giant moron who doesn’t know anything, and who everyone is laughing at all the time.

    ALRIGHT TIME TO HEAD TO SAN DIEGO COMICON AND WORK. *Puts on a smile* I’M SO FUCKING CHARMING.

  434. I worked for GB cycling for over a decade and never went for a job further along the perfromce pathway and left ultimatley because of feeling like a fraud I knew nothing everyone knew more nothing validated me people told me I was good coz they liked me not coz I was good at what I did and I made them just feel sorry for me.

  435. I haven’t dedicate the time and energy to develop my own brand/blog/ “how to” you tube channel because I’m afraid it’s not as good as ones I have watched in the past or hgtv shows. Or nobody will subscribe and it won’t be clever or edited professionally enough to be taken seriously so why bother? Even though the topic of interior design and wood working is my passion and people tend to be surprised (positive feedback) with my projects I post on Facebook, etc.

  436. Imposer syndrome and I are in a long term committed relationship. Can’t imagine waking up in the morning without it lying next to me with its stinky breath. The advice about killing it with action is amazing!! And yes, I am not that important. I know. Sigh.

    Stand up comedy terrifies me even though I’m a confident public speaker (on most days) and spent half of my life cracking at my own jokes (in my head). Terrified of staring into dead silence (with crickets in the background) as I awkwardly share one gig after another. Social rejection is a scary thing.

    Will try stand up comedy next month. Might turn the Green room green (Kale smoothies, man)…but gotta try.

  437. I’ve returned to school (community college) in my mid-thirties and have decided to pursue my engineering interests, however, I quickly discovered that learning math is a young person’s game. As I stumbled thru 3 calculus courses, diff eq and linear algebra, my peers seemed to just get it… How in the hell did every single person around me seem to inherently grasp these profoundly abstract idea’s without asking a single question in class……

    I was apart of just 3% of transfer applicants accepted into a fairly small and very competitive engineering school. If they haven’t found me out by now, they’re sure to soon……

  438. The E card of Grad school is my current situation. I am just stuck right now trying to be “me” searching for that identity and what is to be considered “the professional identity of me.”

    Everyone else around me seems to be getting it, whatever “it” is so well and I am just sitting here like, “How? Am I alone?” I put on a smile and “push through” they say. That may as well be the same thing they are doing and I don’t even know it.

    I have the, “I don’t feel ___ enough” syndrome everyday and get in this routine of this is what it is, but this article definitely shed some light to things for me. I really appreciate it. I’m going to definitely be a bit more compassionate to myself going through this process. I owe it to myself.

  439. I constantly back out of starting a business venture that I know will work

  440. I never finished my university degree. I’ve been very successful at the company I work for and over the past 10 years have risen very high and very fast. The company is one of the most respected in its industry. But I often think people will only judge me on the lack of a formal degree and not on my accomplishments and proven results. And this is even though I know I made the right decision and that I am imminently more successful than if I would have spent those 3 years studying in college. But because of this I haven’t pursued opportunities that could have been even better and more exciting as I feel like maybe I just got lucky with this organization and that I will never find another great position like the one I have if I lose it. I’m a lifelong learner and read voraciously, enjoy learning about many subjects in my free time, but never found formal education beneficial for me. Yet somehow I still often feel like a fraud and feel like people won’t look at the massive experience but only at the gap in the formal education section of my CV. This fear is likely also holding me back from taking the risk of being an entrepreneur, even though it’s been a dream since childhood.

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  442. When I read the part about convincing yourself that even your impostor syndrome was fake, I knew this post described exactly how I feel. Even writing this I’m afraid that I sound like an idiot, but I’m somehow forcing myself to leave a comment. I’ve been trying to start writing an important research paper all summer but I’ve been too afraid that I could never possibly write something worth publishing because I’ve never done anything this ‘big’ before. I’m tired of saying that I’ll start tomorrow, and this has given me the motivation and advice I really needed to take steps toward actually accomplishing something. Thank you.

  443. I skipped a job interview, haven’t submitted stories I’ve written, I constantly beat myself up about silly mistakes I make, not being a better mom, quitting a job I disliked, etc. It is constant turmoil.

  444. I wish I knew all of this much earlier. The syndrome and this article.

    Idk… When I was a kid I always got lucky in tests and competitions but some of my schoolmates often said that I just fake my ability. I was not really keen on such things but later years I realised that I was not really liked for having such achievements while not being the smartest or most talented… I just always got lucky. When I realised all this, I realised I agree with them. I was not passionate about the things I do but I got lucky and outdid my friends who wanted it more than me. I hated it. I hated how I took people’s chances and hard works just because I was lucky.

    Later years, in my late teenages/early twenties, I sabotage any possibility of good things happening to me. Given good job opportunities, being believed in/complimented/awarded, even having friends who genuinely enjoy my company seemed like the scariest thing. What if they found out that I was a fraud? That I faked all of the things they believed are my natural traits and gifts? They would hate me for sure. Before they all found out, I purposely ruined everything, so they saw that their view of me was wrong. I didn’t know what I was trying to achieve… Maybe I didn’t think at all. But my parents who used to bragged about me cannot brag about me anymore because the real good-for-nothing me finally showed up. I don’t think I achieved anything by self-sabotaging. Maybe the pressure was too much and I was just tired and freaked out.

    I think I’m rambling… The point is, I enjoy reading this article and I love how the comments make me feel less alone. Really grateful I stumbled upon this article. I am still working on this and acknowledging the problem would be my first step.

  445. I have this problem when trying to meet women. I believe that they will find out that I am a fraud and leave me (like my wife did as I was not good enough for her). I pretend to be strong but am actually very sensitive. At 55, I can’t imagine what a woman would want with a man like me. If they only knew what goes on inside my head. I am a dreamer and have a very broad imagination. I ponder at how to be a better person. Self help books and all that to become a person that is deserving of love. In the meantime, I have to fake being worthy of anything. Life is but a fake adventure waiting to open up to something real for me.
    I read the article but am skeptical at how I can remedy this.

    • Not good enough for her? I dunno sometimes people throw their self expectations onto others. Maybe there was a simple disconnect in beliefs and nothing to take personal in regards to your self worth? I’ve learned everybody had a unique perspective and because two don’t always match up that’s simply they way things are with no reason to imply anything negative about it.

  446. No One Belongs Here More Than You by Miranda July is a great read if you have some time to lose yourself in someone else’s world.

  447. I work for NASA and went to grad school at MIT. I’ve gotten better about it over the years since first learned about Impostor Syndrome after grad school (and immediately identified I had it). But still have flare ups.

  448. I’m a third year medical student, and I scurry around the hospital, eyes down and always in a rush because I’m afraid if I stay in one place long enough, someone will strike up conversation with me and realize I’m a scam. I dread elevators for that same reason and I panic when people refer to me as Doctor or Student Doctor. I’m afraid they’ll see that I’m really just an awkward 10 year old goofball in a 27 year old body and a white coat. I haven’t started my blog for that same reason too. I am going to do something about it. Starting today.

  449. I’m a really good doctor but I’m still sure I’m actually stupid and have just evaded notice.

  450. I always have this feeling that I don’t know enough, and never will. I’m afraid that if I encounter someone and begin talking to them, I will be exposed as some idiot. I don’t bother talking to some girls because I convince myself that I’m not special and nothing sets me apart from an average guy. I like being myself, I just can’t work up the nerve to show everyone who I really am because I have this fear that they will laugh at me, or won’t understand, or will think I’m dumb. I want to start a business, but I feel too young and not experienced enough. But when will I ever take the first step if I feel like this? Impostor Syndrome is so stupid when you really think about it, but damn if I can’t overcome it.

  451. I definitely have this! Even writing this post makes me nervous that someone who knows me will read it and say, “Ah-ha! I knew it! She’s a fraud!”

    I am a screenwriter/director/producer. I think creative people have this because our success is measured differently. If you go to med school, you get a degree and you are a doctor. If you are in the arts, who ever says, “Okay. You can now call yourself a writer. You’re good enough. You know enough. You’ve made it.” We creatives end up pushing the goal posts back over and over. When this happens I’ll finally be able to call myself a writer. When that happens, we still deny our success and look for other ways to justify the title. It’s insane!

    One thing I did to get over this (a little) was to just start telling people I’m a writer when asked what I do. It felt like lying at first but now I have accepted it and live it.

    I didn’t realize so many professional people struggle with this as well. It’s encouraging that I’m not alone.

    Thanks for sharing, Kyle!

  452. I was told during my mock interview for my upcoming NIH interview that I have imposter syndrome and that it happens to high-achieving people. I acknowledge my merits, but I do not like to speak of them. That’s probably why I like have a CV very much is because it’s like my diary that I would like to remain humble about. Yet, even with this acknowledgment of my honors, I feel that I can never meet my own expectations. I hold myself to a higher threshold in the case that I fail, I still landed among some low, but still high threshold. I’m afraid of disappointing and being figured out that I’m just naive in all my interests and thoughts about science and engineering. I genuinely enjoy the career path I am aiming for, but I never feel quite as tall as others in this major. Watching their accomplishments and where they are going make me reevaluate where I need to be when I reach their age. I’m young and sometimes I feel that comes with the “I don’t really know what the hell I’m doing”. I wish this voice would go away.

  453. I’ve been holding back from starting up my community groups supporting others….now inspired by your article ! Thanks!! 🙂

  454. Kyle thank you sooooo much. You don’t know how much i needed to hear it. Im the one afraid to start the blog because of all number of excuses, impostor syndrome being one of them. Your words put it all in perspective. From the bottom of my heart thank you!

    Also, I aim to have my blog up by the end of the week. I’ll post the link if you want 🙂🙃🙂

  455. I’m essentially a well liked person who is considered nice and helpful and kind… Teachers think Im smart and dedicated…
    But i think I’ve always feared that poeple will discover that I am actually none of those things….they will discover this and then give up on me as a friend or even as a human.
    I’m an architecture student… So fearing being discovered as stupid is a huge obstacle in terms of designing. So the thing that i have avoided is giving myself free reign to design….To talk to people about my design… To fail and learn from it because any of those things might result in exposing me for the inadequate person that I think I am… Not just to the world… But to myself too

  456. Wow thanks for this. I knew ive always had something off about myself, this was it. I think the Imposter syndrome happens to really good people, like morally good. Hear me out, while these very morally good people achieve things, they dont want their victories to go to their head. (they dont want to become a D-bag like you see so many high-achieving people do) And this is good, they dont become a D-bag. But then this Imposter syndrom starts happening, and they start feeling nothing from victories. It can even blossom into “Im really not that good of a person, i dont even deserve to be here achieving things” and “im a fraud, many people are better than me, they just didnt get a chance. So do i really deserve this?” another case of good guys losing. Im pretty sure this is how mine started at least.

  457. I am an auditor, CPA, CIA, MBA, etc. As I write this, another auditor is down the hall reviewing my workpapers. I have been anxiously anticipating this for several days, now, and it makes no sense to do so. For me, what helps is some of the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy tools I have learned. It helps to attack my irrational thoughts; catastrophizing, all-or-nothing, filtering out the positives, etc. I hope to make the auditor’s feedback Exhibit A in my new “atta boy!” file, which I am starting because of this article.

  458. Today I was told I have Imposter Sydrome. I didn’t really get it until I read your article. I’m educated, intelligent, excellent with people but I have never been successful at achieving success in employment. I always, always doubt myself. Not necessarily self loathing but I talk myself out many jobs because I can’t do all of the work. I except to walk into a job and be perfect from the start. I don’t want people to know I don’t know everything. I never give myself a break. I have such high expectations for myself that no one can achieve. I’m way too hard on myself. I know I have so much to offer, but I’m afraid someone will see my weaknesses, not knowing the job, therefore I cheat myself from even trying. Last week I turned down a high paying job that I could have been very successful at, but I sabotaged myself. They hired someone with less education and training. Ugh. I’m 57 and still shooting myself in the foot. Everyone else around me knows I’m fully capable but me, even strangers recognize my capabilities. Finally I have a accurate description of what I feel like.. Now what?

  459. I often focus on what I don’t know. I constantly compare myself to others. I second guess myself when I know I have a valuable perspective and solution to the problem. I constantly need other people to say “good work”. I am currently looking for a new job because my company will not pay me enough- they don’t believe in Market Value. I am spiraling out of control with google salary searches and Linkedin stalking trying to prove I’m a fraud. All I want is to just believe myself- to decide that I am right in asking for what I deserve. And even there I wanted to write “what I THINK I deserve”, but fuck that. I am who I am, and I am ALWAYS trying to be better and to add value to any situation. This was so enlightening!

  460. Just wanted to say I happened upon this without realizing that we’re neighbors and it made your message resonate with me even more. So I just wanted to say hello *insert big wave and slightly goofy smile here* from a St. Petersburg native and (sometimes phony feeling) online content creator.

  461. I have been struggling so much, people say I’m good at my job but I keep thinking that’s just cos they don’t know me or how blind are these people?! People say I’m kind and I think, that’s cos you have no idea what I’m thinking! I don’t bother dating cos I think it won’t last anyway cos they like me to start with but they’ll find me out!

    thank you for sharing, I don’t feel so alone anymore and when the days get tough and they will, I will come back and read your article again, and again and again and again. But I will strive to get over myself and just do….

  462. Wow I just discovered this and I officially found a name for it after forever feeling worthless and being a misfit. Thank you. I’m so tired if not fitting in and not speaking to people because I barely belive my own words. I don’t go out of my way to say things that are not true, however everything I say and do feels like I’m a fraud and they will catch me. It’s horrible to live like this. Someone told me once you look so scaley? I don’t do such things yet I portray it. Goodness I don’t like this. And now writing this makes me feel like a fraud.

    Thanks for the advice.

  463. I’m afraid I’ll never be good enough, smart enough. My thoughts and ideas are naive and don’t come from an educated background. People will make fun of me.

  464. Love this article – i have been feeling imposterish recently when thinking about selling some pottery i make, i only started making a year ago and everyone else i know who sells their work has been doing it for years and years but i think my stuff is just as good. I worry that people will figure out i’m a beginner or that they will think my work is inferior and wont want to pay for it.

  465. This was a nice read. I didn’t know what to call what I was feeling. But I always felt like I was pulling a fast one everyday at my job and even more when I even thought of making a blog or begin writing. I’ve lived all my life thinking I was a fraud, and the once I’m found out, I’ll lose everything including what shred of self respect I had. I recently decided I’ll do something better with myself and everyday has been a struggle with this “Impostor Syndrome”. I only associate with the word fraud, cos of the one time when I was a kid that My Dad called me a fraud when I failed an exam in school. He said it so powerfully and with such passion that it still haunts me to this day. Even 2 of my school teachers said that to him in one of the meetings. I still never understood the meaning. All I could see after that was that I wasn’t true nor doing anything worthwhile because I was a “fraud”. I finished school and my college and all the way to a second job with that word stuck in my head.

    Last year, I suddenly opened my eyes of awareness and decided to do something better with myself and break out of the rut I’ve put myself in because of the “Fraud” mindset. I still struggle with this feeling each day. Especially when I pray, it creeps up. I feel like even God might see me for a Fraud (And I used to hate praying). I think I know why now. I seem to have all these dreams and things I want to do with my life but each time I told myself I shouldn’t because I was a fraud. I feel so guilty at times because I feel like I’m taking from this world and from people and in turn their unhappiness and sad state of their lives feel like I was the cause.

    This was hard to accept and see, I had buried it deep down. But that word keeps popping up in a variety of ways. Thanks for this. I just teared up.

    Thanks again
    Tribu

  466. That was amazing. I felt more assure about myself from just reading your post. I found out I have imposter syndrome from googling, but your article was in target for some of my worse fears such as being referred to as ‘expert’, being authentic, and not talking to that pretty girl.
    This imposter syndrome has prevented me from applying for certain jobs and delayed my application in other cases. It was part of the reason I quit my previous job. Thanks for all the tips on how to beat this syndrome. +1 to thr people you have helped.

  467. I will not make a difference because people like me don’t make a difference. I am afraid I will actually make a difference at some point and then people will expose me for my faults or mistakes and see me as the imposture, imperfect (obviously useless) human being. I fear that I am my past, and people will not let me move on from it with out a well packaged perfect explanation for my experiences.

  468. I amm actually grateful to the owner of this website who has shared this impressive article
    at at this time.

  469. Thank you Kyle. I appreciate the great info and being so open with your experiences. I feel I am not worthy and don’t deserve a great life. I could be sabotaging myself. I believe I’m half way of overcoming my challenges.

    My name is Liz, and I am an imposter.

  470. good stuff very useful, imposter syndrome is linked with narcissism and black & white thinking especially about ourselves, careering from Im great Im rubbish like a mad out of control old badger .Being vulnerable really helps but is so hard when the world seems to require perfect beings. I fear being attacked ridiculed when being honest about how I feel but usually(!) people like it … if we dont try this we never discover a very surprising thing and become more defended impregnable and unhappy

  471. I feel like a fraud. I’ve always felt like a fraud when it comes to being a journalist, creative writer and artist. My mind automatically goes to, “Well, this person is better than me at this or this person is better than me at that.” I never fully bathe in my successes and downplay them when I get the constant question of, “What have you been up to?” I reply with, “Oh nothing, just chilling.” I’ve been in rooms no other minority has been in, in my field. Yet I feel I got their by the skin of my teeth. That I didn’t fully take advantage of the opportunity even though in reality I DID! So that being said, I want to work for CNBC as a business news correspondent. The reality is minorities are not prevalent in the beat. Most college students my age and color want to be entertainment and culture writers and reporters. I want to do something more impactful, I want to inform others and myself. I want to investigate this complex system of capitalism. Yet, because I am not well versed in the topic, I feel I am not ready for such a task. Somewhere in my mind I know I can, but my emotions are saying, “What if you fail?” I have been very successful in my field for my age and market region. I don’t want to feel this way anymore because I know I am talented, but act as if I am not. As if all that I’ve done is something anyone would achieve to do. I denote myself as common, not saying I am necessarily uncommon. But I do have uncommon ways and achievements. This has helped me and I am going to go and write the rest of the application to CNBC now. Thanks for reading! Thanks for letting me vent.

  472. I went in search of a solution for my problem when My husband wants to divorce me. we was married for 9 years and we have been through a lot, he has cheated on me before but I forgave him because I love him and moved on but later again he met a girl at work and thinks he is in love with her, so one day he told me he wants a divorce, for me I don’t because I still loved him I know this must sound stupid but never wanted him go. I tried to make him see he is making a mistake but everything went wrong, I loved him so much but he refused to change his mind, i waited for him to come to his senses but nothing worked, i went in search of help and i was directed to contact a spell caster for help because i knew that will be the best solution, then i contacted dr_mack@yahoo. com to help me to unite i and my husband and finally i and my husband are perfectly together as one which was awesome, my husband is back to his senses, It felt good to have my Husband back
    State: Texas
    Country: United States

  473. Oh…. oh wow. This actually explains so much. So, I enjoy writing stories but I’ve never actually shared anything with others because I’m convinced that my work isn’t good enough. This has affected school too, as I get very high marks but shrug them off, but when I get a lower mark I feel like that’s the mark I actually deserve because I’m not intelligent at all. I even feel this around my friends to some degree by thinking that I don’t deserve to have them and need to make sure that they’re happy so they don’t leave. Hopefully I’ll be able to combat it now. Thank you!

  474. “I am a special snowflake,” my parents convinced me, “I deserve happiness and prosperity.”
    In the 10 years since grad school, I languish in the food service industry, straddling poverty.
    I attempt to write and play music, am reminded by All The Media of how pathetic it is to be a poor, single, mid-30s entry-level wage slave wishing to be someone better, without the tools to be so.
    I am asked what I would do if I won the lottery (by someone who doesn’t understand the implications of winning the lottery), I reply, “Nothing. I would stop leaving the house except to buy drugs. I would passively wait until time returns me to dust.”
    “Do what you love and the money will follow,” Baby Boomers tell me after stumbling, drunk and stoned, into middle-class paradise. I struffle to find the words, “I don’t love doing anything. Attempting hobbies requires an inordinate amount of energy to convince myself that I want to do things.”
    I feel that I am an impostor, not because I am successful and feel unworthy of success, but because I am alive and feel unworthy of the freedom that I squander on binge-watching.
    Impostor syndrome, from the bottom of my dried-up well, looks like princes and princesses needing to be told every day that they are still royalty.
    I need to be told every minute that I am a human being.
    I am less impostor than ersatz human being.

  475. Interesting article – someone mentioned imposter syndrome to me when I said that I was waiting for someone to discover how crap I actually am at what I do!
    I think in terms of it being more predominant in women, it’s possibly because we tend to be ‘put down’ more (by both sexes)
    It’s also a way of protecting ourselves – I don’t much care if someone thinks what I’ve done is no good – I believe it myself. It would be much harder to take criticism if I was proud of it!

  476. I been working in my current position the las 2 and a half years, I avoid all the time conversations and explanations to my boos, Im software engineer and I feel like I don’t know nothing or in some cases I don’t know what Im doing, I feel like if I’m going to explain something, someone is going to ask something I don’t know, thats a terrible situation for me. I don’t have the best human attitude in almost the cases. Some times I just can’t stop to compare me with my coworker, who I think is by far better than me, also thats makes me feel sad and very depressed. So this is my stuff

    • I have that exact feeling working in a job. I feel like I don’t know anything, but I want to learn, but I don’t know what to do or take the steps to learn. I just avoid encounters day in and day out and trudge along thinking it will magically be okay one day. Terrible way to be…we both need to get out of this situation/mindset.

  477. I was offered a job after I graduated. I am the youngest staff on our team. My boss didn’t call any of my references. I’m fearful that they now think they made a mistake with hiring me because I am not learning quick enough.

  478. I got a new job last year, which was a significant step up for me. I went from delivering projects to managing them. So, I’ve been shying away from my project planning as I’m worried that my Director will think I’m a fraud and not any good. But it’s irrational, as I know that I always make sensible, rational decisions, and she’s very patient and understanding. I just need to get it done I suppose. Thanks for lots of helpful suggestions to overcome the feeling!

  479. I was promoted to a senior position over 2 years ago and I have felt like a fraud ever since. I am afraid to give my opinion in meetings for fear I will sound dumb. I am not confident in my abilities and am often stressed and anxious, and I carry that anxiety with me outside of work. I can’t switch off from work in the evenings, or weekends, always thinking about how I can do things better. I put a lot of pressure on myself and keep telling myself I am not good enough. I just completed a 4 month leadership course that was very competitive (only 15 people in the State got in) with a highly rigorous application process, wrote a report that will be published internationally and was just accepted on to a statewide project, another highly competitive process. Yet I feel anxiety about my performance & abilities almost daily.

  480. Thank you so much for this helpful heartfelt article. I appreciate reading the comments. We are in this together! There is so much that I feel like a fraud for. But probably the biggest challenge is feeling like I can’t make the endeavor of dating for fear they will discover the real me. So much learning and growth and action to continue and initiate. Thank you!

  481. I feel that the very definition of imposter syndrome was written about me.
    In my personal life, always trying to be what everyone else wants me to be.
    In my Processional life, in a job for over 25 years (most would say I was extremely good at it) that I never wanted to do in the first place.

    I have been told that I am highly intelligent and smart, yet never scored above 75 in standardised IQ tests, yet seem do very well in my current studies.
    My peers and friends like me and respect me, yet refer to my note about being what I believe everyone else needs me to be.

    My Imposter Syndrome well is so deep, I struggle to see the light at the top.
    There are some tools provided that I will attempt to use to wind up the bucket I am sitting in at the wells’ bottom.

  482. I am scared to make my point in meetings and come across as nervous and unconfident because I don’t think I’m clever enough or that I know enough. I am one of the most highly paid, educated and senior persons in my organisation 🙁

  483. I have lots of qualifications and experience, some in my work field and others in random hobbies like scuba diving. I am also very well travelled. I constantly down play my achievements and experience and think the my colleagues are more experienced / better than me at what they do. Despite the fact that I am continually given positive feedback I feel filled with self doubt and often think ‘if only they knew’. I am always thinking I am handling things badly. A few years ago I didn’t attend some training at work for fear of everyone finding out what I don’t know. I am not growing and developing in what I do. I even neglect to fill in paperwork that I need to complete for my job to prove to myself that at some point I will be caught for not doing my job properly. My school reports always read that I ‘need to recognise my own capabilities’ clearly this has been a lifelong problem. Another part of me, a secret part, thinks I am special and better / different from others in some way – thinking this makes me feel even worse about myself.

  484. My imposter syndrome is literally with absolutely everything. I always feel like I am dumb. Like I cannot do anything correct. I often doubt myself and feel like I am not good enough. I dont like talking with certain people because I feel like they will think I am dumb. I have a job were I constantly think and feel like I am not good enough at what I do and feel like I am going to mess up at any minute.

  485. I have a job that pays me the most I’ve ever made, yet I’m not that great at what I do. I’m constantly asking questions and over thinking and reworking. Even if it’s enough, it’s never enough.

    • That is a great thing. Please see yourself as always trying to improve (not only yourself) but the problem as a valuable employee and team member. That is a rarity anymore. Just my two cents anyway. Congrats on the high paying job!

  486. I was born into a background of wealth and family business. And I have been elevated to a position of power at a young age and I somehow feel like I don’t belong here. I’m a fraud and I’m going to get outted soon!

    I feel as if I’m not smart enough and I am not deserving enough of this position. I also constantly compare myself to my dad (who started the business) and keep falling short in my mind.

    This article speaks so much truth and I wil def keep coming back to it for help and relief

  487. Thanks for the ways to deal with the impostor syndromen I´ll give them a try!

    For me the imposter syndrome appears especially when I´m judging my own personality. P.e. my girlfriend told me what kind of inspiring person I am and that she likes my values. Instead of thanking her for such a nice compliment I´ll tell her that I´m not really like that, that I´m just acting like I think the people expect me to do. I would love to convince myself that I´m really a better person then I think I am but I can´t help feeling like an actor whenever I am surrounded by people.
    These days I self-diagnosed the impostor syndrome and I´m keen on trying to overcome as often as possible so I´ll pick my favorite practices from above. I started with creating a document for the compliments people are giving and I´m curio us in seeing how fast or slow this document will blow up.

    Probz to everybody who`s trying to fight the problem and good luck mates!

  488. I pull myself away each time I want to share a thought with people. I try not to talk as much as I can. Each time i want to do something good I stop myself bacause I think that they’ll think I’m faking it. And whenever people praises me for something good I did, I don’t do it again in front of them not to let them think I’m redoing it because of their compliment. I feel like people are loving the fake me cuz they don’t know all the wrong and the bad things I did but stoped doing anymore yet still hiding them.

  489. I only discovered the Syndrome yesterday, typical for someone like me – I had to self diagnose rather than just talk to someone – been getting worse and worse for 9 years. I thought it was the stress of my career, working class boy made good in IT but started getting worse and worse anxiety (now sweat in work every day because I sit there worried the next call or task will show me as a fraud) even though I have been successful in my profession for 25 years.
    So, typical again I thought i would change career as i deemed IT to be the problem (also didn’t mention I emigrated half way round the world with a wife and 3 kids leaving a great job in the UK). Got a job as Business and Operations manager in a well respected organization, did so well (now realise I over achieving to compensate for my feeling of inadequacy – basically a fraud) they made me acting CEO. The recognition crushed me and I ended up leaving. Most people would have accepted what a great job they did – i just wanted to hide even more.

  490. I thought I couldn’t sing. In fifth grade, I remember my mom eagerly bribing my way into my school’s choir, but the moment I stepped up into my place I got the feeling that I didn’t belong there. The teacher asked me to sing five simple notes and I strained my voice to make it sound beautiful, but my teacher’s look told me that I’ve earned my place in the bottom tier of the choir hierarchy; I did not know how many peer’s eyes were on me, but I could feel their disappointment at this late-coming intruder that didn’t deserve what she had. I spent a somewhat depressing year on the choir and even performed twice in large occasions, but I couldn’t get along with the way more talented kids and I looked down at my glimmering gown thinking that I was a fraud. Being a top student all my life, I simply could not accept my depression in the organization.
    Surprise…weeks ago I finally found a legit singing teacher and discovered that I’m actually a long-hidden dramatic soprano! Still, my singing is not quite top-notch yet, and I was about to quit the chance of signing up for the music group and circle singing in my upcoming summer school, but this article told me that I don’t have to be perfect to give it a shot! I’m like the infant learning to walk, and there’s no other voice than the voice in my head that’s telling me, “who are YOU to sing?”
    Thank you so much!

  491. I surround myself with people that I find intelligent in ways that I am not so that I am constantly learning. When imposter syndrome kicks in, I fear that these same people will figure out that I am a fraud. That I actually don’t know anything and can’t actually hold an intelligent conversation with them. When I don’t understand what they’re talking about, or keep asking questions, or say something that’s incorrect, I feel as though everyone thinks I’m dumb. That I must be dumb.

  492. I’m a choreographer. I’ve never just said that when people asked what I did. I just said “Well I’m primarily a dancer” and would then immediately spout off more “legitimate occupations I did as side jobs. I didn’t go to school for dance. The type of dance I do isn’t even taught in most schools. I’m the founder and artistic director of my dance company. I applied on a whim for one of the largest independent artist grants in my city… and I got it. I found out yesterday and instead of the predicted response of tears of joy and eagerness to get started on my fully funded production… I mostly feel sad. In the back of my mind I think “Who the hell am I to deserve this honor and title? There are badass real artists twice my age with a resume three times as long who have received this. I’m not worthy.” What helped me about this blog post is the tip to remember the balance of regard for yourself, and checking the self-importance. I’m going to let people acknowledge my work and feel good about my accomplishments (and own them), because I am an ever-improving, good hearted person with the interests of others in mind.

  493. I am paraltzing afraid to tell the guy that I am dating that U am a recovering alcoholuc. He knoes i dint drink but i get so nervous when i am with him because he is so smaet and so sure of himself. Why would he ever want to be with a fraud like me!

  494. I have been in an unqualified position since Jan and it was pointed out to me that I was ‘suffering’ with this. So I’ve googled it and found you! Reading your article literally brought tears to my eyes. So much rang true. Unless I have a piece of paper to say I can do something I don’t think that I can. I’ve always been the same. Thank you for your insights!

  495. A working mom. Feel like I’m pulling the wool over everyone’s eyes trying to do my job well and raise 2 tiddlers at the same time. Working so hard to over compensate, I am on the edge of burn out. Thanks for rescuing me.

  496. I’m 20. In my life, I feel like I’ve achieved success undeserved. Since being in college, I scraped by grades-wise in my opinion, yet I was able to somehow get an internship as a software engineer twice (once after my first year and one again right now). I’m not studying anything software related and I like it but I can’t stand the fact of going to work. It scares me to the ends of the earth, I feel like I try to get things done at work but everyone knows everything. People know so much more than me, and my friends who actually study SE have trouble getting jobs and it makes me freak out. I don’t know enough. Everyday I sit for nearly an hour at my computer screen contemplating why I’m here and how I managed to get myself into this situation AGAIN. Also, from being in college, I didn’t tell anyone about how terrible my grades are and I keep getting these positions of “power” that I honestly don’t think I deserve. I talk to new students and I have so many faculty connections and people actually ask for my opinion all the time, or what they can do to be like me. I don’t want to sound like I’m gloating here, it genuinely scares the shit out of me because I’ve done literally nothing and I don’t deserve this. Other students look to me like I have all the answers for everything or that I’ve accomplished so much and I don’t feel like I have at all. I don’t deserve to lead students, I feel like a huge imposter. I don’t know why I’m even at work if I can barely program and this article helped me realize this.

    • You reminded me of myself everyone around me think that I’m good at work and I’m smart in solving problems yet, I can never feel like I’m good or smart o a successful person as they’re feeling!

      • I feel the same. Like I question why they were impressed it wasn’t that hard of a task. Or I feel like I’m over paid and don’t deserve to be there. Or they’ll never want someone like me moved up the ladder.

  497. I change so much, I often feel like an imposter. Nicknames make me feel that way too. When I buy new shoes. When I try new shirts out for the first time. And the second and the second. Who am I to get a new shirt? Update my style…pfft. Better check muhself.

  498. I just discovered the term “imposter syndrome” the other day and it amazingly completely explains my entire life! And the meme about grad school is hilarious! I finished my entire master’s degree except the dissertation because I had so much anxiety that they were going to find me out and say “how did you get in here? YOU don’t belong here!” In every job I’ve had, if I am not consistently praised I start to think I am the only one who has no idea what is going on and someone is going to call me on it and FIRE me and everyone will know I was faking my way and didn’t belong here in the first place. I even quit one job because of it (but convinced myself that I did it for other reasons.) Yeah, I got it bad! This article was SO enlightening and fun to read. It definitely is nice to know that others – and celebrities like the “Phenomenal Woman” Maya Angelou – felt this way too. I’m going to try to recognize the feelings when they arise and move past them. Wish me luck! Thanks for the article!

  499. I work in IT with people who know more than I do, who’ve done it longer than I have, and I feel like I don’t deserve a place at the table, even though I know I think outside the box and provide insight that might otherwise go unnoticed. I’m learning quickly and adapting very well, but it’s easy to feel like a fraud in this setting.

    I had a percussion teacher who made me feel like I wasn’t good enough to be a concert percussionist, and treated it like a sport. His teaching style wasn’t my learning style, but I ended up changing my major and not finishing a degree in percussion. I always felt like my stick bag wasn’t full — that I didn’t deserve to be there. I still drum, but I learned that it is for my pleasure (and therapy), and not to impress him. But it still feels like a deep scar, and I’ve never really gotten over that.

    Thank you for this article. Bookmarked!

  500. Kyle,
    Thank you for existing. Thank you for writing this article.I breathed a sigh of relief after reading this. Feeling like an imposter is a daunting emotion. (I’m a 23 y/o woman in the Tech Industry and an Entrepreneur based in India)
    The fact that successful people like Sheryl Sandberg, Emma Watson and Tina Fey feel it too is very reassuring. You’re not alone in the world.

    I especially liked #11 “Realize that when you hold back you’re robbing the world.” My eyes lit up on reading this.

    I have bookmarked this article and will keep coming back to it.

  501. Auditioning at the local community theater. I have zero experience and am not a huge fan of the spotlight but it’s something that has been in the back of my mind for a while

  502. I laughed all the way through (in a good way). It’s because it’s *very* recognizable. Ahahaha…

    How I love this piece. Brilliant :).

    Things I’ve avoided due to Impostor Syndrome:

    – starting a blog (for the 2nd time, because I didn’t want to expose myself and I didn’t know WTF to write about… lol, I didn’t think I had anything valuable to contribute, which I can now see is a total lie = unrealistic expectations of self)

    – starting my own business

    But I’m glad to report that Impostor Syndrome has lost a lot of it’s power and grip it had on me :).

    I *love* the example of the baby who keeps trying to walk – no matter what.

    How courageous, how bold, how determined and how focused we are as children.

    Such a beautiful thing, truly!

    I’m going to hold onto that image and use it as a source of inspiration whenever I feel Impostor Syndrome gnawing at me, hehe.

    I have a feeling I’m going to come back to this blog many times :). It’s up my alley.

    Thanks for sharing! ♥

  503. Positively enlightening! I have a wonderful job that continues to offer opportunities for growth and development and I almost suffocate with its demands. Recognizing that it nor I are that important will help me to breathe and continue to simply put one foot in front of the other. If I stumble, as I surely will, life will go on and hopefully I’ll be wiser. Thank you for this insightful article, I believe it will make a positive difference in my experience going forward.

  504. I started a new job in January. I have had nothing but good feedback during my first 5 months. I am now on vacation. I dread going back to work in August. I feel I will let everybody at my new job down by being such a failure.

    Usually I wouldn’t even be in this kind of situation as I would have said no to the job and / or any other exciting opportunity.

  505. I just came out of an audition this morning, and I feel like I went in there and just exposed myself as a terrible actor who didn’t prepare and who was actually a terrible recommendation. Hey saw me at my school’s showcase and really liked my work there, and then when I got there, despite thoughts going through my head trying to get me grounded in the moment, I was overcome with nervousness and fear of failure and believing that everybody else at the audition actually deserved to be there when I didn’t. I convinced myself that the work I did to prepare wasn’t work. That my research wasn’t good enough. That my perspective on acting made no sense. And, in addition, I convinced myself that my two roommates who are also actors have this all figured out and that I actually have no idea what I’m doing. And I kept thinking these things instead of just TRUSTING MYSELF. And that’s where I want to move forward from. I want to trust myself, believe that I can overcome imposter syndrome, and move forward doing things the way I want to do them and experimenting with life, every moment I find.

    It doesn’t help too that I am constantly feeling like I’m not enough in my friendships and my relationships. More than that, I feel pretty scared that I’m not a lot. I don’t want to feel that any more. I just want to live my life in the way that will excite me the most and make me happiest.

  506. I enjoyed this very much. I am a Board Certified Anesthesiologist that is now in an operations leadership position at a prominent hospital system. Although I am confident in my clinical skills, speaking about it (giving talks) completely freaks me out. I have it all twisted in my mind that my colleagues are all much brighter, better read and just waiting to call me out for being an utter fraud. Completely ridiculous, right?
    The older I get and the more successful that I become, the more intense this fear becomes. Up until recently, I had no idea there were others with the same issue. Now, I am fascinated with this concept and believe it is a strong contributing factor to physician burnout.
    Thanks again for writing this- just today, after a very positive meeting… I felt overwhelmed with that familiar feeling that I must have said something stupid or ‘surely they have figured out by now that I am not worthy of my leadership position’

  507. I’m stunned. Please allow me to vent. I’m so stuck! Me, the motivator, stuck!?!? I’ve been searching for several years trying to figure out what’s wrong with me! Funny thing..I grew up all my life as the life of the party with over 20 voice impersonations. I can sing like anybody too! My whole youth, my insecurities were hid behind making people life to like me. I was Indeed a professional. I wanted to do stand up comedy and acting but was terrified of failure. 30 years later, my true passion emerges, to help people discover their authentic self and understanding “the process” to get from a job to a life. Here’s my issue. When I first started speaking. I was new. I had to master speaking more than content. So people close knew my content wasn’t genuine. I was very young. Today I’m an expert communicator. I’ve got years of reading and study on the subject of my passion. I can articulate it as my own because I’ve lived it! Yet, because I gleen from other experts things I would’ve never thought of- really good content to keep my skills up, I feel in-authentic. I feel horrible for charging people for a workshop I’ve developed by what I’ve learned from others. Didn’t everybody learn from another? I even feel I can’t go public on video or online classes..what if my mentor, whom I paid to learn from specifically, to teach from..he even said..”use my slides, my powerpoint,become a mini-me”…and I still worry he see’s that I sound a lot like him, i’m a copy cat fraud!! These crazy thoughts that I’m a fraud, a fake. I was never a CEO, PHD I was never anything but an average Joe. Yet I know, but the impact I’ve made on lives already as a Pastor and Jail church and counseling. I know my story has great value! You CAN NOT speak for 6 minutes in a jail if you’re not authentic, they spit you out..I’ve got 6 very productive life changing fruitful years in others lives! Yet I actually froze today thinking what credentials shall I put on my website!! My mind thinks..”I’ve impersonate people all my life, now I’m impersonating peoples careers and content too! who am I really?” Kyle you are an answer to two years of prayer! I never even heard of this, I never knew it had a name. I hope you read this and feel free to reply. I can use the help. I’ve got to get unstuck once and for all. I’ve got to settle it. You made me see it this way: MY passion (subject content) is like pizza! Tons of people make pizza, each a little different. Each with their own territory, reach and niche. So, then who cares if mine “looks” like others? Mine is unique. It has it’s personal variation and touch, reach and audience anyways? True? Did I understand your points? I feel WAY better already. I’ve work on the exercises next. Thank you!!!! (By the way…I’m going to eat this subject up, living it fully out, and in a year..own it..then make a workshop out of it. I’ll change the name…geeze.. I’m such a fake..but I’ll send you a commission.lol

  508. I thought I might be an imposter for years until it was proven to me beyond a shadow of doubt. I was fired from my job, and I have not been able to get a similar job in town since then. It’s been 5 years. So what does one do when one discovers that she truly IS a fraud?

    • That doesn’t mean you were a fraud, you did it successfully for 5 years focus on that!

  509. I have stopped myself from starting a blog and a youtube channel for years. Today – I am creating my Youtube channel. NO MORE EXCUSES! Thank you so much for this

  510. I am afraid to apply for upper management positions because I’m afraid; 1) I won’t be selected, and
    2) If I am selected, what if I suck at it and they’ll find out the fraud I am? Ugh.
    Promotion times are coming up in August. The applications haven’t even been made available yet and I’m already doubting myself.

  511. It’s the day before my Ph.D. Defense. I’ve already met with one of my committee members (because he won’t make it to my defense), and he commented that my talk was not technical enough. He said that he didn’t get a sense of what my contribution to my field was. I didn’t really defend myself, even though it’s a DEFENSE. I spent most of yesterday and all of this morning wallowing in self-pity and imposter syndrome. What if everything comes crashing down!? I decided to do a search on the imposter syndrome and I have to say, the advice Kyle writes about in the article really lifted the weight I feel in my heart.

    I AM IMPORTANT. I HAVE MADE CONTRIBUTIONS TO MY FIELD. I AM NOT A FRAUD.

    So, thanks Kyle for this insightful article.

  512. I didn’t send in a manuscript to a director who asked me for one. I just disappeared. And years later, I am terrified of applying to grad school because I think in the interview someone will realize I am a joke (though I know that logically, I am not and have put in a lot of hard work – and never plagiarized anyone else’s work – to get there).

  513. 1. Working as a developer at an M&C, w/o having given enough effort during the college days into coding or learning development beyond curriculum, I feel insecure as someone who has got been given the wrong role and that it would be caught.

    2. To avoid the above situation, I try to see what others are doing apart from my profession/who shifted from my profession. But due to lack of actions, there too, I hesitate asking them about ideas or way forward, with a fear of being labelled as a day-dreamer and one who is just acting to become another person.
    Indecisive in finding what I would want to do, I feel moved by multitude of paths, people in my close vicinity take up. Asking about everything and not taking up action, fearing they have already travelled a long way and how could I possibly catch up, makes me insecure and also to feel that I am prone to judgements by others.

  514. I won’t speak up in meetings for fear of not knowing everything or saying the wrong thing. I won’t take the lead in my role at work for fear of being wrong or being found out. I don’t put in the effort needed at work for fear of success. I feel like I am making myself fail & telling myself I can’t do this for fear of success

  515. Avoided posting written songs (but strangely I’m okay with posting poetry online). Avoided starting a blog. Avoided potential new jobs. Avoided new opportunities in general

  516. I just moved into a new position that is far outside of my comfort zone. I feel like a fraud…a lot is expected of me. There are some days that I feel so overwhelmed with feelings of inadequacy that I don’t get anything accomplished.

  517. Applying to that software developer job, because​ I didn’t feel like I was qualified enough, or speaking up and being myself during an interview, because I didn’t want to look arrogant or weird.

  518. I have avoided actually committing to med-school under the sole belief that one day someone would realize I was never really as smart as my grades say I was. Today I found out that feeling like a fraud is actually quite common. So common, in fact, that it’s actually a syndrome!! I will be referring to this blog post for quite sometime now, thank you so much!

  519. I avoided applying for jobs and still avoid talking to subject matter experts because I don’t have expertise in the *exact* field or area my job covers. I have to remind myself that I have *other* superpowers that they don’t.

  520. I didn’t apply for a coordinator position for a while, but this semester I did.

  521. Hi, this is a huge help. I feel down in the past few days after accepting a new role in our company. I’ve doubted myself (I still do) because I think I’m a fraud. I’m not competent and I really don’t know what I’m doing. I’m afraid that my boss and colleagues will find out soon that I’m just faking everything I do. After reading this article, I know that I have to move forward (and keep pushing myself, too). Thanks a lot!

  522. I’ve been relentlessly avoiding putting together a final project proposal for one of my classes because I’m using it as part of an interview for an internship that I feel wholly unqualified for and I’m terrified that I won’t be good enough for it, and even if I do get it I’m afraid I won’t be able to do it as well as my other classmates. It’s completely irrational, I know I’m a good writer and I can learn anything I need to know that I don’t yet, it’s just been eating away at me for weeks because I feel like none of my ideas are good enough, so I emailed my professor for help with choosing an idea to work on. I’m still going out for the internship and it’ll be okay, it’s just been hard. Thank you so much for this article, it helped me identify something I didn’t realize I had and made it feel so much more manageable now that it has a name. Thank you!

  523. I have failed to talk to new people and make new friends because I feel like I’m not that interesting. I don’t participate in class discussions because I feel like everyone will think what I say is stupid.

  524. I’m a parent of 3 small kids, and have (just about) finished a 3.5yr degree in nursing, involving 1100 hours of practical placement (read: working like a nurse, for free). I wanted to go to med school, but my ex husband wouldn’t let us move town to where the med school is. He left, and now I have the oportunity to go, and to apply. I struggle with the awkward feeling that people think I’m in the top of my nursing class academically. I feel like it’s a lie, I’m just friends with the smartest people in my class so I kinda look like I’m one of them. I feel like, if I apply for med school, I’ll fail – or worse, I’ll get in. And then I’ll have to fake my way through med school, and hope no one there notices that I’m not that bright & miss a bunch of stuff all the time…
    In my nursing degree, I have an A- average grade. I failed one aspect of my most recent paper – the first time I can recall ever failing anything acacemically – and I lost my shit for days. I felt like every bit of work that I had been graded on during my entire degree was not accurate, and this one piece that I failed (for completely not following the instructions…) was far more exemplary of my actual abilities and work. I’m sitting here actually trying to write the resit I have to submit, and I’m paralysed by how stupid I feel. I feel like, I didn’t get it the first time, why will they accept my resit?

  525. Thanks so much for your post! It felt really heatly to read. Here is what I once avoided because of imposter syndrome. I really wanted to take a lesson with a wonderfull pianist and piano teacher but resigned because my friend who I think played better did. We were at same academy and had equal marks in general but still I thought the teacher would think I was insane to try to take a lesson. Now I see that I was not fair to just give myself a chance and try something new out.

  526. I don’t talk much, I don’t want people to know I’m different I don’t want them to see me as a weirdo I want to be perfect immaculate I’m not anyway I have no clue what they see. I don’t do anything. I have a lot of issixes. I don’t know what to fix.

  527. The one thing I’ve avoided…I’ve always wanted to create beautiful art and I was an art major in college until someone told me that wasn’t a “real” career and I believed them and told myself I wasn’t talented enough anyway. Since then I’ve dabbled in art and people have told me I’m good and/or talented but I don’t believe them. Every time I pick up a pencil to try and create anything I talk myself out of it saying I’m no artist, I have no skill, who am I kidding, etc.

    Sigh…

  528. I left my job to work for a nonprofit. I love the mission, but I haven’t been assigned much work over the past two months and have just been sitting around a lot. I feel like anytime I try to start a project or convey an idea, that it won’t be accepted and that I don’t deserve to be in the position that I’m in. I’ve seen a lot of success in my career, but all of it feels like a fake. It feels like my ideas work because I’m lucky and have great support, not because I’m smart or good at what I do. IS has become so overbearing if I tell my friends or girlfirend how I feel, I’ll immediately want to retract the statement: “Did I really feel that way? Probably not, I just need to calm down.”. —- All that is a lot of BS, and I see that now. Thanks for the article.

  529. I found this completely by accident and its really eye opening.

    I suffer from Imposter Syndrome in most aspects of my life. The ‘who are you trying to kid’ question comes up alot.

    I paint, but would never do anything with it but chuck it in the bin, for fear of getting laughed at.

    I’m a writer that has never managed to get a book past editorial stage because its not good enough/not as good as others.

    I am a corporate fundraiser for a large charity, and I regularly wonder what the hell I’m doing.

    I recently started a blog, against all my inner thoughts, about my steps into witchcraft for fear that no one would read it and it would be a waste of time.

    Now, as I wait to start my trauma therapy again, I listen to that voice tell me that I’m not strong enough, what’s the point, you are just pretending to be capable.

    Thank you for this article. It is nice to put a name to the fear that grips my belly into a fist everytime I try to do anything. That tells me I am not good enough. And its nice to have to weapons to use against it.

  530. I have changed jobs every three years, with a fear being that someone will catch up to my crappy work, and I will get fired. In the process, hoping that someone would recognize something in me that I don’t see, and help. It has been a struggle.

    Thanks for the article.

  531. Thank you Kyle! This is something I am currently struggling with as I embark into a new career. Fabulous points and action steps to move through this.

  532. Wow, this is me to a tee. I haven’t genuinely spoke of this out loud, I joke and say things like “fake it until I make it” but I never really got down to the roots of it and said it out loud. So here it is – I feel like a fraud. This is more than one person I know but to say it out loud feels awesome. This past month I took a new position in a completely different field, my new company sought me out for, the interview process took three days and boom just like that, I had a new career. It was simple and seemed too good to be true but in reality they came to me because of the work that I put out in the community. Everyday since
    I accepted the position, I keep thinking that they will soon enough figure me out and let me go! Bottom line, I work hard and I have a lot to bring to any organization. I am not a fraud but I am not perfect either, at least I am willing to try. Thank you for this!

  533. I gave up on an App I made to sell online years ago because I wasn’t able to finish my college degree at the time in Programming. I considered myself a fraud and that I wouldn’t be able to do any more with the App for anyone and coupled with not being able to get my degree I took it down and gave up on my first business. I didn’t think I would be able to live up to being an App Designer and that anything I made would always be mediocre in quality. The shame and guilt I felt for even selling it pushed me further.

  534. I am a 23 years old grad student and on the outside I act all humble and content every time someone show their admiration to me. but to be honest I feel like fraud because, yes, I have no idea what I’ve been doing. It’s all started because when I was on my undergrad study I felt like the smartest person, but then I happened to like one guy from my class and found out he is so much passionate and active than me. since then I’ve been feeling so stupid and I hate myself for being so full of myself. Now I always feel like other people are so much better than me in everything and I’m not supposed to be where I am and I’m scared that people will find out how stupid I actually am and take over my place….
    (I’m sorry about my English, it’s not my first language, I just think I need to share)

  535. I saw a job advert today for a role that I thought I would be great at – but I forecast all my possible shortcomings and failures, all the knowledge I didn’t have, all the questions people would look to me to answer. Without even opening the application form I had convinced myself I would look like a fool. I had ASSUMED I would get the job and simultaneously imagined all the ways in which I would fail at it. And even as I type this I know how ridiculous that sounds!

  536. Wow… I don’t even know where to start from.. Is it the realisation that I am not alone or the relieve in actually putting a name to this feeling?

    Last year after my compulsory national service, I got a job that I honestly believed I am capable to doing. Fast forward to 8 months into the role.. I started having this funny feelings that i would be found out for the fraud i am.. It was so really and frustrating.. although at this moment I was been praised by my colleagues and management on how good I was becoming and the tremendous improvement..yet I still don’t feel it.

    January this year I resigned from the company and took up another role… i also believed that I am suitably qualified to perform my tasks on this new role…yet this same feelings never left me. It felt like my brain was shut down. I couldn’t actually do anything..yet the moment I step out of the office and heading home.. Ideas and strategies to handle different scenarios will flood my mind.

    Two months ago, I was disengaged from the role and have been currently freelancing. I have some clients who consisitently praise the quality of work I deliver to them.. yet I still feel like an not good enough. there are some many things I would love to do. One been launching my own business. Already have the framework and background work laid yet i still couldn’t bring myself to do this even when I know I can do it. this is crushing

    It a discussion I had with a colleague today that led me to google what impostor syndrome is. Honestly I need help… I need to be saved from myself!

  537. Hey there!
    I actually don’t know if I really think of myself as an impostor, but I certainly think of myself of being incapable of doing anything.
    I’m afraid of every new challenge to come. I’m only 23 years old and süent a lot of my time crying and worrying about how my life will develop and how I can secure myself against every odd to come. I started studying in the field of biotechnology but dropped out after only a few months because I was afraid of the practical task, of doscovering that I’m not able to be successful in this field. Now I started an apprenticeship in the field of taxes while gping to university simultaneously and grades are great, the field is interesting and work even is fun, but the apprenticeship didn’t really turned put how it should have. Many tasks I already should be able to successfully complete I have not yet ever had contact with and now I get a load of all that kind of work and i just wish I could run from it. I’m so afraid of not being able to accomplish what I’m supposed to know anyhow by now.
    However that’s not the only thing, always when being with people I am afraid of being who I am. I don’t eanna offend people and still it happens and it is so difficult to worry all the time about if someone likes me or not. I really wish I could be someone else.

  538. For a long time now I felt like I had this. It’s so odd thought, I’m usually confident, even though not too much of it. I don’t really care when I’m approved or when I get something right and then get a praise for it; I feel like its my job. Losing or missing something or being criticized though has a huge impact on my self-esteem for quite a long time. It’s as if people couldn’t tell me how good I am (i.e. didn’t have the authority), but could tell me how bad I am. It’s terrible because everyone around me tretas me as if I’m excellent and “rationally” I know I am really good at what I do because I study a lot to be that good; “irrationally”, though, I feel like the amount of things I still don’t know is what counts and, because of that, I feel like I’m not good enough and never will be.

    Also, I always feel like I’m living in a world where everyone is made of crystal. It’s as if I couldn’t go all out because people would break. I secretely long for someone with whom I feel like I can be truly myself as in really witty and nasty and yet seductive (think Patrick Jane, for instance). This is the reason why I look for women (hetero cis male here) that look like they have some sort of power and or are seductive somehow. I could only find those kinds of girls once in a blue moon, so I feel like it will be impossibile to marry and/or find a suitable partner anytime soon.

    Besides that, I also don’t feel compelled to talk to many of my friends. They all look to much within their own problems, within their own walls and within their own – honestly – stupidity. I believe this might make me sound like a weirdo or an arrogant prick, but I don’t admire them at all. Since they all share the love for the same hobbies (drinking and weed, netflix, talking about politics, etc.) and those I don’t care the least about those things, I don’t feel like I have a connection with them. I don’t even like to think of them as friends, more like colleagues. This has nothing to do with how I would treat them or with how much care I have for them; it’s just that I don’t feel like I’m close to many of them.

    I also believe they would judge me for having a blog and updating it regularly. They are all so judgemental and yet they all long for acceptance. At least I keep my judgements to myself and try to raise their self-esteem as much as possible. They don’t seem to care about other people at all and, bseides that, whenever something bad happens to them they don’t acknowledge their responsibility, blaming the situation, others, etc. instead. They are eager to order people around and demand people to be a certain way…they are also very fond of mocking people ina mean way, being ironic, etc. but hate it when it’s done to them.

    This all makes for a destructive environment I don’t want to be in. That’s why I travel so much around my country: I don’t want to be close to those that are phisically close to me. I’m a pretty reserved and decicated person, so I manage to go away without anyone bugging me to go to parties. But it’s terrible to have your surroundings like that. Being a psychoanalysis student, I feel like I can’t go into the group without noticing how much toxic the group is.

    You were right, by the way. It’s really good to write it down in a place that is not my blog. It made me notice how much I avoid those people and how much I don’t want to be close to them. I really miss that innocent moment in which you and people around you have fun without worrying about others, something akin to Before Sunrise, but also extended to friendships.

  539. I have the hardest time advocating for myself and my team, because I think “who am I to ask for this”? As the youngest Director in my IT Department, I often feel like I’m asking for the world. My older boss responds with tales of either how bad she has it or how she put up with whatever I’m asking for. It’s one thing to try to convince yourself that you’re not an imposter… but I’m very much stuck in a place where I feel I have to convince everyone else.

  540. I LOVED this article, especially accepting that I had some role in my success and STOP comparing myself to other leaders in my organisation – thanks Kyle!!

  541. Thank you Kyle for this post. I’ve been suffering under the weight of Impostor Syndrome for the last three years. I switched jobs from being a Labor and Delivery RN for 25 years to working as a Quality Improvement Coordinator/Educator for a university based family medicine residency. I had no backround in QI nor did I have any guidance or direction on what I had to teach. All faculty here are MD’s, DO’s, or PharmD’s and I felt an absence of alphabet soup behind my name. I literally came to work everyday and made up what I think I might need to do. I had an overwhelming feeling that someone would find out that I didn’t know what I was doing. Still do, even though I’ve created a curriculum for the residency and pitched an experimental class for the university.
    Your post gave me clarity and a way to cut through my own self doubt. Keep writing. We need you.

  542. After working in my field for two years and being let go, I have wasted more than a year working a crappy job in a terrible work environment. I’ve come up with every excuse imaginable to not apply for jobs in my field or others for which I am qualified (Master’s degree). Thank you for sharing your struggles with imposter syndrome. I hope to conquer my fears and doubts by applying for jobs which would be a better fit for me, and allow me to make use of my education and background.

    • After being let go twice in my field of work, I had to struggle massively to apply for the same job yet another time. I did it, I got a dream job in a dream company and two months in, I am still struggling with the thought “it´s just a matter of time until they figure me out too”. That´s how I got to this article. You´ve got this. And so do I.

  543. Wow! This article was incredibly useful. Number 1 especially.

    Today I had a radio interview regarding a book I’m currently self-publishing. It went well, they asked me loads of questions about being a writer and asked me to give advice to young wannabe writers out there. I was super confident in the interview, made jokes, laughed when I messed up a word but corrected myself, did everything I could to try and stay ‘authentic’ all the while feeling like I was acting a part. It went really, really well and they congratulated me for a great interview. I walked away on air. (Note the self-importance)

    This evening, whilst writing a blog post to schedule for later this week about my Kickstarter campaign, outlining the various stages of the self-publishing process, I received a notification on Facebook from a writer/storyteller I’d asked to tell stories at the book launch (which I’ve booked despite not having even published the book yet, or raised the funds – I’m trying my hardest to have faith in this/myself). The storyteller in question had posted a video of his Ted Talk on storytelling in Edinburgh. It was amazing; I was inspired and in shock. There was me, self-publishing this little kids’ story, no experience of self-publishing, new to storytelling, new to making writing my career rather than something I did to express myself and I was asking this guy, this amazingly talented, intelligent, wonderfully coherent man to tell stories at my book launch. Before I took the stage.
    I slumped into a desperate state of ‘imposter syndrome’. Then starts the internal dialogue… “I’m a fraud, I’m a fake, I’m a nobody. I don’t know what I’m talking about. I can’t tell stories, I know nothing about storytelling, I am blagging it, I’m winging it, I should take my page down, I should stop writing all together, I need to research, I need to apologise for asking him to speak at my stupid book launch, my book is rubbish.” blah blah blah.
    Then I came here.
    I think your advice is amazing. It’s so on point. My little crash came directly after my high; Tina Fey was right and pride certainly comes before a fall. I have treated my creativity as a business though, I’m working hard to think about it objectively, I’m following a lot of your advice already. I told my illustrator immediately that I felt like a fraud and she laughed, just like you said.
    We are all blagging it as we like to say up North.
    Thanks for this.
    This was the year that I thought I had said Good Bye to my impostor syndrome forever, yet it still rears its ugly head. I’ve had a great career and all the skills I’ve learnt so far have led me to this point in time. I will not let it rule my life and I will keep my ego in check.
    A while back, in therapy, I learned the phrase ‘Dare to be average’. It felt strange at first, but I think it’s working. If we constantly strive to be the best yet know that we can’t we will never try. I’m average and that’s cool with me.

  544. I flip flop between the euphoria of success and the agony of feeling like an imposter. Thank you for writing this article, it has given me some hope in managing this issue.

  545. Ive been working on starting my shuttle service for 3 years. 24-27 now. During those three years, ive gotten great confidence. Behind the scenes, I’m a madman, but come promoting and moving towards startup I freeze, make excuses and stall. Also i got out of a disturbing 4 year relationship. Which stole alot of my attention. Then when it was over, I really needed to take time and cope… now that im back on track, I have everything. Legal docs, website, logo, business acumen, and a credible and professional resources that are ready and excited to work with me once I launch. They dont know outside of my company yet they treat me like a CEO they believe is headed towards success. But then i get home. Back to a world where all of my friends are eithee artists, activists, teachers, or blue collar workers. And they all say the same thing, “yeah youve been starting your company for 3 years now.. Maybe its not something you really want…” Although I disagree, the comments forever linger. And I lose my confidence. Again. I’m in a better mind space and Ive covered much ground in good time. But now Im secretive about my journey. And the more secretive I am, the more on-lookers laugh and literally call me a “phoney with a invisible business.” These onlookers arent friends, just acquaintances with high profile credibility from the projects they started.. These projects arent significant over a day. Open mics, online dj-ing, blah blah blah. Entertainment, and something I dont have the personaility for it… They shine where they fit in. But where they fit in doesnt require large cost entry, staff employee, health care, commercial insurance and business insurance, and much more costly requirements… I’m very proud of how far ive come with my build-up, but since i dont have it in operation yet, I look like Im all talk to the arrogant spectators who view me as a wannabe big-wig CEO that has nothing to show for it… It’s discouraging honestly… Not enough for me to abandon my masterpiece in the making, but “the hate” does get in my head.. Which slows me down. Its May, Im launching in the fall. I just wish people knew the struggles of starting a human services for-profit corporation. And that its not as easy as making an evemt flyer on adobe and calling out to bars to rent their space for 5-6 hours… I must add that I have struggled with NOT developing an arrogance from the negativity everytime I cover new ground. I almost want to show certain people up by throwing my behind the scenes progress in their faces. But if I do that, then that means that I lost sight and control of my life pursuits.. Im stronger than that, but Im getting tired of being “political”.
    IDK. I’m venting but nonetheless, all the public-doubt and criticism is somewhat hindering.

  546. I stopped writing essays and getting things published in international martial arts magazine because I’m only a green belt. Stop trying.

    Got asked about an article for a newspaper on women in the martial arts…never started it. What if it’s not good enough?

  547. Excellent article, Kyle! Thank you, and I appreciate the comments as well, since they show me I’m not alone in feeling this way. I have had three “careers” thus far. The first was in music; I was busy as a singer in Nashville, performing with bands and being hired for dozens of studio sessions. I was talented, but often I didn’t feel quite “good enough” and I didn’t know how to promote myself, so I stopped pursuing that.

    The second was as a decorative artist, which began when I was hired to paint for an upscale children’s shop. That led to my own business selling thousands of my hand-painted items online and at craft shows. I did murals as well, and while my customers seemed satisfied, I would get very anxious each time I got a mural job. Since I was self-taught, I was afraid of being discovered as a “fake.”

    The third, most recent career has been in writing/editing. Initially hired as a customer service rep for a magazine publisher, I joined the editorial team as an assistant editor within a few years. I later sought and received a promotion to associate editor, then managing editor for one publication. I wrote feature articles and lots of other pieces for print and web; edited copy for five magazines; managed social media for three brands; published a high-performing weekly e-newsletter and more. I was well regarded by my colleagues, bosses and professional network.

    Unfortunately, I was laid off a few weeks ago (along with others, when our corporate office shut down most of our publishing division), and that stupid Imposter Syndrome is rearing its ugly head once again as I seek full-time and/or freelance work in editing and writing. Despite the negative feelings, I’m still fighting, and I appreciate all of you who are, too. Hang in there!

  548. I work in the entertainment industry, and I’m at a level where I am overqualified for the lower level jobs, but not good at selling myself in interviews to get jobs that more match my abilities, especially when it’s at a company I really like. I become really pleasant and agreeable, which is great, but I’ll withhold sharing info or knowledge that would show I’m really interested because they all feel like suck-up things or things they already would know, or I can’t seem to genuinely sell myself as a valuable asset to the companies I am interested in. This gives me further impostor syndrome because I then begin to believe I’m NOT in fact good enough!

  549. something I avoid (and I feel very stupid about it) is driving. Because I feel like I didn’t deserve my driver licence (I was only a point higher than the minimal points requirement). So I feel like I only got lucky and I am a fraud and I can’t actually drive and that if I do I will be a danger. Which is actually false because when I get past the anxiety and drive I drive ok, I am not the best but I am not dangerous or anything and I know that there are people out there that drive way worse than me and don’t worry one second about it. So that one stupid way I experience Impostor syndrom in my daily life.

  550. I am a biochemist, currently doing my PhD. I just started reading about Impostor Syndrome and realized that I suffer from it, for many years now. It all started at the university when I realized I was not learning correctly, because even though I got the highest grades, I always forgot everything I had studied. However, everybody else seemed to grow, academically speaking. I tell myself that I got the opportunity to do the PhD because of my grades, but that I actually know nothing, about anything. And since I am so insecure I believe every experiment is wrong, and always ask for help, because anybody else, that is not me, could have a better idea. It also affects social life. When talking about different subjects, such as politics, I always remain silent because I think my opinion will be wrong because I really have no idea, and prefer not to talk. I have always felt like a fraud and reading this post was extremely helpful. Thank you!!

  551. I have not sold myself to others in order to get work from them as I still feel as though I do not know enough to speak authoritatively on aspects of my field. I am also terrified of embarrassing myself or being rejected by those I expose myself to. I constantly have voices in my head telling me that I deserve nothing that I have and I am a complete failure. These thoughts keep me from taking risks in all aspects of my life. Be it making new friends or starting g my own consulting firm. I prefer to stay as I am as it is predictable and the chances of failure are lower than if I tried to learn new things or do new things or even decided to move from the place I physically stay in. I am in love with the familiar and shun the unknown even though I know that change may be good. Hope the points in your article will help me to break out of this state of mind that I have lived with for my whole life. I want to be free of myself.

  552. Finally, I can put a name on this ridiculous thing that’s been interfering with my ambitions for as long as I can remember. Thank you!

    The most obvious evidence of my impostor syndrome is a few years back when I was really into photography. I was enjoying myself, constantly thinking about new ideas, but eventually I started double guessing what I was doing. I thought my “talent” was not up to my ambitions and I was wasting every body else’s time. I asked myself “what new are you bringing to the world? What are you trying to say?” and I didn’t have an answer, so I came to the conclusion I should stop bothering the people around me and in the field until I had a proper answer, which of course never happened. Funny how you can think so little of yourself, but also so much that you believe you doing or not doing your thing will impact anybody else’s life besides yours.

    Another thing that was always with me, and I think always will is writing. I KNOW I have some talent, if not talent at least some aptitude with words and creating fictional pieces. I know it because at school very early on, my teachers complimented me on my writings. Sometimes they would read it aloud to the class, and honestly they were both the most embarrassing and proudest moments of my life. I kept writing from then through adulthood, but almost exclusively with friends. I never told anybody outside that circle what I was doing because I didn’t feel legitimate at all (which made me sound like I was doing nothing in my free time, and made me feel even worse about myself).
    I always had the obsession to write be the real deal though, to write NOVELS. How dared I?? I’ve only wrote things for my friends to read or my classmates to be read to, surely it’s not good enough, surely I can’t pretend to be a writer?

    Now I’m actively trying to fight the limiting beliefs by being honest about it, networking with other writers, working so hard on my novel that nobody (starting with me) will ever be able to accuse me of being a fraud, a fake writer that doesn’t get anything done, but within “real life” it’s hard to come out of the creative closet.

    So, thank you for this article. I feel like talking about it is exercising a bit of my fears. More important, it makes me realize that I am not that special a snowflake. Nobody cares wether I’m calling myself a writer or not, and it’s quiet a relief to admit that.
    Who knows, maybe after I finish my novel I will find the courage to take the dust off my camera too.

  553. I found this article when looking up info on how to overcome an imposter syndrome. I realized that’s what I have when desperately searching for answer whether I should leave my job that makes feel incompetent. I’ve worked for a state government for over 12 years now and have been an exemplary employee. I was promoted over 3 years ago and I was doing an outstanding job. Encouraged by my immediate boss, couple of colleagues and a person in upper management I new from my prior position, I applied for a higher level job. As part of the pre-interview process, I took a test that I found very challenging and was sure I didn’t pass. It turned out I did pass and I was invited for an interview. There was another test during the interview that I felt good about. My prior experience was exactly what the new job required. I was offered this new well paying job and I accepted. Now I feel like I have no clue what I’m supposed to be doing or how to accomplish anything. I’m supposed be learning, but I don’t think I’m getting it. I feel like a fraud. I’m not smart enough to this job. I feel like I forgot everything I knew from my prior job and wouldn’t even be able to do that again. I feel like telling my management it was a mistake to offer me this job. I’m not capable of doing it.

    • You are much more capable than you think you are. The fact that YOU got the job and not someone else is a good enough evidence that YOU are much more capable of doing this job than ANYBODY ELSE. I believe in YOU.

    • I entirely agree with Mohit. I would add my two pence by suggesting that you don’t build yourself the wall aganst which you’ll bang your head: thinking that you do’t understand all the time actually prevents you from, well, getting it!

      There are things you know. A lot of them! and there are things you don’t know. A lot of them too! It’s my case too, and Mohit’s, and everyone else’s. Ask questions, build a rapport with your new co-workers and team: you don’t know what _they_ ignore (and likely don’t dare asking you by fear of you thinking they’re stupid): help them and they’ll likely help you in return, and you’ll all grow.

      All the best Jillian.

  554. This is an awesome article and great summary of me as well! I continue to focus on the negatives and my failures instead of all of my accomplishments. Three years ago my wife and I decided to move to a new state, start new jobs, move the kids to a new school, basically an overhaul of our lives. At my new company I have been promoted twice and less than three years! If this happened to anyone else, I would be amazed at how smart they must be and how successful they are going to be. Instead, since it’s happening to me, I tell myself I clearly was hired at a position lower than my capabilities, but that I am also rising too fast…at a speed that is only making it inevitable for everyone to find out that I have no idea what I am doing! I have more people reporting to me and more responsibilities than ever. As I write this I laugh at the “enormity” of my responsibilities and the sinking in my stomach that comes when I think of all the “super important” work that I need to lead and accomplish. I am going to challenge myself to being myself back to earth and realize I’m no better or worse than anyone else, I’m not saving lives and my constant anxiety is not solving anything.

    Good luck to all of us imposters! I hope one day to be a good as all of you 😉

  555. I have been wanting to start a blog and I am afraid to do it. I have all these random thoughts that don’t add up to a coherent whole and I feel like a total rambling idiot. I want to post my at on instagram and my new work on my website but I feel like the current stuff is all too trivial. I live in the crack where hopeful and pathetic hang out…

  556. I am an elementary school teacher and I feel like a fraud. I always feel sorry for the kids in my classroom because they aren’t being taught by a “real” teacher. I have developed things that my administrators have asked me to share with the staff both at the site level and the district level. I often am asked to share my ideas and what I’ve implemented In my classroom with others in my field, I feel like “oh gosh…here we go…how can I fake it through this time?”. Even my award for being a”distinguished educator” in
    My field won’t convince me. Work is not the only part of my life that is hindered by imposter syndrome. I feel like a fake wife, fake mother, fake friend. In fact, when I’m invited to go have a drink or dinner with friends, I always make up an excuse to not go because I don’t have the energy to fake it through a dinner conversation after a day of faking it at work. I’m afraid that people will realize, in talking to me, that I really am an idiot. I just assume that the only thing I’m good at is pulling the wool over people’s eyes.

  557. I’m a mental health counselor, have been since 2012. Went to grad school, keep taking trainings and still feel like a fraud. All I want to do is help the sweet, courageous people I habe the honor of working with but I often feel like I fall short which is heartbreaking. But I did finally start my own business which was really difficult and it’s working which still feels weird and a bit scary. People keep coming back to see me and I try to keep reminding myself of that. It was so helpful to read this article and hear that I’m not alone and I really appreciated the tips and plan to pu them into practice! Thank you 🙂

  558. I could never pinpoint what it was that kept preventing me from being who I am or made me second guess myself on everything. I have Imposter syndrome, and it’s bad. As a software consultant, it handicaps me at work because I always feel like I don’t know what I’m talking about and it just corners me with my own thoughts, telling myself I just need to work harder so I will know everything so I never have to doubt myself again in front of my team or my client. In reality, no one ever knows everything and it feels so obvious writing it out now. Imposter syndrome is not real but it’s affects are scary. Even now, it’s affecting me the hardest during my job hunt because I never seem to match my own qualifications with the job description or be able to boast my own achievements during interviews.

    I need to remember to stay true to myself and this article helps me do just that.

  559. I’m a project manager who keeps putting off doing work I know needs to be done (work that I could actually do myself if I just buckled up and pushed through), because I’m scared that somehow I’m wrong about it and my bosses will find out and I’ll be fired. The more ridiculous thing about this, is that I know that I’m intelligent and capable and that I also have the complete trust and support of my bosses. But I still can’t move forward with it. It feels like a weight on my chest. Call it analysis paralysis, imposter syndrome or just plain stupid, I need to fight this but it feels so hard and it’s happening far too frequently now. Happened in every job I’ve had since university.

    • I could have written this word for word myself. Amazingly understanding bosses but I had a complete meltdown last week just before the delivery of a project. The delivery went quite well but I internalise all the crappy feedback from the client when I know the team are working so hard.
      I just wish I had more conviction about what I say.

      • All of the above, me too. I am stuck, unable to move forward on jobs because I think my opinion is rubbish. I end up making it worse (because I didn’t do it soon enough) and then that justifies my rubbishness. Then bring on round two…

  560. I’m an Information Technology graduate, in my mid twenties. Motivational speaking has always been a passion of mine, except the inability to stand in front of a group of people without the nagging thoughts at the back of my mind that “no one is interested in listening to what you have to say, or just get over yourself already”. Reading this article gave me a whole new angle of perception, it has helped me a lot:-).

  561. I was studying in med school and along the way I got the feeling that I wasnt learning the way others did or working as hard. I would just read at the very end of the semester and ended up scoring more than 90% of the class. Though I felt good about it, I knew I didnt know enough. I didnt deserve that grade. If someone were to ask me a doubt, I would flounder and they would get to know that, in reality, I didnt know a word of Medicine. And now I am doing my post graduation….this wrong idea of me not being good enough plagues me every single day…and stopped me from trying to improve myself, or ask questions or participate in discussions…I felt I didnt belong there, ever. Its for the first time in my life that I realized I have impostor syndrome, and I thank you for your blog…Im going to fight this from now on.

  562. I’ve avoided starting my culinary nutrition blog for 2 years because I feel like an imposter. When I was 11, my family and I moved from the deep south to the north east, where my cajun accent gave everyone the impression I was a dumb, white trash redneck.
    Teachers and students took pleasure overtly calling me an idiot or verbally parody my southern drawl. It made learning any subject difficult, but my goal was to be recognized as smart & creative individual:

    – B.A. Psychology/Japanese; 3.4 GPA; 150 hours pro-bono work as research assistant
    – 2 years in supplementary premedical classes.
    – 3 years’ graduate work in applied nutrition
    – 2 years’ vocational education in culinary arts (200 hour internship)
    – Losing 90lbs of weight, gaining 20lbs in lean muscle mass, dropping to 10% body fat; keeping the results for ten years through my own research and practice.
    But years of homesickness, depression and anxiety gave me frequent panic attacks that ended up affecting my performance at work and at school. 2 years ago, I had to dropped out of graduate school and got fired from my job of 4 years because I was burning the candle at both ends.
    I always felt like an amateur and did not deserve any sort of praise. I just assumed my opinions were worthless, professionally or academically, because I didn’t know if I truly was a smart person. In my mind, compared to my co-workers and colleagues, I was the naive child; not interested in money and felt that profit from intellectual dishonesty was abhorrent. So even now as I write this, or my attempts at making a rough draft/introductory blog article, or anything someone could read, I feel my heart beating like a hummingbird’s. I still feel like an impostor today, but I keep working on my grammar, so hopefully I’ll get to start my blog.

  563. I have felt as an imposter since university and including all jobs. To the point that I am now on sick leave. Everyone around me is so smart. I have gotten along by being friendly and helpful but the anxiety of not being enough became too strong. I it believe to be strongly related to self-esteem. It absolutely helps to talk about it and meditation also helps. Talking about it helps more when you do it with someone in the field.

  564. When I graduate I want to be a surgeon. I’ve wanted this for so long but I have always felt like it was just out of reach. I have always felt like somehow I was lying to myself- I’ve felt like I’m not actually smart enough. I was summa cum laude in high school but I keep telling myself that is meaningless. I actually didn’t know this was something I did. I happened to come across the imposter syndrome and that’s when it hit me. I sabotage myself. I tell myself my successes are not meaningful and then I tell myself that my failures are everything. And then I procrastinate when I study. I have felt like I can never be a natural genius so I guess it seems to me that if I push off studying then it justifies any grade I receive. If it’s an A then that’s fine, that means the test was easy. If it was a B,C,D, or F then that’s fine too right? It doesn’t mean I’m not enough or that I’m a fake. It just means that I didn’t try. What I’m most afraid of is trying. Truly dedicating my all to something and still failing. Then I’ll see that I really am just a fraud. But you know what? I’m fucking sick of that. I feel like I have allowed a monster to develop and now it is consuming me with thoughts that I will never be enough but NO. I’m sick of it. I have never truly put my all into anything. Even when I though I tried, I was still planting little seeds of sabotage. And I’m done. If I fail then it does not define me. If I fail then I just need to find a way to overcome the difficulties. I won’t let anybody hold me back so why have I been letting me hold Me back?? Thank you for this post because it’s given me the clarity that has managed to elude me all these years. And now I’m going to fight with everything I have to reach my dream because that’s what I want and I won’t give up until I’ve gotten it because that’s what I am capable of.

    • Thank you so much for this comment! It describes exactly how I have been for years. And that fear of trying because I’m afraid to “really” fail knowing I have it all I had. This really inspired me and I just wanted to let you know that. Thank you again.

    • “I push off studying then it justifies any grade I receive. If it’s an A then that’s fine, that means the test was easy. If it was a B,C,D, or F then that’s fine too right? It doesn’t mean I’m not enough or that I’m a fake. It just means that I didn’t try. What I’m most afraid of is trying. Truly dedicating my all to something and still failing. Then I’ll see that I really am just a fraud. ” I do the exact same thing! It’s like you took the words out of my mouth. I am trying to fight that too.
      Remember that failing after trying your hardest stings; but failing because you didn’t put your all in it is the worst because the regrets will follow you. So put it all in to reach your dream because that way even if you fail you will have not regrets and you will be able to bounce back.
      Good luck ! I am confident that you can do it!

  565. I have spent the majority of my life “trying” to feel smart enough or even good enough-whatever that means. I finished my undergraduate degree while I was still on active duty in the military, that didn’t work, I felt no sense of accomplishment. I retired from the Army as a Master Sergeant (E8), nope still didn’t feel I accomplished anything. Anyone could join the Army and follow directions…right? Turns out approximately 1% of those who retire from the Army retire as an E8 or higher. But, I got lucky and was put in positions of higher responsibility, that’s the only reason why I was able to succeed. I am less than one week away from earning my Masters and still don’t feel smart enough. I’m scared to apply for jobs, because what if I get a job and they see right through me. Oh yeah, she has no idea what she’s talking about, don’t listen to her, I’m not even sure how she got her Masters. So now, I’m contemplating a doctorates degree. Maybe then, I’ll feel smart…maybe then I’ll feel accomplished. Maybe.

    • Go for the Doctorates, but I’m an Admiral with 28 years of active duty and still don’t feel smart enough!! So, it’s the syndrome, not really real. YOU are smart enough, YOU did put in the work. YOU are a winner… Not a fraud. (I’m working through this myself so what I’m writing to you, I’m telling myself too. Now I’ve got to believe it and internalize it.)

  566. I’m currently in 6th form and never realised I had imposter syndrome until I just read it in an article and googled it now. And it’s so accurate. Imposter syndrome seems to haunt every aspect of my life – sometimes I will put off doing an essay until it’s late because I’m worried the essay I write won’t be good enough – even though I always get high marks. I avoid asking out boys all together because I’m afraid I might like someone who doesn’t like me back. I hardly blog/draw even though I love it because I’m afraid I won’t be good enough and generally arnt good enough. All my life I’ve always been thought of as the smartest girl in school but I’ve never felt it – and looking back it’s clearly held me back a great deal. I’m so happy I’ve identified my problem so hopefully I can overcome it. Fear and self doubt really are toxic.

  567. Hello, I’m Brazilian and I came to this blog because I was researching on the subject of the impostor syndrome. The goal of my research was to write a blog post for a client, as I am a freelancer in production of content. Reading your post made me see that, in fact, I have this syndrome. I spend all my time sabotaging and procrastinating my entrepreneurship projects in the area of ​​coaching because I believe I never know enough. I want to thank you very much, because I really needed to see that I suffer from this evil. Now I know where to begin to treat myself. Thank you so much for the help that your text gave me. Keep making a difference in people’s lives. Hug.

  568. I finished an MBA in 2015 and have been working as PM for two years now. The company is toxic, the hours and benefits are horrible, my boss is a non communicative jerk, and I hate it here despite being good at my job. I just took an amazing position with a firm in California but am so worried that I wont be able to live up to their expectations. Which is nuts I fell, I have a graduate degree in my field and consistently posted the best results in my company but for some reason I am so terrified that after e a week or two the new boss is just going to be like “You suck you’re fired” and boom out the door and ill be stuck with nothing but an expensive apartment in a city where I dont know a soul. Idiotic? Totally. But I cant shake this feeling. I’m scared to death that I’m giving up a crappy horrible job with reliable pay to take a chance on an unknown, I don’t want to let anyone down- my wife, my family, my new employer. I am so scared.

  569. I technically graduated college last year but won’t be getting my degree in Cognitive Brain Science til next month. A couple things there–first, I haven’t been really doing anything–or so I often regurgitate–this past year.
    “Oh so what’ve you been up to these days?”
    “Not much, just working at starbucks, still figuring things out.”
    Bullshit.
    I work at starbucks every other day, feeling like I’ve wasted 4 years of my life, straight up ashamed to the point of nausea about what all my grad friends would think if they knew I’m working there, what they already might think–
    “Fraud.”
    “Is he actually smart?”
    “Why is he working at starbucks?”
    “Didn’t he study Cognitive Brain Science or whatever?” I am terribly insecure about my own intelligence, constantly aware that I never did internships and just feeling like I don’t know shit about brains. I am stagnant, and out of touch, as one of my friends put it. Every day I catch myself speaking a certain way with people just so they know I can maintain intelligent conversation, that I’m smart, but I don’t FEEL smart, and with a degree in CBS how the F*CK aren’t I right??

    It’s worst at night when the silence is just barely deafening and I am finally alone with myself, no longer posing or straining to present myself in any way.
    I say to myself “Stop being so dramatic and just do something” and then feel like I am my own worst enemy, invalidating and minimizing my own, real emotions.

    All these people expect great things from me–I cannot remember what I even wanted for myself. I feel like I’m letting those people, and myself down…or at least my image of their image of me.

    I just need to love myself, but also get over myself without dismissing…myself.

  570. I’m always terrified of asking for opportunities because although i know that i could easily do it, probably better than the people currently doing it (i feel like im lying but im not its the truth!). i doubt my own interests and i think im awful at coding even though i could make a fully fledged game!
    i most recently actually asked to do something to aid in furthering my future career, and i got a yes! right afterwards everyone started praising me, over-justifying the guy who said yes’ reasons, convincing him that im some super cool genius, but i’m starting to believe them a little and i love it 😀

  571. I have not applied to a job as a camp counselor. Logically I would be great at it because I’ve been a counselor in training at the camp for three years. The camp director even wrote me a lovely recommendation. I feel guilty because I should have done it (applied) a few months ago, because I’d have to take a few weeks off in the summer, because I don’t know if I really deserve pay? (I’m 18 and this would be my first official job.) Although now that I’ve written this and read this article I’m more motivated to actually do it.., I mean, the worst that can happen is I don’t get the job and just spend my summer some other way. Because in my application I would write the weeks I couldn’t be there, so if I was accepted it would be while already knowing that. Hmm….

    Thanks so much for this article. It is seriously helpful, and you really do have a ton to contribute. Thank you so much.

  572. I am not sure when it started. I was a confident young professional, fresh out of college, felt I had better attitude than the veterans at work, and then I made a drastic switch to another industry without any background. I didn’t feel skeptical of my ability to cope with the switch. I handled it great, with an open mind to learn and do beyond my scope, I received great feedback from the small team.

    But secretly hidden within my mind is the imposter syndrome that I didn’t know. It is not that I am not aware of the existence of this syndrome, It’s just that I thought the feeling that I had was a good quality – that’s humility, or so I thought, the feeling of the constant needs to contribute more so as not to disappoint the people who always tell you how great you are, that you are the model employee of the startup team.

    And that continue even with my other endeavour, I continue to work harder than anyone else, hearing good feedback from people about how good I am, being an achiever sort of keep the safety net that I have within myself exists so that I won’t fall off and wake up from the dream.

    Until the point where it costs me my job, not being fired, but it pushed me to the unbearable limit of anxiety, anxious about the fear that people will somehow find out I am a fraud, that it’s empty in my brain, that I don’t really know anything, that I can’t really help the team to get better, or worse, I will drag their progress at work. I couldn’t sleep, I couldn’t focus, and the harder I try the worse it became.

    It’s not a quick effort or short period of time that we will be able to get through this (especially if it goes deep into your mind). Even with a lot of effort trying to do everything to get back to the ‘normal track’, I feel that it requires a lot x100 of effort and support from people around you, whom you can trust, who felt the same and empathize your feeling. Cherish them, cherish the moment, cherish the feeling that you have about this, for you are much more fortunate than many others who don’t even realise the existence of their feelings in this and hence could do nothing about it.

    At least we keep on trying, and that is what matters.

  573. I took my first computer science course in freshmen year of college, and now I’m almost a year into my first job after college as a software engineer at a big Silicon Valley tech firm. I never speak up in meetings because I’m afraid it’ll reveal how little I know about the code and infrastructure. I’m afraid to ask for opportunities at work because I’m afraid my manager will think I’m not happy with my job and therefore don’t have what it takes to be an engineer. I hate asking questions and sometimes procrastinate for days because I’m stuck on something and can’t bring myself to just ask someone about it. When I run tests on my code and they fail, I procrastinate in fixing them because the errors are taunting me and pointing out how fake and stupid I am. When I get comments on my code, I procrastinate in reading them because I’m scared someone will have pointed out how poorly it was written. When I get nothing done all week because of my procrastination, I feel like I don’t deserve to be here and I’ll be fired eventually.

  574. I am so happy to have stumbled upon this! I’ve been trying to explain to my husband that I always have this feeling that I am “tricking” my bosses and co-workers. I get loads of positive feedback from people, but the underlying feeling is that I’m not as skilled or talented as people perceive me, and that at any moment, I’m going to fall in my face and reveal just what an idiot I am. Recently, ive been invited to interview for a position that would be a promotion for me. But I feel trapped in this fear of being “found out” that I’m a fraud. Anyway, I googled how I’ve been feeling, and found this. I feel, better knowing this is an actual “thing”, and that I’m not alone.

  575. I am a writer. It is what I love. I am an editor at the moment and a cover designer. I have been putting off finishing my book because I just feel like even if I do publish it, it won’t be any good and that anyone who says it is is just being nice to me. That all the blood sweat and tears I have put into my business and the success I have gained through that was just luck and that people really look at my work and cringe. I never had a word for this feeling, but it has been there for as long as I can remember. I am so glad to finally know that I am not alone. I am writing this book, and it’s going to be epic, and if it’s not, that’s ok too. I am still brave to give it a try, and in the end, it’s what we don’t do that we regret the most.

  576. I’m in my first undergrad, in my mid twenties. I’m interested in pursuing a competitive (“smart people”) profession, and my severe lack of self confidence is sabotaging my progress (which, up until this semester, had been really good). This semester I started talking to other students interested in the same career, and admitted my interest. Which of course lead to comparisons​, which has made me feel terrible. I feel so fake and awful and I want to give up. I may have failed a final exam today (or just barely passed), because my response to my feelings of inadequacy has been procrastination/giving up/very negative thinking. Reading this article has helped a lot, I can’t know I’m incapable without putting my full effort in. So I’m going to go send a follow-up email to a potential mentor (who agreed to meet me to answer questions about education required, and the actual job, etc, but then never replied to my email to actually schedule an interview- probably because they’re very busy, but my brain had interpreted it as their actual realization of how laughable my even thinking about this career is). I’m also going to send a follow up email for a job interview I had last week, which I didn’t follow up on, despite them telling me they would call in a couple days to schedule a second interview (they never called). It’s been a week, but they just posted the same job ad again. Maybe they lost my contact info. I’ll never know if I don’t ask.

  577. I finished my PhD last year and secured a lecturing job much faster than I expected. In the UK, most people spend years post-PhD on temporary research contracts before getting a lecturing post. Everyone I talk to tells me that I must be really good to have got the job so early in my career, but all I can think is ‘I was in the right place at the right time, I got lucky and I managed to bullshit my way through the interview’. I feel like a huge faker, especially because my colleagues have far more research experience than me meaning (in my mind) they are much better. This, in turn, is crippling me with fear which is preventing me from publishing my work and developing new research ideas

  578. All of my high school career I got good grades and manage to graduate at the top of my class. I started college and did pretty well my first two years. I decide to apply into a a specific degree program I never thought would accept me, somehow I got selected and ever since day one wondered if they had made mistake because everyone was alot smarter than me and more capable. I began to struggle and my grades begun to drop. I have managed to advanced in the program and I am about to graduate but still feel like it was all mistake. I recently had to take three major exams that would allow me pratice/ receive my lincense but I failed all of them by less than 5 points required. I know the material…I can’t help feeling like I self sabotage my future. It was my way of convincing others that I am truly a fraud…
    This article has been very helpful and I hope will allow me to prove myself that I am worthy.
    Thank you

  579. I am playing college volleyball next year and I feel like they are going to find out that I am not good and that it was luck that the coach liked me. Also, I struggle with my sexuality and I feel like I am pretending to be straight but pretending to be gay and it is the worst. I have struggled with imposter syndrome since forever. I have never thought I deserved any of the accomplishments I have ever made. That the team carried us to victory, not me that was playing the whole time.

  580. This was so comforting and hopeful! Thanks so much for shifting my way of looking at these feelings I have always struggled with!
    Susan

  581. Fresh off the heels of defending and receiving my PhD, I decided against academia. My reasoning, as a software engineering researcher, is to spend some time accumulating practical experience in the field first, and then using that knowledge to pursue more informed research in the future. Of course, that’s what I tell myself. I also tell myself that I am not capable of producing good research, I wasn’t prepared for a tenure-track position, and that I don’t deserve an adequate software development position. It’s like I feel like a jack of trades, master of none. I am often a ghost during discussion; it’s something I don’t like about myself. That paralyzing feeling of not being able to contribute something meaningful to the conversation takes over me, and I am simply unable to find ways to improve my feelings about it. I do try, but it never comes out the right way. When I do feel like I’m speaking the right way, I feel alive. However, most of the time, I feel like a fraud, not just because I can’t fully stand behind my career-based ambitions, but also because given my credentials, I can’t even exercise that knowledge in discussion. Gosh, how bad I must look/sound to others. They must think I’m mostly a mystery box, yet I believe that I’m one of the most optimistic individuals I know.

    Whew, that’s a lot. I feel a little better after writing it, but I also realize that there’s work to do.

  582. I have been working in a company for 17 years, and been a top performer but feel i have been an imposter all along, I never feel like I am doing a good job or doing my job right, it has lead to very bad anxiety, I fell like a fraud and that I am going to be found out any day. I feel like any mistake will lead me to be found out or fired. This article was great cause I was feeling alone but now I see that a lot of others feel like this. I will start using these techniques tomorrow, thank you

  583. This is very difficult to put down in words but here’s my thing:
    I have always succeeded in everything I try. Getting my foreign languages degrees, getting into the Bachelor’s I like, getting a high GMAT score, getting accepted to the Master’s I wanted. Yet, no matter what I do, I am never good enough. There is someone else who did my Bachelor’s and has a very good job now not even having to do a Master’s (see my way of thinking? Even doing my Master’s and managing through it is not an achievement it’s something I do cause I am not good enough). There is someone else who had a higher GMAT and there are PLENTY of people who are doing better in the Master’s, they know more, they are better when it comes to critical thinking and they understand every concept better than I do. All these thoughts make me overstress about every single thing ranging from doing an assignment to stopping me from applying for jobs that I could potentially be good at. Biggest thing is I know I can manage (I really know it) but I keep telling myself I can’t. And then I feel like I am whining too much.

  584. Wow. Thank you so very, very much for writing this. I actually chuckled out loud to several of the quotes/comments you wrote about. “Being found out”…..YES! I’m so grateful for google……..and your article. I had NO idea SO many felt the same way. I didn’t even know it had a name or was a “thing”! The hardest thing for me to accept about me is that the things I know how to do seem so ridiculously simple and logical that how can they be of value if it isn’t “hard” to do??

    I’m 52 and up until about 40, I always thought I was the dumbest person in any room, any meeting, and really, most any situation I walked into because I barely finished college–and because I felt like I b.s.’d through it, I must suffer. It wasn’t until I was in a grad school-type program at Georgetown U., did I finally start to realize I WASN’T the dumbest in the room which is EXACTLY how I felt when I walked into the first class–full of phd’s, financial experts, those who had attended a better school than me, graduate degrees from prestigous mba schools–and all had jobs because of what they know and not who they know. BUT, I started speaking up, I engaged the professors, I gained confidence every week, I “did what I do”, what came naturally to me. Then, as the group leader for our end-of-program final exam, our group won competition. I was so happy!

    Another self limiting belief is that because I’m a generalist, I don’t feel like I “fit” into almost all job descriptions because they sound so SPECIFIC. I don’t have a specialty in the classic “career code/job description” sense of work. What I’ve learned is, yes, I’m a generalist…..one with about 5 specialties. I’m done with this demon: YOU have been found out!

  585. Omg, this describes me completely. I work at a firm where I lead a new department but because its the first time I am working in that industry and due to the lower pay at my previous firm I feel like an imposter. The people at the firm didn’t help matters as they constantly reminded me that another top candidate forfeited the position which is why I got it.
    I don’t often acknowledge praise for a job well done, and recently contemplated resigning. Its harder also because I feel I might be exuding a lack of interest in the people at work.

    I often get verbally abused by one if my bosses for the smallest mistakes…but when I complain everybody tells me its his ‘style’ and should be embraced. I feel very isolated and like a fraud who is here for their amusement… No matter how well I do…should I quit?

  586. I’ll be 77 in a couple of months. More than 50 years ago I said I would one day write a book about my life as a mother that began in 1959. a lot of bad S— was happening for women then and I was one of them. Things began to change finally in the late 60s. My story still has a lot of value for women of today.
    So here I sit determined to accept an opportunity that could, if I’ve got the courage to put through the crap, give me the help I need to get my book written.
    You question about regretting on my death bed that I hadn’t done my thing, really got to me. That’s exactly what I’m facing and I’m not willing to be silenced today as I was all those years ago by a voice that can’t be heard by anyone but me. Thankyou. anonymous

  587. I feel as though I’m something I’m not all the time (I didn’t read the whole article yet but will soon). Thing is I feel I have a following that I can’t catch up with (I may be just crazy). Like being discovered an not told about it idk sounds crazy right. So I lead my lame life I’m very introvert. But yet can’t shake the feeling or idea that I’m being watched. I sense that people I don’t know seem to know me. I’m not comfortable posting the crazy half of this because well I may not be crazy. A lot of facts point to I’m sane an yet I just seems crazy. Anyway the vibe I have around me says I’m a lucky fucker! (exact words I hear please excuse the f word). An apparently there is something for me to say. I don’t believe I need to say as I’m told but very much so wanted to say it. I’m seriously struggling with what exactly needs to be said and where for that matter living up to a label I’m not even sure what it is. Any help would be appreciated thank you.

  588. Waooo…I just want to thank you for posting this article, so much,am Kenyan and all my life I was feeling like an imposter but now I really feel confident, even at my work place.

  589. Helpful. I’m a surgeon and the more experienced I get the more I feel like a fraud. It’s nuts!

  590. I think it’s because of this that I chicken out a lot.
    English is not my native language, but I’m in an Advanced Course and my teacher always tells me how talented I am – I just don’t see it? And so I hate to speak English with people who i.e. have been to an English speaking country or just seem BETTER.
    And oh boy, when it comes to singing…. I’ve been in several choirs for like 10 years and I can sing. (I’ve come as far as accepting that I hit the right notes.) But I hate my voice. And there have been opportunities for me to perform which I know I love, but I just don’t because I feel like everyone will sit there, cringing… because everyone has a more beautiful voice than I do.
    UGH. I could go on. But instead I’ll some of those helpful tips, thanks 🙂

  591. I’ve read many of the comments in here. And I can hear my imposter syndrom whispering: ‘who are you to speak up in here are share your self-focused issues with the people of the internet…nobody really cares.’

    I have started my own entrepreneurship last year. And this article was the best to keep me going on right now. Just as I considered if I had been way too naive for starting up and expecting to make a succes at some point.

    Thanx a lot.

  592. I avoid selling my expertise, because I feel like I might not be able to bring results to the customer.

  593. I’ve just discovered this thing called ‘Imposter syndrome’. I didn’t even know it existed until a month or so ago when the counsellor I’ve been seeing mentioned that I take a look at what ‘Imposter syndrome’ is on le google. I felt so exposed reading the description! But also relieved that there was finally some explanation for the way I had been thinking for years! Ironically, it crossed my mind that I was maybe faking this ‘Imposter syndrome’ too, but the more I read the more I see that other’s have felt the same way.
    Funny…an example of feeling like a fraud this week was when I went to the doctor for a certificate for missing class at uni. I was sick with an infection. But I honestly felt like that maybe the doctor wouldn’t give me the sick certificate because I wasn’t ‘sick enough’ by their standards or that I was ‘faking it’ for some reason?! Even though I most definitely was not faking it! I was in pain! But maybe, just maybe, they would ‘catch me out’. Catch me out for what? I have no idea. That I wasn’t as sick as the person before them with cancer?! I’m not sure. I had to keep reminding myself of the truth: that I was sick. And no I am not faking having to lay in bed for 2 days! And just to make sure I wasn’t, I asked my boyfriend what he thought. It’s good to have someone you trust, to help you decipher what is actual truth and what lies you are feeding yourself.
    I love what was written in the article: “The imposter syndrome will have you believe that you’re being inauthentic. That you are a liar…it doesn’t give an answer because it doesn’t have one.” – that’s how you know if it’s your real self talking or if it’s that imposter kind of thinking!!

  594. I am a Life Coach and when people thank me for guiding them to a space where their life has turned around for the better, I have felt like, “Who do I think I am?” or “Are they going to find out that I know nothing at all!?” I recognised this feeling and this unwanted self-talk making a mess in my mind and so addressed it. I realised deep rooted belief like, “I am not good enough” that had been sitting somewhere from childhood had begun to resurface at all the times that were not necessary; in this case I understood that it fueled the Impostor or what I thought I was! So, working more deeply on it, I decided to understand this disempowering belief and leave it in the timeline it arose from. The message was taken, the lesson had been learned, it was time to let go of the belief…It did make a big favorable dent on the Impostor Syndrome or what was that again? I just don’t know it anymore 🙂

  595. I am a Life Coach and when people thank me for guiding them to a space where their life has turned around for the better, I have felt like, “Who do I think I am?” or “Are they going to find out that I know nothing at all!?” I recognised this feeling and this unwanted self-talk making a mess in my mind and so addressed it. I realised deep rooted belief like, “I am not good enough” that had been sitting somewhere from childhood had begun to resurface at all the times that were not necessary; in this case I understood that it fueled the Impostor or what I thought I was! So, working more deeply on it, I decided to understand this disempowering belief and leave it in the timeline it arose from. The message was taken, the lesson had been learned, it was time to let go of the belief…It did make a big favorable dent on the Impostor Syndrome or what was that again? I just don’t know it anymore 🙂

  596. I’m a self proclaimed photographer. I just started my business last month; websites, social networking, advertising, the whole she-bang.

    In a nut shell, I’m writing my blog this week on how after 10 years I’ve decided to become a photographer.

    The problem is, I’ve always taken photos, but I’ve never shown anyone or showcased them and I’m only putting my current projects in my portfolio. My current portfolio is next to nil.

    this makes me feel like a fraud because I have nothing to show to the public. So, if I publish this blog, I feel it will make me look like even more of a fraud.

    Oh well, I’ll post it anyways. Thank you for this article, it helped me reach my decision.

  597. As a fraudster, you become highly attuned to the signals from those around you; their tone of voice, subtle facial expressions or body language. Each perceived barb adds to the sense they’re on to you. In order to cope, you stay silent, mentally curl up into a small ball and wait for it to pass. Most of the time it does, but you don’t open up, you just stay curled up, which means next time you need to go even smaller. If it doesn’t pass then at least you know you can quit and move on. Well that works well enough in work; you can always move on to somewhere where they don’t know you. The problem is in your social life. You can’t just quit your friends? Well, you can. You just see them less often. Eventually you get to that point in life when you realise that this strategy will see you to the end and you won’t have to deal with it anymore. The point is, you get used to it, you’ll manage and really, it doesn’t matter. The sun will rise tomorrow with glorious indifference to my navel gazing.

  598. I grew up with anxiety and depression. Whenever I tried to confront someone about the internal issues I was facing, I was met with constant criticism and being told that my problems were either phases or “teenage angst.” I was called crazy by my high school boyfriend when I would have panic attacks, which has left a huge amount of emotional damage. It’s makes me feel small and unable to connect with people about my mental health, even today. Now, I feel like an impostor when I feel happy and capable of reaching my potential. Even though I feel like I finally have enough emotional stability to challenge my mental disorder and strive to meet my potential, I still get moments of doubt that I’m still the 17 year old, “crazy”, depressed girl.

    Moreover, I have always been outspoken, intuitive and independent. Growing up, this felt suppressed. Teachers, classmates and family members alike would gawk at me for challenging the norm, or throwing out some absurd idea or acting out on my own. I was constantly met with “lower your voice” or “we’re not exploring those kinds of ideas today, Renee.” I know I’ve always had ideas, I’ve always been passionate, I’ve always been a leader, but all of these qualities seemed to scare my caregivers and peers, leading me to feel overwhelming feelings of not belonging.

    Today, I am embracing my impostor syndrome by sharing this. This is my biggest flaw, and I’m letting it all out. I do NOT want people to know about my history fighting mental health disorders, I do not want people to think of me as the crazy girl anymore. I do not want people to see me in a light that is anything other than positive. The reality is though, is that that’s impossible. I have a hard time accepting that I’ll trip, fall and stumble my way through life like everyone else. I will though, slowly but surely. In that time, I am going to embrace myself for all I am. That deeply passionate, intuitive, independent leader that will do anything to help people. I will stop running away from my ideas, and actually try to pursue them. I will stop telling myself that “I can’t be that girl” because of my history.

    Because I can be. We can be whatever we want, if we’re compassionate to ourselves and stop feeding into the pit of self doubt.

    This was terrifying for me. I’m glad I did it.

  599. I am an Engineer working in a startup full of extremely talented people. In the meetings, I don’t speak up at all. I don’t even ask questions, fearing that everyone will think “oh, she doesn’t know even this small thing?”. But someone else asks that same question and then I go “oh maybe I’m not the only one who doesn’t know that”. I still can’t speak up / ask questions in these meetings.

    Sometimes, I don’t even share ideas, fearing that people will think I’m stupid. I fear that they’ll find out that I’m a fraud and I don’t know anything. It’s really really bad, and I want to overcome this. I feel too stressed out and I put myself in an extremely bad mood, which in turn makes me unpleasant. I could relate to each and everything that you mentioned in this blog post. I’m going to try that writing things down on a paper for 30 minutes and see how it goes.

  600. I want to move to LA to close the distance gap between my boyfriend and I, and I’m from LA. But just thinking about that move terrifies me because of the cost of living, the logistics in the move itself, and primarily, I don’t think I can find a job that pays well that’s similar to what I do currently. I work in financial services as a business analyst. I get plenty of recognition in my current role and am aware of how others perceive me, which is positive for the most part. I see plenty of jobs out there that interest me/are close to what I do. I don’t apply to them. I don’t think I’m qualified. I don’t know if I’ll ever make this move, and if I don’t, I don’t know if I could ever bring myself to end with it with the boyfriend and stop wasting everyone’s time.

  601. I feel bad about getting into a school that the people i live with didn’t get into, i keep saying why me, and why would this school pick me and not the others, who applied to it? Honestly after reading this article, forget it, i got accepted into that school because i worked hard, not because of luck. I feel like a fraud sometimes, and that i don’t deserve the things i have achieved bus in truth I wont feel wary when i get jealous stares or bad aura’s, I’m me and its not my fault i worked hard for my accomplishments. I’m going to live my life for myself and not to make anyone feel better about themselves buy belittling my accomplishments.

  602. Oh, wait a minute… I’m pretty sure that the so called “imposter syndrome” is just another manifestation of the Resistance… (ref. The War of Art by Steven Pressfield)

    Ok now with that challenge…

    I work as a Web Developer for 8 years now. I made really bad decisions along the way. I’ve got an opportunity recently to join an amazing company (with people like me, I can only believe this when I snap off that f*%$*ing ‘imposter syndrome’). It’s been 5 days at this new job and I feel quite overwhelmed by all these new things(to work on Mac instead Windows, new programming language, new people to make friends with) I have to learn and even worse to go by that company’s culture of human relationship first and skills after.

    And now, I feel so worried about not performing enough that all that matters to me seems to be me vs my own self (as you figured out for me). So today, I stayed alone the entire day pretending that I have been left alone while my new teammates were hanging out.

    Excuse my bad english

    Next step will be to tell the HR lady that I feel a like an imposter.

    Thanks a lot sir

  603. This is a great video with many valid points!

    I’ve been running my business for a year but I feel like somehow it’s not “really” a business and I’m not really a business owner. I make weekly videos on YouTube on mindset and most of the advice I talk about in my videos applies to myself just as much as anyone else. Actually, whatever topic I post about that week, is usually the thing that I’m struggling with the most which makes me feel like an imposter because I “should have it figured out”. I deal with the imposter syndrome by talking about – calling it out. Telling people I admire I feel this way, only to find out they too have similar feelings. It’s freeing.

    https://youtu.be/_ChO16yx96M

  604. I am a fifth year medical student…
    I finally realized that i have imposter phenomenon today.
    Whenever i am in my workspace , i always think that everyone knows more than i know , i am just a fake person that shouldnt be in medschool.
    Professor knows than me ( Of Course he does) , Doctorates know than me , My friends understands & know lessons more than me , Nurses know more than me , as for me , i am just a fraud who acutally doesnt know anything well & still here.
    And i avoided chats between my friends , also sometimes i think i know more than them , but feelings of ” if i speak it out , they will start teasing for telling something crazy things” & i swallow my words not able to talk out and stay silent.
    And then i usually dwell on my failures for long periods , thinking i am not enough for things.

    I passed my high school exams and then get to Medschool , but i still think it was just luck.
    I cant help myself but thats the thing i am feeling still now.

  605. For almost my entire life, I have excelled at two things: language and working with children. I was told from a young age that I am an incredibly gifted writer; teachers would find me in the halls to tell me an essay I had written made them cry, would contact my father to extol my capabilities, would gaze in wonder as I consistently scored in the 98th percentile on standardized tests. However, after taking a few college writing classes, I have stopped writing altogether. I am terrified that if I do it- if I start writing and publishing- I will be cruelly confronted by my actual lack of skill and talent.

    But that’s almost beside the point. My biggest problem right now is in the other aforementioned domain. I am in my last semester of school. I go to a private university for which my poor dad has shelled out obscene amounts of his Social Security money for the past four years. My goal? To become an English teacher. To inspire students. To reach the most damaged and marginalized in the toughest, inner-city schools. All throughout my schooling, I was the poster child for this type of work. I loved it, up until now. I have been student teaching since January, and although I started out strong (my cooperating teacher said I was the best he’d come across in his 22 years), I have been crumbling under the pressure of knowing that I’m not doing it right. Who am I to dictate what these kids should learn? Who am I to discipline them? Who am I to pose as an authority figure? Who am I to think that I could actually make a difference in their lives? I don’t have the skills, charisma, personality, compassion, creativity, or intelligence. I am a fraud. Delusions of grandeur include some magical combination of Robin Williams’ John Keating in Dead Poets’ Society and Edward Olmos’ Jaime Escalante in Stand and Deliver; I want to inspire, provoke, liberate my kids from the trenches of poverty and societal bias through the power of words! But I can’t. I am convinced that somehow, my role in these kids’ lives is so critical that if I make one wrong move all will be lost. And every move seems to be a wrong move.

    With one month left until graduation, I am just hoping that I can find a way to overcome this. In my heart this is still what I want to do, but I can’t live with this feeling.

  606. This post hit the nail on the head for me. Some of these things I have been doing to cope but didn’t really realize this until you highlighted them. I’ll be using them much more now and will for sure try your other suggestions. Thank you!

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  608. When people say I make good music, or if I don something good, or if I’m nice, or smart I can’t believer them

  609. I avoid small talk and chat because I feel like a fraud if I talk about something I’m not really interested in, it feels like I’m lieing

  610. I’ve spent the last few years managing social media accounts for a few companies – all companies I worked for that asked me to take over. When I left my ‘proper’ job I continued to manage the accounts and I now have three ‘clients’. Since last November I’ve been saying that I need to set up a business and approach more people. I haven’t, because I’m convinced that if I approach people they’ll laugh at me. I know a lot, but I’m convinced that I’ll pitch to someone who knows more than me and I’ll be exposed. So I sit here, stagnating.

  611. I want to become an artist and have been told time and again that I am very good at it, but I have never taken the step to actually trying to do something with it, I even stopped doing art after university! I am so afraid that if I try do art for myself and as my only source of income that I will be revealed as an amateur, a fake, a wannabe. I am scared that there is in fact no art inside of me… I am miserable at my job but even this does not spur me on to do art, fear rules.

  612. OMG. This is so me! I was at work and said to my colleagues that I feel like a fraud. They were shocked at me saying this and said that that was not how they saw me. Another time I was told to go for a promotion by my team leader and my response was “Do u think I’m ready?” I went for the promotion and got it but still feel like i dont deserve it 2 years on. I don’t know why I don’t believe in myself. I’m always being told that I am so professional, confident, funny etc but can’t shake the feeling that I am faking it.
    Gonna definitely write for 30 minutes and keep a file of all the positive things people say about me.
    My sister spoke about this syndrome today that’s why I googled it. So glad I did. Thank you so much for this article. This is the first time I have ever written a comment on an article but it feels so refreshing!

  613. I have all these concepts whether be creating a digital magazine centered around lifestyle i.e. travel, fashion, interior design, food, wine – enhancing your lifestyle. I know I can’t do it alone but I know I just need to write and keep writing consistently but lack the consistency because I don’t trust that I know how to reach an audience and attract more writers and influencers to be a part of the magazine. I have an event series I want to launch but fear that I am not much of an influencer that people will gravitate towards and hold their attention. Creating my vlog series and believe that people will listen and be inspired. I struggle with trusting myself and that leaves room for inconsistency.

    • Hi Concierge, I think you should just do it! I suffer from Imposter Syndrome as well and I want to be a travel writer, or a novelist, or a journalist, or start my own business…

      I recently joined a Mastermind group that keeps me accountable and I finally started my Happier project and am blogging about it. I personally think my writing is out of practice, but people are reading it and liking it, even getting some followers. It makes me happy because I finally have a creative outlet after complaining for so long how drained I was from my job. I also would recommend listening to the podcast, “Don’t Keep Your Day Job” and especially the latest episode, “Writing You Own Story with Novelist Emily Griffin”. Starting a digital lifestyle magazine would be amazing and you have support from a stranger here!

  614. I’ve avoided writing poetry because I’m not a poet…but I have a degree in Creative Writing…

  615. I manage multiple plants for a small – medium manufacturer. When there is a problem, I automatically believe it’s my fault and it’s just a matter of time before the owners catch on and fire me. They are hugely supportive, yet there are lots of personnel problems and I blame myself for them. It makes if very difficult to take action because I’m afraid the next move will be the one that ends up with me out of a job. I wake up at 3:00 in the morning most nights and it’s non-stop anxious thoughts about what I haven’t done or need to do. It can be overwhelming. I keep soldiering on, but I can’t shake this feeling.

  616. Even writing this is proving to be difficult, (seemingly impossible actually) but here goes. I have yet to promote myself properly online in my line of work, let alone write blog posts on things I know that can be helpful to others. I have so many great and creative ideas of spreading my word, but keep myself tightly contained for lack of even higher degrees/ knowledge, etc. Heck I have stopped writing, speaking, and even thinking of my ideas completely out of fear that I will be caught/ exposed/ ridiculed and striped of my title, when all I really want is to help people with their struggles as I continue my crusade of living an authentic life. My dreams reflect this inner turmoil as recurrent episodes of me running away from persecutors haunt me. I am a psychotherapist, which makes it terribly difficult to even write as I’m supposed to have it all figured out, but the one thought that also keeps reoccurring in my mind is that I too am just another pilgrim on this journey we call life, and the greatest advantage of making a mistake is gaining an epiphany. Now I just have to close my eyes and follow that little voice.

  617. I’ve avoided finishing my novel(s) and starting a writing related Podcast I want to do, because I’m afraid I might end up having to speak with people and come off as stupid or expose my true self. I’m a high school drop out and not well read. My opinions on life, business and government differ from everyone I know, except my wife. I’ve had some unpleasant experiences in my life because of my beliefs and so I don’t share my views often if ever and that has translated into other areas of my life. I spend all of my time being someone I’m not in order to avoid conflict and because while I’m a Caucasian male, I’m a minority in other aspects of life where I live. I’m not sure how to overcome this fear. I have been the lead singer in two bands and played in front of hundreds of people and that was easy compared to this.

  618. Well here we go … openly admitting that I have this feeling of being an impostor, too. A lot. And actually it pretty much sucks, having this f***ng, nagging feeling with me aroun.

    Which makes it even worse.

    In the attempt of overcoming impostor syndrom I have tried almost everything under the sun, including “finding my passion”, getting clear on my values, state shift, yadayadayada.

    But I never shake it off.

    When I have quit my job and went for travels, I had the feeling that “they” would chase me for doing so.
    When I started out as a financial advisor I was living a “double life” and started a blog as well, which no one should no about.
    I have successfully started and grown a business but still feel that someone is coming to tell me off.

    Now I have naturally shifted my business focus and I am suffering because whenever I make a mistake (which is perfectly normal) I feel like everything goes to shit and is just a big lie.

    Cheerio. It’s kind of depressing in itself that apparently there’s no way out of this dilemma and that I need to learn living with it.

  619. I sing every day, a lot. I’ve been singing for as long as I can remember. I started screaming in bands when I was like 16 and completely ditched singing in front of people, I’ve recorded myself and know I can hit the notes I want to, but as soon as other people are around I’m like “you can’t sing you just yell” and it even effected my voice in the studio on my first ever attempt to actually record singing in front of other people and oh my god I just really wanna sing man, yelling is fun, but…

    • Man, go sing! Sing and sing! Hell, I’ll listen to it–once at least. 🙂 Funny: I always *thought* I was an above average singer, but never really knew (I was the drummer after all!) how to measure until I downloaded a karaoke app called “Smule” . I’ve had so much fun with it! AND, I know I’m PRETTY good based on the feedback (points) you can get on various songs after you sing. AND, others praise me in comments, too! It’s too fun….. Point is, “putting myself out there” and singing into my headphones where some stranger from who-knows-ville in the world can hear and comment was liberating. Do me a favor and look up the story about Caedmon who didn’t know how to write songs–or want to sing them…..awesome story.
      So GO. DO. SING!

  620. I see people posting content on LinkedIn to do with my field of work, and I have a lot of ideas (which I have implemented successfully in my own space) that I would love to share with the world. But I keep feeling that I don’t write well enough, or when I put my ideas out there, they will be torn to bits by all the other people who know so much more about this subject.

  621. I have one line to sing in the school musical. I know the entire song well and have sung that line many times. When it comes for my turn to actually perform it I worry that I won’t do it right, and that’s almost all I think about. Sometimes I feel I shouldn’t even have gotten to sing that line. I’ve been having voice lessons for 4-5 years from a classical voice instructor… I’ve performed solos before, performed songs all by myself. But for some reason I’m afraid I am still very bad at singing. It’s terrible because I know it’s not true, but a tiny voice inside says I’m an impostor. But I’ve learned this is partially because I see myself as way more important in this whole thing than I really am. I keep obsessing, but I need to let go.

  622. I’m working on my Doctorate in physical therapy. I have a high GPA and am simultaneously participating in additional training. Recently I did not pass a skills check and now I have to re-take it. This will have no affect on my grade and is the first time I’ll have to re-take anything. Many of my fellow classmates have failed exams and practicals and had to retake and no one has yet to be kicked out of the program. Despite all this I still feel overwhelmed with self-doubt. I’ve often suspected that I wasn’t smart enough to be doing as well as I was doing. This feels like a confirmation of all of my suspicions. I feel now as though I am worth less than my class mates , so to speak, even though a handful of is must retake this skills check. I feel so worthless and so nervous that I can hardly focus. I feel ashamed and no longer feel I have the right to assist my classmates. I am glad I am not the only one out here who feels this way and I am glad that this feeling has a name. Thank you for your post!

    • I have a very similar situation! I’m in PA school, have made great grades on all tests, haven’t failed anything the whole year of didactic. I have to remediate a few patient encounters, or OSCEs as we term them, and none of this will effect my grade. I have the worst case of, omg this is when they find out I’m a fake and don’t belong in this program! Thank you for sharing, and best wishes on your skills check offs and schooling! You will do great!

  623. I’m a graduate student and I’ve never related to anything more than Impostor Syndrome! I’m constantly avoiding speaking up, because I’m afraid if I do, people will think I’m a fraud and will think I’m not smart enough to be in my program. I’m really working to push myself out of my comfort zone and start to share my opinion more often. I’m so glad I came across this page!

    • Same. And now although I have completed my masters degree with a great GPA, I am filled with regret that I had many great ideas that I could have discussed/pursued but never did. Heck, now I feel like I don’t deserve this degree for being so timid!

  624. Thanks so much for the post Kyle! I have been living in other country for more than a year now, and feeling Like “i shouldn’t suppose to be here”, or that “I don’t deserve to be here” or that “I don’t know what living abroad means” or even worse, that “I have to ‘change’ and become something I am not so people can like me”. I’m in a constant fear of people figuring out I’m a fraud and when someone says something I en I don’t understand why they say so

  625. I just heard about this syndrome this morning on the news and it completely describes me! So much makes so much sense to me now. One huge thing that this has held me back in is starting my own business. I know what I’m talking about, I’ve had previous employers tell me so. Every one seems to believe in me….But me. Sometimes I do, I say, just do it! And I’ll work on the computer for a while then do nothing for weeks. I tell myself, you know they’ll all laugh at you…What if they think this, that, etc? Hopefully following these steps will put me on the right path to really getting this thing started! Thank you!

  626. Even after having gone to college, I feel this intense pressure to ask my mom permission before I do just about anything. If I feel as though I’ve made a decision, I pull out a pen and paper, creating a pros and cons list. Instead of trusting my gut, I obsess over finding the EXACT right answer; if I don’t, I feel like my decision is a false one. I ask others’ opinions until my own thoughts practically disintegrate, instead of just following through with what I KNOW to be true.

  627. I didn’t even know about the existence of Impostor Syndrome two days ago, but it is, without a doubt, the story of my life. I’m taking part of this free 30 days challenge of Art of Charm to improve my confidence and social skills and they told me to have a look at it. That’s how I ended up here and reading about… myself! What I avoid because a feel like a fraud is working. I’m afraid of work. There it is, I said it! Thanks for adding value to people’s life. All the best! xx

  628. Time to confess… I like this idea.

    I want to start my own consulting business in cryptographic currency market and startups based on the block chain technology.

    I’m deeply involved into this since end of 2012 and I even used to have a private internet forum where people were paying me money to get the knowledge.

    But I never took it to the next level. Haven’t tried to push it into more professional fields.

    Now I think it’s the right moment but all the time I’m thinking ,,who am I to to it”, ”
    ,,What if people would say who is this guy to talk about this” etc.

    Thank you for this post, it gave me a fresh confidence.

  629. Hi!
    I agree so much with you that this is not a women’s problem. It’s only that when women talk about it, they are understood and even appreciated for showing their weakness. If a woman is very successful she can be “threatening” so it makes it easier to be accepted by saying “everybody thinks i am awesome, but i don’t”. it immediately makes you look down to earth and relatable. (not implying that it is not the truth, just saying that it is easier to come out with it for a woman)
    if a man does it, he’ll be considered weak by some, so that’s why a lot of men don’t talk about it. most people want to see men as strong and never doubtful of their own abilities, and women as actually emotional train wrecks behind the successful facade.

    you are not being girly, you are being sincere and human, and showing a lot of courage by reverting a gender stereotype. very feminist for a site called startup bros! 🙂
    btw, there is nothing wrong in being girly. but also, nothing wrong in not wanting to be girly ( i don’t want to be manly). have a great day!

  630. I have stopped studying for the exams because I feel like I have a lot going for me and these things will support me when I graduate. However, I know that if I fail in the exams then nothing will in fact work at all.

  631. I’m an actress, and I recently got cast in a show with a ton of extremely talented and much more experienced actors. I keep feeling like any second the director is going to call me and say “never mind, we found someone better than you, prettier than you, and less chubby than you.” It’s almost making me want to drop the show because I’m terrified for when the truth is going to drop.

  632. In school, most would come by and seek help from me regarding language and humanities subject. But… Im not overall glory and ace. What they dont know is my extreme struggle in Maths. Not only that, when it comes to being able to solve complex question be it Maths, Language or Humanities, it always feel like its achieved out of pure luck. So when Im able to answer those questions, it would feel like that its gonna be momentarily as I really believed it was pure luck, dismissing any kind of efforts Ive every laboured into it.

  633. I dont feel like im the best at what I do because im surrounded by people who have a lot more years experience than i do. I sometimes feel stupid when I need to ask for help and that rarely happens but when i do i feel like ive done something wrong. I get told that my work that i do is good and even have others asking me for help. i have never felt like i was ever good enough and find it hard to take a complement because a lot of the time i feel like i dont deserve it and that its all a lie

  634. I’m in my second year of teaching. This is my second career so I’m older than most beginning teachers. I often don’t speak up at team and staff meetings because I don’t feel qualified. I find myself thinking ” What makes you think you can teach anyone anything?” I just found out that my student growth models for last year were well above every teacher on my team and some gave been teachin for 20 years. But I still have issues internalizing it. I am back in school because I want to be a better teacher. Thanks for your article!

  635. I’m told I’m a genius. I’m 19 years old and in medical school. I have always wanted to be a psychiatrist because 1)the biology and psychology behind it is phenomenal and 2)I really want to help people, I’m good with people.
    But I had a burnout last year and later found out that I have bipolar disorder.
    Technically, I’m stable and good to go. But I haven’t been able to study ever since. Because… How can I treat people if I’m a mess myself?

  636. I was born to very big introvert parents. They find me a miracle. And more than once have said I am their trump card. But inside I am not sure, I am all that they believe. I can bullshit my way through a lot of things but I have had a troubled teenage years when one of my made up stories got busted. Since then I do a check even if I am saying my true life story. Some times I feel I am worthless and feel sorry for myself but then there other times, I feel I have like this secret mind that will convince me about things I dont consciously know. I feel I trick myself into thinking certain things about myself.

  637. I love your smile in the profile pic above. Thanks Kyle for writing this post. I have been stuck for 8 months without launching my business. The women in my business launch class all launched. The facilitator said during one class I was suffering from IMposture syndrome, since then two other coach/consultants have said the same thing. Today I searched for it online and read your post. It fits…..like when an arrow hits the bulls eye dead center. Thanks so much. Please keep writing and helping others to get out of our own way and get going.

  638. I avoid speaking up in class (vet student) because I don’t want to be wrong in front of everyone else. Even when I’m in my favorite class and I usually know the correct answer. Family, friends are so proud of me making it to and through vet school thus far but half the time it feels like luck… even when I have very good grades. They told us all we’d feel like this. But sometimes it’s a lot more real than others.

  639. I am scared that people realize I am fraud. People used to like me a lot .. I make them laugh, I am interested in them and comprehensive.. but omg.. most of the times it just get started to one conversation after that I am sooo scared to meet the person again.. because maybe she/he will find out I am fraud .. or difficult or boring .. I avoid a second confrontation with people .. that sucks so much !! I am now sitting at home .. my boyfriend is working.. because I am scared to be me ..and not be accepted!! That sucks omg !!

  640. I am just about finishing up my masters and I’ve felt like a fraud ever since the beginning. People say they love my project but I feel like I’ve just been floating along without actually knowing what I’m doing. I also feel like my project is full of so many holes and issues and I’ve only been getting by because my advisor tells me what to do. I feel like the day I go to defend (which is in a month and a half) I’ll fail because everyone will see that I have no idea what I am doing.

  641. I am at Music college in the UK. I avoid putting myself forward for principle seat and solo parts in orchestra because I believe that other people are better and more entitled to those seats than I am. I avoid playing with my true self in class to avoid making mistakes and being a failure. I feel like I’m trying to slot into a world where they do not want me, and soon enough people will notice that I am not enough for the business. I avoid building close friendships so that people don’t find me out, yet really I crave having someone close to talk to.

    Thank you so much for this post <3

  642. My issue is that things seem so easy to me so I figure I can’t have done it right. Someone says it took them days to figure something out, I do it in a couple of hours but then decide I must be wrong. I can come up with solutions that people tell me are inspirational but again I feel like the idea just pops into my head and therefore because i haven’t agonised over it I just don’t think it can be that good.

  643. As a freshman in college, I’ve been told that I seem pretty mature to many people, both fellow students and professors. One girl literally told me after meeting and exchanging stories about our respective lives, “It’s like you got this otherworldly experience behind your back; you’re older and wiser and you seem like you know what you’re doing.” Logically, I understand my gap year gave me plenty of diverse experiences that forced me to grow in ways unimaginable. Emotionally, I feel exceedingly immature all the time – I fixate on silly things and my self-confidence is terribly fragile. I’m just really good at convincing people I’m mature. There’s honestly too much I still need to grow up for.

  644. I constantly do well in school but constantly feel as if my successes are the result of sheer luck. I am missing out on college because I cannot bring myself to accept imperfection and uncertainty, convinced that the next class or test or semester will finally be proof that my worries of failing are legitimate. That I will finally be stuck, unable to move any further.

  645. Thank you Kyle for writing about this! I often wonder if I really have any skill set at all, or if I am just floundering through life despite my education. I often wonder, where is all of this talent and knowledge coming from? Surely not me!
    Your blog post has helped me to trust myself and to really be proud of myself.

  646. I’ve been interested in art for as long as I’ve been alive, but I’ve never put much effort into doing anything with it because I always feel like I’m just not good enough. “Why bother? There are plenty of people way better than me. It probably wouldn’t look that great anyway.” This post has made me start to think, as much as social media would boost an artist’s outreach, maybe it’s the social media that’s holding me back. I would think it to be easier to take on my inner self if she has no fuel to throw at me, yes?

  647. I just learned about impostor syndrome from a conference for undergraduate women in physics. We pretty much all have it. I wouldn’t say my impostor syndrome keeps me from doing anything, but it doesn’t feel good. Just recognizing it though has made me feel so much better.

    I thought I might share that I think you’re right about men also having impostor syndrome. One famous physicist did: Albert Einstein. Even the best of us suffer from it.

  648. I feel like I’m not going to understand this new took at work so I want to quit and find another job. I’ve been able to finish all my projects so far by learning new tools and I have a good reputation at work but I feel like they’re going to find out that I’m useless. So glad to know that there’s a word for it and that so many people go through it.

  649. Thanks for this! I really think that you feel me.So as introduction, I am a young man, 26 years old. I took a lawschool and somehow many of friends telling me I am good at it. However, when I got a chance to intern with a good firm, I failed. They didnt extend me. And I am too afraid to admit it to everybody. I kinda felt like everyone always thinks me too highly and this kind of failure is unacceptable. This thinking surrounds me now and made me like want to isolate myself from social world. Even part of me doesnt believe this was happening. What do you think? How is the best way to explain this to my relations, friends, etc and further, moving on from this? Thanks a lot if you willing to answer.

  650. Thanks for this post. I’ve always thought it was just me who felt this way. I’m a doctor…PhD and medical…have studied my brain off for years and still most days feel like a fraud, despite never failing any assessment. I often wonder when or if I’m ever going to feel like I belong in the field. It scares me sometimes that people actually listen to what I have to say…I feel like screaming at them ‘I don’t know what I’m doing, I’m just making this up as I go’. As Dr Chan says – I’m so much aware of what I don’t know.

  651. I stumbled my way through college with anxiety, sheer willpower and the fearful impression of my mom and dad. I studied film and sociology and have no idea what to do with the rest of my life. I feel like not being in touch with my purpose is the reason for this imposter syndrome. I am frozen and not in that cute sassy way. Cool

  652. Ugh. I haven’t started the blog I’ve been thinking about for a year and I haven’t committed to the daily painting practice I want…because “I don’t know enough” and “I’m not a real artist”. Did I mention, ugh!

  653. A life-changing read for me. I’m weeping tears of joy, feeling so grateful that I’ve stumbled across this. The Imposter Syndrome has affected many aspects of my professional and personal life for many years. I never knew there was such a thing. It has stopped me from doing lots things, the list is too great. It has stopped me from developing friendships at work and home. It also comes with feelings of guilt. Thank you sincerely for wring and sharing the steps to overcome this, I am so ready to tell my imposter syndrome to eff off.

  654. i was told i was a talented painter… so i did everything but not painting, then i was told i was good facilitator, then i was doing less trainings, then i was told i was a great therapist, so immediately i stopped doing that, now again i was told i was a good painter, “wow great collection”! and just hour ago i wrote to my friend, i am about to destroy it – everything…. then i looked in internet and i found this article…

  655. I’m a 17 year old senior in high school. I’m currently applying for colleges and auditioning for university music programs; I want to study music education. I have a major audition video deadline next Wednesday, I’m planning to film it on Saturday, and I’m freaking out. I’ve never believed that I’m as good a singer as people say I am. But tonight, it hit really hard and really fast. Thoughts like “What did you do to get here, anyway? You don’t deserve to go to that national honor choir next month. You’ve only ever had what, 8 private voice lessons? What in the world made you think that you could be a music major? You can’t do it. You can’t even apply to a scholarship on time. What made you think you could endure, or even enjoy, a rigorous music program?” I’m so tempted to forget about applying to programs all together. But I guess this will pass. I’m still kind of freaking out though.

  656. Thank you for putting a name to something that never made sense to me! I have copied and pasted SO many of the things you said here, I am actually crying in relief… THANK YOU. I have had these feelings for years and just this year starting to work on not allowing feeling like a “fake” to hold me back from doing things I KNOW I can do. As a former high profile radio DJ turned business owner I feel like a fake everytime I go into a businesses to sell my services. They have this idea of who they think I am and I’m afraid that if I can’t live up to those expectations they’ll think I’m a fraud. I remind myself that if I don’t have an answer I CAN find it, I also have an amazing team of people to rely on when I really don’t know what to do. I CAN do it, I am doing it, I have done it for four years! Why do I still feel like this?

  657. I don’t know if if my situation qualifies for “Imposter Syndrome” or not. I have this thing I’m extremely passionate about. And, it’s also a way I’m able to help others tremendously. Which is also a passion of mine. I find myself giving and giving – constantly. Because I want to help people succeed and, I want to get my name out there and “officially” attached to success stories. This is how my sort of business really thrives. The problem is.. I have people tell me I’m so amazing, I’m so knowledgeable, it’s so insane that I know so much of all this, etcetc. Yet, most of these people ‘cycle’ through others who do work in the same field. I know what I have to offer. I know I have plenty more to learn. But, with people constantly doing things like this – it has me wondering why they underestimate my abilities to help them succeed. It makes me begin to question myself. Especially seeing, some of these people .. always coming to me for advice and cycling through others – are now getting praise through their social media & from friends and family as if they’re the ones doing for others what I should & want to be doing. People encourage them to start a business doing this for others and so on. It boggles my mind. I don’t understand it at all. And for the record, I’m referring to fitness & nutrition. However, I also find that similar seems to take place in “friendships” .. Is there something I’m missing? I’d seriously love to know because I’m truly a positive, driven & outgoing person. And these scenarios really get to me.

  658. I have done my undergrad in Computer science with 3.0 GPA , I thought I could complete my master’s easily suddenly my GPA is falling and next semester I am failing so I left the program, I am feeling have i taken the wrong line and should change and still I am confused which line is correct for me? please suggest me something

  659. I’m an undergrad at university. I’m doing my Honour’s Thesis with the head of the psych department, who also happens to be a stats genius. I’m also working on two separate publications with 2 different profs, and am a research assistant to 2 more profs. I have no idea what I’m doing and the pressure is immense, I don’t know a damn fucking thing about statistics (sorry about swearing). I’ve somehow made it this far (even tutoring stats last semester), but I don’t even know what anything is and its really stressful because I’m waiting to hear back from grad schools… But if I get in they’ll find out I don’t know how to do anything stats related. I didn’t even finish math in high school. I am strong in other areas of research though, and I do need to realize that (but also improve my stats knowledge, thats pretty important). I think your article made me realize its time to talk to a counsellor about this. Thank you so much for this blog, I’m definitely bookmarking it to refer back to!! It’s really comforting reading everyone else’s experiences and knowing I’m not the only one. (sorry for the rant, I’m actually in the middle of trying to analyze a stats paper and it freaked me out so much I decided to google imposter syndrome to see if it would make me feel better – it did)

  660. Until reading this article, I was searching for a name for this terrible feeling I felt. Now I know it; imposter syndrome. This has popped up many times in my life but is most prevelant when I’m talking to people. Everyone always says “your such a nice person” when I listen to their problems but I’m not. I often think of a solution to their problems but am too scared of their reaction to say anything. Other times I hear their problems and say sympathetic things when in reality I feel as if I am facing much more than they are. I comfort people when I have no right as I feel the same myself or as I am not at all sincere with my comfort. Therefore I feel I am not a good friend, only a fake. Anyway thanks for the article! It helped me quite a bit to know others are facing a similar thing too.

  661. I make art jewelry. In get high praise, but all I see are the flaws. The setting isn’t perfect. That corner isn’t perfectly symmetrical with the others…it goes on. I see fine jewellers pieces and wonder why I can’t seem to do THAT. I want to. I try. I fail. I move on. Then someone posts something on Facebook and I want to comment more than telling them how gorgeous it is. But I refrain from the discussion because I don’t feel like I even belong in it. I have Imposter Syndrome. Your article shows me that I am not only not alone, those I admire PROBABLY have it, too. That’s a game changer! I am grateful you posted this piece. I will print it out and post it in my studio. I will read it when I feel like a fraud.nIce will put my big girl pants on and continue. THANK YOU!

  662. Hello there!

    As it has been written hundreds of times already, this article is totally on point and actually answers a real need of people, not an artificial one. It is definitely a big topic that is worth being aware of. I have it, as most of the brilliant people here. It stopped me from getting a (9 to 5) job, from having a TED Talk and from applying to a PhD. The list goes on – the examples I mentioned were the main ones. However, I decided to act and get the job of my dreams (although it is still not a 9 to 5), have a TED Talk and apply to the PhD. Trust me, if I can do it, whatever you choose to go for, it will be piece of cake. Thank you everyone starting with Kyle, the author, for sharing your story and for creating a great support group in the comments section! All love!

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  664. I just read you post and it fits me like a glove. I left a job that I was good at and took a job at the request of a friend. They tell me I am doing good but I see that others I manage are so much better at this business than me. I mean I am good at parts of it but not all of it as I feel I should be. I fear that they see that. I have even admitted to some that they are in fact my knowledgeable than I am. I fear starting new projects as I worry more of failure than success. Sometimes I want to just leave form some mundane reason and go someplace else before they find out that I am an imposter. I have the highes of successes but then come crashing down to the lows and fears of failure.

  665. I’ve just been accepted at this mentoring program at my school, and apparently lots of high-achieving students are usually chosen to be mentored there. Presidents of big clubs and societies, student leaders and people with top GPAs are usually the ones who do this program. I’m not a president of anything – my grades aren’t even good…I feel like I don’t deserve to be there. I’m afraid once I start interacting with the people in the program they will see that I’m really a complete loser and say I’m a cheater and liar and start excluding me. I’m afraid that with the large amount of competition in my field of study they will see me as a target to destroy.
    A friend of mine is also doing the program and she is much smarter than me despite being a year younger. When I told her I couldn’t believe I got in, she said that I should be more confident in myself. Thank you for the post, I will keep fighting against the pesky Impostor Syndrome.

    • Just remember, you were chosen for a reason. Perhaps a reason that is different from some of the others (GPA, top student ext.) but a valid reason none the less. Most people in the program with you will recognize that you have a reason for being there and will accept you. Some won’t but screw them. Even if some try to ostracize you, there will always be people who do support you and will try to help you. For the first few days you can hang around with your friend until you gain enough confidence to branch out. And you wouldn’t be holding her back because she likes you as a person and wants to help you like all friends do. Sorry if I wasn’t much help. I hope the program goes well for you.

  666. I act as if I don’t care about what anyone says or thinks about me. I act as if there words don’t have an effect on me, as if I am some kind of superhuman completely devoid of emotion. I act as if I never hurt and as if I never can be hurt. Other people see me as a extremely stoic person who has no feelings and as someone who doesn’t really care about anything. In reality I care more than most people would expect. I care so much about fitting in and being well liked and respected by others. If anything I care TOO much about other people and for a long time I viewed that as my biggest weakness and I have suppressed my emotions for far too long. I sick of the fear and social anxiety I get from wanting to be perfect and fit in all the time. I am sick of hiding my emotion and acting as if nothing bothers me. I fear acting on my emotions in public out of fear that people will not like who I genuinely am or they will think I’m weird and I will be a social outcast and end up feeling more alone than I already feel. I act as if people’s approval means nothing to me but deep down I feel as if I subconsciously crave everyone’s approval all the time and that if I don’t get it I feel like I am worthless. I hide my emotions and I hide them well, simply for the reason that it protects me from getting hurt by other people. Now am I beginning to realize that all there is to life are the relationships we have with the people we encounter in our lives and that’s really it. So by me keeping myself extremely reserved and always expecting 110% out of myself for every little I thing I do for every second of the day, I am actually doing myself a disservice. I need to start living life vulnerably; I need to put all of my ideas out there into the world and watch them either flourish or flounder. I need to stop associating my self worth with my credentials and what I achieve. I am who I am not for what I achieve academically or professionally but I am who I am for what I bring to this world in the form of helping others. I AM A FRAUD! I AM 100% WITHOUT A DOUBT ONE BIG MASSIVE FRAUD!!! I have lived my entire life in fear of everyone finding out that I am a fraud and I am not really the person I appear to be, a confident outgoing sociable guy with ambition and drive but rather a person with low self-esteem, poor social skills, low EQ, social anxiety, fear of failure. It’s ok for me to always be myself. If I am not perfect I won’t die, nothing terribly wrong will happen to me. Most importantly, in the end I will live. I think today is the day where I begin to live. I have been playing it safe for far too long. I don’t want to feel like this anymore. I want to be me and if people have a problem with that it’s their loss. I’m done listening to the twisted voice in my head tell me that I am not good enough or that I’ll never be able to make it like the greatest, I don’t HAVE TO make it like the greatest. I can make it like myself. All I really know is that if I keep things up the way they have been going, I’ll have gone through my entire life without ever really having lived. Thank you for this article Kyle! For so long I have felt like an impostor and that all of my success in life came at the hands of lady luck or because of someone else but in every single success I played an important role and I deserve recognition. I know who I am and I know what I want out of life. I found myself and no one can take that away from me. I am done acting as some naturally smart kid who gets by without trying and is too cool to make any sort of effort. That isn’t how life is meant to be lived. My job is to be 100% me and live recklessly without abandon as myself. My ego has done enough talking, it has had control up until now. Now I am taking ahold of the reigns and taking back control of my life for better or for worse. Again thank you Kyle! This has been one long empowering rant for me but you writing this article and telling me to write a comment is the reason I don’t feel as much of a fraud anymore. I don’t have to fit in any box or any bubble.

  667. I enjoyed your article, even though I felt like I was on an emotional rollercoaster where one minute I was like, “Yeah, this IS an experiment! Life is an effing experiment!” and the next you’re punching the reader in the gut and telling them they’re shit.

    One thing especially bugs the shit out of me:

    “Again, come off it, you’re just not that special.”

    I find this statement irresponsible and repulsive, actually. It’s damaging to *anyone* — especially people who struggle with this — and it also doesn’t actually fix what I think can be the root of the problem for some, which is: this is the result of the disparity between having valuable things, like intelligence and talent, and experiences which have told them they do not and are not valuable. So, telling someone, “hey, you’re just not that special” is EXACTLY what some people have been told and why they don’t feel entitled to have valuable things, and therefore feel like “impostors” when they try or find ways to express those things they actually have. In other words: dude, you’re making it worse.

  668. I’m self employed. I mainly teach music via Skype to accordion players across the globe. My imposter syndrome prevents me from moving on in my self made career because it makes me believe that I’m not good enough. I’m not the person who should be building this career, someone else should have the opportunity.

    I cancel lessons last minute because I just can’t face it. I can’t face a paying customer and “fake” my way through it. I’m not good enough to teach you. You’re wasting your time and your money. I lie my way out of situations just so I can hide from the world.

    I’m stunting my own growth with this pattern of behaviour. I didn’t even know imposter syndrome existed or that it matched how I feel about myself until I saw a comic meme and googled to find your article.

    I’m seeing my therapist later. I wanted to talk about why I feel this way and how to cope with it. Now I have more of an idea of what it is thanks to your article!

  669. Hi Kyle, if I weren’t old enough to be your mother I would propose marriage because I love you! Thank you so much for the post. I got my B.S. at 48 and I’m working pt for little pay and no benies. I’m told I’m an important part of the team and that my works continues to improve but I feel like I’m just winging it sometimes. I finally proved to myself that I’ve really been putting forth great effort because I came up with some ideas for email content that I was proud to hand in for review. I haven’t heard one word about it yet and it’s been three days! I don’t even know where my boss is! I work remotely from home. I have been pushing for FT since I started in May 2015 and I’ve learned a ton. I like working from home for the convenience. I feel like they must think I’m inadequate since I can’t get FT and the business is growing exponentially. They’re hiring techs at anywhere from 50-110K/annum and I get $15 an hour to occasionally beg for FT! Maybe I am an imposter.

  670. English is my second language, but I am teaching it to kids in a school that only hires native speakers. They hired me and I still don’t feel like I deserve it. I feel like I have to prove myself everyday.

  671. I’m supposed to be writing a technical blog post for my company and instead I ended up reading this. I think that sums it up quite well !

  672. I always excelled in school – 4.0 in high school, and graduated Magna cum Laude with honors from a private elite university. I always felt like I was faking being good with school because I didn’t work hard for it. After graduating, within a year of starting, I managed to move abroad and live off of my fine arts career, show my artwork with galleries and art fairs in major cities in the USA, throughout Europe, and in China. I’m convinced that my artwork isn’t good enough to deserve this, and often I will not reply or delay replying to a gallery or potential client contacting me to show or buy my art. I always tell myself that if people who really are knowledgeable about art see what I’m doing now they will laugh at me, and I will destroy any credibility as an artist before even really starting…

  673. I’m a singer and I’m studying vocals at university. My true passion is metal music and I have wanted to learn to scream for a long time now. Whenever I tell someone that they inform me that I can’t because I’m a girl. Some part of me argues that Lzzy Hale and Alissa White-Gluz are girls and they scream but I’m so scared of failing that I can’t even start learning and some part of me believes people when they tell me girls can’t scream. I also go through uni feeling that everyone else has a better voice than me and that my acceptance into uni was some kind of fluke. It’s horrible because I just want to quit and do something else. I feel like I shouldn’t be there.
    Your post has made me feel a bit better about myself but I still can’t let go of the feeling that I don’t belong.

    • Check out the metal band Arkona.. Their leader, Maria “Masha Scream” Arkhipova, may be an inspiration to you. This “they” who believe girls can’t scream in metal must never have heard Masha..
      Yes, we totally can, and it’s super badass. Go for it! You got this!

  674. My name is Mercy Maclay and I have Impostor Syndrome. I am an artist in my city, working with mostly watercolors and oil paints. I am just researching what this mental misfiring in my brain for the first time today although it is something that I’ve felt most of my life. It took someone else mentioning “Impostor Syndrome” for me to realize that this feeling might not be normal and that I might be able to get rid of this nagging voice that is always telling me that I’m a fraud.
    As an artist, I could say that I have been somewhat successful so far. I have been selected for two successful solo exhibitions in that last couple years along with prominent placings in a bunch of smaller art shows as well. I vend art at craft shows and have networked with many of the larger local artists in my area but I have come the next big step I can’t seem to take. The big thing I have been avoiding is joining the local artist’s organization because the process itself would require me to form an artist’s resume of my accomplishments, present a portfolio and literally explain why I should be part of their group. You can imagine why this would be so hard when I have difficulty associating with my achievements. A lot of times I’ll even step back from a painting and have a hard time believing that I did it. Most of the time I’m gripped with fear that someone who purchased one of my paintings will try to return it when they realize it’s not good enough and I pulled one over on them.
    Wow, okay, overshare. I’m glad I found this article today, I am so relieved I’m not alone in this struggle. Thank you so much for taking the time to write and share this.

  675. I’m in this class to prepare us for teaching elementary general music. I have completed this class up until the final assignment. This assignment really daunting, I feel like I can’t do it, and I already had a panic attack from it; it was my first panic attack in many years. I feel like I would never be able to be an elementary general music teacher. (My goal is to be a band director and clarinet teacher, and this class is a requirement.) I’m trying to find the courage to figure out how to finish this thing.

  676. My past has been a disaster and present worse, I still remember how curious i was about everything but it all came crashing when my so called dad used to lock me up inside the house because he thought everyone in this world was bad except him.. I don’t know whether my mom got this from my dad or vice versa but the point is they always use to say things like you shouldn’t do that or this, be quiet and lot in front of others but they used to fight, lie all the time, I don’t think my mom thinks i can have my own life yet or if i say i would want to see the world and stay apart for a while, she acts like im going away forever.. I have not had a usual childhood but improper adulthood, My dad left when i was young, so i had to take my decisions when i turned 17 but i guess my decisions have been bad and i was lost without correct guidance, I used to act tough, i didn’t want people to know all this and a smile on my face and act goofy and talk senseless or to the situation and think I’m cool, now i realise lot of things were wrong and I don’t feel i belong here or i have been in their shoes for a long time to change.. I feel like i have no emotions left in me.. Im numb… I cannot speak to girls cause i have negative thoughts and I feel i am an imposter.. Any suggestions will help me think over my options, if any.

  677. I am an artist, and I still think people buy my work (paying over $1000 per piece) because they feel sorry for me.

  678. But what if you are not up to par with your peers, and you really are duping everyone. I am in a program that I thought I could handle, and now that I am there, it is a VERY rude awakening. I have been getting by, by the skin of my teeth. I try to say that I am a work in progress, but I don’t believe it.

    • I am at a point where I am afraid to apply for a job because I don’t think that I will be able to succeed in a challenging role. What is wrong with me?

  679. I feel like a imposter for trying to break the rules in music. For trying when there is already so many artists. So there must not be space for me. I also think if the rest of the new generation just stopped. They stopped trying to do what they wanted to do becausse they felt like this. So there is no humility and just about everyone was locked in a cage To avoid it. But I imagine art of any kind dieing that way. I feel like a imposter for getting past my horrible bad habits and depression. Well trying to be more positive as if I am even faking that. Which I am not sure how to stay balanced without feeling paranoid of my every move. I feel like a imposter about my chronic health issues. But often everyday I get symptoms to remind me I am very sick still. What if you can’t have your full potential atm? I stay sick in the bed usually.. I would not know what I had to offer. I am no one and I really suck at expressing love for a person in a spontaneous way. When I try to I feel like a Imposter or that I am just ripping off what I learned from others. That I don’t have something to offer because of something I can’t help. Or because my social skills are equal to a piece of bread and sometimes I lack feelings. Then I get questions in my head like am I a careless person? I have pretty bad traumas. But I know I am not alone. Others can be valid but when it comes to myself.. I don’t deserve it even when I know I should treat myself better. I don’t want to be my own prisoner. And I don’t want to feel like a burden.

  680. what do you do when you have imposter syndrome and you actually do mess up? Then it really feels like ok, now the cats out of the bag. She is incompetent and untrustworthy.

    • Exactly! Even though some, and only some, of my peers say that I am too hard on myself, others don’t want to work with me because I am not as advanced as them. They won’t say that to me directly, but I know that is the case. So when I do work, and then someone comes in and totally revamps it but tells me that what I did was great, how am I supposed to believe that. I think they just see me as a fake, or a moron and that I don’t belong. I am totally out of my league.

  681. I have been a dancer/ performer my entire life. Born in Cuba 44 years ago dancing was part of me even when I had no awareness of existence. Started out as a dancer with Cuban National Ballet. From ballerina, mutated into acrobat, from dancing in the streets of Mexico moved to Europe to sing, dance and compose the soundscape for our shows. ‘Age appropriateness’ and suitable body-training has taken me through an extensive trial-fail process discovery to find that technique, which harmoniously keeps the body ready-for-action, and mind /spirit dancing along. Today, finally have found that way of moving which could suit all sorts of people interested in having fun in their own bodies while moving/ dancing. Today I am, finally, working with a coach to start-up a Rhythm and Motion Center, as an alternative for physical-mental training using drumming, voice work and dancing Afrocuban, Caribbean rhythms. Today still wake up in the middle of the night thinking I’m not ready to take the leap

  682. A shocking testimony of how i got back my husband. Getting him back after separation was a very difficult issue for me because he went to settle down with another lady, i already had two children for him already. I have tried to make contacts with him to come back home yet he refuse, each time i look at his kids i become more sad and i needed him at my side to raise the children together. I was so lucky i finally got the help i needed, i went on a search and i saw Priest Ajigars contact ([email protected]) . People say he is a very powerful spell caster that he can put an end to relationship problem, fertility issues, causes that disturb destiny, he is also good in curing different diseases. He is such a special man gifted with powers and reliable spell caster that have a cure to most problems of life. My husband is back to me and we are living happily as it used to be, Priest Ajigar have done what i could never have done with my own powers, i’m also very happy that i will have a very lovely Christmas with my family here is USA. Here is his email in case you need help too ([email protected])

  683. I stop myself from sharing my most authentic self because I feel like that’s what I need to do to get ahead at work and maintain friendships. Although I’m starting to feel that taking my most challenging life experiences forward in a constructive way is the key to taking on the world and giving what only I can in a unique way.

  684. I recently got promoted to a managerial position in a high-level environment. I felt like I duped them into hiring me. I still think that they were desperate to hire, and I was cheaper perhaps compared to the other candidates. That’s why they got me.
    It’s been 7 months now and most of the days I want to quit because I would tell myself “look at this shit you got yourself into, conning them” I have had my review and had positive feedback from my bosses. I think what they told me was very vague. It’s driving me crazy because all I want to do now is go back to being a coffee barista. A job i took on while in school.

  685. I had some small success with an essay I wrote. It was published by a reputable lit mag and I even won a cash prize. Since then, I’ve felt like a fraud, like it was an accident, or luck, or whatever. I attended a local writing workshop soon after that publication in which I could barely write a word because I was certain people would finally see, up close and personal, what an awful writer I was. I still freeze up when I try to write but I’m learning to push through anyway. Still, there’s the fraud police always in the back of my brain, reminding me I haven’t published anything else substantial. *Sigh* It’s a constant battle.

  686. I’ve always wanted to write a blog or a book, but keep thinking I wouldn’t have anything interesting to say that people would actually want to read about.

  687. Thanks for that. The energy with which I decided to write is waning as I go over in mind the comments below. I can’t help but think to myself – maybe these people are genuine victims of this syndrome while I on the other hand am in fact a real faker. Everything I do at the moment seem to be working well. But I am constantly engulfed by the fear of one or all of them coming back to me. Gahhhhh…..

  688. This explains so much… I am fearful that I am not capable of landing a decent occupation after college. I also feel extremely judged by family and feel like they perceive me as a big joke. Thanks Imposter syndrome!

  689. First of all, thank you for this! I found this blog because I simply googled “saying ‘thank you’ feels fake”. I have an extremely polite co-worker who constantly thanks for everything and I thought it is so nice to thank people all the time. I found myself trying to be like her, guess I am a real fake! haha! I am tired of pretending to be someone else. I can say ‘thank you” and be polite, I just need to be me when I do it, accept who I am. Reading your post and suggestions helped me in understanding why I don’t feel deserving of compliments or meeting new people and socialize. That is one of my challenges, I don’t like to get invited to social gatherings and/or events. I feel I won’t live up to people expectations, especially when upon first impressions they label me something I am not; only based on appearances. I tend to rebel against stereotypes and become the opposite. I enjoyed reading your post, your 21 suggestions go from practical to thoughtful and don’t feel overwhelming at all. I have never heard the term “impostor syndrome” and I laughed and felt relieved as I was reading this just because I have told my mother a week ago that I felt like a fraud. I guess I need to get over myself, I am not that important!! Thank you so much for doing all of this! I mean it.

  690. I frequently feel like an impostor. I spent 10 years in the Marine Corps; serving in a highly technical and physically grueling field, earned my undergrad as Magna Cum Laude (while working full-time), & was accepted to Notre Dame for Grad school just 6 months after earning my undergrad. In the three years I have been out of the Corps I have increased my income by 40K. Despite all my accomplishments, I feel like I am going to be outed as an impostor at any moment. I feel that I do not deserve the pay I earn, I feel like I do not belong in the same classroom with such intelligent people at ND. I am scared to venture out on my own and start a business because I fear failure, or more so fear that no one would want to do business with a fraud. Impostor syndrome is no joke, sometimes it is almost crippling; kills productivity due to the anxiety.

    • read what you wrote and pretend you’re reading it about someone else. does that person sound like a fraud?

  691. Recently, I finished a postgraduate degree that makes me a qualified health professional. But every time I engage in the process of job hunting (e.g. doing a job search, writing a cover letter, preparing for a potential interview), I feel extremely anxious, and I feel like a total fraud. I loathe having to write / talk about myself and the reasons I am qualified for a job, because I don’t actually believe a single word I am saying! The whole process makes me feel like I am being inauthentic, being a fake. These feelings make me avoid and procrastinate from looking for work (I Googled “imposter syndrome” and found this post instead of preparing for a possible interview or writing cover letters!. Because of this, I have only applied for one job and remain unemployed.

    However, I know that on an intellectual level that I am not a fraud, because I was one of the 3% of applicants that was offered a place to study my degree, because I have gotten excellent marks, and my supervisors have given me great feedback about my practical work. So even though I don’t believe in my “worthiness”, “deservingness”, skills or knowledge on an emotional level, I need to keep rationally referring back to the evidence that I am indeed capable, and that I am not a fraud. I will now stop procrastinating and get back to job hunting!

  692. The image at the end about grad school spoke to me so crucially and comically. I thought to myself, which one am I?? As someone currently in grad school, I’m often paralyzed by the fear of not knowing what I’m doing. Discouraged by those around me who appear to know. If I do manage to figure out something, credit immediately goes to others who likely led me there or disappointment I didn’t figure it out sooner. I guess my own version of imposter syndrome stops me from giving myself credit when credit is due, and spirals into the belief that I don’t deserve any credit. How to break free? Not sure myself. Thank you for the great post! It’s definitely gotten my internal thought wheels rolling.

  693. I am a mother to 3 children under 3 .. I am 24 and my 3yr old is autistic – I am a stay at home mum and it can be super challenging. I feel like my partner just hasn’t caught on yet that I’m a shit mum and not doing a good job ? It’s so stupid because not even I believe it but I still feel like a complete fraud!

    • Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise taking care of bitty babes is INSANELY HARD. It’s easy to put a lot of pressure on yourself to be the best mom ever, doubly so if your a stay at home Mom. It’s also the one job you can’t really quit for fear of failing. If this is an overwhelming feeling you may want to look up postpartum depression this is very common and not something to be ashamed of.

  694. Omg! Awesome job.. Haven’t chuckled that much in forever! Expiring meat sacks ? I’m banking that away for future reference – does that make me a fraud?

  695. I got my dream job recently, as a singer in a choir. During the whole application process I was convinced I had no shot at it, and then suddenly I passed the first audition, then the second and finally they told me I got the job. I still can’t believe it; they must have confused me with another singer. Still they talk to me like I’m supposed to be there. I’m younger than most of the others, far less experienced and have not even graduated. I feel like a small, inexperienced child. I should be happy to have my dream job, but instead I’m just insecure and sad. Totally crazy! Thanks for this post, hopefully it will help me turn things around!

  696. Not speaking directly with people because I wasn’t sure if they would believe me. I have a hard time making people realize that they’re wrong or are missing the point. I feel like I am always doing this to people and I wonder who the hell I think I am. Always correcting people and coming off as a know it all. Why cant I just know that being open to truth and sharing what you know with others is always best? I never get mad or embarased when I say something and then learn that I was wrong or was missing the point. I simply take the knowledge and view it as my own special way of getting there myself. So then why do I feel so guilty helping another with info? This stuff about me drives me crazy!

  697. I am a fraud of sorts. Going to college and being around family only brings disappointment because I just can’t do it or even make any sort of connection. So, silence has become the norm with an occasional good hi hello how are you. No filler, awful goodbye. I feel like people expect so much from me when I meet them except when my mouth is speaking all is heard, seems as though everything I’ve said is impossible to listen to, and the other person is obviously surprised, wierded out, and then uninterested. Growing up I only had a couple friends. All through high school and college so far my only friends are dog and my brother. I’m viewed as the retarded dude, worth only pity or a good laugh. I see it all yet can’t make it happen myself. I spend hours writing essays so that they can be coherent but I always sound pedantic when explaining anything. It’s obvious I’m trying too hard to avoid people and too hard to be the face I see in the mirror. Everyone says ‘grow up’ or ‘wake up’ or ‘what are you talking about?’ It’s a shame because I know why they are saying those things, but my brain just doesn’t seem to want to speed up and be on the same wavelength. I know I’m overthinking the whole thing but conversation after conversation is full of confusion and miscommunications. I’m always the last one to get the joke, sometimes takes a year to figure out why the joke was supposed to be funny. People say I’m Russian or Chinese and I know why but I’m always 5 sentences behind when a coherent answer can be said. I’m a fraud because I’m trying too hard to be something I’m not and more importantly I’ve been so lost in imposter mode I feel like I’ve killed my sanity and identity.

  698. I have avoided performing my music because of imposter syndrome. I have tons of songs I’ve written and I’ve never performed any of them live.

  699. I have just overcome illness and sometimes I worry that I lied about the whole thing, that none of it was real, that people will think it was all a lie. Which is strange because it was such a hard and painful time in my life. Yet as soon as i’m better or am close to sharing my story with the world, those thoughts come up badly. I am dying to start a blog, share my knowledge, share all the helpful, insightful and amazing things I have learnt through others and even myself and those thoughts are the only thing stopping me from starting. I know that I can help lots of people and I kinda see it as my (very enjoyable) obligation now to. Now that I have read this, I definitely will. Thank you so much.

    • And sometimes, when I share my true vulnerable feelings, I feel like i’m lying to myself, doing it to gain attention… not sure whether thats related?

  700. I’m a Program Manager at an engineering company and my programs succeed, quite well in fact. Yet I am very cautious to always give credit where credit is due. I truly want thank everyone involved and make sure they know how much I appreciate them. Just recently an executive in my company said, “I’m sure you had SOMETHING to do with your program’s results this year” but I looked skeptical. Then he said, “Would it have turned out that way if you had not been there?” and the real answer is no. Huh, imagine that.

  701. My name is Lynn paul i am from San Diego. i am 55 years old, i have been suffering from ALS for 4 years now, on this process my husband left me because of my ALS so i started going to hospitals for treatment, all they could do is to give me drugs that can keep my stronger, one faithful day i were browsing the internet and i come across a post on how a woman were cure from ALS by a spell caster called DR Nana Kofi so i decided to give him a try so i contacted him on his email on [email protected]
    after contacting him he gave me some instruction on what to do and i did. so after seven days he told me to go for test in the hospital which i did after the test the result shows that i were ALS negative. so viewers out there please help me thank DR Nana Kofi for a wonderful thing he has done in my life. so if you are out there with this same virus i will advice you to contact him now on his email on [email protected]
    He can also help you with the following conduction which are

    HIV/AIDS cure.
    you need your EX husband back.
    DIABETES
    CANCER
    Asthma
    STROKE
    INFERTILITY
    HEPATITIS B
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    Herbal
    Thanks for taking time to read my post, again his email on [email protected]
    wish you good luck..

  702. I am a sophomore at a prestigious university. I’ve struggled a lot with always attributing my successes to luck and only taking responsibility for my failures. I got rejected to business school over the summer which took a big hit on me. Then, I applied and got in to transfer to the college of engineering. Math classes are so hard because I’ve always thought I was terrible at math despite getting a perfect score on my IB math test in hs. I have the same struggle in computer science where I feel like everyone else is better even though my other friends always come to me for questions but I end up bombing every exam because I let my anxiety take over. I’m terrified to take engineering classes and don’t think I am at all qualified. I feel like I just got in because I am a girl or that I randomly have a good resume because I got into a very selective business fraternity due to connections. Why is it so hard to take the plunge?

  703. During one of my courses, where I had people with all kinds of experience, I avoided talking in discussions as I thought that I would make a fool of myself infront of these people having all sorts of ‘amazing’ points to put forward. Instead I used to keep thinking about what these people would think if I say something or even worse, if I don’t say anything 🙁 I thought that I got into the course by fluke and didn’t belong there! However, this article has been very helpful in knowing about myself and others!

  704. I’m just about to finish my final year at university. I’ve always been a high achiever my whole life (academically) and I feel like its all been a fluke. I want to apply for a post graduate degree but I’m convinced that I will be found out. If I’ve managed to wing my education so far, I definitely wont be able to wing a masters degree.

  705. I’m a psychology student and research assistant at a competitive university. I want to do an Honors thesis in my lab. The topic I’m interested in has to do with the neuroscience behind schizophrenia. I have no experience in neuroscience (aside from my lab work and independent research), I probably don’t have the statistics knowledge necessary to succeed (I’ve taken one statistics course and barely scraped by with a B), and I’m the least experienced research assistant in the lab (everyone I work with is a super-talented snowflake). To make things worse, the particular thing that I’m interested in has never been tested before. Similar things have been tested, but not this specific thing. Just today, I asked the principal investigator in my lab if he would mentor me for an Honors thesis. He said that we should set up a time to discuss it. I am nervous as hell about being “found out.” I feel like I haven’t researched this enough, even though I’ve been thinking it over for more than a month and I’ve got a bunch of sources to back up what I want to do. I’m scared as fuck that I’ll go in, tell him my idea, and get laughed out the door. But I already sent him the email about what time I’m available, so there’s no backing out now. The ensuing panic caused me to frantically google “overcome impostor syndrome,” and this was the first article that came up. It made me feel slightly less panicky. Thanks for that.

  706. I took a semester off college because of my depression. When i returned people asked where I had been and I told them I was doing an internship. I used to be very bright, but these past 2 years I have lost all happiness and motivation as well as any liking I ever had for myself. Everyone thinks I am so smart, but they have no idea where I actually am in my life. This has caused me to become extremely antisocial. I have cut off all my friends because I am no longer close with them and I’m embarrassed people will find out how much of a mess my life is. Secluding myself has only worsened my depression and feelings of loneliness to the point of wanting to die. My grades are horrible and I hate feeling like a failure, yet I still skip classes and am so lazy and unmotivated. My parents have given me everything I need to succeed in life and I have wasted so much money at an expensive college with nothing but failed courses to show for it. I was dating the love of my life, but I even kept my school issues from him. He would always say how my “smarts” made me so beautiful, and every time it made me feel like a fraud. He was in love with parts of me that aren’t true anymore, and I had to let him go. My heart is broken for so many reasons.

  707. I work in healthcare and I feel like I have no idea how I made it through my degree. I feel like I don’t remember anything important. I didn’t study as hard as I could have, otherwise I would know/remember it right? I feel like someone at work I going to realize I’m not smart, and that I’m not safe because I don’t know anything. I feel like sleeping all the time because it’s easier to hide in my dreams (although they are painful and sad a lot of the time). I make choices or more so, have lacked to make choices for the things I really thought I wanted to do and to be. Like being a good friend, or guitar player, or knitter, or employee, or peer or partner, the list goes on. I ride this wave of ups and downs and I feel like my ups are so high and my downs are so low. I change my mind and my feelings so frequently, I go between feeling like a liar with no integrity to a strong confident honest person.

  708. I really want to go to medical school, and my family is really excited about it
    But as I start taking harder classes, I struggle sometimes, and I’m afraid they’ll find out I’m not actually a genius. So sometimes I think about not even trying, though sometimes I really feel like I can become a doctor. But I also feel like I need to go to medical school, because if I don’t, they’ll know I’m not as smart as everyone thinks.

  709. I have been involved in Network Marketing for years yet I always felt undeserving of success like the kind my friends were getting and it was a relentless stream of self-sabotages. I couldn’t even find the words to express it, sometimes ending up punching the wall (ouch) in frustration.

    Then a few days a go I learn this way of feeling, of chronic, endless self-doubt actually has a name. At least now I know what to call it and start taking countermeasures.

  710. I thought I was the only one feeling like this! Thank you for this post, it has really helped me begin to realise I’m not alone in how I feel.
    *Sorry for the long post, it helped to write it down*

    Last year I graduated as a veterinary surgeon, after 6 years of studying. Truth is I always felt like I’d ‘slipped through the net’, that I was lucky to pass my exams each year because luckily the right questions came up.

    After graduation I felt like a fraud and was too terrified to apply for jobs as a vet. This was because I feared that when the safety net of being a student wasn’t there, I’d finally be found out. After presaure from family and friends managed to apply for one. I got an interview but couldn’t bring myself to go so lied that it had been cancelled. I couldn’t face it. After that I never applied again.

    I made excuses to anyone to questioned me about not pursuing a vet career – ‘it just not the career for me as I don’t agree with some of the ethics” and ‘I couldn’t cope with the sad side of the job’. Over the last year I’ve repeated these so much I almost convinces myself. These arent the real reasons though, really I just don’t think I know enough, and will either be found out or worse, harm an animal due to incompetence.

    I now work unpaid as a office assistant to gain reception experience, whilst looking for other careers I know will never live up to my childhood dream job.

  711. I experience imposter syndrome at almost every aspect of my life. I’ve come to a virtual stand-still as a result… and it sucks really bad. I used to go hiking all the time, but because I don’t have the endurance the fittest of my friends do, I’m afraid to go hiking with them, because then they’ll know that I suck at it. I am a black belt and have been for six or seven years. But I don’t train with other blackbelts unless they twist my arm (figuratively) because I haven’t practiced, and therefore I am afraid to do it at all for fear of discovering I’ve wasted it all, and it was a mistake. I have held my current job for 6, almost 7 years now. I can look back at the first work I did, and see many things that I would do differently now that I have more experience, but I still firmly believe that I am always one mistake away from being uncovered as a fraud. Hahaha oh my god I need help….

  712. I basically wake up every morning and say “fuck, here we go again”. I’m uncomfortable in my own body due to 20 years of selling and using drugs. I don’t know how to act or feel natural yet. I’ve been separated from my son for over2treats and feel that i have no purpose. I live mostly on mental disability and work part time. I graduated college but don’t have the self esteem anymore to do anything important with it. My life could be worse, i could still be using…but it’s still not a satisfying life clean. I fake it every day so my family doesn’t worry about me and they think I’m happy and doing so well because thrive seen me overdose multiple times and are scared for my life. I’m never genuinely happy. I’m very disconnected from the world and people. I’m in so much Damn therapy i want to lose my mind someone’s and just Be left alone. I’ve Made major positive changes on the past two years but I’m not where i want to be. I want to be happy on the inside and not just fake happy for everyone else’s sake. I have no direction in my life and I’m just taking it day by day. I don’t know why people want to fuck with me all the time because I’m a nice girl who doesn’t fuck with anyone else. Anyway, I’m a fraud 100%

    • I can’t imagine the strength it must take to stay clean after 20 years – whether you see it or not, I think you’re inspirational with how you’re trying to turning your life around. I wish you all the best and hope you find something soon that gives you your real happiness xx

  713. At first, I thought there wasn’t anything I had avoided and started to doubt I could possibly have imposter syndrome. Then I remembered I didn’t go to my best friend’s 18th birthday because I thought there wouldn’t be any point in my being there; it was at a bar and I don’t know how to be at a bar. I didn’t go to my childhood friend’s funeral because I’ve never been to a funeral and I was scared I would mess it all up. I don’t go for big auditions because I doubt I’ll be suitable for the role. I’m second guessing whether to go to drama school because I think I’ll be unable to keep up with it, even though I got the highest mark in Performing Arts last year that my college has ever had at that level (which was the lowest level, but I’m at the next step up now and doubting I’ll pass. They used my essays from last year as example material for the year above me, ie, the year I’m now in. Why was I doubting myself?!)

    I actually feel a bit better after typing that.

  714. I didn’t know I had impostor syndrome until I read this! But I relate so closely its feels better now I know.
    I completed a degree in illustration (with top marks) 4 years ago but still have yet to use my skills in the field because I don’t feel I’m good enough, I feel like a fraud, that as soon as I get a job I’ll fail because I know nothing. I’ve started feeling like I’m just being lazy and I’ll never get anywhere because I’m too lazy but I just get paralysed into not trying at all. People compliment my work all the time and put me onto this pedestal, pressuring me to use my skills and it freaks me out because I believe they will find out that I’m actually useless and all my best work were flukes.
    Then there’s a little voice in my head trying to tell me – you wouldn’t have got that good marks at university or got that degree if you were crap. People wouldn’t be thanking you for your help teaching art if you were that useless. But I still can’t find a way to overcome my fears and begin something.
    It’s was such an eye opener to see this article thank you for writing it, I hope that I will find the strength to do something I love with my art someday.

    • I can relate so much to your post! It’s almost identical to my situation, except I studied a different subject. I know exactly what you mean when you worry you’re just lazy, I worry that too. But then being so terrified when you’re faced with trying for the job you want or being pressured into potential interviews. It’s been over a year since I graduated now and it only has gotten harder/worse. This is also the first time I’ve read about this syndrome. Best wishes with your career in the future xx

  715. i am scraed that my feelings arent real, i want to talk to someone about my feelings but it seems to be my biggest fear. its like my body language might show it, and my tone of voice, maybe im super happy, maybe im just ok, but in my head i don’t seem to feel any of it and i feel stupid that i act so weirdly when my thoughts are screaming what are you doing, that person isnt gonna believe you, you arent happy, stop showing everyone how happy you are. or you arent sad you can never get sad this is boredom or your just tired itll all be over you dont need to go talking to someone about being sad because you arent sad you just want attention. i don’t actually know the last time i was sad. i dont think i was. Also ive been dancing for 10 years and yet i always think i’m not a dancer (dance feels like a chore). i feel that mostly everyone else in my dance group is a great dancer and some of them have been dancing for less than me, and i’m always scared to be in the front line because i think that i cant dance that there is no way im ever going to be a dancer(i dont want to be though). wow maybe i do have imposter syndrome. maybe that why im so scared to talk about my feelings, i honestly never thought they were real i mean i think im like mainly always happy, but at the same time im scared that its not the truth.

    • after posting this i was thinking that “i can’t have that, there’s nothing wrong with me, i just have a stupid fear thats all as long as i don’t talk about my feelings or think about talking about my feelings or about being scared then i won’t be scared.” but then im thinking but there is something wrong with me i mean i think im just avoiding the topic unconciously and ive learned to live with the thought just that if i feel weird (by weird i mean sad? idk) itll go away it doesnt matter, theres just something wrong with me ill get over it eventually anyway.

    • How you described your feelings and thoughts when interacting with others was very intriguing to me…. I fee similar to this on a fairly regular basis. I often say that I’m “pretty good at faking emotions” but I can never really tell IF I’m faking my feelings or not? Although it does feel like it a lot of the time. Everyone assumes I’m pretty happy and chipper all the time because that’s how I portrayed myself but usually I’m more… indifferent? Anyway, thanks for this post.

  716. Whenever I get told I’m good at something – I feel guilty for having being so good at duping that person. I feel guilty for irresponsiby arousing the complimentary feelings they have about me because they are false – I’m a fraud. I’m not good – I just blagged it and it looked good. Deep down I don’t know what I’m doing and have only got where I’ve got through sheer luck and being a good impersonator! That’s how I feel. I’ve never actually contextualised that until now. I guess I should thank you for encouraging me to do that. You wrote a good article. I feel like I blag my way through life in business and in my personal life – i’m not really a good mother, a good wife, a good PA, a good friend. I’m a complete fraud. Look – you’ve opened up a can of worms now – its all coming out . . .

  717. I just got a new job that requires a wide variety of skills and a lot of general knowledge, but what I have is 12 years experience (from a previous, dead-end job) in an almost-uselessly narrow field. I can’t shake the feeling that at any moment my new boss is gonna say “hey, you aren’t the person I thought I was hiring” even though I was totally honest (I think) in the interview.

    I just… I have no education, no certifications, nothing but a lot of experience that doesn’t really directly apply. But they still hired me and the guys around me are all very helpful and, like, I know I CAN do this, I just… I’m terrified. I’m absolutely pants-shittingly terrified of messing everything up. And I know, even if I do, even if I fail miserably and get fired, then I’ll still be alive and can still find another job. I’m not going to be hanged at high noon or anything. But I’m still scared. This is the first “new thing” I’ve done in 12 years. I’m 31. That’s like 2/5 of my life doing the exact. Same. Thing. Every day. How can I learn new things when I feel like the learning part of my brain died long ago?

    Jesus, I’m just a mess. But I can’t afford not to do it, not to show up tomorrow, because I have a wife and kids depending on me. I just… the mental fatigue is immense. I don’t know how I’m going to make it through this week, much less the next week, or the next, or the next, or the following month, or the following year.

    I guess I’m not really looking for advice, just venting. I just wish it were easier. I’m a lazy coward at heart. And I’m tired and scared.

    And it’s only been ONE DAY.

  718. I think I have passed up many opportunities in my life, because I am so worried about making a fool of myself. The curious thing – or the imposter thing is – there haven’t been many times I actually have made a fool. By having this thread run through my life, I give other people, other people’s opinion the weight to decide how things feel for me. I make myself a victim to the whims of other people’s opinions. Every time I do this, I am more removed from myself, from my experience. Sometimes I think the thing I like to hear the least is ‘you’re great, you’re intelligent’, because it means I have to prove it. Success too, it’s a burden because next time it could go the other way. I could actually not be a success.So better to run away, to gamble with little, so you got little to loose, no chances for somebody to tell me. That’s where I am at the moment, those are the stories I’ve become so familiar with. Now it’s time to start living and exposing myself in all nakedness!

  719. I came into my current job as a graphic-designer-by-training, doing random graphics work and basic web dev for my employer; then, as of last year, I was suddenly part of an elite team of coders that moves at breakneck speed, working ridiculous hours; all at the same time that I’m scrambling to learn and practice programming as much as possible on a daily basis. Without the assistance of said team, I would’ve stopped treading water and drowned, long ago.

    Impostor syndrome has served as a pair of concrete boots this whole time, so thank you for this life-jacket. I’ll hold it close from here on out.

  720. I didn’t know this was a real thing until recently, but it’s good to know I didn’t invent a creative new psychosis, only to keep it to myself. I just started a new job and I don’t know how I got it. I was at the interview, too… did they misunderstand everything I said? They clearly didn’t ask the right questions… or they were desperate for any old warm body… or they’re just looking for a good scapegoat for something awful that happened… because there is no way I belong here, making the money that I’m making now. When will the bubble burst? And will they frog march me out, fingers all a-point, when they discover their sacred club has been infiltrated by an outsider and a wannabe who has absolutely nothing of value to add? This was a very helpful read, and I feel like getting a handle on all of this isn’t an impossibility… but until then I’ll patiently wait to be asked to leave. I waited 10 years for the same thing at my last job and it never happened, and those idiots gave me multiple promotions, too. I guess I’m over-due for my karmic come-uppance.

  721. I just returned from a week-long leadership program and came across this blog and the idea of “imposter syndrome.” At the age of 50, I can’t believe it took until now to realize this is what I’ve been plagued with my entire career. I’ve been through multiple 360-degree assessments and continuously rate myself lower (much lower) than my peers, subordinates, and executives alike. It’s always puzzled me how I could continue advancing well beyond others with much more impressive credentials than mine. I have a Bachelor’s degree from a state university and have convinced myself that the only way I can avoid “being found out” is by “doing” more than those around me. This is all well and good when you’re starting out, except in retrospect, I see now that it’s been at my own expense. I’ve missed out on a lot of life and sacrificed a number of life’s gifts (like marriage and children) out of needing to “prove” myself over and over. It seems the only one that’s not convinced I’m good enough, smart enough, or worthy is me. THANK YOU for this life-changing message and some practical steps to begin taking. I wish I read this 25 years ago but better late than never.

  722. I’m a counselor seeking licensure but I won’t mail the paperwork to complete the process because I tell myself I’m a fraud. I tell myself I don’t recall anything from grad school and I don’t know how I graduated or was even given a job when I know nothing about counseling. I’ve wanted to be a counselor for as long as I remember but now that I am I don’t know what to say to clients, I tell myself I’m not helping them, etc. and I need to find another career. I thought I was just plagued with self doubt until I found the term imposter syndrome. Any time I feel as though I’ve failed I become self destructive. I tell myself that I wanted a masters degree because I wanted to prove myself to my mother and to others that I’m more than a pretty face but I don’t deserve the degree and I’m too full of self doubt to help anyone else. Since I’ve graduated and become employed it’s become so much worse. It’s to the point that I may quit my job because I’m convinced my clients are worse off with me and need a therapist who can actually help them. I tell my significant other that I’m a shit show but he says it’s inside because no one else sees it and it looks as though I’m brilliant and have it all together. That just makes me feel guilty as though I’m a liar.
    This is evidence that even counselors and therapists can be a hot mess inside.

  723. I’m just a student. I recovered from a really bad year, everyone’s saying I’m doing well in college and at home but I feel like a fake, that I’ve got so good at pretending I’m fine and managing my emotions. I don’t even feel like I can say I’ve done well over getting over my ptsd because I just think it’s all fake too.

  724. i’m afraid that the instant i get a job i’ll be exposed as a moron who doesn’t know how to do the job, whether it’s medical grade pharmaceuticals or flipping burgers….

  725. I have a knack for passing exams and I write columns on Facebook even though its me passing the exam with very little studying or me writing the post, everytime I pass the exam and I see people studying for hours and still not doing as well, or if I get some appreciation for my post, I’m unable to accept it, I feel like I don’t deserve it, your article will help me remember that it’s just a thought, thank you 🙂

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    31. Ringing ear 32. ALS cure spell
    THINKS FOR taking time to read MY POST GOD BLESS….

  727. First I would like to say “THANK YOU”. I’m in a season of my life of searching!! Ive never heard of imposter syndrome and can’t remember how I can came across it. All I know is everything you’ve said has helped me understand myself better.
    My purpose in life is helping people and I’m a dreamer. I want to reach the NATIONS through blogs, books, and speaking. I believe there’s no point in dreaming if you don’t dream BIG. However, I let my feelings of not being enough and being misunderstood stop me from actually acting on my dreams.

    I believe Fear is what stops us from doing anything we want or need to do. The fear of failure, being a fraud, being found out to top the list. But after reading your article, I’m leaping. What’s there to lose, right? If I don’t help anybody, my leap will help me!!!!! Besides, I HAVE A PERSON RELATIONSHIP WITH THE DREAM MAKER!!!! And through HIM, I can do it ALL!!!! FAITH is the key!!! Thanks soooo much!!!!

  728. I have recently started my own business but haven’t published my website, I dont feel its good enough and who am i to be in the running for actual clients that will pay me to work with them? This i guess is my imposter syndrome….loved this post and found it helpful to read, It is ok to be me.

  729. I haven’t let myself become completely comfortable with my boyfriend after a whole year. I feel like an imposter in my own body. I’m funny, pretty and smart but I hold my tongue. I recently read in another article that if you don’t say what’s on your mind (respectively) within five seconds of the thought entering your brain, then the idea is lost. Socially I stammer. I am confident. But I’m scared of being harshly judged / rejected. It makes me feel like I have no personality.

    • This. Probably the most important thing I need to do is drop the extreme speech filter.

  730. I even feeling now that I’m wrong in commenting! Well I have lot of such moments where I feel very much that I don’t fit good and I’m cheating myself and others. When asked to answer a question in class I feel I might not be the right person to answer the question. When some one ask me the address I feel I will mess up even though I’m right. Due to this I engage less in social conversations. Always a feel that I’m an outsider. Thank you making me clear what’s wrong going on.

  731. I’m starting college now. In high school I always had people telling me I’m great and I’m doing a great job in all my classes or clubs or whatever. I always felt like it wasn’t enough, though. It always seemed like there was someone that was doing more with seemingly much less stress and effort. I didn’t think I could make it through each year. Well, I did, but now I’m moving on to a whole new ballgame. I can’t focus, I don’t get all my work done, and I feel like I’ve put on airs about being good at school when actually I’ve just not been challenged yet. I feel like I don’t belong here, like I’m in over my head, and when I fail my classes my family will see what I’ve been saying about not being that great. I dread the “what happened?” Conversations. And I constantly feel like I’m not doing enough for my schooling, even though that’s all I do. I don’t have much of a social life, and I’m always working on an endless pile of tasks, but since I never feel fully finished, I always feel like I’ve done nothing.

  732. I play a musical instrument and I have made many covers for songs with said instrument. I would love to share some of my creations, not only for peoples enjoyment but also so they could learn to play the songs too, because honestly there are not a lot of resources for the instrument I play and not everyone can learn to play something by ear. However I am self-taught in playing the instrument, I never had a teacher and haven’t watched many tutorials either. So I’m afraid that there’s some fatal flaw in my technique, I might have made my cover too complicated when the song could be played using some easier chords. Or that I used too easy chords and the cover isn’t really impressive at all. I’m also stressed about that if I did share my creations and someone actually liked them, what if I can’t keep making something of similar quality? Those people would certainly be disappointed in me.

    I have been told all my life that I am exceptionally talented musically, when I was very young(under 10) I played the piano and was offered to be taught by some expert that only teaches really talented kids(my parents thought it would be too stressful for me so they declined). But somehow I feel like they’ve all been mistaken. I feel like I’m miles away from the people who are “actually” talented. Sure, a lot of them have studied music theory for ages, but some of them have not. I’m not even talking about famous people here, but normal people who also play some instrument or sing, who I can tell are talented. Every song I have learned myself feels complicated to play, but it also feels like it’s actually very simple and easy for someone who can “actually” play well and I just don’t notice it, like I’ve fooled even myself into thinking that I’ve created something quite nice. And when someone else compliments my playing, I feel like they only think I’m good because they’re not literal experts on music, and if they heard someone even better play they would notice that I’m not good at all.

    I’m not even sure if this is impostor syndrome or just some weird perfectionism. I just heard the term and googled it and came across this blog, and felt like I could somehow relate. Sorry for the horribly long comment. I honestly feel ashamed because this whole comment feels like I’m bragging, and like I’m now trying to fool everyone who hasn’t even heard me play into thinking I’m good at it.

  733. This was a big wakeup call for me, I didn’t realize how badly I have this. I’ve always been so scared to do anything that ive never done before for the fear of being looked at as a poser, or being judged for expressing a wild idea, or being scrutinized for doing something wrong. I always felt like if I didn’t grow up doing something, then it’s not who I am.

    The realization hit me so hard half way though, I began crying. Thank you for going ahead and making this post. I feel my anxiety dessipating, because i now know the cause of the problem. Because of you I can work on the solution and do all those things I’ve always thought were cool but not ‘Devin’ enough. I’m going to change that now, and everything I do will be just the right amount of Devin, damnit. Not a poser.

  734. I’m a (recently graduated) illustrator and have a problem of constantly comparing myself to other people. If I’m not online I seem to eventually even out, but once I get on the internet within five minutes my self esteem will be ruined because I see something I could never possibly draw. I know I can’t do everything, but I am always finding someone younger who can draw more nuanced and better drawings than I can, despite them only doing it as a hobby or something. I was always the top of the class in whatever art I did in school, but because the schools I went to were not very challenging that meant absolutely nothing (to me).

    I still can usually get myself back up and make new art but it still never feels like enough. Like I always need to know more and be better. And that no matter how much I do I’ll never get there.

    Sucks.

    • Hey Matt, I’m in the same boat as you..just graduated in Graphic Design and was usually top of class and everyone always praised my work, yet I felt I wasn’t that challenged in school. I tend to follow a lot of artists online to get inspiration for my work but often it leads to self doubt and thinking that I can never achieve what they have. This in turn makes me lazy and not even want to try sometimes and it really sucks. I’m trying to get to a better space where I have the confidence to put myself out there and stop comparing myself with others. One thing that has helped me was going back to some of my original work as a student a couple years ago and comparing it to my skill level now and I have seen huge improvements. Reflecting on that gives me hope that I will continue to get better each year as long as I try and stop comparing/competing with others!!

      Best of Luck in your career!
      We are our own worst enemy!

  735. Thhank you so much for this blog, it resonates with my inner nagging persona! I’m doing appraisals for my team at present, and have real issues with how i’m qualified to give them career advice!

  736. Reading this made me feel better so thank you for posting!
    One thing I haven’t done because I feel like I’m not enough is submit my applications for Legal training contracts. I don’t have as much work experience in the field as other candidates. I have a wealth of other experience and an understanding of working with lawyers as a client which I believe gives me a unique ability to empathise. But imposter syndrome forces you to focus on what you’re not, not what you are. I need to accept that I’ll most likely be rejected by a lot of places but unless I get over that and apply, I’ll never know. Reading this post helped.
    Thank you once again.

  737. i like to take my time in everything i attend but i feel as if when i make a mistake everyone thinks im a liar and that im just boasting and trying to be cool. i feel judged all the time. i feel like sometimes i dont know what reality is and i get trapped in my mind thinking something terrible has happend to me.
    i am ashamed to say it but when i lose my reality i thinj i have just been raped almost. it is the feeling i recieve therefor u question my self

  738. I’m a third year university student in politics. I’ve worked in my field already, traveling to Paris for research, but I can’t bring myself to go to class some days because I’m terrified all these intelligent people will find out I’ve been faking it this whole time. I challenge myself to at least stay on campus if I can’t go to class, one step at a time!

  739. A constant feeling of you could be better, that what whatever you’re doing isn’t enough, you can always do more. When someone says you’ve done well you brush it off because in your head you’re just doing what anyone would have done, you’ve just doing your job to the best of your ability. That’s nothing special, that’s just doing what you’ve got to do. Success overwhelms you, you’d prefer to be failing so you have somewhere to go from there and because it’s sometimes easier to give up on one project then be successful and carry on. At the same time you don’t want to disappoint people or feel like you’re letting other people down. There’s always someone better than you, waiting to take your position.

  740. I have never, ever told anyone this ever. In my life. When I was nine years old, my cousins friend “molested” me. But I put quotations because I don’t know if that’s what it was. At the time, I said yes. Out loud. But I was nine, so it may have been peer pressure or curiosity. For the last eight years that’s been cringing in the back of my head, and I haven’t even told my best friend. I honestly don’t know what to classify it as, because I did say yes, but then my aunt signed me up for a sexual abuse therapist and thought my being gay was based on it and I think I’m gonna lose my mind. AGH!!! O now whenever I talk to someone about it, I feel like I’m lying or something… I dunno. It’s a mess. But I mean I suffered some pretty bad depression too and the only reason I could think of was this, so I Feel like I’m going mentally insane. Halp!!

    • Marlissa,
      What you said about feeling like you’re lying has happened to me too. For me, it’s because the part of me that experienced trauma as a child is still frozen in that moment in time, and still unable to cope with the pain. I think what I have to do is find some way to get the strength to come out of emotional shock to face and work through the trauma.
      Still not sure how to do that yet, though. It would take a lot of energy and right now I’m pretty wiped out from trying to figure out my childhood abuse. One thing that has been a huge help is writing it all out on paper. I don’t show anyone, but it helps me to accept what happened and see it clearly.
      I have impostor syndrome as well, but it’s different from the denial I am trying to work through from my younger self.
      I hope this might help you! Good luck, we can do this!

      • P.S. It was not. your. fault. But it might take some work for your younger self to understand that you aren’t to blame. It took a while for me to get there. Keep going, keep trying!

    • Marlissa,
      What you said about feeling like you’re lying has happened to me too. For me, it’s because the part of me that experienced trauma as a child is still frozen in that moment in time, and still unable to cope with the pain. I think what I have to do is find some way to get the strength to come out of emotional shock to face and work through the trauma.
      Still not sure how to do that yet, though. What has helped is writing the whole experience out on paper. I don’t show it to anyone, but it helps me to get a clearer perspective.
      I have impostor syndrome as well, but it’s different from the denial I am trying to work through from my younger self.
      I hope this might help you! Good luck, we can do this! (sorry if this posted twice 🙂 )
      P.S. It was not. your. fault. But it might take some work for your younger self to understand that. It took a while for me.

  741. I am a PhD student struggling with my thesis. I usually think I do not belong here and I am not capable of making an academic research. All the good grades and success I’ve got in the first years of graduate school, was just good luck or something… I was in the right place at the right time so I could focus on studying and this brought success. But in fact I am not as knowledgeable as professors think I am. People used to think that i am a good student and will be a good academician. Now I can’t concentrate on my work. Months are passing and I believe nothing I’ve done is good enough to demonstrate. I hesitate to ask for help from other people when I get stuck, and when people ask me about my research I feel uncomfortable because they might understand that I am actually inadequate to work on this topic. One of the professors is so positive and encouraging all the time. I even hear from other people that she is sharing good opinions about me. But I believe she and other professors that are used to appreciate me must have already understood that they were wrong about me. All those feelings of inadequacy keep me away from working efficiently and I start to cool off and procrastinate. Other times, I try not to think anything and just focus on working but when it comes to sharing my research with other people I start finding problematic parts in it, thinking I should go over once again before sending to the professor or even write anything down. I start working to solve those “problems”, never ask for advice from anybody else. Spending so much time on details, got lost in it, finally cool off again and again procrastination starts. I don’t believe that I can finish the thesis and even if i do it, it will just be piece of crap. I usually think about dropping it. But when I remember the last conversation I had with my advisor telling me that I am so close to finishing, I change my mind.
    I read what I just wrote down and I can’t believe it. I didn’t even know that I had all these stuff in my mind. I am not sure if I have impostor syndrome, or how I can figure it out. But writing simply helped me to address the vicious circle I have caught in. Thank you very much for sharing this post and for encouraging me to share my thoughts.

  742. There are a LOT of things I’ve avoided doing because of Impostor Syndrome, but a couple of the biggest things are getting better at makeup and trying my hand at photography. I’m terrified when I go into makeup stores because I just KNOW that the girls in there are looking at me and wondering why the heck I’m in there if I don’t know what I’m doing. Whenever I post pictures I’ve taken anywhere, I bite my nails and just wait for the hateful, negative comments to flow in (even though they never do).
    I wish I could express to you how much this post has helped me. I didn’t even realize that this was a concept, let alone that other people suffered from it, too. I really appreciate you shedding light on this subject for me and being so candid about your own struggles. It’s a true inspiration! 🙂

  743. Hy there, thanks a lot for this helpful Read!
    To the challenge: i constantly avoid the idea of being a Self-employed Designer/ Carpenter because i think, Nobody would Buy it.

    Again thanks a lot!
    Greetings from Germany,
    Robert

  744. Thank you for sharing this! It’s so comforting knowing that I’m not the only one dealing with effects of the imposter syndrome. I have found myself battling with the same thoughts/feelings of self-doubt, undeserving and/or being unqualified for opportunities and poromotions as I progress in my career. I jump right into my career as a trauma nurse at the age of 20, with a strong work ethic and drive to be the best at what I was doing. Around 22 y/o, I started being recognized by senior leadership more and asked to sit on committees, ect. After that, I recieved opportunities to change course from bedside nursing to a healthcare leadership/business role. I was grateful for the consideration of course, but vividly remember feeling undeserving or as if I was an imposter and it would only be a matter of time before they found out that I was a fraud. I guess fraud wasn’t exactly how I generalized/labeled it at the time, I felt more like I didn’t posses the knowledge, skills or credentials needed to fulfill a position like this let alone be successful. I pushed myself to everyday to learn, identified my strengths of learning/developing a wide array of tasks/processes and education- quickly and efficiently. I realized that I will never be able to know every answer/solution, but knowing how to utilize my resources allowed me to always formulate a better educated answer/solution. I’m now 28 y/o and still battle with “imposter” feelings on a regular basis. It is still hard for me to feel “accomplished” or to receive a compliment, but each day is a step forward I guess. Reading this article and all the posts along with it has truly brought so much clarity to my self-doubting/imposter ways, and I’m looking forward continuing to accept/change those.

    Sorry for the rambling! It just all came out! Thank you

    • I connect with what you’re saying, especially the part about “not havin enough knowledge & skill, pushing self to learn, & not knowing everything”. Then at the end you apologized; something else I do. I totally hear myself in your post – sooo, thank you! Helps me to see that others feel similarly, have helpful insight, and maybe I do too. Maybe I can learn to stop apologizing. I certainly don’t think you need to say sorry; I really appreciate your post!!

  745. It’s so good to be able to put a name to something I’ve felt for so long!
    I tell myself, and other people, all the time I only got through college because I knew how to BS my way through a paper, rather than acknowledging that I actually took time to do the research and I’m a halfway decent writer. I love to write but I’m always so afraid to show my writing to people because I’m afraid I’ll find out I actually can’t write at all. I love to speak at church and in front of groups but I always tell myself I did terribly and that everyone hated it and people are only saying “Good job!” because they’re being nice and I’m really just terrible at public speaking.
    It’s nice to know I’m not the only person who deals with feeling like an impostor. Thanks!

  746. I have gotten a lot of industry and media recognition and accolades for my work over the last year, and it’s making me crazy. My anxiety, which I thought was mostly gone and dealt with by now, is back in full force. I feel frustrated and distracted by the attention, and often want to ignore all of it and go hide somewhere. I want to continue my work because I love it, but I am often tempted to quit telling people about it or documenting it because I am so uncomfortable with almost any and all feedback, good or bad. But of course my business requires that I advertise my skills, so it’s a catch 22. I typically just power through it and keep going; I know I’ll be fine when things calm down, but sometimes I miss the less complex and more emotionally stable life I had before anyone noticed my stuff. And of course I feel incredibly dumb that of ALL the things I could have anxiety over, especially after some of the actual real world difficulties I’ve experienced, that success and validation is the thing that’s tripping me up. How incredibly backwards and idiotic.

  747. I’ve spent so many years wondering if everything I say is a lie, just trying so hard to be genuine and find who I really was. I never knew about the impostor syndrome. I think I just realized I’m not a liar. Thank you so much for writing this. (I’m terrified someone is going to tell me I don’t have impostor syndrome, but I’m just taking that as verification. haha)

  748. I got a new job 2 months ago as a ux designer. I started as a visual designer at this company a little less than 2 years ago. In my old role on my old team I felt over worked and underpaid. With the new role I got a promotion and raise. My workload is a lot lighter now and I’m not as confident in my designs. This leads me to hesitate when people ask my oppinon as the ux expert. I don’t feel like I’m an expert. I learned on the job. I did not get a masters in hci or a certificate from a ux boot camp school. I feel like a fake most days. Yesterday my manager asked if I could mentor one of the visual designers on my team. Mentor!? For ux!? So right now I really don’t feel qualified for that. I guess I need to learn how to fake it because I can’t run away from my life.

  749. I find it very easy to gel with new people. I get them to gain an instant liking to me because I present myself very readily by talking about a whole lot of interesting things. However, though I can talk about about a lot of things, I do not know much about them. As a result of which, I find it difficult to continue with the conversation. Soon enough I make an excuse to leave the vicinity as I start feeling uncomfortable due to my lack of knowledge.

    Consequently, I feel the need to pursue a lot of different tracks of interest at once leading to an unsatisfaction in everything, as I realise how far behind I am.

    I find it difficult to commit myself to anything and levels of spiked activity along with periods of absolute boredom.

    In the back of my mind, I console myself my generating a veil of obscure imagination where I am a very important personality. Sometimes the same pattern of thought continuously narrates my immediate work and I feel as if I am transported in a movie set or a setting from stories I have read.

    I am always unable to assert myself in any situation, as a result of which I end of agreeing with everyone even if it is not good for me. Latet when I am alone, I take an assetive tone with an imaginary audience and relive the entire experience but from a point of view that makes me feel strong.

  750. I spent more than almost 2 years looking for a job, just to get out of the grad school. I have been flexible, too. When it was an academia job, I did not say “oh, that’s not my ideal job”, I tried and have done my best. Same with industry jobs. The problem is, none of these worked out; I know I tried my best, but my best was basically pathetic. At least, that is the conclusion I eventually arrived. I am not sure as writing this, whether I really suffer from Impostor Syndrome, which requires some success, or I am simply a failure.

    All these thoughts was shaped after failing two job interviews, after getting so close. It may sound that two failed job interviews is not much to be depressed for, but this all links back to my prior attempts, and eventual failures (before even coming this close). I have graduated, and I am still in graduate school. Therefore, the urge to “save” myself from my current life keeps growing everyday. That’s why every failed job interview becomes a rare and missed chance for me. Considering the time and effort I put on each interview, and the following failures, it only makes me less faithful in a future chance to achieve what I wanted, simply because I believe I am not useful for anything more and more everyday.

    I can hear someone reading this thinking that there will surely be other chances/interviews for me. Objectively, yes I honestly believe this is the case. The problem is, any such chance is one for a new failure, and as a result of that I stopped applying for jobs. I know I may get calls, although scarce in number, however I am pretty convinced that I will fail them at some point and eventually get depressed just the way I am right now. Call it my surge protection technique by not using electricity.

    The last company I interviewed was a software giant that anybody on the planet would know. It was as I was recovering from a previous depression which followed a failed job interview, for which I prepared diligently for a good while. That giant company was interested in me, and I naturally thought, “well, I failed the previous one, since I was destined for this one!”. Things went unusually well, I was brought for an onsite interview, and the chances of this happening to people applying was well below 1%. Well, I am not even sure how they got to call me among thousands of applications, while I believe I have nothing special outstanding for this company. Well, for almost 50 days straight, I prepared, studied, day and night. Call it a mistake, but I focused my whole time on this as it was “my ticket out grad school” and more than a good one I could ask for. Well, I thought things went absurdly well to this point, and in fact I did not feel I messed up onsite, but it appears that I was not good enough. Yet another failure, and this time I convinced myself that I was not good. So, I decided to take whatever life throws at me, and stopped applying for jobs and torturing myself. Yet, I am tormented by the thought that I have no way out of my current situation without that torture.

    So I have been like this past 3 and a half months. I accepted, yet I cannot work, I cannot motivate myself beyond 2 minutes, and the worst of all I do not know what to ask for, if I was given a magic wand. I feel much more stable right now, though I have no idea what to do with my life. I know this cannot last forever, but the time gone is gone.

    Just saw the opportunity to rant here and took it. I can only thank you if you have read this thus far. I hope reading this helps someone in someway.

  751. I have had some success in my copywriting career in a specific industry. Although the basics of copywriting are the same for any industry, I’m so scared to venture out into new, far more lucrative industries for fear I can’t deliver. For fear my success in the first industry is a fluke. I feel like a one-trick pony and a fraud just waiting to be discovered.

  752. I’ve avoided posting my art online because I feel like it’s no good at all, despite my friends and family telling me it is.
    Because I feel like “I’m still learning” I don’t wanna show anything until I’m “good at it”, despite already being able to make something that several people have liked so far.
    Think I’m gonna start posting it online anyway.

    Thanks for this post, it was really really helpful! 🙂

  753. I have just returned to work after 4.5 years mat leave having and looking after my small children. I have been given a great opportunity at Deloitte and felt like i am not one of them- the big four people. Now I have worked myself into such a tizz and stuffed up because I second guessed myself and have been so worried about not knowing stuff and being one of them, that I am having probation meetings and might lose my job. my imposter complex has gotten in the way of actually doing the work

  754. My impostor syndrome is NOT professional or academic… it comes out in my personal life for the most part. I never feel quite secure hanging with people- whether I’ve known them for five seconds, five hours, five years, or my whole life. I am sop uncomfortable with the idea of people wanting to be around me that I can’t even fathom dating or having a larger friend group, instead counting on a very small handful of people to have my back. It’s isolating, and I’m so exhausted from trying to outrun people who are just trying to befriend me.

    • Laura
      that sounds familiar and like there are 2 people. i start off really friendly and outgoing then i don’t believe that i am that person. I have done it all my life and it is such a waste.
      All the best

  755. I’m actually still not really sure if what i suffer from is really an impostor syndrome or just real raw inability and lack of talent and revelation of my own Dunning-Kruger instead. The situation is a little bit complicated. I keep telling this to people i know to make it little better, so to say, reveal myself alone, that i’m being this fraud i really am, but it doesn’t make me feel stupid or that i don’t belong here any less..

    To give a little backround to the story; I haven’t done my Abitur/Final high school exam in Math or in physics, and i always considered myself to really suck in math even though i managed to have close to excellent grades till the end of the highschool, not really being unable to compute that or that stuff but to me it seems like i always forget it after couple months or right away and i’m still super unsure about what i even know in maths. Once in the first year of my bachelor in mechanical engineering i even squared 2 = 1?

    I study mechanical engineering in Germany, aerodynamics mostly at one of the best universities regarding the aerodynamics field. (Do you also wonder why would someone want to study one of the hardest fields of physics and mechanical engineering with such basic math knowledge gaps??)
    I just recently got accepted as a graduate student after being here for a year as an exchange student, after finishing my mech. egineering bachelor degree from my post-soviet country technical university,where i wasn’t able to study aerodynamics as a graduate, as the university just doesn’t teach this field. I do really like aerodynamics so i went for it and now i study here, wasn’t easy to get here either and study the stuff in a language you don’t really have even good conversational skills in. German is hard, but imagine studying aerodynamics in german☝️

    Until the day before yesterday i have passed all the exams i have taken here during the year. Until the day before yesterday when i was revealed as a fraud i really am.? I have brutally failed my last exam about numerical methods of aerodynamics, i couldn’t basically fail it any worse as i did. After the exam i felt that even if they made me a lobotomy with a spoon i wouldn’t be more non-intelligent. The professor kept asking me question after question and i was so disappointed with my level of knowledge that i didn’t even know what’s my name anymore, only thing i could do was just say some gibberish or that i really have no idea what the professor wants to hear from me. All i wanted to do was just to be done already and go home and cry. The professor wasn’t even trying to ask me hard questions in the end, it’s really true that i have either never seen such equations or never was even able to do some of those graphs or i was never even exposed to the stuff at my home university, unable to really see the connections between the equations and how it affects that parameter or how it will be plotted on that graph and what do you get if you slightly change that or that, what does this particular greek or roman symbol mean physically here while in the other equation it means five other things. The professor always probably had a presumption that we already know it and he never really bothered to explain the relationships during the lectures. Such a deep level of understanding i really never expected to be demanded. To be true to myself i have also underestimated the exam and haven’t prepared so hard for it, but that doesn’t make me any less uncapable of knowing even the “basic” stuff from the bachelor degree that obviously everyone knows here and i don’t. I really feel like a fraud and i really feel like now they really found out.

    Yet my friends keep telling me that it’s all good and this is actually only the first exam that i failed while being in Germany, and how they would never be even able to go for this all blabla and my parents keep always telling me how diligent and succesful son i am, of all the projects i have finished, bicycles and cars i built myself or helped building, of all the jobs i managed to land while studying simultaneously bla bla i still feel like the most noncompetent/non-intelligent person at my “new”university.. Just a week after they accepted me here.

  756. I’m in an MBA program right now, and they are making us do a “personal story,” which has to include long term goals. Unfortunately, I haven’t ever had long term goals, I’ve just always done what I tell my sailors: I look at what I’m doing, and then I decide whether or not it’s moving me closer or farther from where I want to be 5 years from now (in a non-specific goal way). If the answer is farther or not sure, I do what I can to quit doing that thing.

    I do what needs to be done, which to me is the bare minimum – just care about what is going on around you! It’s not that hard! I see so many people who simply don’t care, even when they are paid to care, but I refuse to believe that I’m a superhero for doing what I’m supposed to do, so that contributed a lot to the imposter syndrome.

  757. I recently got a new job where I have a team of 10 people who’s performance I’m responsible for. When I got the job they didn’t check references or my CV, they heard about me and head hunted me… After 15 years in the cocoon that is the military where I was never promoted I feel my new employers will find out why I was never promoted, when I make mistakes I am literally in panic mode in case they “find me out” however I do try and make steps to avoid that mistake again.. I had a nightmare last night where they rehired my predecessor as he was better than me, that’s how I found this link. I’m so glad I’m not alone!!

  758. Numerous things but my two main ones at the top of mind.

    I can’t write something without someone checking it over and destroying it – I even have a friend on speed dial to check over my work before I send it off to people to look at/get printed. I am not a good writer and I fear once this is discovered people will realise I’m not actually good at my job and I am just faking everything in the infinite hope that it will work out.

    No.2 I cant enter competitions because, in comparison to others I feel constantly inferior. With all the best intentions in the world, I always chicken out – even though I know the opportunities it will create.

    *Sigh* i had been trying to work on both areas for years – they always lead to the same outcome :-/

    A very interesting read – lots to contemplate now

  759. I took every class my local school offers in drafting and feel like I didn’t learn anything more than how to draw a line, even though I got A’s in every class.

    I also like to work on vehicles but am only comfortable working on my own which I flip and feel like the buyer will find something seriously wrong within a few days and be mad at me. (Hasn’t happened yet aside from a bad vin which was actually the police departments fault that sold it to me) I just worked on someone’s car and something broke a few days later which I know was completely unrelated but they blame me and I feel guilty kinda.

  760. I have been having a hard time restarting my life after divorce. I’m terrified people will see I failed my marriage and think I’m going to family anything else to

  761. THIS. You have no idea how bad I needed this today. I just started grad school and I’m having a very rough week at my job. My character, intellect, and capability has been attacked at all fronts this week. Normally I’m able to overcome feelings of self-doubt and criticism but this week had me at the end of my rope. I actually wrote “It’s Imposter Syndrome: Take Action” on my forearm with a dark blue sharpie marker so that I can’t avoid this mentality. It’s there. It’s visible to me and anyone else that sees it. They may ask me about it. I can then elaborate and this improves my ability to externalize these feelings, as well as seek support in my peers. I’m going to have this here until it washes off in a week (a very difficult week to come). I was feeling quite stuck on what to do next while I have a list of responsibilities longer than I can see, and I think I’m ready to move forward. Thank you!

  762. I’m intelligent or at least I know a lot about a lot. I can hold a conversation on all levels but I spent my childhood getting by with last minute preparation simply because I wasn’t allowed to sleep or if I did it as in fear. I was hounded by a monster and despite the fact that people really like me, I can’t think why they would. I’ve lost myself and think everyone else is better than me.

  763. Oh my goodness. I do feel like I’ve got something huge and AMAZING to offer the world and if I ‘unleashed’ it people just wouldn’t handle it. I have had it that I am extraordinarily super special….. geez get over yourself girl!

    I feel like a total utter fraud in my business. I’m quite young for the stack of qualifications that I have in my trade as well as being a woman in a male dominated industry. I don’t have all the answers instantly, I don’t have all the templates instantly, I don’t know all the legislation or regulations AND I SHOULD! I am SO damn hard on myself.

    It even went to the point where I closed my business and took a job working for someone else LESS qualified (but older) than me so I could learn from him.

    What a joke. Although interesting and enlightening to discover this syndrome. I will learn a bit more about it.

  764. I have recently finished my BA (Hons) Degree in early years and childhood studies. My lecturer always told me that I still don’t believe I am at the level I am at or believe that I am a professional. I never ever thought I’d get past college!! This makes me feel a fraud big time because no one in my family has any educational background. This makes me have a negative spin on everything especially my new job I am due to start on Monday as a personal advisor for looked after children. I instantly feel that everyone is bigger, better and more knowledgable than me!! Although I do have one positive that I maybe able to bring to the job.

    I never invite my children’s friends and parents over because I worry my house is not as good as theirs, are my children dressed as well as theirs.

    I feel like a child, I feel as if everyone looks down at me and that I’m immature! When I am really not immature at all.

    I recently baked a huge big cake for my daughters birthday and for the first time I took the complements and battled with my self but in the end I sang my own praises as I genuinely was happy with it.

    I’m worried this syndrome will effect my new job because is comes across that I am not confident and done know anything! I cover everything up with a smile and if I don’t know something I will either try and research it before I know it’s coming or I will go along with a conversation and look it up later.

    I constantly clean my house incase someone uninvited turn up and I don’t let me children get lots of toys out because I want to pack then away quick when or if any one comes round ( although No one ever just turns up)

    I constantly worry about what everyone and anyone else thinks even my best friend, I always feel judged and on my own too and I’m in a hole with this :(.

  765. I just started my Master’s Program. I find it difficult to believe that they don’t accept everyone who applies into it. I feel like I have no idea how I got there. I don’t understand Sociological Theory, and because I’m so used to having a firm grasp on the material (in undergrad) I feel like a fraud as I start Graduate School. I have no idea what a thesis is, what a starred paper is, I don’t know why I felt that I’d be capable of managing my marriage, our daughter, my full-time job, and this ridiculous idea of getting my Master’s Degree. I want to teach and endless people have praised me in my public speaking, writing, presentations etc… but I just.. I feel like they clearly don’t know how terrified I am that I’ll encounter someone who knows more than I do and I’ll feel like it will negate absolutely everything..

  766. This is a newly realized behavior I seem to have (impostor syndrome). It was revealed to me by my friend and colleague as we were exiting a very important meeting with advisers to the company. The advisers are extremely accomplished people and have a great deal to add to the success of my company. So, why did I feel like a fraud when I left? Why did I think I was unworthy of being in the seat of power (President/CEO) of the company? My colleague said “Impostors” don’t know they are good at something and therefore believe they suck at it and are frauds.” He then said, “you assembled this team and built this company to what it is, with the attention of very influential people (advisers) willing to help” This was the first time someone has said this to me, although I knew it was team effort.

    I realized then that I have to look at the external world. I must learn to understand that whatever I am and whoever I am, I’ve gotten the company into the final negotiations of a very large contract! That’s no small thing!

    For all of you who have faced risk and uncertainty to achieve a better life, you are worthy and I salute you! (this statement is meant for me too 🙂

    Excellent post, sir!

  767. I have a master’s degree in social work. I haven’t been a practicing psychotherapist in many years, because I was raising my daughter, which was the most rewarding “work” I have ever done–she is now 19 and in college, a wonderful young woman. In the past few years, I have also gotten certified as a parent coach. I have had coaching clients, and they have had positive results, but now that I have the time to grow a full parent coaching practice, which at this point I think I would prefer to psychotherapy, I am procrastinating. I read other “experts'” blogs and think, “Oh, s/he has something to say. S/he knows what to do. I don’t. I would just be making it up.” Or: “There are enough books. What do I know that is unique?” Or: “I don’t know enough about _____” Etc. Imposter, imposter. One part of me knows that I am both knowledgeable and inspiring. The other–well, the other is what stops me. I want to just move forward. The thing that touched me most in the article was “focus on helping.” I think that will help me. I just need to DO it. Blog, network, actually commit to it.

  768. Yes! This echoes exactly how I feel. I have received good feedback in the past from clients, managers and colleagues. And I know I can learn things fast.

    But I have this constant urge to quit my job and study for a Masters, any Masters. Just because I feel I don’t know enough about my field, and I keep comparing myself to those who seem to be getting ahead with (from my myopic viewpoint) seemingly little knowledge or talent.

    I keep feeling that I need to study/read more. The reality is that I should study because I want to appreciate the nuances of my field, not because I feel insecure or like an impostor.

    • *AMEN!* but I’ve also had people with multiple Masters Degrees work for me, and some of them can’t even string a sentence together.

        • How is it that you feel? I went looking, but couldn’t find it in the previous discussion. I’m always looking to understand people better, so I’d love to hear your thoughts.

          • I think Kris felt like you were arrogantly talking down on your employees and fellow students for their lack of understanding, complaining about their incompetence (implying they’re impostors and you’re not). Evidence to the contrary is present both in the statement “it calls into question the value of getting a Masters” and the very fact that you’re reading and posting on an article titled “21 Proven Ways To Overcome Impostor Syndrome,” but I can see how it came off the way it did.

          • That’s completely fair, and I’ll concede the point that I’m not always the best communicator.

            My point was that if I’m a person who truly feels that my skills need improving, but then the only anecdotal evidence I have regarding those with more credentials than I have is negative, it calls a lot of my own life and values into question!

            As an example, if I personally value the ability to write at a college grade level or higher (after all, *why else* would I have gone to college?!) but the people I work with, even those with Master’s Degrees, read at a grade school level (incidentally, Grammarly suggests business emails be written at a 4th grade level), what’s the “right” answer? Is it that I need to adjust that value? If so, there are second order implications in that if I already write at a higher level than those with Master’s Degrees, why should I go get one? Also, should I then adjust other internal values based on society’s values? Following that path has its own problems; after all, no matter your personal moral and/or political leanings, you’d probably agree that the mess of American society isn’t something I’d like to mirror in my own life.

            To conclude that mess of rhetorical questions, I see it as basically boiling down to a choice: maintain personal standards based on objective standards and come across as arrogant (such as above), or become a “Slick Willy” who morphs my standards to every situation but ends up without a sense of self.

    • I’m so glad I found this. It’s comforting to know that there’s so many others out there who feels what I feel. In fact the parallels in some of the stories are scary. Haha. I’m also quite highly viewed at my work place and I consistently receive good feedback not just from my immediate boss but other managers and superiors in my company. And I have lost count of the number of times I browsed for masters programs (I recently completed a part time masters program and even that doesn’t seem enough!). The thing that I have trouble reconciling is that I consider myself a very rational person and at times I do know that I am good at my job but most of the time I still feel like an imposter.

    • Oh my God! You described me! 120% me! I found out about this Syndrome two days ago though a free Art of Charm challenge (everybody should try it) and I’m so happy to see other people having the same exact issues I had all my life. Not that it’s a happy thing, but it’s definitely a step forward towards understanding and dealing with it! Thanks!

  769. My boss tells me I’m good at my job and that there is no “high” to what i can acomplish. He just offered me a promotion to a position with way more responsibility in a field that I don’t really feel like i can handle. I’m going to work together with a very experienced guy who is going to soon find out that I’m a complete imposter. The good thing is that I already told him that i know nothing and that he is going to suffer for awhile schooling me in this new area of work.He was very understanding and told me that he had no worries about it and that he is confident that I can manage it (actually he was the one who tol me about imporster’s syndrome. I do have the very good skills in my old field and can use much of that knowledge in my new position, the rest I will have to learn from scratch. I’m pretty sure i will take on the job, but I can’t help feeling like an imposter if I do.

  770. I’m so, so, so happy I found this article because it describes me perfectly. I feel like a fraud in so many aspects of my life; academia, skills, relationships. Every time I do something right or impress somebody I think to myself, “It was just a fluke”, or ” I’m not really good at this, they’ll find me out soon enough.” I’m so relieved that somebody has actually put this into words. Thank you so much for providing such useful solutions – I’ll definitely try and put them to practice from now on.

  771. A couple months ago i painted a portrait of Bernie Sanders. I love to paint and its probably the best piece i have done. Ever since, people compliment it all the time and belive that Im some expert in painting when in reality im just a beginner. I was going to paint another portrait recently, but i was scared that it wouldnt live up to the painting i had done before. Afraid of failure, i havent painted anything since.

    • You’ve got to ignore everybody else and do it for YOU. You didn’t paint that Bernie piece for others, you painted it because you truly wanted to.

      When we live for others, we are not free.

      I once read that Picasso painted over 50,000 pieces in his lifetime. That’s several pieces a day – every day – for an entire lifetime. And he did things that people told him were stupid – he needed the adversity to fuel him. Artists need adversity and struggle to thrive.

      You’ve heard of the Pareto Principle (80/20 rule). Remember that it applies to EVERYTHING. 20% of the artists will create 80% of the art, and at the extremes lies people like Picasso.

      I challenge you to be more like Picasso – prolifically creating new art everywhere you go. Don’t worry about what people think – worry about leaving your mark on the world.

      Hope this helps!

  772. My friend once told me to pretend to be confident until you actually are. When I’m around people these words helped me so much and people almost seem like they are enjoying my company. I feel so good about myself… Maybe too prideful. When I’m alone I doubt everything and worry about my true self showing… an insecure, desperate, selfless person that no one wants to deal with.

  773. Having worked in IT for about a decade, I have been told time and again by my peers, colleagues and seniors that I am great at what I do.When I feel the need to change jobs, I feel like there is so much out there that I should be knowing but I simply don’t know it all. The rational side of me tells me that it is practically impossible for one person to know it all but there is the other (sometimes way louder) thought berating my lack of knowledge.

    I will change my job because I am dissatisfied and unhappy with my role and contributions and I am pretty good with what I do. Typing this out is making me feel better already. Thanks Kyle!

  774. I’m constantly told by my boss that they like my work, but I can’t stop feeling that I just do the bare minium to present. And that my work is always incomplete, and that I should now more about what I’m doing, so I could deliver a better result.

  775. I’ve been interviewing people to work for me lately and it’s been excruciatingly difficult. I feel like a hypocrite asking them questions and evaluating their “worth”. I think that they’ll figure out what a bad manager I am and that I don’t know what I’m doing and they’ll just walk out. Sometimes I think I don’t select the resumes of the most-qualified people because I think they’re better than me. So what if they are. I should hire people better than me. If I could do it myself I wouldn’t need them.

  776. Thanks so much for this post! My brain believes you but I need my anxiety to get on board… I received some criticism at work for the first time ever, and now I feel paralyzed. I procrastinate constantly because I’m afraid of making another mistake. That, in turn, prevents me from doing good work. I don’t believe every other person who has told me I’m a rock star – I feel like this criticism was the only true feedback I’ve ever received, and everyone else is just being nice.

    • This is exactly what I have been feeling. Having to over think the simplest decision because I am scared to do something wrong.

  777. I have a postgraduate management qualification and 10 years’ work experience… in management. But for some reason I ended up in a minimum wage entry-level job because I got divorced and made redundant and my confidence took a nosedive. I love my job — love all the people and actually love the work itself, but I get these daily panic attacks about the life I’ve given up. I want to skip a couple of levels and apply straight for the top jobs. I mean hey, I meet all the criteria.

    But every time I go to apply for something I get this grip of fear. What if I’m not qualified? What if I’m not what they’re looking for? What if I fail and everyone finds out and then they essentially torment me for applying for something that’s too good for me? What if I am fake? What if I have all these awful personal qualities that I can’t see? What if other people secretly think I’m so so shit, and they won’t give me a chance? Or what if they give me a chance and I fail?

    It’s kind of worse because in my family I was taught to fake it. I was pushed into University several years too early by my parents. My mum’s advice was: “just lie… then work really hard when you get there.” Obviously it didn’t work. Now my heart breaks at all the experience that I’ve got that I’m too afraid to try and use. Just because I think, *what if someone else doesn’t agree that I’m good enough for this?* Unsurprisingly, some people ARE quite bitchy… I’m an experienced manager in an entry-level role… it is a bit weird…

    • I hope you will apply for those higher jobs that interest and scare you. If you told me in an interview, “I had some setbacks but I’m qualified and anxious to get back on the horse” I would give you a chance!

  778. Singing is a great talent I have, but the last time I shared that ability was at my nanny’s funeral. I really did it for mom. I’m afraid to sing in public again. I can’t sing in church, or just to mom. It’s hard because I even dream of making an album, but I fear being alone in trying. Sorry to read negative, but I want to share my talents and this one haunts me.

    • I used to have this fear. I still can’t sing, but even when I was alone in my car or walking alone in the forest or even just in my bedroom with my headphones on, I was terrified of making a noise. I used to sing into my hands or wait until everyone had left the house. Maybe you can try humming or whistling as you walk down the corridor? Or sing when no-one is around? Or even sing fake songs in a silly voice to get comfortable with making a noise?

  779. I just landed a job at a firm I worked for nearly 10 years ago. They didnt want me to leave but I needed more money. Fast forward a decade and now Im going back for a bit more than Im currently earning.
    The reason why? I got passed over for promotion at my current place. I was stagnating there, pinned to a highly skilled job that nobody else could do. Now Im returning to my last place of work, same industry, but to do a completely different operation that I was trained on near 20 years ago and havent done for 10.
    Im worried I have forgotten it too much, that I no longer have that skill, and that they are going to question why they are paying me so much more than anybody else there. Its a manual skill so if you dont use it you lose it. I never had any problem learning it originally but I feel like they are expecting me to hit the ground running due to the wage they are going to pay me.
    I keep telling myself I can do it, its like riding a bike, but I have the overwhelming ‘imposter syndrome’ feeling. Anxiety is setting in.
    I really need to get that first day over with. They loved me when I was there before.

  780. Thanks for sharing, this really helped me see I have been doing the same thing.

  781. Thanks for posting this. I have had terrible issues with this “syndrome”. Not knowing that so many people have it. Of course there are different levels of severity. I have had a lot of anxiety in my job and in life period. It more comes with what others think of me. I know within myself that I am ok but its more with what others think is what completely consumes me and drives me to the point of emotional instability. I have called in sick numerous times because I was up all night worrying about what people think of me. Its like I already know they will see I am a fraud. I am surprised I still have my job “hopefully”. I just had another episode last night where I was suppose to go to a meeting with the “bigwigs” at my job and immediately uncontrollable fear gripped me and I could not shake it. Its like I don’t want them to know I am a fraud and really don’t know much as “I” should. I guess I really need to realize that Im not that important like what Kyle was saying. I’m really not as self important as I thought. Do you know how hard that is to grasp? Dear God this is almost like coming to the realization that my whole perception of myself my WHOLE life has been painfully WRONG. This is all I have known.

  782. I avoided hanging out with people because I felt like a fake around them, I read this post a few months ago and I remember denying it, but now it’s so obvious.

  783. I’m a filmmaker. I’m told many times I’m talented at what I do and know a lot about my craft etc to the point where people are now approaching me for advice. I feel like people think I’m more capable than what I actually am though.

    A few years ago, I was told by my closest friend that I used to make films with that I had become arrogant, cocky and came across as ungrateful to himself and the people that worked for me (for free). At the time I did’t acknowledge this about myself. I guess I was blind. But now looking back retrospectively and after the wake-up call from my friend, I realised that I had made a lot of mistakes and done a lot of selfish stuff that affected the people around me. This was clearly apparent and not just all in my head.

    Since then, I’ve been extremely self-aware of my actions and the things I say (especially in public) which quickly lead to extreme self-deprecatiion. I think I’ve done this because I don’t want to come across as the ‘arrogant, self-centred person’ that I used to be in fear that I will be judged and lose more friends. It’s gotten to the point now where I struggle to accept a compliment and deflect people who seek me for advice. Being humble and modest is a great thing, but being self-deprecating is a different thing entirely.

    I’ve put myself down so much now that I feel like I’m not capable of making the films I want to make and being able to help others get their films made as well.

    • A great way for a person to climb out of the well is to recognize the person

    • Feeling like you are gets you down and is keeping you stuck where you are. It seems finding a way to “climb out of the well.” can get you back on track and bring out your best self. A great tool is to replace any negative feeling with ones that feel better….like enthusiasm, positive expectations, feeling empowered. You can ask yourself with each of these words what is associated with them that gets you motivated and allows you to be in your passion? Hope this helps! Eileen

  784. I do my job half assedly, I do not push for more because I think I’m barely holding on as is and I put a brave face on every time something is expected of me.Sure I get the job done, but only enough for others not to notice my lack of interest and skill, I wing it most of the time. I feel inferior to others and do nothing about it lest I’m exposed for what I am.I get praise from my bosses but those just bounce off of me. i feel the same when socializing and take great caution not to be exposed for the introvert I am, like it’s a cardinal sin.I also constantly compare myself to others and their life experiences and regret doing none of the things they did like I couldn’t just go ahead and do 90% of them.

  785. i’ve always been praised as “the intelligent one”, “the bright one”, “the one that will succeed”, always had good grades (i guess this is a sort of a measure in our lives?) and with very extroverted and gregarious behaviour clicked and connected with people- they percieved me as funny and confident. however, i have always felt like a big sham, a big disappointment waiting to happen… or be revieled. i believe(d?) all of my school/work success was mainly a matter of luck and magically getting by somehow, that if anyone dug a bit deeper they would KNOW, would SEE it all oh so clearly; and the personal connections i made- well, the majority i did not feel was genuine. in a way, i felt my extroverted behaviour was my way of shielding the real person i wam/am – a person who would actually prefer to keep things simple, low-key and in a small, thight, close-knit circle. a person that is anxious and going from super optimistic to deeply saddened, dare i say- suicidal (this comes and goes in waves). on the other hand, i do enjoy all the dramatic HUGE gestures and epic story-telling, i do have so much fun with it, and i believe i make people feel better, lighter and more playful- bringing them on a journey to childhood and an easier way of functioning; but still, deep inside, there is always the lingering feeling of never being good enough, never being true enough (whatever that means), never knowing enough, never doing enough, never taking ALL THE FACTORS into consideration (even though, logically, i know one simply CANNOT EVER take everything into account as one cannot EVER know everything…. and even what we know is smuged by our preconcived notions of what is what and our perception).
    i was lucky enough to have plucked the courgage a few years ago and discussed this anxiety/fear/problem/issue with a close friend and he made me look at it from a bit different perspective, to consider that maybe, just maybe i might be wrong about it, that i am dismissing my potential; he reassured me everyone feels this way sometimes and was ever since more than open and willing to discuss it if i had a crisis.
    a bit later this lead to another fried opening up to me and another. it’s a relief to know i am not alone in this, in a way it is also a relief to share it this way now, as i am currently in a very strange spot in my life, questioning all of my decisions and figuring out which way i should proceed. i am trying to HEAR myself and find my voice, to decide what my next step should be- i have my mind sharp and working, i am slowly tuning into my intuition and seeking the balance i need……….. and then this impostor feeling starts to wake up again!
    so- i looked it up, found ytour article, jotted down a few lines in a notebook took a deep breath and i feel a lot lighter. thank you!
    will it go away forever- probably not, will i do my best to tame it?- sir, yes, sir.
    thank you for your post and to all the commenters- thank you for your comments, you are all very inspiring and i believe/hope this will be the additional little push i need to make a next big brave step.
    hang on in there!
    lots of love

  786. I am double-majoring, doing research, and should be graduating a semester earlier. On paper it sounds so impressive. Everyone, my family and friends, think I am very smart and that I work hard, but I don’t feel like that is true. I keep comparing myself to others and feel like I am not smart enough like them. It helps reading this article and other people’s stories. Thank you!

  787. I think I have always felt like a fraud. I have raced through life trying to “be the best,” “do the most,” and “know it all” and have walked away from pursuing my passion (classical singing) for fear of failure. I have always been so successful in all my undertakings that when something posed a real challenge, I wasn’t equipped with the understanding of how to persevere through my own limitations and instead would simply switch careers. I feel that I am still doing this, this “running away” from difficulty thing, but at least now I know why. Hopefully, I can start tackling my obstacles head-on instead of shirking them for something easier and more comfortable. Thank you for the great article!

  788. I was always very popular and successful with girls and people in general but I always felt that everybody liked me because I was pretending to be that “cool guy” but was actually just an imposter.

  789. I’ve worked in a marketing career for twenty years and most days I think I really haven’t achieved anything at all despite colleagues and bosses telling me I’m a high performer with a great style. I avoid actually talking to people sometimes in case they see right through my facade. How ridiculous is that?

  790. Wow, what did I just come across?! I have been going through this almost my whole life, but have been to scared to fully come out and talk about it. I am 25 and have avoided finishing any program at school, or even building any strong relationships because of it. I am even questioning every word I write down because I worry about my Grammer, speech, and think that I am crazy and should be in a mental hospital. But in reality I haven’t done anything different compared to anyone else. If anything I have avoided living because of these thoughts, and have depended on the lead of others rather than making my decisions. Following others has left me scared of myself. Recently I’ve closed myself up so much that I am dealing with it alone, because my environment is manipulative and downgrading. This article just gave me that little push I needed.

  791. I have avoided taking initiative with my work because I constantly tell myself and believe that I don’t know anything about designing websites, even though I have done it for eight years and my projects are generally successful, some quite successful. I just can’t seem to accept that my work is real, that I am not fake, I think that people are believing a fabricated resume even though it is factual I still worry it is fake and I have lied.
    So I avoid pursuing ideas I think will help my you work be better because I disown that it is my work! Obviously it’s my work, but by pretending it isn’t, I compromise on making it the best that I could.

  792. Its awful I feel like a fraud all the time, everything I do and say I just don’t understand it, how can I feel like a fraud when I’m being myself and I’m usually not in the moment I focus much more on how I look or how what I said sounds that what I’m actually saying, it’s a weird feeling I hope I overcome it soon, anyway thanks for this article it was really helpful.

  793. You made my night, thank you so very much! I always hang out with people who are at least 2-3 years older than me and I don’t even know why I compare myself to them when they have way more experience than I do in life. Instead of comparing, I’ll be learning from them ?-From a 20 year old woman who always belittles herself because she thinks she’s a fake, when she’s very smart actually.

  794. I feel like a total fake in all aspects of my life. Over the last four years I’ve helped build a business and increase my personal income by almost 60% because I’ve done well. I still think everyday “this is they day they figure it out and fire me.” I try so hard to be a good father to my kids but feel like I let them down at every turn even though they clearly don’t feel that way. I even have long-time friends that are as close as siblings and consistently think “if they knew what I was really like they’d never talk to me again.” Thank you for the article!

  795. I was once told I had a math learning disability in middle school. Fast forward 20 years, and I’m in a job that requires statistics, stats computer software, and a lot more smarts than I think I have. And I just keep asking myself, “How did this happen and when are they going to find out I’m actually not any good at this?”

    • I can understand that.

      I was told I was extremely ADHD as a child, but I’ve been in the military for 22 years now, and just got promoted again. Clearly, ADHD isn’t a horrible thing; plus, I’ve found that even in areas I feel that I’m not so good at, like statistics, I’ll go to tutors and find out I know more than they do – I just have a higher standard of what “being good at it” means.

      Just do your best to recognize that you’re good at it and try to move on to other areas that won’t sap your emotional strength.

      • Thanks for this post and for everyone’s comments – it all resonates with me. I was managing my imposter syndrome and pushing through it until most recently when I turned down a unique job opportunity because I didn’t think I was smart enough for the job. Most of my colleagues would have jumped at the opportunity and I shrank at the thought. Your article is truly the first step to making a change and really squashing the imposter.

  796. Unlike most of the imposters commenting, I have found that the feeling of being a fake has tottally debilitated me with everything I have done and everything that i have wanted to do, even when talking to people. Unfortunately I am now completely comfortable in not engaging in life. My pursuit for perfection, honesty, authenticity were futile, what I didnt realise was that perfection is not perfect, that difference is what make us uniquely beautiful, no body is perfect even if they appear to be.

  797. I haven’t committed wholly to the work I’ve recieved for my fledgling freelance business because I feel like I don’t deserve the work, or the excellent clients I’ve somehow gained.

  798. I’ve had an idea for a book I want to write for years but I’m so scared to write it because I’m afraid if I do everyone will hate it.

  799. I have avoided publishing my work in a peer reviewed journal because I fear I will be found out as an impostor, I am not the world’s best record keeper but the work I do is good. Thank you for this article – it is very helpful.

    • Very useful, thank for bringing this to our attention. I am now fully aware that why I not sending papers for publishing though I wrote them long time ago. Keep reading it for perfections but not even send the, to

  800. my husband is a very rich and welding man.will make the money together
    few month later,he started hooking up with bad friends .on my noted he
    was having an affair with another woman .the family lawyer call me an
    asked me if me and my husband had a miss-understanding ,because my
    husband has change the name writing on the wile.he took everything we
    have to the his girlfriend ,meaning that i don’t have any share in the
    family.i was frustrated and discourage.until a friend of my
    advice me to visit a spell caster so that all my problems will been
    solve within 48 hours then i contacted the spell caster she introduce to
    me.dr ogun spellcaster,drogun promise that every thing will been
    alright.few weeks later my husband came back home ,on his kneels
    begging,asking me forgive and forget about the past and face the future
    ahead.right now i am in full control of my husband access.a big thants
    to dr ogun who bring back my husband .if you have same problem kindly
    contact dr. ogun in his via [email protected].

  801. Just wanted to say thank you. I suffer from crippling imposter syndrome (and until recently I didn’t even know that it had a name, or that it was common). It wasn’t until my husband and best friend, while I was mid-breakdown at the prospect of making banana bread (I’ve never successfully made it and I take pride in my baking), confessed that they had similar fears in their respective areas of expertise. For the first time, it didn’t seem so insurmountable and I decided to do what I always do when faced with a new challenge: research. This is, out of the many articles I have read, the MOST helpful. I immediately sent it to my husband and best friend. Now, we’re going to try and face our fears head on, together.

  802. You and your words are amazing! Just reading through the things people are saying touches my heart. It just shows how we are all so hurt in one way or another and are in desperate need of healing. Thank you for setting up a floor for these conversations to take place, im sure that being able to vent and also see that we arent alone, lifts a huge load of their shoulders! You are amazing! Thank you!

  803. I have recently changed roles in my company and I feel like this everyday. Im a counsellor people come to me for support and advice and I feel like a fraud ready to be caught out. Everytime a client doesnt come back I think its me. And sometimes it is. Its crazy and I wish I could just get over it and do ny job but I cant.

  804. What is this and why do people know of it? How do we get over this when we just feel painful all the time? Like never can give enough. Just makes me feel worthless

  805. I want to change our political system. My work is in the field of communication and I support people to hear each other, to hear beyond the words that are said to the deeper meaning underneath. I dream of a political system where representatives at all levels listen to each other and try to hear meaning, to deeply understand what is being said, before even considering responding. A system in which the energy of all those involved would be directed towards understanding, finding common ground and working together, rather than towards opposing, criticising, undermining and attempting to win. If someone has to win, then someone else must lose. I dream of a system in which everyone matters and no-one loses.

  806. I have a book I’ve been wanting to “birth” for almost 20 years and I’m so afraid to show it to anyone.

  807. I suppress myself in interviews because I feel fake and that all my experience and success is a result of luck and that I have no part in it, and that if I claim a part in my success, that I am lying and that I will surely be found out. I have also recently been given an amazing opportunity and I cannot help but feel that these people have been deceived rather than acknowledging that they do see potential in me, and that I in fact do deserve this experience.

  808. I dropped out of college because of the feeling of constant anxiety. I was in good terms with everyone there, was handing the subjects on the same level as my peers, yet… I was feeling like I was doing badly and couldn’t master the profession of my choice. So I dropped out.
    I told myself that it was the program, that it was too difficult for me (it was a rather high profile college), so I applied for same specialization in a different college. Same thing happened. 5 years have gone since then and I spent most of the time without a job, experiencing the same feeling even when I do find one.

  809. Thank you , Kyle, for the article. I almost never read articles of this nature but stumbled across this when having a particularly bad time with some negative criticism from one of my board members. I think my Imposter Syndrome is at its’ height when I start second-guessing my decisions because of criticism. I am the CEO of a relatively small company, have a MBA and, on a fairly regular basis, really start to wonder when the gig will be up and I will be exposed for just not being that smart. While I don’t want others to feel the way I do, I am happy to know that I’m not the only person in the world with this issue. This alone makes me feel less like a fraud.

    • Ah, you wrote exactly the same reason I ended up on this page (via Google) too – I’m a woman in a Board Position on four companies, I find I over achieve in order to ‘prove’ that I am what I say I am, evem if no-one is questioning my credentials or acheivements, and then I get exhausted and burned out. Sometimes it feels like I carry the whole burden of the business (which is ridiculous) but I can’t help the feeling that if I break, someone will find me out, and then everything will fall apart … so I continue my ‘fraud’ for another day, over achieving, over analysing, over-exhausted.

  810. I’m scared to apply for programs and fellowships because then readers of my application might find out that I don’t understand the topic well enough and my perception of events and education models is wrong. I fear they’ll think I’m missing some key piece of information.

  811. I first experienced this as a very small child, being very frightened about feeling there was nothing inside me and so imitating grown up’s gestures, actions and speech. It felt like cheating somehow and I have always felt guilty about it. I had to have a response for everything. Saying “I don’t know” marked me as less than I should be, hence shameful, hence guilty. I have always felt “inauthentic” because I never had to study for exams, I could whip off a paper the night before, success in most things came easy to me. Then I looked at others who were unable to succeed without very hard work and I felt ashamed at the ease with which I succeed. This self-absorption has been very detrimental to my actual life. Thank you so much for the insight.

  812. I just started a new job. I’m three days in, tomorrow is my fourth and i nearly had an emotional breakdown when i came home tonight. I’ve known about imposter syndrome for quite some time and I’ve known that i suffer from it, but i’ve never taken action to move past it. Technically, I’m not qualified for the job I’m doing in IT. I don’t have a degree in an IT field, but i do have a bachelor’s degree. Computers have always been my free time thing. Home servers, building computers, troubleshooting, etc. I’m self-taught. I’m aware that there’s a ton i don’t know and I’m terrified of making mistakes – not so much with my personal posessions, but with others’.

    I understand there’s the adjustment period when starting a new job, but I’ve been overwhelmed with just how much i think i don’t know.

    All of my co-workers have been working at the company for years so it seems like everything they do is just second nature to them. I just dread the moment when they call me out for not knowing something that i should. Basically a textbook imposter syndrome emotional response.

    Growing up, i’ve always been told that i was a “smart kid.” I never really agreed with that. I just thought it was because i just seemed that way or that they just didn’t know/see the real “me” that i experience.

    What I’m getting to is, yes – I have imposter syndrome. I know I’m not alone, but that doesn’t make it too much easier for me to overcome. I’m not certain I’ll ever 100% overcome it, but I’m trying.

  813. Great article! I feel this way all the time. I feel that i should know more than i do, and one day someone will find out and it will all be over. I feel like I’m stuck in my job because i would potentially be found out if i try and go somewhere else. The only way it gets a little better is when i study more, but i end up ignoring the fact that i know more in one area, believing that i’m still a fraud. I’m way too critical of myself, which in turn makes me more critical of others. Many thanks for this article Kyle!

  814. Interesting!
    I never knew that anyone else felt like this. I am terrified that I will be found out. That everyone in my life will realize that I have been faking it all along. I even think I am faking it. My husband assures me that my successes are real and that I am a good mother and wife; however I cannot see any of this. I am nervous that anyone will find out about me. They will find out I am bipolar and depressed and have social anxiety and I will be a pariah. I can’t be “open” about my mental illness to the public because I feel that I may lose my job because of it.

    I am even nervous around my mom and sister. Scared that they will see me and see that all of my accomplishments have just been coincidence and that I am, well, AN IMPOSTOR. I guess your point kind of nailed it. Because I think I am better than them, I am afraid of the reality that I am just human, like them. They look at me and admire my accomplishments, my “happy” family my big house and good job. I feel like I have to uphold their illusion of perfection. If that breaks I won’t have an identity.

    At work, I am always sure that I am just about to get fired. That they found out I have no idea what I am doing and they have to let me go. I can’t blame them. I also can’t believe that I have gotten away with it for this long. It’s just a matter of time.

    Thanks for sharing.

  815. I almost didn’t post this because I am afraid my story has nothing to do with impostor syndrome and I am actually a fraud. You’ll tell me: My parents tell me all the time that I have a strong personality, that I am direct and take no shit from nobody, but the truth is I rarely speak my mind to others, even if they try to take advantage of me, I feel likee this “strong straightforward woman” personality everybody thinks I have is just something they wanna see and that I like to believe I am, but actually I am not. I feel like I’m always expected to know the answer, to do things right, to be the top gun, but I am not. I came into this blog because I was looking on the internet for people that felt underqualified for their job, just like I do. Truth is the person who hired me is friends with my father, yes I got an interview but I honestly feel somebody with way more experience should be doing this job, specially for what the stakes are, everybody on the media and political life in my country is lookin at this project and I’m just a 26 year-old girl trying to figure out how to do this job. With some responsibilities I feel like I do ok, but with others is just overwhelming. Two other things I want to do but feel like is not going to be good enough: my podcast and my travel blog, I feel like there are just better people out there to do it. That’s my story.

  816. I feel like a huge fraud and I feel like I’m even more of a fraud for saying that out loud. I compare myself to the best, but also the worst – who am I to feel bad when there are others in the world struggling over bigger issues? Who am I in comparison to John Doe who is 10000x better than I am? People always comment about my dedication and compliment me one way or the other, but I can never internalize it. For some reason, it’s just absolutely fucking SHOCKING that anyone thinks anything of me. When I practice my craft and do something flawlessly, I can’t give myself the credit and I give luck and “timing” the credit. I’m struggling with confidence in my abilities and have started to read books to “hack” my mindset into a growth/positive one and it’s been helping me to become more conscious of my ridiculous thoughts. I’ve confided in friends and they think it’s mostly in my head and a lack of confidence, but I put in so much work that I actually do believe that I have the ability and the capability to be successful. I guess it really had to do with feeling like a fraud. I find that I’m always in constant shock of anything good that I do and I NEED internalize my successes instead of writing them off as “dumb luck.” I need to give myself more credit. I should almost be pissed that I would give luck the credit instead of myself given how much work I put in towards my goals.

  817. I feel like an imposter at school. Initially I went to a university straight out of high school and withdrew before the first semester ended. I was away from home, dumped by my boyfriend at the time, and didn’t know who I was or what I was doing in college. After working for a year I went to a local community college. Two years later I transferred to the university I’m at now. When I graduate this spring, I’ll have been working on my undergrad for 6 years. To be honest I never thought I’d make it. In high school I couldn’t imagine myself in college or living passed 21. I just felt like I didn’t have what it takes like everyone else. I’m terrified of finishing school; I don’t think I’ll find a job to support myself better than $11/hr. because I don’t feel qualified enough. All public school encouraged me to do was prep for college- now what? Sometimes I don’t know who I am or know what I want. A lot of times I feel like I’m holding myself back from being successful but when I think about doing something different or moving forward I just want to crawl back into my shell.

    There have been moments when I felt qualified and was proud of myself. Recently I got a research assistant position at a lab on campus, however now I seem to only think about how late I am in getting one. So many other people find them sophomore year and junior year, working their way up to internships and co-ops by the time they graduate. Advisors and professors have told me to apply for research assistant positions and study abroad programs before it’s too late. The thing is during those times I was barely keeping my grades up and my financial situations were never favorable for study abroad. Still, I could’ve found and applied for scholarships instead of sitting around doing nothing with my life. Saying all this makes me ready to graduate though, because I see that these thoughts are bullshit and I have so many ways to go after I graduate.

    I also feel like an imposter in my relationship with my boyfriend. When we argue, he’ll give me this look that makes me think “he’s finally seeing the real me, he now understands that he made a terrible decision to date me.” Of course he hasn’t broken up with me yet, and I realized with time and experience when I stand up for myself instead of retreating I don’t feel like it’s all my fault. Even when I have it in my mind that we should just break up, the conversation never gets to that point. Being ready to end the relationship in my mind helps me to not be afraid to say no. I honestly think most of the time I feel like I’m to blame for the argument because I don’t stand up for myself.

    I can’t decide whether I should just delete all this and call it a good exercise in self-reflection or if posting it would do more good than I can imagine.

  818. Thank you for sharing the story. It is very much like my own.

    I am a computer science PhD student too and I just can’t get a paper published even though I have enough information after some research because I feel it is worthless. I haven’t started my thesis yet, there is lesser than half a year left. My advisor said my that I am already better in this topic that he is and I should publish something, but still I think I am a phony and soon everyone will know about it after that.

    The saddest thing for me that I always wanted to get PhD and become a researcher but it seems I can’t manage it. I don’t know what I will do after that, because until recent time it was the thing that drove me forward, I just can’t imagine doing anything else. I already have a software engineer job and I hate it despite it has good enough conditions. I feel like imposter on my job too.

  819. I’m Jeremy and this is the story of my first Imposter Syndrome experience. I’ve tried to make it easier to read by breaking it up because it ended up longer than I expected. I hope that reading it might help you. Writing it might have helped me, but I don’t know yet… Perhaps I’ll find out when I hit “Post as Jeremy”, or when I hit Ctrl-A -> Delete. Ah, who am I kidding?

    After failing twice at the BBC Young Speaker’s competition during the initial round, I entered the Digital Voice competition and made a short video accompanied by a blog post. I consistently put off working on anything until the last moment, and this was no exception.

    I knew the topics available to choose from and let them float around in my head along with a constellation of less-than-stellar ideas until finally something aligned; I could see the big picture. I would focus not on a particular manifestation of the topic, but on the topic itself: Ideas that could change the world.

    I wrote a script then gathered my laptop, a microphone and an audio processor – which could serve as an adaptor between the microphone and the computer – and set up in front of a book-case, finding a dead lightbulb conveniently placed to use as a prop. Many takes down the line, the sun began to set. Having run out of light, I set about editing in some screen overlays, cropping the video and adding background music to set the mood. It sounds like a lot of work, and indeed it was a lot of effort, but it only took about a day to complete my 1:30 min video and blog post, once I had started working on it.

    Some time later I received an email inviting me to the winner’s ceremony, having been selected as a finalist. On the way there I felt like I already knew I had won, which was preposterous, but confirmed when I arrived by the reactions of certain people to my arrival. Amongst a list of sponsors’ speeches, the videos were shown and the winner announced. Indeed, me.

    I had done public speaking before, so appearing on stage was nothing new to me, but I avoided the collective gaze of my fellow contestants. Their videos seemed to be so well thought out and argued, but they had used internal microphones and some with only the video as-is. Had I cheated by using semi-professional sound? I had bought it beforehand because of an interest in Beardyman on youtube… What about by obsessively tweaking the minutia of my video? Or going meta on the prescribed topic? My approach and technique were so different that it couldn’t help but to stand out, and yet I had done the entire thing based on intuitive insights and random chance. It was as if I had used a cheat code, and the other players knew it.

    After having extricated myself from the slough of emissaries, the photographer and the reporter, (Who knew that being asked for a quote was not a request for a quote by my favourite author?) I found myself outside gazing in wonder at the people walking by oblivious to what had just happened in my world.

    As a result of that, I went on to take part and win a debate on climate change and was sent as a junior reporter to a conference on the capture and storage of CO2 as a green initiative attended by representatives from many household-name companies, along with two other winners. Oddly, this time I don’t recall feeling the impostor syndrome, possibly because it was obvious but excused, possibly because I was not alone or just possibly because being there was the prize itself. Also, I had a job to do, so perhaps my note-taking simply distracted me from deep existential thoughts. 🙂

    I am Jeremy, (Yep, still.) and this has been my story.

  820. Hi,
    I don’t know how I decided that the comment section of a post that I stumbled upon accidentally was the best place to tell my story, but I’m going to have to talk about it eventually so here we go.
    I’m not like the other people joining this discussion. I don’t suffer from what you describe as “imposter syndrome”, because I don’t just think I’m an imposter, I am one. I have lied about every aspect of my life to all the people that I’m close to, and even the ones I’m not. I have lied about things for so long, and in so much detail, that lying has become easier than deciding which aspects of life I made up and what actually happened. It scares me to know that no one around me knows anything relevant about me that isn’t a lie, and I wish it wasn’t like that. But I’m in so deep that I don’t know if there’s a way to dig myself back out. So I decided I would start with some complete strangers on the Internet.

    Thank you, if you read all of that without clicking away, I hope everyone here comes to terms with who they are as well.
    -a complete and total liar.

  821. My imposter syndrome is that despite knowing that leaving my relationship is the right thing to do, I’m fooling myself that I deserve a better partner. He has the basic trappings of an adult and is a good person, but is not emotionally functional. Who am I to think that I can be with someone who will meet me halfway, rather than expect me to validate him all the time?

    I WILL leave him because deep down, we both deserve a chance at a relationship that is mutually fulfilling. No one is good or bad here. We’re just people trying to love in incompatible ways.

  822. uff, I think I refused a very good job because I though I was not able to do it 🙁
    (when other with less experience than me can do it)

  823. I recently applied for a post-doc position in a very prestigeous university. My first reaction after getting notified that I actually got the position was to to cry. Not happy tears but tears of fear and panic because they would not see through the fake selfconfidence I displayed in the application and interview, discovering that I am actually quite slow and useless when it comes to producing papers and preparing presentations. That I constantly freak out about every little performance or intellegent argument I have to produce. The worst part, of course, is knowing that you wouldn’t be such an impostor if you didn’t spend so much time obsessing about being an impostor…

  824. My impostor syndrome has been giving me panic attacks- has that happened to anyone else? I’ll start to feel like I’m having one, and then try to make myself stop it right away, and then it just gets worse because I feel like I’m so stupid I can’t even control my own brain and body. I recently left my high-paying data science job at an insurance company because I was so miserable and bored- I applied to about 15 companies online, and got an interview at every place I applied to. However, when I showed up, I freaked out. I’d have a glass of wine before going so I could act ‘normal’ because I was so scared they’d see my anxiety and wouldn’t want to hire me. I thought if i can trick these people into thinking I am just a happy go-lucky driven person, they will hire me. I’d try to prove that I was- and I’m sure I didn’t say much of anything, because I didn’t know what they considered to be a ‘happy go-lucky driven person’. I never once tried to be myself. I ended up not getting a job offer anywhere and quit my job anyways. I try to tell myself I wasn’t getting those jobs because I literally hated what I was doing and it’s lucky I didn’t get one (but I don’t believe myself, I think I’m just telling myself that so I’ll act like a normal person)- I’ve always loved writing and art and fashion and somehow I became a data scientist. Because of that, I think, ‘Wow, I’m such an imposter I let myself become a data scientist, i’m so screwed up I’ll never get it right’. I decided, with the support of my family, to pursue a writing career. I’ve always been a good writer, and loved doing it. Whenever I’m sad, I try to google an article or a blog about someone going through the same exact thing who ended up being okay. I want to write stuff like this for other people, so that they know it will be okay- because that’s what I want for myself, but that would be a lie. I’d be posting lies. I can’t stop panicking or having anxiety and it makes me feel so worthless.

  825. I don’t hang out with a certain group of people out of fear they will talk behind my back when in actual fact they are my mates. I also don’t talk much out of fear of being laughed at or being hated. I don’t hang out with my original group of friends out of fear of being seen as uncool.

  826. I don’t hang out with certain forums of people because I fear they will talk behind my back and hate me when in actual fact they’re my mates.

  827. I’ve avoided interviewing for a new job to prevent the companies from finding out I am actually not that good as a programmer. Especially when I think of all the smart people I know. Which wasn’t helped by the fact that the first interview I went to, they asked about 10 questions and I only knew about 1 answer. At my current job I am the only guy that knows anything about the programming language I am working in and therefore nobody does a code review which makes me feel even more like I am fooling them

  828. First off Kyle, Thank you for this article. It has really broadened my thought about having imposter syndrome – Heck i wasn’t aware of it, just thought i had occasional self doubt. Yesterday after mass, i went for coffee with a fellow parishioner who is currently a doctorate student and we used the opportunity to share each others worries. That was when he told me about it.

    my undergraduate and masters degrees were both in Project management, i graduated somewhat earlier than my peers and even as friends and family sort of praised my accomplishments and mannerisms at time – i’d always think, if only then knew.. if only.

    After grad school i got a job immediately, was there for 6 months until my contract was up but then i expected to have been made permanent. Followed through with 2 different companies that led me on by inviting me in for 3 interviews with senior analyst roles but then i wasn’t picked. to cut the long story short, for a month i was on the market until i passively applied for a more senior position as a project manager at a Prominent Biotech firm. First, i was shocked to have been called in for the interview with highly intellectual Directors. And oh! did i mention i was told to prepare a presentation? but because i felt inferior and not worthy of the position i decided to get there without my slides but ended up presenting with marker drawings on the board room board. Anyways, few days later, i got a call from their HR that they were impressed and wanted me to start immediately. i was happy but kept thinking, oh my gush what have ai done – I’ve deceived these people and they will eventually know i don’t remember anything from my masters degree not to talk of undergrad!.

    Its been over a month working there, I’ve constantly battled anxiety whilst heading to work and being at work that i didn’t know what i was doing, and that one of these smart people would call me out eventually. But, at the same time my directors and constantly given feedback of the amount of value I’ve added so far to the department and what great impressions I’ve made so far. Still, i worry and fear that I’m not worthy of my job title or of the responsibilities that follow , etc. for instance when at a round table with other subject matter experts, i want to shrink into the chair or just be invisible or when i actually talk, i feel i don’t speak audibly and clear enough for others to hear because i feel i’m an imposter there. Imposter syndrome .

    With that said, the first step is to name and be aware of your demon and thus be able to talk it. I am now – thanks to you.

  829. I’m so afraid of being stupid, that I become stupid… when you’re too busy worrying about being stupid, you don’t have the mental space to concentrate on what you’re actually supposed to be doing. Or, you refuse yourself the space to try and fail because you’re so certain you’ll fail that it seems silly to try.
    I’m so embarrassed by myself….I wonder when I will figure this all out?

    ^it’s so cyclical!

    I want to offer some advice someone offered to me: Do not say, “fake ’til you make it”, because this implies a level of authenticity that, as we’ve all been reminded here, does not actually exist; rather, try saying “practise makes perfect”, because practising self-care, esteem, and love, is not about some innate authentic self, but about living, interacting, morphing, and ‘multiplicity’. It’s about being.

  830. I found an article about Impostor Syndrome, I didnt knew what it was but something made me read it. I did and I feel like an impostor already for thinking that I suffer from this. Then I found your post and it made me realize that I need to star making actions before this eats me alive. Is this horrible feeling like you cant never do anything good or even successful. I have this idea of a small business and I see myself do in it but the next morning I think “Im not that kind of person, I cant do that” I never thought this had a name, not I will try to treat this as it. Thank you, I know you wont see this I dont even know how old is this post but thank you.

  831. I feel like a fraud every single day… I’m 37, people think I’m 28… I have a successful career and I earn a lot of money… Meanwhile I think it’s just a fluke… I’m a single mom owning my own house… I feel like I robbed it or something… Every single day I think that it will all crumble down… That it will fail…

    Thanks for these thoughts… I will ponder on them…

  832. I love this blog!! I wasn’t aware that I was doing this until someone pointed it out to me, it all makes sense! I think back to the times when I don’t think I’m good enough/smart enough/have any right to add input etc…which is actually more often than I’d admit.

    My biggest problem is that i deny how smart people seem to think I am. I think this is mainly because I’m introverted and so my brain is like ‘nah uh we’ll just store that away where you cant get it’ and so when people learn that I’m in university they bring up some topic that I’ve studied a million times and my mind goes blank. I just stand there as if I know nothing about the topic because nothing comes to mind. It’s the most frustrating thing! I know that I have the info stored somewhere i just have no access to it unless I’m writing about it. Because of this I just don’t think I’m all that brainy 😛

  833. You do realise you just confirmed every PhD’s impostor syndrome by firmly labelling their expertise “useless”? So hey, thanks for that.

  834. I was crying halfway through. I have a very big case of this. Since my childhood most of my teachers have said that I will do something big. I feel as if I talk big about things I actually dont know anything about. Even now I am confused.

    Sorry for rambling on.

  835. Wow is all I can say. I remember telling my daughter I felt like a fraud. I do thank you for this post!!!!!

  836. Hey, Kyle,

    I stumbled on the post today, and it couldn’t have come at a better time. As I write this, I am staring at my computer screen at work, trying to begin my “preappraisal self-evaluation” for the year. Each year, the company I work for requires each of us to evaluate ourselves and bring the evaluation to our yearly performance review. I’ve done a lot for my team this year, even taken on a new role specifically created just for me based on work I did last year. I have been staring at the form on my screen, thinking how much I feel like a fraud since the work I do isn’t governed by a job description and I am largely responsible for defining my own success. Every entry I make in the form has felt like padding my results to make the year’s work look good.
    After reading your post, I’ve begun to reevaluate my work. I did do good work this year, and it’s ok for me to own that. I am not a fake for defining my own success and then living up to it, or even surpassing it occasionally.
    Thanks again for the post,

    Ben

  837. I am new to finding this out about me. I somehow doubt if its only me feeling that way and it not being true in reality. I just graduated this year with a lot of confusion and despair for not having anything planned ahead. 6 months since,I feel I am not capable enough to find a job and have been avoiding phone calls. I think I don’t have anything to offer and I don’t know stuff. I am not smart enough. The world would be the same if I didn’t existed.

  838. I’ve felt like I’ve become an imposter. I started playing guitar, holding myself to the highest standards being an actual fraud around people saying oh I know this and I know that when I really didn’t in hopes that someone would come to me asking me to play for them. Well that day came sooner than I thought. But I was still being a real fraud bc even tho I did believe on what I was doing, I had no idea what I was doing in honesty. I pretended like I was just having a bad day or what have you and I guess it became worse with the more attention I got. I never did anything too special but some people said it was good and it was awesome. Well it kept feeding me and feeding my ego and kept putting myself in denial that I was actually no good, I just started but I felt like a star at the center of attention of parties when I really didn’t know a c chord from a d chord. Of course now I’ve gotten alot better ik the chords, I’m learning all the scales. Have alot better feel than ever. But all that aside from now, I hold myself to being like synyster gates. That guy, he has amazing feel. Can shred like no other, live, recording, anywhere without missing a note but maybe twice every tour that I know of. And I want to be just like that. That exact same feel. The exact same abilities. But with trying to do all that, I’ve lost my love for it. I’ve lost my own heart. Along with many other things that have gone on. I’ve had depression, broke up with someone I wanted to spend the rest of my life with someone I loved to death. Tried to drink away the pain but that ended up hurting me. I’m sure I was becoming a bad addict very young (18) I stopped enjoying that to hating it. In a very short time. I stopped enjoying music. After I stopped drinking I’ve had anxiety attacks, bad ones. I feel worthless alot. I don’t have a job. And that makes me not want to be social bc I feel like a bum. I feel like people don’t hang out with me bc they have to buy me stuff (even tho they offer and I don’t ask) I still feel like crap really. And then feeling all that I don’t find myself attractive. I don’t have the confidence to talk to girls bc I wouldn’t be able To have a relationship. And it goes on and on. And going deeper I’m a high school drop out. I used to play football and have all these dreams of finishing school. Somewhat thinking about what I might go to college for then the coaches smashed my dreams hard. Put me in a position I didn’t care about. I stopped becoming dedicated. I always struggled with my grades bc I could always workout with them. That kept me going for a little ways then I couldn’t even go do that stiff and lost it. It’s kind of been the story of my life. I don’t get to completely act on the things I want to do and carry them out to the fullest. :/ And it’s hard to me to go to sleep. It’s hard for me to get up. When I get up I do have moments of positivity but not alot. I have alot of things and I need to talk to a dr but even that I keep getting told I CAN’T do. It has to wait. That’s just tip of the iceberg too.

  839. I’ve been feeling like a fake pro basketball player for about 5 years, since 2010. I’ve been on “semi-pro” teams, travel teams and even took a trip out of the country once, now twice to “play basketball”. The first time was a disaster which only made me feel like more of a fraud, on top of some people calling me one. So I returned back to the USA feeling fake, like I wasn’t “good enough” to play pro basketball in Europe. Fast forward to now, another opportunity came up for me to “play basketball”, in Germany. I feel like this is getting the best of me because I can’t put my all into it for fear of the “secret” getting out, whatever that secret is. I don’t want nobody to know, I want them to think everything is an illusion. This REALLY, REALLY SUCKS!

  840. Hi, Kyle!

    Thanks so much for writing this.
    I am a new grad student and have been struggling a lot to keep up in my classes – which led to putting my classmates on a pedestal and putting myself down.
    Your tips were exactly what I needed to hear.
    Thank Google for putting your article near the top when I searched for “impostor syndrome” and thank you so much for sharing it.
    Now I shall go study and do homework instead of having a pity party for myself.
    Have a great night!

  841. Thank you for the great insight!
    Before reading this I knew very little about the ‘authenticity’ of even Imposter Syndome itself. I feel as though I’ve dealt with it for a long, long time but just put it down to anxiety or depression.
    More recently I’ve pushed myself into academia, doing both a Dip of HE and starting my Bsc in less than a year after not being in academia for 4 or so years. Ever since I started in January I’d told myself that I was out of my depth and I wouldn’t achieve what I wanted. I knew what I wanted and what I needed to do, but there was always a voice in my head saying “what the fuck are you doing!”.
    Not only this but my boyfriend has a PhD, so I always have this HUGE pressure put on me to succeed academically (not by him, by myself. I’d feel like I failed him if I didn’t do well).
    My classmates have all come straight from college, and are all bright young minds, and I feel so out of depth or out of touch with my degree choice. I’ve told myself a thousand times that I can’t do what I’m attempting. I’m only a few years older than them but feel so out of touch and intimidated by their confidence.
    I feel as though I need an academic credential to have some value or self-worth, or to be taken seriously. However I know that when, or if, I get there I will still have doubts.
    I’m just hoping by that time I will have more self-belief and confidence that I can achieve what I want without the approval from others.

  842. I’m a singer/actor who studied theatre at one of the nations top universities, trained privately for decades, and performed professionally for decades. I’m also really good with kids. However, I’ve hesitated to actively seek out voice students due completely to “Imposter Syndrome.” (I didn’t know about this until about 10 minutes ago, though). I have recently been trying to overcome this on my own and to face my fears. But, now that I know it’s not just ME, it’s not just MY problem…I feel so much more encouraged to reach out and help more kids.

  843. I’m glad I found this post. I have been feeling less of myself since I started grad school, always feel like I don’t deserve to be in the class and like everyone is going to find out I’m not able to cope and didn’t qualify to be in the class. This impostor feeling about myself has made me perform below par and I have zero to no confidence in class and during exams. But reading through this post, I’m feel more than I’m upto the task and can perform better without the fear I leave my room with everyday. I will start the 30mins writing and see how it goes. Thank you.

  844. Hi! Thank you for this article. I actually feel very shitty up to the point that these running thoughts makes me unable to do anything productive at all, even though I have clients I need to help and gdi I even have a degree with honors to do what I’m doing right now. I’m still trying to internalize some of the stuff listed there, such as “don’t compare to others”, “realize that nobody knows what they’re doing”, and “take action”.

    Printing this list and posting it right beside my desk. Thank you!

  845. Well this is scary to put out there..but here goes. Firstly, this was so great to read!
    I’m at a position where I’m waiting to hear back from a really really fantastic job opportunity. The issue is my start dates been delayed and despite the reassurance by the company that they’ll contact me soon, I’ve already begun to think that I’m the reason this has happened and that I don’t deserve the position.
    Unfortunately other things have crossed my mind too like I’m not good enough for the role/there are millions of other people who are probably more experienced than me that they could replace me with.

    I’ve always put myself down since my early teen days and I’m at a stage now where I’m so done with my past and ready to push myself out of these negative thought patterns.
    Its crazy how this article has made me aware of my thought process though! And its the most reassuring thing ever knowing you/others have experienced my exact feelings!

    Thanks soso much!

  846. I feel like an imposter pretending to be an imposter. I’m ok at things and a bit more confident in myself recently but I’m aware my imposter feelings are deep rooted. I think I was aware that all of this was going to happen eventually from a very young age —writing that makes me feel like an ego maniac, actually it’s the fact that I secretly think I’m more insightful than others that makes me an ego maniac, how can I be more insightful than others? Perhaps I am but I’m really really scared to think that’s true incase I’m not which might be really embarrassing to discover but would actually be the best thing in the world, people that think like I do everywhere, what a fantastic nightmare. This shows I have a fear of intimacy. This is my first vulnerable blog, I’m 24. So for me imposter syndrome is tied to a fear of intimacy / fear of vulnerability / failure etc and when I naturally try to ignore these fears and get on with life I can’t because I feel like an imposter even more because I’m ignoring my feelings.

    One of your points really hit me, I even sighed like I’d been winded. I’ve not said to anyone “I’m an imposter”. I need to find someone I can confess my imposter feelings too as soon as possible and hope that they can laugh it off with me, hell even agree. I’ve told people I have depression and that I’m not feeling too good but the part of my depression I can actively do something about is linked to an insane feeling called —I don’t belong, I was a hypersensitive child. I’ve felt like an imposter since the age of around 10 and the flip side is that everyone else is a little bit crazy and I’ve just got to keep swimming and playing along. I have thought I was schizophrenic as a child, hearing voices, extremely imaginative, but then so were a lot of adults in my life and maybe I was just playing along and very lonely. I need to find my people. Being bisexual was alienating, not the sexuality obviously, that’s great, but being me where I was, was difficult. I understand now that we’re all imposters, making it up, but some are oblivious to this they seem so secure.

    So I’m tired of feeling and being pathetic. I’m pretty hard on myself but I do like myself, it took a while but I like myself 100% I’m number 11. So I’m waiting for parts of me to catch up with my self. I’m ready but I’m immature. I’m a fruit, but I’m not ripe. I’m a lion but a cub. Or I’m a worm on the ground. An egomaniac with self imposter syndrome to rein in the bs. I don’t know if its worse to be a imposter or an egomaniac but I know egomaniac would feel better. It’s probably not even being an egomaniac but just being myself which happens to be manic. Wow what if this is me still struggling to be myself.

    Things aren’t bad so I don’t know why I feel like this. I’m not fully employed, which hurts my self esteem. I’m an ok artist, maybe a good one I don’t know, I have a degree (I don’t know how to use it, but I have one and I aced it —I’ve never described my degree like that before but I thought I’d deliberately practice tooting my horn. What I usually think is that I got away with getting a first class honours).

    I really want to write and do on occasion but I tell myself that I’m being an ego maniac, and that there must be anything else I could be doing with my time, like not writing at all. Why do I think like that. How do I get over myself. I think I need someone to tell me I’m a good writer. Someone I don’t know. Then I’ll think ah, they aren’t saying that because they know me, I must be good. So messy.

    My last point is that because I’ve said no to so many things and parts of myself to get where I am today it’s become an unnecessary bad habit. It might have been a false necessity at the time, some kind of coping/defence mechanism but I guess now that I’m an adult, I don’t really have to answer to anyone. I respect people, I’m not a bad person, I admit I haven’t helped anyone on a large scale through active deliberate giving yet, but in time I hope to kick ass. So I understand I must start saying yes to everything. I can trust myself to do this, right? …Right? Yes, inner child, you can trust me.

    Your post was great. Thank you so much for writing it. I didn’t expect to write so much in response, but perhaps for once, I regret nothing.

  847. I was a very chubby little kid, as in 15-20 lbs heavier than i am now and also 5 inches shorter (5’3 full grown). I feel like an imposter that I lost the weight, and that I am attractive. I feel like I’m still that chubby little kid hiding inside some skinny person’s clothes and body. I feel like any moment I’m going to lose my mask and revert back to being a blimp and no one will love me and everything in my life will fail. It sounds so ridiculous reading it back to myself that I truly believe that!

  848. Kyle, thanks for taking the time to share this (even though you did not think it was a good idea at first). I came across your website today for the first time. This morning I was laid off from my job because I was the third highest paid employee (after the two owners) and was able to be replaced at a much lower salary. The funny thing is, I completely agreed with them doing it, as I would do the same thing if I was in their position. Definitely feeling the Impostor Syndrome today!
    It is strange because I am actually very happy about being laid off. I really wanted to get back to working for myself ( I have started up several businesses through the years and it is still my passion) I guess I just don’t make a very good employee LOL!
    Where the Impostor Syndrome is attacking me is the fact that I am 50 years old, a husband and father of three and should not be taking the risk of starting another business, especially an online business! That is what the voice keeps telling me, but my heart and my passion tell me to once again follow my dreams! I love the challenge of building a new company from the ground up. I love the challenge of learning a new industry. I long for the freedom that being successful in an online business can give me and my family. Every time I have faced these challenges in the past, it has turned out better than I could imagine.
    Thanks again for sharing just what I needed to hear today. I will take the writing challenges (even though I hate writing!) and let you know how it turns out.

  849. The first time I ever felt this, I was finishing my history thesis in college. I couldn’t believe they were giving me a degree for reading books. “That’s all school IS,” The Husband kept telling me. “Reading and learning.” I graduated with a 3.94 and barely believed they’d let me slide through. I didn’t believe I deserved that piece of paper.
    I’ve written two young adult books and been to numerous writers conferences, but I haven’t published anything yet. Someday. Someday…

  850. I haven’t written the book that everyone tells me to write. Because I’m afraid to fail. I’m afraid that when I start it I will never finish it. I’m afraid people will think I’m lying about the events that took place in my life or things that I have accomplished. People will view me as thinking I’m better than them.

  851. I started a path to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree at 38, did so well I continued on to get a Masters. I come from a world where no one is that successful. I still have yet to finish my thesis. I graduated with my B.S. Magna Cum Laude at 43. I have a 3.9 GPA in my Masters work. I always feel like I don’t deserve it because, I don’t really know. I’ve been a single mom all my life and I don’t know how to accept my successes. Your article was interesting. I’ve never heard of imposter syndrome before. I hope it helpsme. ?

  852. I have major impostor syndrome….fortunately, not attempting my dreams scares me worse than being outed as a big phony,… so I push hard. What it means though is that I lose a lot of sleep over invasive thoughts like “oh – another news article about my projects… I’m gonna be so embarrassed when this fails and everybody finds out that I’m just winging it all along”.

  853. I have been able to make a comfortable living for me and my husband (both in the same small handmade craft-related business full-time) for the past 5 years. I feel I have a lot to offer to others trying to “quit their day job” and earn a living running a small independent online business.

    I want to give workshops on how to run a small business online and earn a decent living from it. And I actually started writing a “manual” full of tips and advice and specific knowledge I have on the topic. However, half-way through writing it, I started feeling like I don’t actually know what I’m talking about, that there are people who are way more knowledgeable on the topic, people who are more successful than me, people with MBA’s or at least a business degree, or people who make more money than me from their business.

    I also think of the phrase “those who can’t do, teach” a lot. Yes, it’s true I’m looking for other ways to bring in an income because our sales have hit a slump. If our sales were through the roof, I wouldn’t have the time or volition to give these imagery workshops.

    I worry that that’s what people will think about me and my (yet to be) workshops. That I’m “failing” in my business and that’s why I need to give workshops instead.

    These thoughts have been preventing me from finishing my manual and reaching out to people who I think can benefit from my help. I’m trying to push through this and get my workshops started next year. But I always think – “would people actually pay to hear me speak?” “Do I really have anything to say that they can’t get off the internet for free?”

  854. I am fighting “imposter syndrome” and feel like I am failing. This helped. Knowing someone else gets it. I am still convinced that someone made a mistake giving me my Juris Doctorate and now that I have failed the Bar 3 times, I am proving that. But, now I am wondering if I have been self fulfilling my negative prophecy by not believing in myself I’ve set myself up for failure. The quote by Maya Angelou spoke to me, she is one of my heroes.

  855. Do you have any words of wisdom for someone who is 54 and has to acknowledge age-related cognitive decline? I want to change my career from technical graphic arts to technical writing and perhaps some web programming. I have a great resume (4 year business and 2 year (obsolete) programming), and decent skills, but as I told my sister: “Past performance is different than current ability.” I don’t learn like I used to.
    …Talk about making one feel like an imposter…

  856. Thanks so much for this blog…it made me laugh and feel much happier when I was otherwise spiraling into a “i’m a fraud” episode. Imposter Syndrome is so common in academia and one thing that I have found helpful was suggested by my psychologist when I was finishing my PhD: that is to write a sentence about something you are proud of about yourself, on a piece of paper in BIG writing and stick that on the wall above you laptop. It worked wonders for me because I constantly reminded myself of my own achievements. I guess the only thing is that now I’m sitting in an office where others can see it and I took it down because I didn’t want to be perceived as arrogant! Nonetheless perhaps I’ll just keep it in a notebook next to my laptop…hey it works!

    I can be profoundly shy in meetings and not say anything…sometimes this is because I need time to think over things and finally know how to respond way after the meeting…I just hardly ever go find the person and offer my opinion later!

    • Thanks for sharing this Annette. That’s a great idea!

      I just scanned through your work, really really interesting stuff. I’m looking forward to going back and digging in 🙂

  857. I don’t enter art comps because I don’t think I have any chance of being selected let alone winning… well… to combat that I’m entering the adelaide parklands art prize. I still don’t think I have any chance but doing it anyway.

  858. I havent always had trouble sleeping at night, so here I am at 4am trying to identify the issue. I think it started in grad school. Almost instantly, I was making the highest grades and receiving great accolades for my research. Both of which shocked me. I found myself constantly thinking “how have I duped so many people into thinking that I know what I am doing??” At the time, this sentiment was constructive to some degree….a motivating force. I was terrified at the idea of letting people down (now that they all thought I was so great), so I pushed myself to continually achieve. Sleeplessness during that time in my life was l, I thought, just part of the job. Getting a PhD is supposed to be hard, right? But here I am, an assistant professor in a very low-stress, low-expectation position, and I wake up every night with unyielding thoughts of my failures from the previous day. I will replay every conversation that I had and analyze it for mistakes…anything from mispronouncing a word to not knowing an answer. It is clear to me know that this pressure is entirely endogenous. Everyone is happy with my performance, except me. So what is going on? Am I punishing myself because I feel like I need to keep up the facade?

    I have never heard of imposter syndrome. I first saw the term in an article about the high rate of mental illness in university faculty. I googled the term and found your piece. So much of what you say here resonates with me. I always thought that my low self-esteem coupled with high expectations was a good thing…it makes me work harder and longer…it makes the accolades that much sweeter…but I think it’s teaching me to hate myself. In reading your post, I think I am uncovering the tip of an iceberg, and I can feel myself starting to let go. You have genuinely helped me and I really can’t thank you enough.

  859. I didn’t know impostor syndrome was a thing until I heard it in the dialogue of a TV show last night. I have been suffering in silence for several years, never sharing my feelings with anyone for fear of their reactions. I’m still taking it all in, but hope that reading this and other articles about it will help me to overcome. Thanks.

  860. I’m an online grad student that lives overseas, has never met my professors, and almost always shakes out a perfect mark on all my assignments. I started wondering why? Grad school isn’t supposed to be this easy! I have a full time job, a family, hobbies, and rarely have to spend any time studying the course material. Grad students are supposed to be chronically tired and studying 24/7! Is my degree all just a big hoax? Am I sliding through this degree only to get kicked in the teeth when I get a job in my new field? And these questions really bogged me down when a friend recently offered me a job to work at a university as a researcher…I thought, there is no way I can do what they are asking without them finding out I know nothing. With encouragement from my family and friends I still went for it and have come out the other side feeling a little less like an impostor, but I still can’t shake the entire feeling of being a fake. Pretty sure it will always be there to some degree, but you just have to push it out of the way and get on with things. Support from family and friends has definitely been the one thing that has done the most to help me.

  861. Wow! This post saved me! Thank you for your sharing! It’s only people who experienced it who can write out such advice that points directly to the heart of problems.

  862. Wow. I never knew this was a thing. I’m glad I found this article. And yes, this is a HUGE help!

  863. Hey!
    Thanks a lot for your article!
    I just turned 26, I have a degree in Economics and an MA in Politics but I always loved the environment and chose environmental directions in my degrees. However in the last years I ve volunteered a lot for wildlife centers etc and now I was offered the amazing opportunity to volunteer for a wildlife trust in my favorite country, Scotland. I love the work involved and the places I see, as well as the country and its people. I know that knowledge-wise I am not in a too bad position compared to the other volunteers because I ve read a lot on my own and volunteered even more.
    The impostor syndrome for me kreeps in because everyone else in the organisation has environmental/biology training and I m the only one with the odd degree. I feel like I don’t deserve to be here and that it is mere luck, that it is a mistake. Like the only way to feel good is if I had a similar degree which I might not get for several years to come.
    I still don’t know though if it impostor syndrome or I am plainly an impostor without a degree.
    And it will get worse when I ll have to find a job in the environmental field :/

  864. I think the whole stop thinking you’re so special thing struck home withe me. I have been afraid to talk to people and often go off alone. I’miss starting to think it was due to that. I just feel that I had to do something cool andown get out. Really it kind of sucked because while everyone was having fun I’don’t be afraid talk because I felt someone was going to call me out and say that I’must not as cool as I was. I was afraid to talk about things I enjoy like anime politics or runnnin.because I felt I didn’t know enough. I was also afraid to wear shirts with bands or TV shows, because I felt someone would question me and I would know nothing. I have also refrained from leaving comments like on youtube because I’miss afraid that it won’t be as good as others, or someone will read it and be like this is dumb, or really because I just feel like there is something g gear expected from my comment. I read this post because I felt like I didn’t know what I was doing at work. However, now I’mean ready to take on this disorder. Thanks!

  865. This is awesome – I needed to read this. I have been wanting to start my own blog for the time and share my ‘expertise’ but worried “I’ll be found out”. I didn’t even know the imposter syndrome existed – I thought it was just me! Thank you so much for writing this, I feel I can move forward now and pursue my dreams!

  866. I am a PhD psychologist with nearly 20 years experience but I still feel like a beginner. For me the worst is comparing myself to others. For example, I get down on myself after reading Carolyn Hax’s advice column (Washington Post) because I could never come up with the answers she gives to her readers and I feel like I “should” be able to. Same if I go to a conference, same if I hear other psychologists talking about their cases and conceptualizing them in a way that I had not considered. Feeling like a fraud has made me overprepare for my appointments and has made me withhold comments in the presence of those I feel are smarter than me. Thanks for your tips, I hope to try some.

  867. I am a startup founder that has been trying to get my startup off the ground for 2 years. Now that is finally happening I feel that I am not good enough to get it done. I have been avoiding sales and I am self unconscious because I didnt finish college (because I had horrible grades) but I have won several competitions and have gotten to travel the world through the startup I created.

  868. I was hold back from publishing new content to my new website after realizing that all of the topics were already covered by the big guys in the game! But for sure this article has shown the other side of the story. Thanks a lot for this wonderful treat, it really helps!

  869. well to start with i am applying for grad school, i am not sure of the interest i pursue is really my interest, I like the subject and i also claim that I like it but sometimes this feeling creeps in do i really like it, grad school is a huge expense.. i feel stuck

  870. This is wonderful!! So hilarious but absolutely spot on. I experience Impostor Syndrome on a daily basis. Thanks for exposing it for what it is.
    I am a writer and every time I post a blog or think about publishing something I have this awful sense that people–like my big sister who thinks she knows all about me–are going to rat on me. You are not who you say you are, you impostor!
    I am also a TESOL professional living and working in Mexico at the moment. Last week I was invited to give some presentations at a school. When I arrived, they had everything ready for my presentation. I walked up to the platform and I thought, OMG, I have no idea what they want me to tell them. It got worse when they announced, “Welcome, Doctor Foss Constance.” I am not a Ph.D, and I never told them I was. Somebody had given them the wrong information. I was mortified. I had to live up to my PhD status. Talk about being an Impostor! But I chilled out and just told them what I knew, useful information that would help them. It worked. I was authentic.
    Thanks so much for coming out and saying it for us!

  871. Hello,

    I never though in my LIFE that what I had is something I had (like a disorder) I always though that I am a lazy bum that wants what he does not deserve. But after years of loathing myself I realized that loathing myself is another way of being lazy but with the extra part that is the heart ache.

    I know that I should do better, I should do more effort, I should stop relying on my whit to manipulate around doing actual hard work, I should say to myself that I did not do my best at a certain task, simply get off my a$$ and work. But meanwhile (and that is ONLY after reading this post) it is impossible to get all this credit without doing anything worth the credit, mainly just be honest to myself and stop being a 35 year old spoiled SELFISH baby.

    Please let me know what you think, I will never forget this favor.

  872. I don’t even know if what I’ve experienced is considered a form of this syndrome. I feel like I’m acting ALL THE TIME. Even right now. I feel like I only do things to show off. I read books on the bus and although I enjoy the book, I mostly enjoy the way people look at me. I enjoy pretending that I’m different. It’s not even about people, even when I’m completely alone I feel like I’m acting. I’m a fake, I believe that. It’s not about starting a business or taking an action. What action can I take?
    I wish I wasn’t so good at acting. I’m so good at it that people never know. There have been people who have noticed, but I intuitively stay away from them.
    I can’t tell what’s real and what’s not anymore. It seems like everything I do, I do it for attention. I’m a loud person but I never express my real opinions: I just act. I get carried away easily and then I regret it.
    I think, maybe I gotta become the person I want to become. Quitting social media, being less loud, more self-disclosure, less fun-making. Yes, I need to stop talking my mind. I need to choose my words with care. I need to say only what I mean. I should stop trying to sound smart, witty and sarcastic.
    I think I feel better now. Even though I’m still acting, at least I will try. And I’m gonna leave this comment here so that I’ll never forget what I need to do. I’ll need to stop acting as if I’m weird or awkward. I need to simply let go and be me. Oh God I’m so confused. It doesn’t make sense. Do I need to take more control or to let go? I wish I knew what to do. I know that the ultimate answer lies in Him. I believe in God. I believe in God. That’s the thing I rarely tell people but I have total faith in God. You know, I’ve heard this “you’re too smart for that” response and it HURTS. I don’t know what I’m writing anymore. I think I will start being more self-conscious and I will not try to catch other people’s attention or to sound smarter than them. I will be real.
    Maybe even I can become real.
    Who knows.

  873. I’ve always felt like a fraud. In high-school I was a track star and finished top 3 in the state and never felt proud of it. I figured I should’ve done better and got first. When others compliment me I can’t quite accept it. I earned a scholarship to a big ten school to compete and did decently, but I held myself back by limiting myself l. Believing I didn’t have the capacity to get better , and it became a self fullfilled prophecy. I also picked a general major I had no interest in because I didn’t believe I had what it took to do something that took effort or hard work. After I graduated I never applied to any jobs that required a bachelor’s or higher because I didn’t want to pass an interview only for them to hire me and find out I wasn’t who I “pretended” to be in the interview. So I stayed in jobs that I was over qualified for, letting fear stop me from reaching for anything challenging or higher. I am very artistic and now started photography as a hobby, I enjoy it and I believe I have great potential but it’s hard for me to really enjoy it without criticizing the hell out of my work. Others are bewildered as to why I haven’t really tried selling my work or seeking clients. The few times that I have done that, I battled intense anxiety and self doubt and crippling self criticism, almost feeling sick for accepting the money for the job I did, even when the clients were pleased with the result. So now I’m stuck in a place where i have intense ideas, passions and desires to start businesses, help and inspire others, but I’m also being crushed by this feeling of inadequacy and fear of others exposing me for trying to be something I’m not. It’s a horrible feeling that sinks into my gut and leaves me stagnant. So yes this syndrome is keeping me from taking the risks I deeply yearn to take, and keeping me in a trap between passion and urgency and fear and torture. It sucks. Thanks for your vulnerability it’s helping others. Feels good to vent.

  874. I loved your article! I am a freshman in college wanting to join Student Government. It’s really competitive to be part of the Senate and I feel as if you have to have a certain personality to be successful! I feel like I am being an imposter when I see other succesful, confident students and hear that I have to “sell myself” through networking. I’m trying not to be too hard on myself and remind myself that I’m trying with good intentions and that I’m still learning! Thank you for your article!

  875. I have just finished a four week cycle of weekend art shows. Having people constantly walking by my booth and silently……or not so silently judging my work sure does chip away at my confidence as an artist. I, myself, can be highly critical of my work which doesn’t help. I don’t have a degree in Fine Arts which, at times, can make me feel like a big ol’ imposter especially when I’m around those that do.

    • Hi Lucy, I’m currently visiting my mom and she saw your site on my computer… she’s spent the last five minutes admiring your work. So there’s one person who loves it 🙂

  876. i discovered a talent(?) that i have when i was 47 years old. i create sharp focus, detailed portraits of peoples’ hands that give insight to their personalities or a particular emotions. i’m good at it, too. i found myself in the midst of a world of other artists, shows, commissions, newspaper articles, etc.. i even have 5 paintings that are part of a permanent collection hanging at the Pentagon. all of this happened over the course of 5 years.

    with all that notoriety came the deep sense that i didn’t earn it. wasn’t worthy of it. that i was a fraud… as my involvement in the art world grew, so did my friendships (solid ones) with many amazingly talented artists. REAL artists. artists that created works of art that interpreted what they saw *artistically.

    from the start i separated myself from the other artists because what i created was more photo-realistic and less creative. i still consider myself less of an artist because i believed my art was fraudulent. i continue to separate myself and hold back and away from everyone because compared to the ‘real’ artists, i feel like i’ll be outed and unworthy of any praise. WTF.

    i’m just thinking out loud here because your article has given me a platform. after reading it and the comments that followed, i feel like maybe i do fit in with a group of folks. talented folks. so thanks for that………..

  877. Oh gosh. I have discovered this term “impostor syndrome” only today, and it explains those daemons that have paralyzed me for years. What I avoided in my life? Two year ago I was offered a job in the US, with H1B visa and stuff, 93K/y. I went through five remote testing/assignments/chat conferences phases only to decline the offer at the end. The fear was paralyzing, I was shaking and crying. I couldn’t do it. Three weeks ago another recruitment agency contacted me about applying for a position at that very same institution, and I am still debating whether to jump in, not being able to break the deadlock. But this time I know what is the name of the beast I have to fight, and I know that it’s not just me who is going through this but that I am one of many. I was googling “impostor syndrome therapy” and this brought me here.

  878. I ASCRIBE PRAISES TO YOUR NAME AND YOUR NAME ALONE FOR USING YOUR GREAT AND POWERFUL SPELL TO BRING BACK MY HEART DESIRES AS YOU ARE REALLY THE BEST SPELL CASTER IN THE WORLD AS SO MANY PEOPLE HAS POSTED THAT ALREADY ONLINE. AND I AM SO GLAND TO POST MINE ALSO TO PRAISE YOUR NAME FOR YOUR SPELL CASTING THAT HAS BROUGHT JOY, HAPPINESS AND LOVE TO MY LIFE. AS I WILL BE SO SELFISH AND SELF CENTERED IF I DID NOT POST / TESTIFY OF YOUR GREATNESS ONLINE FOR THOSE THAT HAS BEEN INTO ONE PROBLEM OR THE OTHER TO READ AND SEE TO CONTACT YOU TO SOLVE ANY FORM OF RELATIONSHIP PROBLEM, BRING OF JOB BACK, GOOD-LUCK SPELLS AND SO MUCH MORE. FRIENDS OUT THERE IN CASE YOU NEED HIM TO GET ANY FORM OF PROBLEM SOLVE FOR YOU, AND YOUR HEART DESIRES WILL BE GRANTED TO YOU.

  879. I stop myself from making friends because I feel like know one wants to know me. I stop myself from putting out art work because I feel like no one wants to see it.

  880. Thank you for this!
    I’ve written and self-published three novels. All of them have been well received. But when I stand before a group to give a reading or try to book a signing I feel sure that I’m going to be “exposed”.
    That feeling holds me back from doing the one thing I love.
    Now I don’t feel quite so alone.
    Thank you again.

  881. Soooo glad I found this! Feel like I’ve totally lost myself recently. I talk myself out of things all the time because I feel like I am useless at pretty much everything.

    I used to be a swimmer when I was younger, I did my qualification to teach swimming when I was in my early 20’s but I only taught at my local pool for around 6 months and I didn’t feel that I was very good. Anyway, I left and got another job for a few years but then had children and decided to go back to teaching as it would fit around my family better. Because 1. I used to swim and 2. I’ve got experience as a teacher, I now feel massively under pressure to be this amazing swimming teacher but the truth is I feel like I don’t have a clue what I’m doing. It’s also difficult because I’ve taken the classes over from an experienced teacher and I’ve convinced myself they hate me! Some of them have actually left which just proves my point really. i think because I feel so crap about myself, I’m probably giving off a really negative vibe which isn’t helping the situation! I just need to get my sh&t together, practise a little more, ask for more guidance, be more possitive and realise that it’s not rocket science…. I just need to believe in myself a little more.

    • I shy away from speaking to seniors in my office because I feel I am not that smart to strike a conversation about interesting things. Also in many cases I feel very inadequate about myself professionally because I feel I don’t know my field well. Keep holding others as benchmarks. I am so afraid of making mistakes. Paranoid to do everything with is atleast considered right by general standards.

  882. My confession about the thing I am afraid to do because I’m not good enough… I was once tapped to lead a company after my boss (and friend) was let go. My new boss, who had eliminated my friend and put me in his place, told me I needed to make changes to the organization or else, adding: “You saw what happened to the other guy.” A friend challenged me to write a book using this as a title. I’ve thought it would be a great idea to discuss layoffs, survivors, and the disruption and turmoil they cause, I’ve outlined it several times over the years, but I’VE NEVER DONE IT BECAUSE I’M AFRAID IT WON’T BE GOOD ENOUGH…

  883. Oh, the greatest irony.

    My biggest fraud is being a fraud. I realized that I wanted to do theater and acting ever since I started pursuing my business degree. I am still battling through it.

    Since I was a kid, I have always felt as if I was meant to be one. But, growing up from a middle class family, its a large risk and never a wise decision.

    Hopefully, I could do something about it. Your post has made me think about it and really see myself in a different perspective. I guess I am so good at being an impostor that I cling on it too much. LOL. Thanks.

  884. I had a form of impostor syndrome with a girl I really liked earlier this year. She is ridiculously beautiful, intelligent, funny and emotionally warm. After a few weeks of knowing her, it was clear to me – at least on an intellectual level – that she liked me. She would grab me by the hand, make regular body and eye contact, and spend hours on end with me, enjoying my presence. We also had a strong emotional connection built on similar values and mutual trust. I knew that if I leaned in to kiss her or asked her out on a date things would probably work out well. However, I coulnn’t bring myself to do either. Obviously fear played a big part in this, but I think the main cause of my inaction was the fact that deep down I didn’t believe she liked me. It is one thing to know a girl likes you, but a different thing to believe it. After months of flirting but little action on my part, I think she grew impatient. She has a boyfriend now. I feel like a bit of an idiot, but I know that there are plenty of other amazing girls out there. I have also committed myself to learning more about how to overcome impostor syndrome, which is what bought me to this page. I actually first heard about it from Dr Geoff Miller on the Mating Grounds podcast, which I highly recommend for all young men. Dr Miller explains that impostor syndrome often follows rapid growth. My general value as a potential date has certainly skyrocketed over the last two or three years. I am in good shape. I am part of an amazing friend group. I am confident and have worked hard on my social skills. I think it is just taking a while for my believes about who I am to “catch up” to the reality of who I am. I need to internalize the idea that I have grown astoundingly in all areas of my life and am therefore worthy of dating incredible women. This will probably just take time, awareness and reflection.

    Thanks for the insightful post!
    And good luck to all readers in realizing that you ARE worthy.

  885. I never dreamed that this was a real thing! I have just started a PhD and everyone around me seems to have their $#*& together, even other newbies and I have no idea what I’m doing. It hadn’t occurred to me that other people would feel like this too.

    I wonder what we all look like from the other side… Like do people look at us and think we judge them for “not being good enough”. Food for thought

  886. Thank you for writing this. I didn’t even know it was ‘a thing’. I’ve felt an imposter recently as I’ve changed they type of job I usually do. For example I was asked to write a letter, I panicked, I thought I don’t know how to write a letter. Reality is that I know how to write a letter. I felt that I was going to be asked to leave because I don’t know how to write a letter. Reality is that my boss has thanked me for taking a lot of his work from him. My imposter syndrome, I believe, stems from once an HR head ridiculed me because I didn’t know how to make an Excel pivot table. I was an area manager in charge of stores and people at that time. The fear of looking stupid makes me think I’ll get found out that I don’t know how to do something. So, thanks for your write up on the subject.

  887. So now my ‘pet’ has a name! Don’t know if it makes it better or worse though. Anyway, thanks for the great post, Kyle! Knowing there are other people feeling like that is in itself helpfull

    But since there was a challenge at the end of the post, I’m up to it. Tbh I dared a lot in my life, but was seldom satisfied since… you know: “I was lucky”, “That wasn’t that good anyway”, ”It’s nothing special, even a kid could do it”, ”I was born smart, it’s my genes / moms achievement…” etc.
    Starting from early on I noticed that I have a weird mixture in my personality: being really confident of myself (in some respect even arrogant), but at the same time never being good enough for me, never acknowledging and always criticizing my own work. I can be really proud of others, but not of myself if I achieve the same or even more. I kept believing it was something like huge ego, not enough confidence (if that makes sense somehow) and fishing for complements, as I was told by some. But I doubted the latter since at times when I was criticizing my work I was genuinely sure it was mediocre at best. So the citation of Tina Fey sums it up quite well.
    Even when I got the best possible grade for my final exam at the university I managed to discuss the achievement to death because one of the referees said: ‘The oral exam was not as good as the written part, but since the written part was outstanding you get the max. points”. For me a clear sign that I did not earned what I got. When after that I got the PhD position I wanted, I felt like I totally faked it, my final grade overestimated my skills and I had no clue of anything compared to all the guys around (who have been studying the topic for 4-5 years, but that did not stopped me from feeling like I need to go back to school and learn before I can start working, which was still idiotic, since doing PhD means learning…). In my career the imposter syndrome (feels weird to write it) has not hindered me much, but I could be happier if I haven’t had it.

    And for the final part: there is actually something I do much less that I would like to: every time I start to draw something I end up telling myself, that I got no talent and should just leave it be. And so, sitting down and drawing something is always a challenge, mostly depressing than fun: even if I manage something good a persistent part of me keeps going: ‘It was the simplest perspective’, ’You still screwed up that little detail’, ‘Compared to X it still sucks’… And it gets even weirder if I try to persuade myself to be less ambitious: it feels like giving up on one self. So the other part of me tells: ‘You know you are good!’. And there comes the other: ‘Who knows… But the picture still sucks!’ (Good boy, imposter syndrome, get a treat!)

    So I’ll try to follow the suggestions and see if I can get any improvements.

  888. Nice article. I recently graduated from UCF with a degree in mechanical engineering. I never really felt like an engineer and I had decent but not very good grades. I thought that when I actually got the degree that I would feel better and proud of myself. But after receiving my degree I still feel like I don’t know enough. I don’t like talking about engineering topics because I feel like the other person will realize I don’t know anything. I feel like I should know how to fix cars and stuff like that. This imposter syndrome is hurting me because I need to find a job and market myself but I constantly feel like I’m selling broken goods. Im avoiding applying to jobs or even looking for them because I don’t believe that i can do them. I think I am too worried about failure. Im not sure if this helped me but I enjoyed the article. At least I’m not alone.

  889. Hi!
    My name is Marc and i feel like i’m not as good as i could be.
    People have always told me I was pretty smart, and I know I am , maybe not as much as they think. But at some point I started to belive that I actually had the ability to be someone successfull and brilliant. I know am not thaat smart but my real problem is that I never do anything. I am interested in a lot of things but every time i start reading or writing something that I know it’s gonna be good for me I just read 2-3 lines and tell myself “bah you know this already, you should, you are too good to lose time with this” and then I stop , and I actually never get that knowledge. So I stay staticly in my bublle thinking I am better than everyone when the people around me is doing things and improving. So then when the bubble pops I feel like I am so behind and late to the game.
    Thanks for the post it really helped 🙂

  890. Hi!
    My name is Alek Ivanov, I’m from Bulgaria and I feel like a fraud.
    I’m currently in high school and I’ve always been kind of the cool weirdo in the group. Weird because I am into business, pickup, nutrition, gym, meditation and other stuff like these. I LOVE EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THEM. Most of my mates are into smoking, drinking, video games, shit food, brainless activities in general.
    My impostor syndrome hits me right where I think hurts most. I’ve always tried helping people around me, showing them how they can live a better life and leave all the bullshit their consuming (physically and mentally). Problem is not many of them get my way of life and think it’s weird and a lot of them say stuff like: ” Just be cool broo, live your life bro etc..”
    I am really passionate about the subjects I listed but I constantly feel I am not “qualified” enough to talk about them like: Who am I to tell this guy he should consider going to the gym or reading about business or whatever. I kind of get it, I’ve always had a problem with implementation and that’s one of the reasons i feel like an impostor and I also think that’s why a lot of people don’t take me as serious.
    This post went for longer than expected and I don’t really know where i’m going with this anymore but there you have it. My little stream of thoughts at the moment haha. All replies are welcome.
    And remember you frauds! Express, do not repress.
    Good luck everyone 😛

  891. Hey Kyle
    Really really glad that you decided to write this article. For the past year I have been coming to terms with my own imposter syndrome but have been dealing with it since I was a little kid. For me my time at school played a major role in the development of these thought patterns. From when I started primary school I was identified by teachers and my peers as a “high achiever” and someone who was “good at everything”. So from a young age I felt identified and pigeonholed as someone who was different or ‘abnormal’. This continued all through high school (which I finished last year). What I found was that these labels all of a sudden defined my self worth. I got good results because I worked hard at things I was interested in but all that effort was never acknowledged because apparently I was an ‘excellence student’ and that standard was just what was expected of me. This contributed greatly to me not being able to celebrate my achievements and believe that I actually worked hard. It became a matter of feeling as though I just “got lucky”, “found a loophole” or wouldn’t have been able to do it if it weren’t for some help or support I had received.
    In addition I also felt as though I wasn’t allowed to make mistakes or to not be good at something. It would shock people if I said I had failed a test. I felt trapped by how people had defined me and that if I showed any weakness or fault then they would think of me as a fraud. In a way I was stuck between a rock and a hard place because by pushing myself to maintain standards I also received comments of disbelief at my consistent results. So then it felt like the fact that I could maintain a high quality of work despite other commitments and health difficulties (I did end up not being at school for a fair portion of the last 3 years) was apparently so unvelievavle and I must therefore be cheating. This enforced the idea that no matter what I did I was a fraud.
    Thins have gotten better but I still find it incredibly difficult to ask for support and to believe that I am capable of achieving any goal I may have (no matter how big or small).
    I am currently pursuing a sporting carreer and as I work my way into the higher levels the need for sponsorship and financial support increases. Up till now I have not sought out sponsors because I have not felt as though I deserve their support. I am scared that any time my previous coaches have told me that I am performing and improving really well has been an exaggeration because they feel sorry for me, and that if I try to present myself to strangers (especially if to ask for financial help) they are just going to see that I’m nothing special and not worth their time. However ove the next couple of months I am determined to put myself out of my comfort zone and to start talking to people about what I’m doing and what my goals are, and then to hopefully get some people onboard!
    It can be so challenging to believe that you have something important to offer the world, and a whole new level to put yourself or there to tell people that you do.
    One of the things I’ve been working on is changing the belief that ‘I cannot achieve the things I want to’ on a small scale for daily activities. Reinforcing the idea that I can perform a task (particularly when I’m training), get it right, and then replicate that task a few times helps counteract the idea of being a fraud because a fraud will usually only get things right once.
    Your article has shone a lot of light on the nature or this pheneomenon and different ways to address it and I am extremely grateful for that! Its exciting to have new ideas for different methods to try out so that I can get on with living a life that I love.
    Thank you and I hope that more and more people who struggle with imposter syndrome read your insight, see that they aren’t alone in feeling this way and that there’s a way to move beyond it.
    Emma

  892. I would like to apply as a part-time teacher in university, but I never felt like my credentials were good enough. I plan on applying on the next open job.

  893. Hey Kyle,
    I just read this article, very timely in my life. I just started a new job and am paralyzed with imposter syndrome. I am working through your 21 step program and it has reawakened my sense of humor, perspective and realism. While procrastination via internet is my go-to when paralysis hits, this was an excellent find, thank you very much!

  894. Thank you! Truly the best article I’ve read. Your suggestions will help me in my artistic pursuits. I just opened a weaving studio where I teach weaving and spinning, I sound so confident explaining the process to people and yet that little voice is whispering they will find out.. So now I have tools to work with, thanks so much..great confidence booster

    All the best, Cheryl

  895. Never knew this was a thing till 20 minutes ago, and it’s me. Almost feel like crying because it’s a relief. I’m interviewing for a job soon that I know I could excel at, but have doubts others can see through my poor interviewing skills to offer me the job. Either way, win or lose, I will try, and will not regret giving it my very best shot.

  896. I was thinking about how to put off my insecurities and fears and being the real me that i came across this article and believe me it felt like this article actually has been written to me…i can relate to every point of your article!Every Single Point!!!
    Whenever i think of talking politely or of not being angry..i think that’s not me i can’t be something that i am!I have to be me and i will be betraying myself if i be that!
    i do look average but have a few good photos and i have uploaded them on facebook and instagram….people tell me that i look really beautiful and again i feel like an impostor because i feel that its only my photos not me!
    when i perform really well and people praise me in my college i feel no!i am not good!it’s just that the people here are not that excellent otherwise they would have known how dumb i am and how stupid the performance was….
    i put off my work because i don’t want to be seen as a person who is organized and punctual because i know that i am not and when someone tell me that i am i go miles to prove them wrong!!!
    i do not really know if i will be writing in my diary but telling you all this makes me really free.
    i am 19 yrs old but i look 16..i fear meeting unknown friends of my parents because they comment on how i look so young!!!
    u know the acceptance part
    i have not been able to accept myself beacuse i feel that there exists a
    a version of myself which is the best…i also know that till the time i don’t accept myself i won’t be able to improve but knowing and doing has a big difference…
    i really want to know what you have to say on this!!!!
    i fear myself…i fear so much!i want to be free of this fear!!
    And i loved your articles..the best part is when you realise that it’s not just you there are so many people going through the same!!!
    One thing that i accept is i do have the fears….even when something not very secretive is to be done i try to hide!!!even when i know about something i try to hide!!!because i feel that i do not meet the standards of what people are expecting from me!!This is true!!!and when i sometimes share this with my best friend , they tell me that no u are a really great person i feel as if they can’t see the real me!!!
    Kyle i am looking forward for your reply on this

  897. I’m a grad student in the tech sector. The authenticity one hits hard, as does the one on failures. I have a hard time talking to others and filter myself because I don’t want to say the wrong thing, alienate them and blow my chances but I end up doing it anyways with my silence. I pass up great networking opportunities, interviews and even making new friends constantly. I’m constantly trying to be the perfect candidate in hopes of getting that dream job, but past failures tell me all my attempts are futile. I live in Beau Taplin’s poem, Just Short. I am deathly afraid of almosts, and of coming close to what I want just to fall short. It’s become the self fulfilling prophecy. I would love to show you how passionate about tech I really am, but I have been hurt for so long by so many, I am afraid to expose myself one more time. No one knows my real self, because I keep her locked up and safe from harm. I’ll be paralyzed with fear about tripping up that I’ll not realize the truck hit me and kept going, the opportunity was missed, came and went. I’ll panic about the event until exhausted but never prepare. Just exhaust myself in the panic of the fear of destroying yet another opportunity. Then remind myself I’m not worthy, and it was a fluke. I’ll say what I want to say only in my head, or much later after the missed opportunity. I’m surrounded by literally the most brilliant minds in the world, how can I even compare? Why do people keep telling me I am smart when I keep struggling with basic things? Why would MIT talk to me a second time? I can’t be loud. I can’t be impolite and inconsiderate. I can’t be arrogant and puff my chest out. If I don’t like those kinds of people, why should I emulate their behavior even in an interview? Why can’t people see the passionate techie inside this seemingly hollow shell? Why can’t anything feel like an accomplishment? I will stop myself from talking to people I perceive smarter than me just to not have to be caught red handed. I’m a fraud, and I hide from my 2.6 GPA with more degrees I skate by on with higher GPA because they have a lower standard. Any other high caliber school and I would be kicked out. I try so hard, but I feel I will always lose. I put a lot of significance on intellect and my happiness on becoming a researcher. My impostor syndrome is perpetually making me miserable and holding up progressing in my life. Some people get things handed to them, but I have to work twice as hard if not more for the scraps and I am lucky just to get those.

  898. Sure, I’ll play. Here’s what I don’t do because I’m afraid:

    I don’t start most of the businesses that have popped into my head. I’m afraid that they’re too impractical, that even if I got them started I wouldn’t have the capability to really see them through. I’m scared that I would start them and they wouldn’t reach product-market fit or they wouldn’t be cost-effective or that I couldn’t produce the code or wrangle the people or the money necessary to really scale them.

    And yet, I’m the CTO of a startup about to raise a million bucks in VC. We’ve grown from 2 guys and a desk to 6 FT, 5 PT, major advisors, and few hundred k invested already. But I still feel like we’re hacks most days, just making things up as we go along.

  899. Three times a week I facilitate a meeting with my colleagues and parents where I feel at any moment someone will challenge my competency and expose me for being a fraud despite the years of experience and advanced degrees I hold.

  900. I feel like a fraud because 4 years ago my mom moved to a new place and it’s a small little town with a very locals only attitude, and I was homeschooled so that didn’t help, so I never made any friends my age there. I did go to beauty school there and met a couple of friends. And I have friends from back home but we’ve grown apart. I just feel like nobody wants to hang out with you there unless you are a local, so I always feel like as soon as someone finds out I wasn’t born there they won’t want to hang out with me anymore. And I’m a person who craves companionship and belonging more than anything. And from not having any friends and being bored all the time made me have insecurities about myself and now I don’t even want to make new friends because I feel like they won’t like me and I don’t want to take that risk of getting my feelings hurt. But I know I have to open up if I want to make friends. Now I don’t even know where to begin because everyone already has their cliques and groups and I live in the country it’s not like there’s anywhere you can go to meet people they hang out at their houses and they all went to high school together so they all know each other already. I don’t know what to do.

  901. I have (officially, at least) suffered from depression and anxiety for over 10 years. I am 24. Throughout college I thought I was making true progress (with the occasional hiccup of course). Now, in the workforce… I have advanced quickly, but am afraid of having more responsibility because I fear being found out as not deserving it or not knowing what I’m talking about, while at the same time craving more advancement and additional responsibilities. I’ve been given so many opportunities, but I see my parents who lost so much so quickly, in the blink of an eye, despite having been so successful… I have a hard time appreciating and acknowledging the success I’ve had so far because I’m so afraid that it will soon dissipate into dust. The only thing, up until now, that had kept me going has been my boyfriend who just recently found the most amazing job after having been laid off. Just goes to show we never know what’s just around the corner and how we need to just work hard and have confidence in ourselves.

  902. Hi,

    Thank you for this article 🙂 I have had impostor syndrome for the longest time before realizing I had it. About 30 years! It’s been a crippling and degenerative condition for me and this article is now helping me see “the light.” Thank you again.

    My dilemma: I started with a start-up about 2 years ago. I was promised “A percentage of profits” to be discussed later once we start operations. Also, I needed to reduce my current income by about 70% for the sake of the start-up company. I said fine and took the job. I was going to ask for 5% of net profits once operations started.

    It’s a big company with many sub companies under it’s wing. The new sub company is what I would be working on.

    So in two years, working alone (with help from the company) I built the capital expenditures required for the business, as well as the business plan, materials resourcing, policies and quality manuals, etc. I basically laid the foundation these past 2 years.

    So now we are ready to start operations. So I needed help in operations. So I hired two other people, more experienced than me, but both already over 65 years. I always hire people who have more experience than me as I believe it to be a good practice.

    So out of the blue, the boss says he will give the 3 of us 5%. So that is 1.66% each.

    I was shocked. I expected my deal to be seperate and I was going to ask for 5%, now I’m in a “corporation” with the other 2 people I hired to split it with me.

    My Impostor Syndrome tells me to just let it go. But my wife and family says the deal is not fair to me. Now seeing more clearly, I agree with my wife and family. How can I go through this terrifying ordeal with my boss now? I promised my wife I would talk to him.

    Best regards,
    Mag

  903. I want to succeed but I constantly think I’m going to fail. And after reading this, I get why. Not fear of failure. That’s for sure.

  904. Kyle, first I want to say I am so thankful I found your article. I literally heard about imposter syndrome 5 seconds before finding your article, for the first time. I struggle with this and it keeps me from putting together my music business and completely committing to it. I will stay up all night putting off the task of doing music work, because I simply don’t feel I am for real, like I am lying to everyone, lying to my wife. The only problem is, I do love doing this, and know im better than most people at it, but somehow still feel unworthy. I am in a music bussiness program at school, and feel intimidated by the young excited, blooming students. I was a veteran, started as a seal, and EOD candidate, but got dropped from those programs, possibly because of this issue. I did get to work for the president for a year, went to Afghanistan and ran multiple marathons and climbed mountains, to prove to myself I am worthy. I still don’t feel it though, and I know I shouldn’t be intimidated by people anymore, and hide it extremely well. But I know something eventually has to flip in my brain if I ever hope to achieve the things I know in capable of.Your article has opened my eyes and given me some possible solutions. Any other advice you may be able to give someone in my specific situation?

  905. Thank you so much for this article – I didn’t realize I was suffering from this until I read this, but everything applies to me. I’m definitely going to save this and read it whenever I start trying to beat myself up (and am gonna do the writing out your insecurities thing).

    I’ve been afraid to start a podcast about being blind and the struggles I have with music and audio production because I feel like there are so many resources out there about the topic that I would not be experienced enough or interesting enough to do it. I also struggled for a really long time with starting a blog, starting to write radio dramas and produce them, and posting songs on YouTube or soundcloud because I didn’t think anyone would care or want to hear or listen to any of my “crap” – I constantly think that whenever I sing, and show it to someone, that it’s going to be ripped apart and everyone will think it’s terrible and that me pouring everything into a singing and music career will be worthless because I am not as good as everyone says I am. I just constantly deal with anything creative I do, or have done being seen as utter filth in my eyes and even when I do something I am proud of a little seed in my head says “You shouldn’t be proud of this, it really isn’t that good because the mix is off or because you sang that note wrong”.

    I wasn’t expecting that to be this long, sorry lol. Those are what I struggle with day to day, though and it felt good to write out.

  906. I quickly forget what people are telling me because I am constantly trying to find a similar personal situation I can share so I can connect with them. If I dont, I feel like I have bombed the conversation and that person wont want to talk to me again. When I do this, I dont remember people’s names or specifications about something.

  907. I want to pursue a film and music career, but sometimes I feel like I don’t have what it takes. I’ve written a couple of songs and scripts, but too afraid to show them because of what others might say. I just don’t want them to think I’m doing this for attention or because “I’m just lost right now “. This is my passion and I can only see me doing this as a career, not a hobby.

  908. I came across this “Impostor Syndrome” this morning while researching some UX conferences to attend. I am a web designer who, for the most part, feels inadequate, and nearly not as good as other designers. This has caused so much frustration and anxiety in my life. But, it doesn’t start and end with what I do for a living. I feel like my entire life is in a perpetual state of Impostor Syndrome, no matter what the context is.
    I’ve been in and out of therapy for over 20 years due to depression, anxiety, and some social issues. Reading through this article was a huge “wow” moment for me, as I can relate to almost every detail. My therapy over the years has been a huge help for me, and I have been able to identify all of the traits of Impostor Syndrome without ever having know the term Impostor Syndrome.
    This was very enlightening.

  909. Hi Kyle,

    I don’t really even know where to start…
    Ever since I was very young, I thought anything I achieved was through luck or someone else looking out for me. I only came across Impostor Syndrome a couple of weeks ago and phewee, what a relief! I’ve recently been made redundant and my CV is doing well for me, the problem that I’ve faced is at interviews where I feel the interviewer isn’t going to believe that little old me could possibly have achieved what I have.

    Even just reading your list has helped me sort out (to an extent) what’s going on in my head. I’m going to write down my achievements and my fears and then separate the two lists in my head. I have… They won’t…

    Thanks so much, this is a HUGE leap forwards for me.

    Alison x

  910. I’m a student studying Engineering and Physics. For most of my life I wanted to be a science genius and a professor. Right now I’m doing an internship which is with a research group that works on a field which I had been extremely interested in when I started university. However, I can’t shake off the feeling that I’m completely out of my element. I’m at a conference and I’m not paying attention to the current presentation. I’m telling myself it’s because it’s too advanced for me to understand. But I internally debate all the time if it’s because of a far scarier reason: because I was never a good physicist to begin with, and I ought to be doing something else which stokes my curiosity more. Examples come into mind like psychology, game design, or environmental engineering. So I’m struggling to decide whether this is a case of Imposter Syndrome or a case of being in the wrong field. I think my plan of action is to talk with friends and my supervisors to ask frankly about my performances in their eyes. This will hopefully give me a more realistic objective idea of whether or not I belong here. I want to feel the confidence that I used to feel as I did before. How can one tell if these feelings are the result of an imposter syndrome, or the result of not choosing what you’re naturally gifted or interested in?

  911. Thanks Kyle, I’m bookmarking this page because it’s probably the most helpful and necessary thing I’ve ever read.
    I’ve been having some deep anxiety recently that feels exactly like imposter syndrome. I have a scholarship right now that is contingent on my performance as a leader and high achiever at my school, and was awarded based on accomplishments I’ve always felt like a fraud about, despite knowing otherwise deep down.
    I managed my high school robotics team for several years despite starting on the team with zero experience, often not knowing what the heck was going on while kids who had been building for most of their lives went on building without any problems.
    I eventually figured enough out to contribute a lot to the team and captained a team to world championships, then raised the program from 20 or so active members to over a hundred students and mentors with expended facilities and resources open to teach anyone of any experience level.
    But I always felt like such a fraud, because as much as I loved the team and loved improving it and loved contributing to building as much as I could, I still didn’t know how to use this tool or how to wire that motor.
    I graduated feeling partially proud of what I had made and mostly like a loser for still not being the “expert” a lot of my peers thought (or probably didn’t think) I was.

    Same with cello, and with being a science major, I didn’t start playing as early as many of my peers so I didn’t have the same foundational skills, I didn’t start loving science until late in high school and now I’m a science major who is doing well in class by working hard but doesn’t get a few basic bio jokes and has to fake laugh when everyone else gets them, and didn’t ever take a chemistry class until college.
    I’ve played very challenging pieces in a high school string quartet and earned a Superior rating from festival judges and performed in more cello concerts than I can remember. But I just auditioned today to be apart of what I thought were informal string quartets, but apparently are composed of all music majors. They said it wasn’t an audition and not to prepare, but then I showed up and they wanted me to play something from memory (I DONT KNOW ANY SOLOS BY MEMORY, THIS IS A HOBBY TO ME) and for me to play scales (I KNOW LIKE 2 SCALES BY HEART, OF COURSE I PANICKED THROUGH BOTH OF THEM). Obviously I didn’t get out into any quartets. It was a humiliating experience overall.
    I already feel like a loser when I say I’m a cellist (cause what “real” cellist doesn’t know Bach by heart) or that I love robotics. Because people assume I’m so musical and tech savvy, and I feel like a failure.
    But I am trying to learn more about the things I love all the time and have already accomplished some amazing things.
    I have to keep telling myself that I love playing music and I can do some cool stuff with technology, so yes I am a cellist and a robot enthusiast just as much as the next person. I’ll just find some other enthusiasts to work with and we’ll all learn more together. And screw people who are “talent gate keepers” or belittle the passions of others. I’ll be taking Kyle’s advice from now on.

  912. I managed my high school robotics team for several years despite starting on the team with zero experience, often not knowing what the heck was going on while kids who had been building for most of their lives went on building without any problems.
    I eventually figured enough out to contribute a lot to the team and captained a team to world championships, then raised the program from 20 or so active members to over a hundred students and mentors with expended facilities and resources open to teach anyone of any experience level.
    But I always felt like such a fraud, because as much as I loved the team and loved improving it and loved contributing to building as much as I could, I still didn’t know how to use this tool or how to wire that motor.
    I graduated feeling partially proud of what I had made and mostly like a loser for still not being the “expert” a lot of my peers thought (or probably didn’t think) I was.

    Same with cello, and with being a science major, I didn’t start playing as early as many of my peers so I didn’t have the same foundational skills, I didn’t start loving science until late in high school and now I’m a science major who is doing well in class by working hard but doesn’t get a few basic bio jokes and has to fake laugh when everyone else gets them, and didn’t ever take a chemistry class until college.
    I’ve played very challenging pieces in a high school string quartet and earned a Superior rating from festival judges and performed in more cello concerts than I can remember. But I just auditioned today to be apart of what I thought were informal string quartets, but apparently are composed of all music majors. They said it wasn’t an audition and not to prepare, but then I showed up and they wanted me to play something from memory (I DONT KNOW ANY SOLOS BY MEMORY, THIS IS A HOBBY TO ME) and for me to play scales (I KNOW LIKE 2 SCALES BY HEART, OF COURSE I PANICKED THROUGH BOTH OF THEM). Obviously I didn’t get out into any quartets. It was a humiliating experience overall.
    I already feel like a loser when I say I’m a cellist (cause what “real” cellist doesn’t know Bach by heart) or that I love robotics. Because people assume I’m so musical and tech savvy, and I feel like a failure.
    But I am trying to learn more about the things I love all the time and have already accomplished some amazing things.
    I have to keep telling myself that I love playing music and I can do some cool stuff with technology, so yes I am a cellist and a robot enthusiast just as much as the next person. I’ll just find some other enthusiasts to work with and we’ll all learn more together. And screw people who are “talent gate keepers” or belittle the passions of others.

  913. Hello Kyle.
    I was worried about constantly feeling anxious lately following several big promotions during company mergers and acquisitions. I am now managing people who all have specialized degrees. I have none. Nobody has asked because everyone assumes I have a degree. I am fearful that someone is going to expose me or confront me about it. The difference between them and me is that their knowledge is old and mine is fresh since I am still in school, taking online classes, one or two per semester while maintaining perfect GPA. I will graduate in time to retire but I will finally feel like I have proven myself. Until then, I will keep feeling like an imposter.
    I am anxious every day. I feel like I don’t deserve this position and the employees I have to manage will not respect me… I feel so anxious that at times it resembles a panic attack.
    I was googling “feeling anxious” which led me to “feeling like a fraud” which led to your article. I have never posted anything personal before for fear of exposure. Your article helped me more than a therapist could in that now I understand I’m not alone feeling this way. I am not an imposter because I have earned my place and I allowed myself to take opportunities that brought me to where I am. I carved my way up here. I am not a fraud. I simply live up to my expectations which are high.
    Thank you Kyle, you write very well. And yes, you can add this comment to your success pile. This article made a huge difference for me, in how I feel. I also believe inertia breeds self doubt. That’s why it’s important to keep moving forward. I will make sure to read your article again when my insecurities return.
    Gratefully,
    Linda

  914. Wow, reading this article I went through a few waves of emotion. The mention of being stuck / a rusty wheel is especially true for me. I am so terrified to fail that I’ve shut down. I’m dragging myself out but it’s a lot of work and at times I feel like I won’t succeed.

    One thought that came to me is that there are millions of authors. I have a few favorites that I think are brilliant. Sometimes I’ll read something someone else recommended and I’ll think what the ?!?! It’s not that my books are better, it’s that they’re better for ME. For that author every person he reaches is a success even though he’ll probably never know it. That other author isn’t a fraud, he/she is just not the author that resonates with me.

    Everyone doesn’t have to think you’re special and everyone doesn’t have to think what you do is good. It’s ok to do it for doing it’s sake. (ps at the moment I’m beating myself up because I’m not sure if “it’s” should be possessive here, can doing it benefit from doing it? Can I post this without being sure? This is how far down the rabbit hole I go)

  915. Thank you so much for writing this article. This is my first real discovery that this feeling I continually have is not just me doing something wrong, but is something I’m able to work against. For as long as I can remember I have had this feeling that I live in this place where no one really knows me. That I have all these dirty secrets and any moment someone will find out and that it will implode on me. I just wanted to say how grateful I am, and that reading this article has at least helped me see a conceivable way forward from this (what I would call) struggle. Thank you so much.

    Jeffrey

  916. I tend to be authentic so I disagree that there is no such thing as authentic. I try to be totally seen, to the extent that the environment accepts it. I am lucky that I have a group of people in my life with whom I can be totally authentic. I don’t mean I share every angry or negative or sexual thought with them. But as much as is loving, I do. Most of all I am authentic with myself to the extent that I have grown able to know my own truth. This is a quest I pursue daily with spontaneous journalizing, therapy and daily spontaneous primal poems that I send to the email list of the members of the International Primal Association. Julie Eliason

  917. I never try my hardest in school even though that’s what I’m all about. I’m afraid if I try my hardest I will reveal the truth that I’m really just some stupid guy trying to be intelligent.

  918. I am trying to learn to be a consistent free-lance writer, and I struggle to maintain the excitement from when I have an idea for a great piece to when the time comes to follow through. I often think, “Who am I to think that what I have to say on this is worthwhile? What if my ignorance is painfully obvious to a reader and I’m lambasted for pretending like I know something when I don’t?” So I think maybe I’ll make it clear that I’m not an expert, however then I’m afraid people who’ll be uninterested in reading me. I often feel like the fire in my belly to self-express is snubbed out by what a fake I am. What really terrifies me is that I could speak and be wrong- and maybe cause more confusion or just be known as the person who is/was wrong about this thing once. And then I feel embarrassed for feeling so self-important, and by now the fire is more than out. The coals have turned to ash, and I’m thinking the fire was a silly mistake to begin with. That is until it’s rekindled, and I learn how to use it to help people and myself instead of letting my past experiences, my burn scars, keep me from experimentation. I’m tired of watching all these fires die, and for nothing other than to keep myself from ever feeling any pain. For someone as insecure and fearful as me, a little pain might do me some good, because the fear of it is so much more paralyzing and damaging.

  919. This hits home so much! I am very accomplished; let’s just say I’m one of those teenagers you see in the “30 Teenagers of the Year” of famous organizations, and have interned at a very famous tech company and am in my second year of college pursuing two STEM majors, before I can vote.
    I just broke this articles’ main point (you’re not special), right there, but really that’s the other side of having all these accolades; even if you feel like your reality is not very glamorous, it is hard when other people feel like they do too. I feel like the people who are close to me are all very impressed by these feats, but they are much more accomplished/smarter than I am. I feel like I have to always live up to their expectations, but there’s always a fear that I won’t and they’ll find out the type of imposter I am.
    But then a part of me actually believes that this imposter syndrome helps me accomplish more. Because I feel like a fraud, I have to do more and work more, which makes me more successful/skilled. Yes, my syndrome is that bad.
    What has my syndrome prevented me from doing? Applying to a few tech companies so far that are the hardest to interview for. I fear they’ll just laugh in my face and say, “You fooled everyone.”
    And you know what? I’m going to apply to those tech companies. Thank you so much for the article…There is such a well of emotions bubbling in me right now. Everyone in these comments are very accomplished, and it is good to know that there are others who feel the same way. Let’s support each other to overcome this syndrome, because let’s face it, we’re awesome.

  920. challenge accepted
    I left my band which had gained relative success in the past few years after winning a record contract. The pseudo fame that ensued had changed my friends and gAve them giant egos and they treated me like crap despite me writing the songs and driving them everywhere. So I left. And now I’m trying to make an album by myself but it’s harder than I expected and I’m getting more and more afraid that I have no talent. I’m still trying, and I’m not going to give up or anything but being scared is making the process really difficult emotionally. I think I compare myself to others too much. Thanks for the article though, I’ll try harder to get over my fears.

  921. Judging by the length of these comments I would say this resonates with a lot of people! I have this tendency myself and now I can see it cropping up in my accomplished daughter. I started out in life as a writer, gave it up for a day job and now I’m gradually plugging away and writing books in the evenings. All the great books already out there make me feel like a fraud, but this article has given me some ways to shut that down and keep going. I’m going to write my characters as authentically as I can, including the one who shares this condition with me.

  922. I am a TV producer and I am constantly terrified I will be ‘found out’. Despite me putting out a weekly show that has had constant good feedback for the last 8 months, I always get to the weekend and think “How the hell did that show get on TV? That was lucky!” even though I know logically that it wasn’t luck, it was me working 60 hours a week to make it happen. I feel lucky that I made it through another week without anything going disastrously wrong and without my bosses realising that I don’t quite know what I’m doing. I am currently organising a foreign shoot and, in a meeting with my team earlier, I really sounded like I knew what I was talking about. And I kind of do, because I’ve done this job for years, but I am a nervous wreck so much of the time, anticipating all the times my bosses will call me out and say that I am a bad producer. Most recently I spend thousands of $$$ on new graphics for our show but they’re not as good as I hoped and tomorrow I need to reveal them to my bosses. I am terrified that they will hate them and I will get in a bunch of trouble. I am writing this as an exercise in the hope I can rationalise everything but it doesn’t stop the internal fear.

  923. In a word, “WOW”. This is just the second article I’ve read on the Imposter Sydrome after having just discovered it. I can’t tell you how enlightening and encouraging it’s been. Even though people tell me how brilliant I am and come to me often for answers, I’ve always felt like I was faking it. In my current position at work I feel like I’m faking it. I’ve thought about doing seminars/webinars on different topics, but then I think of all the people who “I think” know more than me and each time I feel like a fraud…enough to let the idea pass right on. So much of what you wrote resonated with me. THANK YOU.

  924. Thanks for this. After 11+ years in a job, it ended and I am in a new job (although similar industry, but marketing focus) in a totally new part of the country. I have never felt more insecure about what I’m doing or a greater pressure for failure. I am working to make some of these suggestions daily activities. Thank you for the openness of this post!

  925. I am about to graduate from my undergrad program here in Costa Rica, I am in the academic field, biotechnology, and feel that everyone else already has their things together, that they know more than I do on subject matter, that even my independnt study is something completely useless for the world. Now I am starting to go through this process of decisions and what not, so nervous on what the next chapter is to come, I look at all these options and think why I should I be chosen for this internship or grad program, doing excersice helps keep me at bay, nevertheless all these thoughts keep popping into my head. I dont really know how to stop banging up on myself for every little thing that I do.

  926. Thank you for this. My friend told me to google “imposter syndrome” after I had a meltdown this morning. I just passed the bar exam and got licensed this year and I am trying to start my own law practice. I battle this feeling every time I walk into a courtroom or sit down with a client. I feel like I should be saying, “here, let me take some notes and I will pass this on to the REAL attorney”. Part of me fully expects to be kicked out of the courtroom for the “unauthorized practice of law”. I feel inadequate and lost 90% of the day which does not make me very effective on the days when I chose to give into it. Your advice and information helped me realize mostly that I am not alone, and I am going to read it many times over. Thank you.

  927. -It’s been some months ago I’ve discovered Impostor Syndrome in me.
    I’m a grad student in architecture in Albania and I teach English for kids in here. I love working for them, but I have never intended to teach them because I thought I’m not good enough to participate in such engagement.
    This happened ’till my family and friends pushed me to act and move further on my decision.
    It’s been now half and a year doing this staff and I still receive lovely cards with amazing confidences for me. They are so lovely folks.
    -I struggle at university but in the same time I’m called as an intelligent student by my peers and teachers.
    -I would also admit that I suffer from introversion.
    -My mind literally blows most of the time, even in these moments while I’m typing. My thoughts aren’t organized and usually I prefer to keep quiet than talking any bullsh*t.
    -And like most of you, I fake it ’till make it.
    Kyle, as soon as I manage my thoughts better I’d try to explode anything else in here.
    Thanks for being such confidential.

  928. Great article! I haven’t gone back to complete my Master’s Degree because I think that I am too old, and I am worried that I will fail. I worry too much about failure and that people will think of me as a failure.

  929. Thank you, Kyle! This was very helpful! I just lost my job and also another possible job because I felt like a fraud and wasn’t able to fake it. I lacked self-confidence and my employer saw that. It hurt me, it got me down, but I never thought about this being a syndrome of some sort. I thought it was just me… with this big flaw that would get down in life wherever I went. I’m working through this… and this story helped me very much!!
    Thanks again!

    • Awesome Cris!

      I think I’ve mentioned this in the comments, but it’s crazy to me how helpful it can be to have a LABEL for something. It makes it more approachable/manageable.

  930. I’ve been one of the most self-aware egotistical frauds I’ve ever known. Or am I? I figured 6-7 years back that I’d quite a few things wrong with me and I needed to work on myself so I began reading books and blog posts and meditating and fixing myself.
    The question I ask after reading your amazing blog piece and enlightening my consciousness to Impostor Syndrome:
    – Was I really that bad? No
    – Will I ever be perfect? No
    – Should I worry about pleasing everyone all the time? No

    Life is a journey, a lesson, a growth hacker. Some facts:
    – Nobody on this planet of 8+billion people swans around happy all day every day.
    – Nobody on this planet knows everything. In fact of the 8+billion no individual probably knows more that 0.00000000000000001% of the world’s combined knowledge
    Nobody on this planet is 100% sure what they are doing or what their life purpose is.
    Nobody on this planet is perfect or imperfect. We’re human and amazing!
    Nobody on this planet is stupid or inadequate or useless.

    My quote:
    “I’m my own worst critique. Nobody gives me anywhere close to 1% of the negative thoughts or perceptions I give to myself. Imagine I had this knowledge and could turn it around. Imagine I had the power to think of myself positively even 50% of the time. Imagine how amazing my life would be. WOW!”

    Thanks Kyle.

  931. I feel like an imposter in a new leadership role. I “support” 13 different healthcare departments and “direct” a hospital medicine department. Most of my work is all comfortably within my non-patient care related skill set. The portion that isn’t is quite bothersome. I am frequently asked questions on which I have no idea of the answer, by people substantially older and seemingly more experienced in healthcare than I am.

  932. Thanks for this post. I feel this and it’s debilitating. Today at least, you’ve helped me break out and get back to work.

    Anonymous

  933. My boyfriend found this for me after we talked about Imposter Syndrome. We both have it. He’s learned to temper it, I just discovered my feelings have a name. The timing on this is perfect. I’ve been feeling like a complete fraud as a speaker on panels about writing. Yes, I’m a writer, but I’m not yet published. Who am I to speak about writing when I don’t have a book to hold up and prove to everyone that the world thinks I can write? This weekend I’m going to walk into those conference rooms and speak on those panels and not feel like a fraud. I may not be published, but because of that, I have a different perspective on writing that the more seasoned authors have probably forgotten.

  934. I’ve lived most of my life frozen because of the Imposter Syndrome. I only became aware of it a year ago when I read the first quarter of a book on the subject, after which I slammed the book shut and promptly started my own business, made a chunk of money, worked myself to the ground, made a ton of mistakes and landed right back where I started.

    I think maybe it’s time to knock out the Imposter Syndrome once again. In Round 1 I only had a life of lying low and doing next to nothing to use to discredit my ability (if you doubt your ability the very last thing you want to do is anything that might test the limits of your ability). Now I have a year of professional mistakes to use to discredit my ability….combined with all the prior years of doing nothing.

    Le sigh. It would be nice to be on the phone with a potential new client and NOT start listing off all the reasons why I’m not that qualified instead of listing my accomplishments and qualifications like they asked.

  935. I cannot make relationships work because I am afraid to speak my mind because I believe I will be found out for what I really am…. a fraud, I only want people to be happy and think of me in a positive light. this keeps me from having to deal with the fact the I have no self confidence in what I do or the relationships I hold. I am distant to the people I really care about, I do not speak my mind because I’m afraid they will leave me, or be disappointed in me this is not something I can deal with, from anyone even aquatences. I don’t know what makes me happy because making other people happy and not disappointed in me is what keeps me going.

  936. As a User Experience Designer, I have to somehow capture well enough the nuances of human experience to create the basis for great designs. Right now I am attempting to do so again for the latest project. Serious procrastination sets in, each time I sit down to create the “masterpiece” of insights based on the interviews, observations, and current knowledge of the domain.
    It is a simple reality, in UX that I rely on people being open and honest in sharing, and that I can never be the expert they are in their own experiences. Yet I am supposed to summarize and illustrate both pleasure and pain points with their daily challenges and in the end offer solutions that will be effective, efficient, and enjoyable to use!
    Imposter syndrome hits hard, as all the answers should come from people’s real life experiences, and understanding of their strengths and weaknesses, and I should somehow capture and communicate that.
    Accepting that I can never do this perfectly, and sometimes may even be completely wrong or ineffective, is a hard pill to swallow. The reality is noone could. Thus I won’t ever either. The humility to openly make mistakes early and often is hard for the ego to accept. This is however, is the best way to get the right insights and get to a solid (though never perfect) basis for design.

  937. Okay, so I read over my post from a few days ago, and realized that despite it’s length I never really got to to the point, and the point was this:
    a) Is it possible to be not just suffering from impostor syndrome, but to be an actual impostor,
    b) is it possible that this could describe me and
    c) what should I do about it?

  938. My wife and her family always say that you are so smart but you are equally lazy and don’t utilize your true potential.
    Been the story of my life though as I graduated college and work in the finance field and doing well, however, each day I feel I don’t know the core of my work : like I know how to do things but not the why behind it and that’s why I feel phony.
    I’ve achieved what I’ve achieved but hardly give myself credit for it. I’m in my early 30’s and have a house and hardly any debt ( except mortgage that is) but I don’t feel I worked hard enough for it at all which takes out the excitement from doing things.
    Not sure if you can relate but until today I didn’t even know I had a name for this behavior and I’ve been feeling this way for last 10 plus yrs.
    Need to do more research or take some therapy. Thanks for the post btw

  939. A year out of grad school with a masters in social work, I was promoted by the company I had done my internship with, above others, one in particular, that I felt was much more qualified. This other person had a license (one more initial in her creditential) and had been with the company for several years. (She has since been promoted also, into a leadership position.) I do therapy with teens and I meet with people struggling with addiction, write a report on their addiction history and make recommend for treatment that go to the department of children’s services and the court. I come into contact every day with so much that I DON’T know. And yet I seem to get high praise from my colleagues and from other agencies that get my reports. I feel as though I know a tiny fraction of what they think I know. I am so new to the field. 99% of the time, I feel like I am presenting a facade of competence- even to my husband and daughter. Yes, I feel like a failure as a wife and mother as well. At times, the burden of this “secret” I carry around gets to be overwhelmingly heavy. The secret that I’m not as smart as everyone thinks I am.

  940. Thank you for this post!

    3 days ago I was told I was being promoted to a role I have known I could do for the past year. I always had confidence I could do it, right until the moment I was given the opportunity, and since then I have been plagued with self doubt and feelings of ‘I don’t belong here..’
    It’s nice to read that these feelings aren’t abnormal, just knowing will help me to get over my self doubts and get on with the job!

  941. I am a graphic designer and for the longest time I’ve been dealing with feeling like an imposter. I figured I might be dealing with imposter syndrome, but after reading this and trying some of these things, I think I might be a legitimate imposter (no, the oxymoron is not lost on me).

    Here’s how I did on this list. Please pardon the cynicism.

    1. Come off it: I guess the next 20 steps are about ways you can do this step, so just read on. At any rate, as you will see, I haven’t come off it.

    2. Accept that you have had some role in your successes: I’ve had no successes, but I do accept that I’ve had some role in the the successes I’ve never had.

    3. Focus on providing value: This has always been my focus. I feel like an imposter because I don’t think I’ve ever actually provided any.

    4. Keep a file of people saying nice things about you: Here’s my list: 1. I’m articulate, (much more in writing than in speech) 2.) I’m good about admitting when I’ve done a horrible job. Apparently people find this refreshing. 3.) I can really grow a beard.

    5. Stop comparing yourself to that person: I can’t, plain and simple. That other person is there, and they’re winning my bids. What’s more, when the few low-end projects I do manage to win fail to produce any positive results for the client, someone will remind me about that person, even if it’s just in the fact that they hire that person the next time.

    6. Expose yourself totally: I’ve actually done this 30min writing activity before at the recommendation of my therapist. Actually I found the results more scary and depressing than helpful.

    7. Treat the thing as a business/experiment: I’ve always done this, but it’s a failed experiment, and since I only have one product to offer (my design ability), my only options are to keep trying to sell the junk product, or quit.

    8. Say “It’s Impostor Syndrome”: As you know, I’ve done that, but I can’t believe it anymore.

    9. Remember: being wrong doesn’t make you a fake: No, but I think never being right kinda does.

    10. “Nobody Belongs Here More Than You”: If I were still in the early stages of my career, I could understand this, but I’ve been at this over 12 years and if I haven’t seen some success by now, it might be time to admit I don’t belong here.

    11. Realize that when you hold back you’re robbing the world: No, when I con people into paying me for a product that won’t give them any positive returns I’m robbing the world.

    12. You’re going to die: Do I want to want to be on my deathbed regretting that I spent my entire life stopping myself because I felt like a fraud? No, but it’s better than dying on a prison bunk because I actually WAS a fraud, or at best leaving my family with a mountain of debt by investing myself in career after career because I kept believing in myself despite my ineptitude.

    13. Stream-of-conscious writing: Again, I’ve tried this before. Scary, not silly.

    14. Say what you can: There’s really not anything I can say. The longer I do this, the more I study and the harder I try, the less I know. Every step brings another failure and another piece of my understanding is scrapped, with nothing to replace it. My whole career at this point is mired in complete uncertainty.

    15. Realize that nobody knows what they’re doing: I do realize this, and no, you’re not an imposter for trying something that might not work, but you might be if nothing you try ever does work.

    16. Taking action: Taking action proves that you are not a fraud, unless you are. Then it proves that you are. That’s been my experience anyway.

    17. Realize that you are never you: True, people are constantly changing. Somehow, though I never seem to improve.

    18. Authenticity is a hoax: I don’t consider myself an imposter because I represent myself as having a different personality than I actually do. That’s just salesmanship. I feel like an imposter when I represent myself as being competent when I’m not. There’s no fuzziness about that.
    I can pretend to like golf to impress a client, and there’s nothing wrong with that. But if I can’t honestly deliver a brochure that will generate interest from their target market, then I am a fraud by saying that I can.

    19. See credentials for what they are: I already don’t put a lot of stock in the credentials as a designer. There is one credential that’s very important though: A strong portfolio. I must have reworked my portfolio over a thousand times—adding in, taking out, redesigning, etc.—but no matter what I do with it, it fails to impress.

    20. Find one person you can say, “I feel like a fraud” to: I’ve tried sharing this with a few people a) My therapist who’s paid by me to convince me that I’m not an imposter, b) My wife, who will predictably disagree with anything bad I may acknowledge about myself, but can never back it up, and c) My best friend, who also works in the field. He disagreed with me on the surface, but I kinda got the vibe that he didn’t really.
    I also think he’s been avoiding me since then, like he’s worried this topic is going to come up again, because I haven’t seen much of him since that day. It’s been about two years now.

    21. Faking things actually does work: True, and it’s necessary to take up any kind of skill, but eventually, you have to either achieve some level of proficiency or give up on it. Did I mention I’ve been at this for 12 years? If your baby isn’t walking after 12 years, there’s something wrong and it’s time to go wheelchair.

  942. I haven’t gone out and tried the businesses, ideas and even the personal brand I want to, bc I’ve always thought people would see me as a fraud. Until I realized that pretty much everyone is full of shit. So what the hell…

  943. Now that I’m learning about imposter syndrome, it feels like I’ve needlessly avoided doing so many things. I feared that if I wasn’t instantly good at doing something, I didn’t live up to my potential. This imposter feeling put me off of doing almost anything creative. If someone reacted positively to my work, then they were just lying to make me feel better, and if someone reacted negatively, then they’re right to criticize because they’ve seen through my bullshit.

  944. I’ve done almost everything I could to avoid getting a part-time for my school. I’m in 5th year of a computer school and I feel I’m a fraud.
    Every time I look for a company or a job offer, I tell myself that I can’t be good enough for it. What if I succeed in my job interview and they start seeing that i’m not very good in what I do. They will put money and hope for me, but I will eventually disappoint everyone.
    I see so much talent around me. People in my school who know exactly what they are talking about. I feel that I don’t own my success, I’m in 5th year only because I chose the good teams.
    How can you know if it really is an impostor syndrome ? What if I’m really that bad and just pretending because I can’t let my parents worry about me.

    Excuse my english,
    RetroRoux.

  945. I always have the unshakeable feeling that people will find out I am a phony artist. I even have trouble calling myself one because most of the things I draw is fan art from cartoons. It’s silly because I’m doing all the work, for hours on end I focus on making my art as perfect as I can (which is also stressful because I never know when to stop). It has caused me to have extreme social anxiety because of the fact that
    1) I think I don’t know anything about popular culture or what people talk about

    2) I fear talk about my interests because I feel like I’m not enough of an expert in the topic.

    It’s like I know externally that I will never know everything about a topic, but I feel like if someone finds out something important I don’t know about a topic I’m supposed to be an expert in, then that makes me a fraud.

  946. Man, I hope you help me out with this one. I’m 18 and for so much of my life, I think I’ve had this. At school I rarely participated in sports, so I labeled myself as the smart guy and stayed a good student. I feel like I’m never competitive though, like I really want to rough house and play around and say the dirty things I think of jokingly. But I don’t, I stay to myself often and don’t share my opinions. Instead of being authentic I feel like a nothing. In reality I think maybe I’m a big ass or wimp so I just don’t do anything. Like its wrong to be a guy, guys are crazy and mess with people sometimes but I just suppress everything to be the acceptable personality I need to different people.

    • Nevermind, I realized I wasn’t who I thought I was. Thanks for the post, it helped me realize this and I feel a lot happier!

  947. Brian,
    Thank you for writing this article. It is full of absolute gems to help me make sense of the “imposter syndrome” and diffuse it. Just the realization that so many people feel this and I am not alone lessens the impact of it.
    I appreciate your courage and humanness in sharing this.
    I look forward to more real insights from you!
    KR

  948. Hi Kyle
    I have realised that I don’t put in my 100% towards any project I take on, I think somewhere I feel that if I give it my best effort and fail it would confirm that I am not good enough. Half baked work gives me an excuses to hide behind, if I had more time or resources I could have done it better. I had a project review today and I really got screwed. Overheard my boss bitching about me to my team mates of how I am not upto the mark and am a burden to the team. I just don’t know how to motivate myself to put in more

  949. Kyle, I’ve just Heard about this syndrome yesterday, and all day long, I have reading about it, I´ve just realized that most of my professional life I have been feeling inadequate minimizing my personal achievements, It’s a relive that that now I found the diagnose and the therapy to cure it.
    thank you, and I’m just starting the 21 steps, I’ll be in touch.
    Jose.

  950. I’ve avoided doing, art-sculpting designing, painting, creating; because I think that because I didn’t go to a design/art school I wouldn’t be as good as all the other people that have gone. I also think that because it’s been 6 years since I graduated college with a different major that I should just stick to what I know and not make a fool out of myself. There are plenty of other people that are much better then me already working in a design field and there is no hope for me.

  951. Great post Kyle!
    I am a self-taught web developer. I am always constantly learning and much of it is on the job/project. I always wondered why I get so anxious when a client or boss gets disappointed when something doesn’t work right or I make a mistake on something. I try to bullshit an explanation of the issue by blaming it on some glitch or other browser issue but it always feels like they see through my excuse. From there I begin to get anxious and catastrophise that I have no idea what I’m doing and I am going to not live up to my ego of being a star and be an expert that people put on a pedestal. Oohhhhhh the humanity! Thanks for letting me write my thoughts.

  952. I think if I am going to be gut-level honest, my IS expresses itself because what I do (basically coaching people very very deeply) feels like a gift that doesn’t come from “me”, it comes through me. I am presenting to the world some very high ticket offers and I am terrified that once I get their money, I will disappoint them, that somehow the muse will not show up for me in that moment and they will be so angry that they wasted their time, money and expectations on me and I wasn’t able to deliver.

    A few years back, I was doing some beautiful healing work on people with essential oils. I got mostly amazing feedback, but two powerful women in the community did not have a good experience in the sessions I gave them and they let me know.
    It totally shook me to my core and whatever innocent (in a good way) feelings I had about having a gift for helping people in that way was shattered. I pretty much stopped doing what I was doing because I had been exposed as a fraud. (I hadn’t thought of myself as a fraud until that point).
    Now, with my true life’s work, I am literally paralyzed with fear that if this gets “taken away” from me, I will have no where to go. I won’t know who I am. I am 57 years old and both my husband and child are unable to work as they both are chronically ill so I am the sole breadwinner. EVERYTHING depends on me. I can feel my blood run cold when I think about the pressure and responsibility that carries. I have been told countless times how much I have helped various people, but in coaching, if someone is not ready, they are not coachable. I don’t know how to get past that. Sorry for whining. I hate when I whine, but you gave us permission to.

    thanks so much for writing this article from the bottom of your heart. It is very loving and supportive.

  953. I am an attorney and I recently stumbled across this syndrome and realize that I have dealt with this since grade school–everyone told me I was gifted in my thinking. Now that I have made it through grad school and law school, which was also a feat, I am terrified of being a trial attorney and THAT IS MY GOAL. My fear bleeds over into public speaking because I believe that arguing before a judge and jury and opposing counsel, I will be exposed as not competent, not good, ineffective and just not worth the title of trial attorney

  954. My Fraud Police appear when I’m afraid that I’m not pulling my weight, and being the weakest link for everyone else. Of course, there has to be a weakest link in any group, but my ego pours the guilt on if that’s even considered. For not pulling my weight, for letting everyone down, creating more work for everybody (how DARE you not pull your weight!). I also feel like nothing I do is ever good enough—maybe these aspects are other ways it can manifest.

  955. American is changing for the best i can say this because the gay community just literally got liberated i mean we can officially get married and be part of the the American society. When i heard the news i was filled with joy i mean me and my fiance the man i have always can finally own our marriage certificate in Georgia.It was not always right for us if you know what i mean. Before we got married in California ,he was not in love with me or i would say he was in love with me and lost for another guy and it was frustrating.We were off and on and mostly times our break up was always bad it always ends with huge fight. I loved him and wanted to be all his for the rest of my life but he did not see that he wanted to have me to himself and still see other guy i mean who does that? He was the queen of heart breaker and also was perfect when he wants to mend the heart. This was why i also went back to him no matter what always led to our ugly break up. But this madness just kept going on over and over with us and like i said i was sick of it. You can’t hurt me over and over again and still come back to me i mean i am not a play thing you use and drop when you tired. Judge me if you will it not like i care because all my life people have always said trash about me but if i had paid their attentions i would not have been this happy. After searching for means to make him commit to me even taking him with me to couple counseling i decide i contact a spell caster called Obudun Magonata it was just an arbitrary choice i mean, i told myself if he can’t help me i will move on with my life maybe the one i clam to be the love of my life was not the one after all. Obudun Magonata is an angel sent from a place i don’t know.He save me and made me he happiest man on earth or more preferable the happiest gay man on earth . I don’t know how he did it just after he help me cast a love spell, every pain that i was going through was lifted of my shoulder like magic my lover became the queen of hearts i would say he became mine and loved me like his life depended on it.When i first contacted Obudun Magonata, he told me to come down to his temple so i may witness the greatness of his work we got the materials we used for the spell together and just after four day i say the greatness of his power.But i spent a lot Because i had to travel all the way to Africa.It will be cheaper for me to have had him get the materials form me but i was foolish. But its amazing i still got my heart desire. He also told me that the gay community will soon be free and in just two months his prophecy has come to pass. Who wants to tell me he is not great contact i you will here you will not regret your decision use thus address spiritsofobudunmagonata@ ( yahoo ). com rewrite to a normal email format-

  956. Thanks so much for this article !! I am young in my industry and I always feel like everyone else knows way more than I do, or is smarter and has a better and quicker answer for everything . I am going to take all of this advice and worry about just me now! “My own personal legend ” and stop worrying about what people think . Sometimes I avoid social situations or speaking up because I feel like my 2 cents is not worth anything, and what do I know with just a couple of years experience. Well no more I am going to just get out there and do it and beleive in myself!! 🙂

  957. I’m so thankful for this post.
    I didn’t know what imposter syndrome was, but recently I’ve had multiple people tell me that it’s something they see me dealing with so I decided to look it up. A few searches later and I also found this and straight up not even going to lie, I cried. This paired with my anxiety disorders have really gotten the best of me. I’m constantly being told how great I am at the work that I do (I work in many different fields), but I just feel like I’m waiting for someone to “find me out.” It was made exponentially worse at a previous job when I fudged on a mystery shop phone call and my entire department had to do extended re-training. I felt like it was all coming to fruition, that I had let my fraud hurt others.

    It was bad enough that I panicked and actually ended up leaving the job despite being the main breadwinner for my family.

    The good thing is that since then much better opportunities have come to me and I’m on the career path I want to be on, but I still feel like a fake almost constantly. I just got an interview (for tomorrow!) with a blogger I’ve been following for many years. I know for a fact there were hundreds of applicants and so I’m questioning why on earth *I* would get an interview.

    I know I’m kind of just rambling, but I just needed to get this all out and didn’t feel comfortable putting it anywhere else. When I made my resume for the aforementioned position (I did a creative online resume) I was shocked at some of the things my colleagues said about me. Instead of being happy that I had that kind of influence on them, all I could think was that they were saying nice things to help with the job and not because they actually believe them.

    “Christina has shown me time and time again that there are still people out there who want to do good in this world. She is one of the most passionate people I have ever met and when she decides to do something not only does she do it, she excels at it. She is a diamond in the rough and has been a huge asset to the Empty Bowls Project team, I couldn’t ask for anyone more devoted and passionate about their work.”

    ^Like that. One of the most passionate people she knows? Huge asset?
    Was she sure she meant ME?!

    Anyway I’m rambling now again but just THANK YOU for this post from the bottom of my heart. You have no idea how much I needed it.

  958. I have shied away from becoming a manager because I wake up every morning anxious that I will be laid off because I think I don’t know enough. I look at co-workers that grasp concepts faster than me and I compare myself. I try to study everything thinking that if I just learn this I will finally feel like an expert. I work for a prestigious IT company and I wonder every day how I got here and how will I continue to stay. When will they finally say you aren’t living up to our standards? It is the worst feeling in the world to feel like that day in and day out. And then I feel embarrassed if I express this to anyone because I hate showing my insecurities.

    I even find myself making my co-workers feel some kind of sympathy for me so they won’t look at me and think I’m stupid. I look at my dad with so much confidence and I wonder why didn’t I get that gene??

    It has overwhelmed me to the point where I don’t even want to be in the field anymore. Even though the company that I work for is great. The groom you the way I need to it, but I dog myself out so much that I think I don’t deserve and can’t handle the effort needed to be successful. I’m tired of the anxiety I feel every day,

    • I say you find someone, ideally at work, you can tell those things to. For me externalizing them makes them feel just a little silly

  959. Great post kyle.
    One of my pet peeves is the lack of financial education in the public school systems, or if it was there, it was highly watered down and of limited value. This proved to be our Achilles heal in the latest recession.

    Thanks to you, I now have a second pet peeve, lack of exposure to the ” Imposter Syndrome ” . this can be a crippling holdback to people trying to move forward. Just knowing it’s there and what it is would be a huge benefit at the start of life’s journey.

    Perhaps these can help someone –

    There is nothing you can do about yesterday – it’s done -signed, sealed and delivered. You can look back on the day for any lessons, good or bad, learn from them, then move on – quickly though, as tomorrow is about to dawn.

    “Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but you can start today and make a new ending.”
    Veronica Costabile

  960. I am a fraud! I am a chameleon. I smile all day long and greet everyone with the same warm greeting, “hello”… Not because I care about you or care how you feel or even care what your problems are but because for one split second “I” made you acknowledge me acknowledging you. Wow, that’s harsh!

  961. Thanks Kyle! By far the best thing I’ve read on imposter syndrome so far. Naming it helps, sure, but sharing your own experience and giving others a chance to do likewise is far stronger and more effective. Everyone is just getting along and making it up as they go. Being honest about that is such a liberating thing, with oneself and each other.

    I’ve found lately that I’ve been pursuing so many different ideas to give my working life more meaning that I’ve also been using them as a distraction and excuse for avoiding what I really want to be doing; and have wanted to be doing a long while. Writing more, more often and making my own content. So, though some of the other ideas are also great and valid, and maybe I’d like to do them too, I’m going to give myself a chance to do what I’ve wanted to for so long, first. Write now.

    Will be coming back!

  962. I am a very likeable person. I am ‘open’, friendly, charming and very helpful, but I do (did) feel like I am (was) faking it. Being so friendly….isn’t it too much? Am I trying to please them? Why? My colleagues are so good and nice to me, but they don’t really know me…just the me working with them… so then I shy off, and come off as arrogant or maybe thinking I am better than them…. but I do really want to help everyone as far as I can and I do want to make this world a better place and be friendly, because there are already so much sadness in the world.

    (this feels really weird writing all this)

    I am a teacher and love it! I know I know I am making a difference in the children’s lives.
    I am applying for a higher position now (Learning Support Educator), with much more responsibilities. It’s the first time I’m going to be in this job, and feel so insecure all the time, but I know I can do it.
    I am stressed about the interview, because I am shy. The previous interview did not go very well, because I just went blank :i.

    I really do (did 😉 feel how did I land in this position??
    My principal, my deputy, my assistants, my colleagues, even the people who is going to be in the interview panel keeps telling/reminding me of the good job I’m doing. How I am perfect for the job. I have this part telling me that I am fit to be in this position… but then how the hell did I get here? Yes, 10 years experience, 5 years of studies, but do I really know what I am doing?

    all of this is a bit mixed up, I just typed what I was thinking… feels weird.

    Anyhow….

    After reading this I do feel more confident! And I am going to come off it…

  963. I dropped out of college because the risk and costs of failing were too high, that and if I did fail I would be “seen through”.

  964. Wow, I can’t believe I’m doing this, but here goes…

    I’ve been in my field for 13+ years and feel like I have faked my entire way through. The feeling ebbs and flows, and today, the feeling is definitely flowing.

    I was contacted about 2 weeks ago to be one of the lead scientists on a huge, 7-year, $5.8 million project. When I received the phone call, I was extremely excited, but the more I thought about it, the more I kept thinking, “I can’t do this”, “there are many more qualified people than me.”

    So, in an act of self defeat, I contacted the guy who called and asked me to be a part of the project this morning . I gave him the name of someone I feel is more qualified and told him there wouldn’t be any hard feelings if I wasn’t chosen to be a part of the team. I definitely don’t want someone else to be chosen. This project means a lot to me; it’s the project I’ve been waiting to be a part of my entire career!

    After giving what I had done some thought, I typed in my search bar “what to do when you feel you’re not good at your job”. Lo and behold, I learned about the impostor syndrome, the phenomenon described me to a tee! My further investigation brought me to your page and I bookmarked it so that I can read it anytime these feelings flow. Thank you for this.

    Rheannon

  965. I’m a grad student working on my doctorates to become a psychiatric nurse practitioner. I feel like a fraud all the time. I’ve been a nurse for 6 years and ffeel like I’ve just “gotten by” somehow without people finding out I have no idea what I’m doing. I especially feel this way now that I’m in grad school. I’m terrified that I don’t remember any of what I’m learning and that nobody should trust me to prescribe medications for them. I have a 3.6 GPA and still feel like I’ve somehow “gotten by” and tricked the teachers into thinking I know the material. When I ask my fellow classmates about a question I have in class they can all spurt off the answer without even referring to the book, which only makes me feel worse. I feel like I’m going to be the worst nurse practitoner when I graduate next May and I’m terrified of it.

    • Jess, if you haven’t, I would reach out to an experienced doctor that you respect and tell him about this. I promise you that experts at every level will suffer some level of this–especially in a field like medicine where nobody does know what they’re doing. There are so many unknowns. Honestly I think your questioning attitude will do better than an overly confident one.

  966. I’m starting a business and I didn’t have a suit to go and see clients in. I went to the suit store, put on the suit, when I looked in the mirror I just saw a child. I feel like I don’t “look” like someone who can be taken seriously in a suit, even though I want to make a good (and professional) first impression. Non the less, I bought the suit and I’m still going to go out and give it my best!

  967. Ooof. My challenge is to even attribute “impostor syndrome” out loud without caveats. Just calling it that makes me feel like a fraud, since it’s typically felt by high-achieving, successful individuals, and I think,”Riiiiight, like I have any right to compare myself to those people.” I can’t even capitalize (or take out of quotes) the words, “impostor syndrome” as that makes it too real and means that I actually believe it.

    The one person I’ve discussed this with, in a moment of deep and dangerous pain, just glossed over it and told me I was wrong. I’m at least confident enough to say that he was wrong: Impostor Syndrome fits me to a T, has since I was a child.

    I’m not sure I’m quote succeeding in this challenge, so I’ll have to come back another time and try again.

    Thank you for this, Kyle.

  968. Fascinating article- thank you! Why on earth is it so easy to recognise this Imposter Syndrome when others suffer from it, yet not recognise it in yourself??

  969. Thank you so much for your post, it was really interesting to be able to relate to so much!

    I work as a software developer and in such a digital world I often struggle to see my accomplishments. This first began when I started to struggle at University, asking peers assistance on everything, I’ve never been able to shake that.

    However, it does help to know other people are dealing with the same issues.

    Thank you!

  970. Thank you so much for this article. I was referred to the idea of “impostor syndrome” yesterday, after a friend noticed a long string of journal entries of mine that downplayed my successes. I live in extreme poverty, making less than 12 grand a year, and I just can’t bring myself to count “not being homeless” as a success.

    But after reading this article, maybe it is. Or at least, success for poor people. I’m rambling. In any case,thank you so much. These are concrete coping skills I can carry into the future with me. Thank you.

  971. I am so glad I found this article! I recently started dating this guy who is trying SO hard to help me break the cycle and I think these ideas will help us to understand my issues a bit better.
    It’s bizarre because I have confidence in some things. For example, I am willing to admit that I am smarter than the average bear, but these admissions almost make everything else worse. Instead of being proud of my accomplishments, I just say I’m lucky to have been born smart.

    Another issue I deal with is self-sabotage. My mom pointed it out to me recently and it has become glaringly obvious ever since. My fear of being found out actually makes me want to prove to people that I am not worthy. I am afraid people wouldn’t love me if they saw my true self, and so I purposefully act out to show them how unworthy I am. Then, when people love me despite these mistakes or flaws, I panic and think that I’ll have to do something even worse because surely they must have misunderstood the implications of my actions. I can’t make myself believe that if they REALLY knew me, they would still love me.

    Thank you for your insights, I am going to keep reading up on this subject!

  972. I do not resonate with #1: I do think I’m worth it, and that I deserve it, deserve it all! Why not, otherwise? Why others and not me? But still, sometimes, I do sit and still think I’m faking it, that I’ll be found out, that I’m an impostor. Mainly because my mother always told me: “don’t be a megalomaniac like your father”… but when he died, he kept on repeating “what if… why didn’t I…”. And when I think about all this, I get angry. And anger seems to be the only true emotion, the only real me: because I cannot control it. So, I think I’ll need to explore it and embrace it. Thank you for this post, mx

    • That’s a really interesting idea: anger is real because it’s the thing you can’t control.

      I don’t agree with that totally, it sounds just like you can control your others more?

  973. I’m not reaching my full potential in so many ways because of imposter syndrome. College was supposed to be a time for me to succeed in ways I haven’t before, to satiate my curiosity, to meet people who share the same excitement about life that I have – but I often opted to stay quiet, to wallow in bed, to dream of a better me instead. I now tell myself, “Next semester. Next semester you’ll be the best in every class and form stronger opinions. You’ll get it next time.”, but I fear that there isn’t a next time for me. I’ll just end up sad and lonely again, like I was for much of last and this semester. I don’t want this to happen though – and there is hope. Thanks for the advice. I shall use it to vanquish this little monster.

    • College is miserable for a lot of people, you’re not alone there at all.

      You don’t need to strong opinions, you just need strength to keep trying your hardest.

      To vanquishing!

  974. I couldn’t bring myself to finish my fanfic even though I’m still getting reviews asking for more but that’s not even the worst part, my O’Levels hang on my upcoming Math retake after I failed it and I keep saying it was cos I was sick and I know I was actually sick but I can’t believe it was because I was sick because it had to be because I can bullshit my way through English with an A1 that I definitely didn’t deserve someone must have made a mistake and I feel so guilty for writing that because I just did it again, making myself look victimized because of my “weak physical disposition” which I’m told is real but I don’t believe it because I must just be worse than everyone else and I can’t be brave enough to be honest about being slower than everyone else and my IQ test was a fluke and I have thoroughly squandered every single opportunity I had to be a better friend, a better daughter, a better sister, someone in my shoes would have done better but I know that’s not true but I really don’t because I can’t believe it and I’m going to try to actually try to pass my Math this time from now on because I can’t be constantly scared that it’ll ruin the image I have built of myself because there’s nothing to risk because it’s not real, no it is real so I need to be myself and I have no clue how I’m going to go about that actually I do because your amazing post just told me how but I’ll probably just mess up again and I’m just gonna stop here and post before I chicken out and my ego kicks in and stops me and I can’t stop myself for commenting on my own grammar and spelling despite having written this in 2 mins and I feel horrible now for mentioning it, no one needed to see that and no one needs to see this either and I should just stop because this might come back to bite me in the ass another day but I have to do this shit, I’m this close to just deleting everything so I’m just going to stop before I give in

    • I’m so sorry about my previous comment, it’s 4:30am now and I feel terrible about how my comment is going to be on this list, everyone else wrote concisely and I put up that messy thing that looks more reasonably from a 10 year old. If you don’t want it on the comments list, please delete it, I really don’t mind. I would just like you to know that I really appreciate what I have learnt from this post, I will do my best to follow your suggestions and it’s really comforting to know that I’m not alone in fighting this arrogance that I’ve always secretly despised in myself. Thank you. I’ll be sure to share this with my friends in case anyone I know needs it. 🙂

      • Don’t be sorry about it!

        Every story here helps others who’re going through similar things. So THANK YOU for sharing 🙂

      • What you wrote is beautiful! I’ve had so many of the same thoughts you expressed there. Thank you so much for sharing. 🙂

        • In high school I self-sabatoged all of the sports I played. I use to be really good at softball and I never thought I was at the time. In cross country I never pushed myself hard enough until one winter I pushed myself so hard that it hurt to walk for months. There was something wrong with my knee and I felt like such a failure. I went to physical therapy and realized during that time that I wanted to become a physical therapist. Yeah it was a huge bummer that I couldn’t move forward with running that season but I discovered what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.

          Now I’m going to grad school in the fall and I don’t think I’m smart enough or capable enough to become a therapist. I’ve worked really hard and have gotten straight A’s but I still don’t feel like I’m good enough. So silly, but it’s so true. I’m taking time off to focus on myself and regain that self acceptance before the semester begins.

  975. I can keep this brief, when I was part of a small startup out of Laguna Beach, CA — we were put in a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to sell our business to another company that were led by a rockstar proven startup leadership team. I was chosen, along with the CEO as being equal in contributions. I didn’t realize how important, I knew it intellectually, but didn’t really understand.

    I chose to join the new business, called Conductiv and was in a unique position to contribute to every side of the business. Imposter Syndrome is definitely the explanation of my behaviors — amongst the team, I felt like the newbie — but not even that, almost unworthy of being part of the team and I was invited and retained a VP title, volunteering to accept a position as a Director. I didn’t know how to step up, because I didn’t feel able.

    Things have changed — for the better — and seeing a presentation on this and then hearing that Google is combating this daily, showed me it’s a very really thing! Finally something that communicates the feelings — condensed, concise and positive.

    Thank you thank you! High Five!

  976. Wonderful article, just what I needed, looking to face my Monday mornings without fear and dread, at age 62 you’d think I would be sitting back with confidence instead of constantly fearing failure…. when success has been my constant companion throughout my career … as has been depression and fear of being found out to be a fraud… Your article was very validating and helpful, thank you

    • Thank you for your comment. It’s hard to appreciate from where I am that some things really are lifelong struggles, thanks for your continued strength!

  977. Dear Kyle,
    My daughter started having these feelings at 8 years old, she is now 13 years old and is making progress.
    Thank you for writing this article because I see that she is not alone. I hope to use some of your strategies and share them with her. She is considered highly gifted but we always attributed her feelings to her IQ. I now see it is a seperate issue especially since she is looked up to by younger middle school girls.
    Thank you and continued success. You have a gift and continue to share it please.

  978. I ended up in a career in writing that I’m okay with but don’t love. I chose it because my upbringing stressed having kids, even though that’s never been a dream of mine, and I could conceivably write as a stay-at-home mom.

    What I really want is a full-time career doing IT support, which I did in college, but I don’t have the certifications that career needs. I do have some experience from the four years I spent doing it in college, but I feel like it isn’t good enough to get a job doing network technical support I crave. I don’t want to apply anywhere because I feel like nobody would want to take a chance on me. I’ve signed up for a couple IT online courses, but I don’t feel like I’ll ever get to the point I can switch careers.

  979. I’ve avoided getting a better job despite all my credentials and accomplishments because I feel like my previous successes were a fluke I didn’t deserve. Or that I subconsciously attained those things without any idea how to really do them, and now I can’t replicate it. I’d rather not try at all than fail and realize I really AM a fraud

    • Even if you fail, you’re not a fraud. You’re just someone brave enough to try to do something they aren’t sure they can. (You know, what anybody who tries anything worthwhile does.)

  980. 2 years ago i took on a new role and did not do quite so well so decided to take a step down a year into it. I’ve spent the last year learning everything I can about it, but have a hard time meeting the expectation of perfection. That’s not my expectation by the way. Everyday I go into work, I feel like a fraud, that I shouldn’t be there because I’m just not good enough…no matter what.

    • Gina,if you look at the BEST performer in your field you’ll find that they aren’t perfect.

      Know that isn’t a quick-fix… but it might be a step

  981. I avoid trying new things with fear that I will be ridiculed by people to whom I present the ideas or with fear my ideas/thoughts will be rejected and I will not get enough support to execute them.

    I avoided trying for jobs at better places with fear that they will find me as a fraud.

    I shun away from taking new responsibilities, because of fear of failure and fear of me getting labelled as fraud

  982. Hi Kyle

    Loved the article. However, its tough for someone suffering to get inspired and kick out his/her habit or dysfunctional thought process just by one lifechanging experience or article.
    Honestly, theres another facet to this imposter syndrome. It may also happen to unsuccessful depressed beings such as myself and that could escalate and expand astronomically.
    Michael from The Office always dreamt of writing his autobiography and naming it “somehow I manage”. Well… mine would probably be “somehow I get by”. Almost like Seinfeld’s George Costanza and Not Kramer since Kramer is always a happy doofus.
    I dont usually get any accolades, and praises arent heard or stored in my memory… yet whenever small get togethers, social events or discussions happen I just remove myself from them. In 27 years of my life, Ive never had a friend or been to a party… when I was young maybe naive I might have hoped for it, however, now in my adult life I just self destructively avoid all form of societal gatherings.
    An article on wikihow suggested for non-deserving people to list out all the accomplishments no matter how minor it may feel. However, when I tried doing that I had an empty pad. Small stuff like me being disciplined and a bodybuilder etc. came in my head, and immediately a bully who i had unfortunately interacted with in school came in my head all the time saying even a dead donkey can do that.
    Seems like that bully image is somehow my negative side. I tells me that whatever I do anyone could do. And sadly, all I do is jump from one company to the next and not gaining any hands on experience on my technology. Thats why I look at people younger than me gaining that experience and when I compare myself to them I go to even darker depression.
    Ive tried psychiatrists/psychologists… and leaving aside the sham it is, I still dont think that getting rid of imposter syndrome or other mental disorders is worth 1000 bucks every 5 minute session I may have for years and years. If time was the answer then I may try leaving it up to the time dragging along hopefully and eventually making me feel deserving of any success.

    • Hi Anubhav, thanks so much for sharing your store. I wish there was something I could say, maybe there is… I don’t know what it is though.

      This is a fundamental shift, not something that the outside world can do to you. Something in your core needs to look out a little. It sounds cheesy, but I feel like you need to love something. Maybe start with a dog. Then one person that you trust yourself to talk to, then one more. Or something.

      You sound maybe depressed too, there’s something that I wrote about a bunch of little things that made it more bearable. Here that is: http://thoughtcatalog.com/kyle-eschenroeder/2013/03/some-suggestions-for-navigating-a-world-thats-110-bad/

      Please let me know how I can help

  983. I am genuinely impressed by and grateful for this article. I don’t even know how many times this disorder has held me back but I have always felt it to some degree. It is nice to give it a name. It’s always at its worst when I wake in the morning. I assume most people have it at some point. I travel and meet massively interesting and intelligent people and constantly feel like I am not doing enough and that I haven’t worked hard enough and that I’m not smart enough.
    Every amazing thing I have done and place I have gone I have been passed by somebody who got there first and worked that little bit harder.

    Your article genuinely made me feel better and your steps are all absolutely brilliant. You have a truly impressive set of accomplishments to place in your file with this comment thread and you should rightly feel proud of every one of them. I hope even half of these people can push themselves to something better.

    I wonder how many ripples will spread from the pebble that you dropped.

    There is, of course, the dark side of the cure. That nobody is ever satisfied and that, when we achieve our goals, life kicks us and says that we haven’t done enough and thus we move ahead and become frauds in another avocation. I have almost come to realize that if I don’t feel like an overwhelmed fraud then I am not challenging myself enough.

    Alexander the Great allegedly wept after all his conquest because there was nothing left to conquer.

    I would suggest one more rule that I have yet to learn myself:

    22. breathe and appreciate what you are and where you are even as you plan the next step.

    So many people try so hard to reach the next goal that they don’t have any fun on the way and keep striving for the next big thing. Take chances and put yourself out there and follow every genius step in this article, but don’t forget to appreciate the now.
    Participation in the future is not guaranteed.
    #12 You are going to die.

    • This is great, thank you.

      Alexander wept after his conquests because he never learned to take that breath you’re talking about. Caesar cried because he reached 40 without achieving what Alexander did… it’s a difficult balance: staying uncomfortable enough that you keep growing/progressing/moving yet not getting so uncomfortable you can’t do anything.

      Thanks so much!

  984. Awesome. I actually had tears in my eyes at some points.
    I am going through a bunch of job interviews right now and I often feel that I don’t deserve a job even though I am qualified enough. I think this might help me get over it.

  985. Today I have learned what the impostor syndrome is and how much it’s been part of my life. I think it’s been holding me back for a long time – I am young, though, so I hope there’s still time to catch up.
    I’m a female software developer in an all-male team of extremely good and experienced devs. I’ve been working alongside them for about 1.5 years (my 3rd job) but haven’t once been able to shake the feeling that I am nowhere near as knowledgeable as they are, even though I’ve been told on many separate occasions that I was a great addition to the team. I find it hard to talk about work or other programming related topics with them because I’m very afraid I’ll say something stupid and get found out for not knowing as much as they do. I’m not even saying what I do in my spare time when the topic comes up, as I don’t want them to know I’m working my butt off studying, all to shake this nagging feeling that I don’t belong there.
    I’ll try to use the tips you so generously provided to get over it – not easy when you’ve been doing it all your life.

    • Not easy at all… really freaking hard I think.

      If you read the other comments here you’ll find quite a few other software developers. I think you may relate with them.

  986. I really appreciate this post…I am so glad I’m finding out that this imposter syndrome is actually experienced by a lot of people and not just me. I moved to Nyc to make a career in tv but I’ve had a difficult time breaking in and I stopped working on my independent projects because I believed that unless I had a producer title given to me by an employer, my projects wouldn’t be “real” or taken seriously. Now I’ve realized that I don’t have to wait for someone to validate me – as long as I’m producing I am a producer, it doesn’t matter if it’s for an employer or not. I have to be super persistent and confident because if I don’t believe in myself, why would anyone else? Now I feel like I have the keys to the kingdom, and my life is much less anxious and more enjoyable.

  987. I don’t even know where to begin on this, but I really enjoyed this post. There are many things I’ve avoided because I have felt like a fraud. Sometimes it was a reality check in recognizing I truly didn’t want to do something or truly lacked the proper skills. Other times it’s simple fear and lack of confidence.
    As a creative, I think lots about “masters” and “imitating the masters.” I recently did an informal poll among my other creative friends about this process and if it gets in the way. They all agreed that imitating the masters was an important part of learning their craft and finding their own voice.
    On further reflection I thought of Beethoven and Shakespeare – undoubtedly masters of their craft. If all subsequent musicians and authors stopped because they “didn’t measure up” to the masters, think of all the wonderful and amazing music and books we would have missed out on! I guess this is #5 on your list.
    So, the children’s books I’m working on may not be as good as a Dr. Suess or a Maurice Sendack, but it will be a different voice that will relate to a different set of people in a different way. This is how I get myself to keep going despite the sometimes crippling fear that creeps into my heart that I have no idea what I’m doing (which, rationally I know is not true.)

    Thanks for reinforcing that!

    • “On further reflection I thought of Beethoven and Shakespeare – undoubtedly masters of their craft. If all subsequent musicians and authors stopped because they “didn’t measure up” to the masters, think of all the wonderful and amazing music and books we would have missed out on! ”

      YES! You’ve got to make in the face of the masters 🙂

  988. Well! In short, I practice daily imposter syndrome because i refuse to sit myself down and write because i already tried once (took time off from working full time, for six months) and what i wrote ended up being horrible. Then i couldn’t find work for another six months, falling backward in debt instead of forward toward the dream i had: “Im going to be a WRITER!” In short, i almost can’t let myself dream about it anymore. Instead, i work 8:30 – 7 every day with a long commute and am back in the office working world where most people i work with are not very happy. And i feel like this is where i belong. This makes me sad, even though Im aware of the acceptance. I also have imposter syndrome because: the friends I have that I admire and enjoy and love the most, and think are just so neat, i have become so oddly…insecure…reaching out to, because i just dont understand what we can relate on anymore somehow, i just have not done much w/the last 10 years of my life. I am not as funny or fun as i used to be in my twenties. I know im in there somewhere but i rarely come out anymore (figuratively), and even when i do i only have energy for a couple of hours (a cocktail over dinner). But camping? Events? Fun plans with friends? Travling with friends, doing things outside the box? I dont do them anymore. So at the end of the day, I resist fun activities im invited to, avoid big events and dont visit my old job which has lots of people who know me and apparently used to like me way back when. It’s not that im a recluse – honestly – i have some close relationships and a sig other but, I fall more w/in that world of “mid/late 30s where everyone is pairing off”. So one doesn’t really notice, and the truth is that i haven’t just paired off, i avoid people who might like me … im afraid and clam up and can’t think of things to even talk about ! I just become so self absorbed and insecure. Especially around those who know my creative pursuits, my attempts at performing and have at one point, been an old friend. So! Yeah. There it is.
    Now that i read it…sounds super rediculous.

    • You said “I PRACTICE daily impostor syndrome…”

      That’s super intersting because it IS a practice – it’s your degault practice.

      It sounds like you could consciously practice the opposite. Maybe by writing in your journal every day all the things you know are true about you and your life.

  989. I don’t even know what I haven’t done, my impostor syndrome’s so bad!

  990. Wow, Kyle, thanks so much for this post! I have always felt not good enough, but only recently did I realize that the name for what I most likely have is Imposters Syndrome. I really liked your statement about authenticity; just because there are different parts to ourselves doesn’t mean we are being any less loyal to any one part. I also liked your suggestion of writing for 30 minutes, I have been feeling really anxious about this, and that helped clear my thoughts a lot. Seeing my irrational thoughts on paper makes it easier to see just how irrational they are!

    For your challenge, one thing I avoid doing is giving people my time to do things, whether hanging out or helping with something, because I don’t want them to have expectations about me only to let them down. However, you are totally right, and this very selfish and is outside of my circle of influence, if I do the best I can. While I don’t want to go out and now overcommitment myself, I do want to try and genuinely help others, like you said!

    Thank you so much Kyle for sharing! It really did help, and gave me back the motivation to be a better me!

  991. Hey there!! Just read this and it was excellent. I feel like an imposter frequently. I have friends who talk big and an ex who talks even bigger. I help people get healthy and sometimes I wonder what I am doing …. who am I to be helping people? Who am I to want to make more out of my life? I even feel like a mom-poster sometimes to my children.
    Thanks for the chance to say what I needed to.

  992. Thanks for this post and challenging us to comment.

    My confessions: Lack of self-confidence is holding me back from moving and growing my career.

    I’m a journalist who wants to change beats. I want to start a blog in my target beat. Some of the biggest blogs on the same topic are so boring to read. But they have thousands of followers! I don’t even bother because I don’t think I could compete with their audiences. I think I’m not a good writer and don’t want to put my writing out there for everyone to read in one place. I’m a professional journalist in the mainstream media for god-sake!

    I am an imposter who wants advice on how to improve. (I’m all about professional development). But sometimes, people interpret this as humble bragging. Trust me, I have nothing to brag about. Comments like this make me afraid to ask for feedback. My cycle of inadequacy continues.

    These thoughts are holding me back from my one dream in life — to move to Europe. If I can’t do a good job in North America how could I do a good job in another country where I know nobody, will be working in my second language, and dealing with a worse job economy?

    Thanks for allowing me to express this. My husband is that one person I can talk to about this. He listens but always says he doesn’t understand why I feel this way.

  993. Hi, I’m Lawrence.

    I don’t know when this article was posted, but I hope I am not too late to join in. I am suffering from impostor syndrome since I’m 11 (fifteen years ago.) Its on daily basis, I can occasionally wake up at night because of it.

    First of all, an important point: At school I was good in very specific things and was the worst of all in everything else. Astrophysics always been very easy for me, like alphabet-easy. Yet, I have a hard time writing very simple notes without making many grammar mistakes.

    This made me very depressed, since everything I wanted to do needed abilities I don’t have. Even worst, I felt like a fraud in the few things I am good at. Its still the case. I am aware I have knowledge most people don’t have, but I come up with ridiculous excuses, I actually believe it: “I saw it on tv, I read it in a book or the internet, someone showed me how it worked.”

    I know its ridiculous since… Those sources are pretty much how everybody learned everything they know. Yet, I feel like the knowledge I have are not knowledge to me, they are just information I put in my bag. I saw the documentary, if anyone else see it, they will know what I know, so its nothing. I always felt like learning something has to be difficult, and since I’m talented in the things that interest me, ITS EASY! Worst nightmare, right? While so many struggle to understand the singularity of a black hole, to me its so easy I could write it all down with my toes, so I’m not “really knowing these stuff.”

    I didn’t let the syndrome stop me from trying. I launched a company two years ago, I wrote a book and printed tons of copies. I launched it at a major event where hundreds of thousands of people were going. I sold 600 copies, but that is not the harsh part. I kind of made peace with that. The harsh part is that I got screwed up by my editor, he was a fraud. I ended up with unfinished and uncorrected books coming in a hurry, 3 chapters were missing. You can easily imagine that I blamed myself for not being more careful, not checking the books, for so many things. The reception was 40% good, 60% bad, which is a miracle. Yet, over five thousand copies of a badly written and incomplete book are in a room of my house, my ecenomy vanished and so did my dream of being a writer.

    The thing is, today I start in a new field, I built my resume, but I don’t take credit for what I did. I actually prepare myself for questions they will probably not ask. I feel like a qualified and useful professionnal is someone who successfully completed its project, not someone who failed at it. You hire a cook who can cook, not a guy who burn kraft diner. If I write that I wrote a book, that it didn’t work, that its my fault, that I lost most of my investment… Well, they will see what everyone would see: Someone who doesn’t know what the h*ll he is doing.

    I am unable to actually take this life experience and put it in my bag. To accept it, to say: Those who never try never fail.

    I convince myself that its nothing, that everyone who has a couple of dollars and some ideas can write a book, can register a company. And to be honest, I really feel like anyone with 6000$ can do exactly what I did and fail the same way, or even succeed where I didn’t. I feel the same about every single thing I’m good at, everything.

    I started my research to fix my problem over two years ago, where at first, I was looking for those who have difficulties. Those who have a hard time at school, at work, those who are challenged by very simple things, but nothing matched since my problem was not failure, it was accomplishment. I fell on the impostor syndrome by mistake and realized that it was who I am: Someone who sees all his knowledge and abilities as lower than most human beings.

    I am still aware of my talents, the problem is that I do not consider myself good. Its depressing, I can’t move forward in life, to join a new industry that passionate me, I have been a whole month in front of my resume constantly challenging every aspect of it.

    But here is where it gets interesting:

    I am stuck with another syndrome who is fed by the imposter syndrome. The other syndrome is the emergency of living, feeling like I’m running out of time. As if there was a watch around my wrist ticking until my last breath. I want to have time to do things, to live, to find love, build a family, have a good job, but I’m not as young as I was (yet I barely saw the 80s) and it scares me. I stay away from any schools because I feel like its throwing years of my life away.

    I struggle between my incapacity of feeling any accomplishment and my emergency to accomplish things, quite a mixt right? I’m like the dog chasing its tail. I want the thing I refuse to have. I know I need help with that, but I also know that I am aware of my problems, I am aware of what they are, that they are not real and that there are ways to overcome them. My inner belief is just so strong… Its been my reality so long that its a hole that I can’t fullfil with anything, the only thing thats been there my whole life was this syndrome. I don’t even know what being proud is, even if I felt it at this moment, I wouldn’t be able to tell this is what being proud feel like. The only thing that scares me more than running out of time is to realize that the time I’ve been there, I spent it in a cage.

    Hopefully the long text didn’t stop you Kyle, but unfortunately, in 15 years, its the first time I write or talk about it in anyway to anyone. I really need a way to take this syndrome off the track, my life is waiting for me and I just can’t assume my true potential, my success. Even the smallest word would mean a lot. Thank you.

    • I just read your entire comment Lawrence.

      From what you’ve said, I think I know something that would help. Two things, really. They are meant to shift your focus from anxiety about what you aren’t making or doing to on what you are doing and can do. It’s not going to feel good, not until it’s done.

      You need to commit to one month. If it doesn’t work then you can go back to whatever you’re doing. You just need to promise yourself that you will follow this regimen for one month.

      1. You do an Input Deprivation week (https://startupbros.com/input-deprivation-week-forcing-action-by-killing-information-addictions/). After that you are not allowed to watch any TV shows or YouTube videos. ONLY music and reading. And no self-help reading, no business reading, only fiction or technical reading.
      2. You meditate for 20 minutes when you wake up every morning. (Sit down cross-legged, on a pillow.) Focus your attention gently on the sensation of air going into your nostrils and over your upper lip. The point is not to have no thoughts, it’s just to gently bring your awareness back to that sensation whenever you realize it has left.
      3. Journal every night, stream-of-conscious for 20 minutes. You must keep writing no matter what, even if you write “I have no more ideas” over and over, things will come.

      If you do this, I promise that you will have a serious shift in your perspective. You’ll realize when you’re focusing on what others are doing instead of what you are doing and you’ll be able to shift your focus.

      Not many people would do this. But if your problem is serious enough I think a month of trying to fix it is cheap. I hope you go for it.

      • Hi Kyle, I just started the process (only exception is me coming here to tell you I did.)

        I must admit, its like being an heroin addict. My need to move forward, to be over-productive, to have more time, to accomplish more, to have higher goals all the time is burning like fire in my brain. Surprisingly, its almost painful. I never thought I was addicted THAT much to information. But yes, I am.

        Since my job is on computer and so are my projects, productivity is not an option for this time. But I am very curious to see how it will affect my perception of things by the end of it. I just realized how intelligent my dog was too!

        The only feeling I can compare to not being connected to hundreds of people at all time is when I was a kid and we ran out of gas on a road trip, You are in the middle of nowhere with your own thoughts.

        I will come back. Its the first time I hear about something I never tried before.
        Thanks!

        • It’s awesome you’re giving it a go!

          I hope you realize that by the end of this you haven’t actually been unproductive–you’ve just cut out a lot of stuff that feels “busy”. Hopefully you become even more productive by writing, developing, and actually taking action on your most important ideas.

          • The second half of Lawrence’s text, about running out of time along with the imposter syndrom – it is exactly my problem. Never before saw it written down. So good of Lawrence to make that comment here.
            I’ll try your method too. Thank you, Kyle.

  994. Wow. Thank you so very, very much for writing this. I actually chuckled out loud to several of the quotes/comments you wrote about. “Being found out”…..YES! I’m so grateful for google……..and your article. I had no idea so many felt the same way. The hardest thing for me to accept about me is that the things I know how to do seem so ridiculously simple and logical that how can they be of value if it isn’t “hard” to do?? And, I’m a generalist–I feel like I don’t “fit” into many job descriptions because they sound so SPECIFIC. I don’t have a specialty in the classic “career code/job description” sense of work. I’m done with this demon: YOU have been found out!

    • Hell yeah, Tim!! Generalists have so much to offer… it’s just that it’s harder for people to tell you exactly what that is. We’ve got to do it ourselves

  995. This article is exactly what I’ve been looking for. Thank you so much for writing it! Very well written.
    With that said, I have been wondering for years what the hell my problem is. I had no idea it had a name as well as others that feel the same. I would like to call myself an artist. But as we all know, I feel like a fraud and that I don’t have the right to call myself one. I’ve done art for years anywhere from drawing, writing, photography, interior decorating and my latest passion, digital painting. I never have won any awards or sold any of my work. I have always wanted to market my work but never felt it was good enough and I never knew where to begin. I think maybe I have always felt so fake at it is because I never could just focus on one element. I hop from one project to the next. I over analyze everything and then when I’m done doing that, I lose whatever confidence I had to show it to the world. Hence, self sabbatoging like you said. I know I’m doing it, but I guess it feels safer staying in my bubble than it would to expose what I’ve created, especially when I see other work that just blows mine out of the water!
    But reading this has given me some hope and insight that I’m not alone and I can fix this. But only if I can gather the guts to do so. When you stated that authenticity is a hoax, that really resonated with me.
    So thanks again for putting this article out there. I really needed this!
    Jaime.
    Btw, I lived in St Pete for years, I live just across the bay now in Apollo Beach. Hats off to a fellow Burg member!

    • Hats off to you too Jamie! I’m sure you know St Pete has been filling up with creators recently. Hooking up with some people who can relate to the struggle of needing validation to create would be a huge help.

      I hope you’re willing to share something you make here with us!

  996. I feel like a fraud when I am seeking new career opportunities to apply to.

    Great article BTW- I am officially subscribing!

  997. Hi Kyle,

    This is a very very very cool article,
    I run the commercial team for an online tech company and used to be in advertising before this and have been living with this feeling for a while.
    I feel like i have the whole process and way forward in my head but when it comes to actually putting it down in the form of a presentation or on words i get stuck and it makes question whether i’m good enough, there is this lingering feeling that I am not supposed to be where i am.

    Do you have any tips to combat this ? The article made my day and have bookmarked it so i can go back every time i have this feeling.

    Thanks for putting this together and stay awesome.

    Cheers !!!!

    • Aegus!

      This whole article was about how to combat impostor syndrome!!

      The fact that you asked just highlights how hard it is to actually DO these things.

      You already commented, that’s one thing. Pick another and try it now.

      Usually it comes down to:

      1. Recognize it, then push into it.
      2. Force yourself into a situation where you’re distracted enough you can’t think of it. (Intense deadlines, high-stakes situations…)

  998. Wow suits me to a tee! It’s saddens me that I have this fear and I do believe I’ve missed a lot of opportunities because of it. I quit high school in grade nine (currently in my fifties) then two yrs later did adult basic upgrading, 12 yrs later did a 2 yr college diploma in Economic Development. Completing this diploma was intense and included a lot of university courses, final marks was straight “A” ,s. I’ve been highly successful initiating and completing a wide variety of projects over the yrs but have always had a fear that ppl would just see me as a high school drop out. I’m also an extraordinarily good singer and have received many standing applause over the yr’s yet I cannot understand nor accept that I have such a gift unless I’m singing solely for myself.. Wow this article gave me some great insight! Thankyou

  999. #16 is the money maker in my mind. JUST TAKE ACTION. It’s all a mindset game and know one knows what they are doing until they do it.

  1000. It was a relief to read about such successful people feeling the way I feel. Tina Fey’s comment about swinging between egomania and feeling like a fraud? Sounds like my highs and lows to a “t.”

    I just don’t know how to tell how much is genuine imposter syndrome and how much is me needing to work harder and do a better job. You think when you reach adulthood you “figure it out” but with my mid 30s looming ahead, I feel so far behind!

    I teach and I worry, everyday, that I’m failing these kids because I don’t meet the expectations of my administration, or because they struggle on standardized tests. I know what I need to do to improve but I’m also exhausted everyday and feel like “faking it” is the only way to keep my head above water. But how long can I fake it before my students really start to suffer academically. What if I am one of those horrible teachers that the masses are talking about when they say teachers are the reason for a failing education system? When my friends or family point out my desire to be good, or the strong bonds I have with my students, are proof that I am a good teacher, all I can think is “you aren’t in the classroom with me! You don’t know how behind I am!”

    How can you tell if it’s just your own mind messing with you versus actual inability?

    • I don’t think you CAN tell unless there is an objective way to measure your progress. That’s the stuff that you just have to trust yourself to do your best on…

  1001. Yeah, thanks for this article. Before reading this article, I told myself “This is the year I start taking chances on acting. I won’t know until I try.” And I’ve been taking various acting classes for the past three years but haven’t felt good enough. In fact, my past is littered with self sabotage because I felt I wasn’t good enough.

    A month ago, I got cast in a feature, and now it’s kind of a daily battle to overcome this feeling that I’m an imposter actor. If only I’d gone to school for acting. If only I’d started earlier. If only I was more talented. The tape goes on.

    All I can say, is that today was a pretty rough day but I know part of the battle is cutting the tape off, and for some reason, between reading your article and others comments, I feel better. More precisely, I feel less alone, and realize whenever I’m feeling unworthy or untalented, it’s just as unhealthy as having too big an ego.

    So, I guess all of that is to say, thank you.

    • Congrats on getting the part! Even bigger congrats on taking the leap 🙂

      The whole production isn’t on you, there’s a ton of people needing to perform their part. I play with film a bit and remembering that helps me a lot. That and trying to respect the character enough to get out of me and into him. I’m not a pro though, there are probably much better actor-specific techniques.

      You’re the man, thanks for contributing your story. You actually made me realize that the comments here have probably become more valuable than the article. I just added an update saying so 🙂

      Thanks!

  1002. Thanks for your article, Kyle. I think I’m definitely suffering from I.S.

    I’m a high school dropout who later ended up doing a weird set of undergrad and grad degrees. I’ve always felt deep down inside that I succeeded because I chose unusual blends of pursuits, thus evading direct comparison with others. Next month I’m teaching a masterclass to some of the world’s brightest PhDs. I don’t have a doctorate myself and I really feel that I don’t deserve to have those brilliant people listen to what I have to say. I find it hard to believe that I could know something they don’t, despite the fact that they’re planning to attend my lecture of their own free will. 🙁

    I’m the only person at my firm without a PhD and I work double the hours because I’m scared that if I don’t churn out amazing work all the time, someone will realize I’m a terrible fit for my career.

    • Hi Annabelle,

      Thanks for writing this. I’d love to know what you’re presenting on.

      I can relate to your mixed up education. I’ve done something similar on purpose but easily forget the value of the unique combination when faced other more traditionally respected pools of knowledge.

  1003. I haven’t been participating in my online school at all because I’ve been suffering from Impostor Syndrome. Everyone else on there (I think) is that hippy, sustainable, kombucha-drinking, yoga dancer. Meanwhile, I’m a fat, lazy, depressed woman who would love to be a hippy but can’t seem to ever FEEL like one.
    How I’m going to work on getting over it? I’m going to start participating. Even if it exposes me as someone who isn’t as knowledgeable as I’d like to be. Even if it means feeling like an idiot. Just being part of the group and being accepted and hey! maybe knowing a thing or two that someone else didn’t would be nice. 🙂

    • Thanks for starting by participating here 🙂

      I love that — “…who would love to be a hippy but can’t seem to ever FEEL like one.”

      I bet you’re working toward that kind of feeling now

  1004. Thanks Kyle,
    You’re so F-ing right. We will be so regretful on our deathbeds for all the stuff we didn’t have the balls/ovaries to do in the past. Pain weighs ounces, regret weighs tonnes. I’m an optometrist of 2yrs who has spend everyday reading articles, buying internet marketing products etc you name it. I even started a seminar business with a friend which went well but we didn’t have a second event as it fizzled out. All of this lack of action is due to imposter syndrome. Thank you for showing me what it was all along.
    Now, to make that website I’ve been putting off for 2 years…

  1005. Thank you for this fantastic post! I am a software developer and you have helped me to put a name and strategy around my anxieties that have bothered me for over 10 years. Plus another great post on medium.com that deals specifically with software dev. I am bookmarking both posts and have read them about 10 times each in the past two days. I especially like your comments about always adding value, and that people sometimes don’t get it right; in software, working right is expected, therefore I take bugs in my code very hard. It is challenging, but I can see that my work adds MORE value and has LESS bugs than others, which conflicts with my “don’t compare yourself to others” view. Comparing myself to myself only shows me what mistakes I made, and your article makes me think harder about accepting my mistakes as a fact of life and not an indication of the overall quality of my contribution. Thank you for publishing this!

    • Jason, it’s really interesting how many developers have commented here. I had no idea of the situation. It seems from the outside much different, but I can understand now how that can push impostor syndrome on you. Thanks!

  1006. Kyle,
    Awesome read. I got so much out of this. I feel like an imposter on a minute to minute basis. The strange thing is that I can remember a time when I felt the opposite of that. It’s funny because I’m basically the same person just MORE experienced. There’s this pressure to think that you have to have degree after degree or accolades and trophies to feel like you know anything well enough to inform people or sell them on your opinion. It seems like whomever has the loudest voice or most commanding presence is the smartest guy in the room.

    I will be using the term Imposter syndrome from now on!

    Thanks,
    Kacy

    • Hi Kacy,

      You reminded me of this quote I like a lot from Steven Presfield’s Gates of Fire: “My wish for you, Kalistos, is that you survive as many battles in the flesh as you already have fought in your imagination. Perhaps then you will acquire the humility of a man and bear yourself no longer as the demigod you presume yourself to be.”

      I think that’s the foundation of Montaigne’s idea of wisdom as kind of learning the severe limits of your life as you age and dealing with them upright.

      You’re certainly more capable than you’ve ever been 😉

  1007. Hi Kyle! Thank you for this post, now I don’t feel so alone and stupid anymore. “It’s just Impostor Syndrome.”

    I have never tried marketing myself (I make websites) because most of the times I feel like a fraud, that I’m not an expert. Well, It’s Just Impostor Syndrome. Thank you so much.

    I have blogged about it though…. http://salwalks.com/2015/02/impostor-syndrome/

  1008. Hi Kyle,
    I’m 51 and have experienced this phenomenon many times since I was 29. The first time, at 29, was like an out-of-body experience.
    At that time, I was managing a small residential construction premanufacturing plant. My duties also included all design/drafting and sales. As well, I was operating my own design and drafting firm in my free time.
    The owner of the plant was in another part of the country developing busines so I was on my own for 4 months. During that time, I increased revenue by 50%.
    When he returned we met with a prospective investor.
    We were all sitting at the boardroom table and I was asked what I felt were the strengths and weaknesses of the company. While considering my answer I experienced a physical sense of shrinking in my chair to the size of a 6 year old and thinking ‘Don’t they know I’m just a little kid?’
    I’ve had a few similar experiences, not of that magnitude, since then.
    I went on to operate my Architectural Design firm, on my own, for 6 years.
    For the last 16 years my wife and I have been provincially bonded upper scale residential new home and renovation General Contractors. Sounds great, lots of ups and downs, especially with the recession. We made it through it all and started to see a profit again last year. Yay!
    2 1/2 months ago, December 16, 2014, we had an unscrupulous and devious customer tell us that he was not going to pay us for $110,000 of our workmanship and material. This devastated our company and our self confidence.
    As an entrepreneur, I have been spending most of all of my hours, everyday, online, reading and listening to other’s knowledge and experience so that I can pick myself up again and start over.
    I have been so very encouraged and enlightened by your writing, Kyle. You are a very wise and courageous young man.
    Thank you for what you’ve given us.

    • Thank you for the kind words and your story Brian. I think the comments on this post are worth more than the thing itself… so many dealing with the same thing.

      If there is anything we can do to help with your business just let me know.

  1009. After reading your blog today i dont feel alone. In fact I feel kind of silly for thinking all this time I was a fraud. My issue is I want to start a business. In my mind I say.. Your not an entrepreneur. I find comfort..that its ok to try.

  1010. I NEVER KNEW HOW I FELT HAD A NAME!

    I’ve always felt like an imposter in my programming career. Never as good as anyone else & it’s the type of industry where you just don’t get mentoring or apprenticeships. You are just supposed to ‘hit the ground running’. Plus the type of personalities you get in this industry “oh that guys an idiot because he didn’t know x”.
    Thanks for writing.

    • Hey Pete, that is a crazy profession. So much mixing of science and art and oddly huge personalities.

      I didn’t know about the forces you mentioned, thank you. I hope this has helped you deal with them.

  1011. What I’m feeling today. Because I know I’m gonna get the black and white piece of paper for my promotion.

    Which I absolutely think I do not deserve.

  1012. Hey Kyle,

    I stumbled upon the term impostor for the first time today and after I found your great article I started to mind map the whole thing in German – just to make sure I get it in my head 🙂 Very good collection of advice and I can relate to most of it.

    I am a singer/songwriter struggeling to find my new “me”, finishing all the songs I have started, going out there and finding me a great producer for my next album. The latter is what I definetely should do next. I tried it with one person I know and I felt belittled the way he talked about my new songs (“well, they sound like you, mh..”) and it hit me, when he told me about his price – impossible. “Funny” thing about it: I never really wanted to work with him in the first place, I only did it for trying out how it feels. But then it got me down anyhow.
    Now working through your article helps me to find a new perspective. I felt terrible the last two times I had an album release – now I understand how stressed I was and for what reasons…! I remember telling a friend about it: Look at my shiny homepage, it’s all a hoax!! It’s good to give it a name now. Although it also feels to me, as you stated in your first sentences: <> Let’s see where it goes from here! Thanks!!

  1013. Not sharing this article to avoid telling the world I am suffering the Impostor Syndrome.

    Not applying to a certain job because someone I know already works there and I don´t want to prove to her I am not as smart as she is…

    I found number 5,9 and 19 the most refreshing to read.

  1014. Your article really cheered me up. I can’t count the number of times that I’ve chalked up my success to me getting lucky or people giving me a break. There are a lot of things I should have celebrated but never have because I didn’t think I earned them. I’ve held back on doing many things because I think I’ll fail or people will realize that I have no idea what I’m doing. Even in relationships I fear the people I care about most will wake up and see me for who I really am and leave. No one should live thinking like that, so I’m going to give your 21 steps a try starting with what I’ve avoided. The biggest thing I have avoided is taking risks and going outside my comfort zone. I always feel like a fake when I try to do something that’s completely different from my character or interests. I tell myself that I shouldn’t be doing “x” because I’ve never done it, so I have no business doing it. This doesn’t happen with every new thing I do, only with some things. Anyway, I’m going to do something that’s outside my comfort zone, and I will stick with it. I’m really glad I found this article. I think it even inspired me to get writing again. 🙂 Thanks.

  1015. I have avoided graduating from grad school and have worked minimum wage jobs while a lot of my peers have jobs with more responsibility that I would also like to have. I feel like I will never have a career that is meaningful, although I will likely be graduating at the top of my class at a top 19 school in a graduate program. I feel like I don’t know how to do anything and at times, this has led me to severe depression and feelings of disempowerment. I am recognizing this and telling myself that I am capable– and then am going to apply for my dream jobs. I would love to be a journalist, entrepreneur, writer, and healer– somehow melding all of these areas… but I don’t know how to start. I must not be afraid to start somewhere.

  1016. i feel like a fraud because i want to build my own web app from scratch i have to quadruple check every fact and relearn the same basic code over and over, i will build and release my app but i didn’t earn the right because i cant be recognized like a person with a degree

  1017. Thank you. Helped verbalize stuff that’s been in my head, sort between my bs and others’ bs. I will need to return to this again for some consecutive days I imagine.

  1018. Awesome article, pretty much sums up most of my short-term thoughts and temporary blocks.

    I have trouble with the whole “I shouldn’t blog or continue forward because other people are already doing it and DOING IT BETTER than I ever could” syndrome. This can also relate to the not deserving “piece of the pie” disillusion example. Where someone might think that there is no pie left for them or they have no business to be there in the first place as a member of the whole pie (industry, art, product market, lemonade stand, ect.)

    Also, one of the BIGGEST negative scripts that I keep running through, especially after working for a few larger companies (Hilton, Disney) is that there must be some level of “officialness” or proven processes in order to do something. It’s almost like I’ve lost my childhood senses of exploration or ability to build new or trust safety nets that are not yet there, weak/unfinished, not even necessary in the first place.

    For example, I need to have an official folder or document for where we will list potential clients or leads. Then, they must be entered into the CRM or project management system a certain way. Shortly thereafter, we must contact them to sign a specific form in order to get access to their login credentials, ect. We must send over reports of our work in this particular fashion.

    I could go on and on from this example, however in the end I have learned that it is a mild case of OCD or “The Product is Never Good Enough” that holds back the whole operation.

    F### It, Ship It.

    I think that an entire article can be written about just these incompetencies or mental blockers that others feel. Thank you for allowing me the time and forum to let out some internal thoughts my friends 🙂

    -Rhett

  1019. Kyle- This is terrific. Imposter syndrome is so pervasive.

    I just interviewed a Silicon Valley CEO, incredible success story, for a book I’m writing. His first company ended up being worth almost $400 million, and while it was growing, he kept feeling like he wasn’t capable of running it, to the point that he brought in another CEO to run the company.

    Second time around, he stayed running the company. It just filed to go public for over $1B.
    My takeaways- learning and experience do help; you’re better than your brain wants to give you credit for, life does offer “do-overs.”

  1020. Wow.
    I have just read this post off the back of spending my lunch break crying to my partner on the phone, about how I feel as though everything in my life is fake, that I don’t deserve anything, and that it’s all going to get ripped out from under me at any second when I get “found out” for god knows what. And now, after reading it, I am sitting here reflecting on all the times in my life (past and present) that I have fallen prey to Imposter Syndrome (also feeling like a fake for writing that, but I digress). I was recently given a part in a musical after 7 years out of the game, and in my mind it was because I’m friends with the pianist, not because I earned it out of 100 other people auditioning; I have been running my own business for the last 18 months, and keep thinking that someone is going to come and get me, and expose me as a big fake/fraud, and lock me up or something; Feeling that my parter doesn’t actually love me, because he has “no reason to” or only loves an idea of me that I’m actually not; Going to meditation, and sharing an experience, all the while thinking that I must have just made it up, and that I’m faking receiving some kind of enlightenment; Feeling that the only reason why my partner is with me, is because it’s the easy option, and I pursued him, like he’s settling with me; Not answering business enquiries, because I’m not good enough to be in business, let alone take people’s money, and someone will expose me soon; Feeling the need to change my name on here, because what if someone finds this, and exposes my imposter syndrome, and then I’m caught out – then subsequently feeling as thought I’m faking having imposter syndrome, and that I’m just after some sort of attention; Not finishing my degree, because I think I’m not that smart, and that I would be caught out if I tried; Having an anxiety attack at the prospect of going back to Tafe, because I might fail; Not answering enquiries to an ad I HAD LISTED MYSELF to start a band, because these people are so much more talented than me, and my ad was all bravado, and I’ll be exposed as crap if we actually meet up to jam.

    There are countless other instances, but these are just the ones that have swam into my head now.

    I don’t know if I feel better, or feel sick (or feel like I’m faking feeling sick) now that I know that there is actually some sort of name to how I feel EVERYDAY (or am I exaggerating there???)

    But at least the knot in my chest seems to be dissipating, and I feel as though the crazy is receding, ever so slightly.

    I guess acknowledgement is the first step to getting better.

    Thank you.

  1021. I haven’t started my own freelance writing company, because I feel like I can’t. Because I feel like I can’t write for sh*t and my spelling is absolutely appalling (I had to look up that word in order to know how to spell it). I feel like I can’t make it with my own freelance business, because I just can’t and get rejections everywhere I try to send a pitch to. So to me this feels like ‘surely there must be something wrong with me… rigth?!’

    • Hi Luthien,

      It sounds like this might be as simple as studying better copywriting techniques and practicing. We all have to look up dumb words lol.

  1022. Damn, didn’t even know impostor syndrome was a thing! Every point resonated with me and gave some perspective, Great article thats given me a great start to the day!

    Half the time I avoid just being myself because I do not want to let me parents down!

  1023. Throughout my whole life, I have loved writing. I always wanted to be an author or even a journalist – but never went through with it because (this is what I told myself) there is no place for these occupations in South Africa.

    At this precise moment, I realized that I have been lying to myself. If I became an author or a journalist, I’m sure I would have been able to find work. I just suffered from the impostor syndrome as well as the fear of failing and not being good enough.

    I can’t believe it took me so long to realize this.

  1024. What of the people who move forward in their respective fields to the detriment of others? People who actively cheat, lie, and scam their way to the top? Surely, that doesn’t apply here right?
    One easy example is when an artist traces art and presents this work as their own in professional portfolios. Or a developer who present slightly tweaked premade templates in their portfolio.
    When I bring this topic of “impostor syndrome” and how some people feel it’s okay to fake it to the detriment of others, I can’t find myself excusing THESE specific situations. I love this article and would like to know what you think of situations like this where people move ahead in a toxic way.

    • Hey James,

      I pointed to this with the psychologist cartoon. I don’t want to make too much of a moral judgment here. We are all delusional to some extent about our capabilities–there is no way to know the upper limit of our potential. We have to believe in something that doesn’t currently exist in order to create the future.

      You’re not talking about that though, you’re talking about the assholes. And yeah, they are the ones that SHOULD feel like impostors… and maybe they do, they’re just comfortable feeling that way.

      When you mention portfolios I think you get into fuzzy territory (I’m assuming the artist change it in some large way). “Great artists steal”, Bob Dylan’s first album was full of covers, and everything is a remix: http://everythingisaremix.info/watch-the-series/

      Basically, unless you are DIRECTLY harming another, I think it’s safe to steal stuff and make it your own. That’s what you do even if you don’t notice it. That being said, I like to say where the ideas are coming from that I’m stealing.

      Again, the lines get blurry. The 80/20 rule will take us far here–if we’re not obviously an impostor then we should free ourselves from feeling like one. We should trust ourselves to be good.

  1025. It’s so easy for us to tell ourselves that we don’t know things, but of course we do! This blog post came into my life as an affirmation of feelings stirring within me. Thank you for sharing!

  1026. I spent 20 years working for the same company, worked my way up from a computer operator, to an entry level programmer position and eventually managed a team of 10 software engineers. The entire time I felt like an impostor. I didn’t have a degree like so many others and I knew that didn’t hold me back. I was respected by my staff, by my management team, but I never let myself enjoy the success I had. I was an impostor. Someday “they” would realize that I was a fraud. When that day came and our positions were eliminated in favor of outsourcing, how that little demon delighted in telling me “I told you that some day they would figure out that you didn’t belong.”

  1027. What a great article. So often I compare my work to others who appear more successful than I. A friend at work would often remind me that NO ONE knows what the hell they’re doing and we’re all just making it up as we go along! Just focus on your successes and learn from your failures.

  1028. I’ve had three jobs since I graduated back in 2012 and at all three places I’ve suffered from imposter syndrome. I feel like I don’t belong and that I don’t know what the hell I am doing. This article is definitely an inspiration and it’s comforting to know that there are others out there who go through the same thing!

  1029. I’m in my last year of university right now. I had plans of going into grad school since my dream is to become a university professor – something about engaging people is amazing in my eyes.

    However, I have had major depression since this September, and since I feel like dropping out of school. I am terrified of approaching professors or talking to them about carrying on with academia since I feel like I do not belong here.

    I’m seeing a therapist, and keep a journal. The part about “getting over yourself” and “just acting” are my biggest hurdles right now. You article gives me some hope though.

    • Hey Peter, good luck! I hope you don’t drop out–if that is really the right thing for you to do you can do it later when it’s coming from a place of strength.

      • Peter, I read your comment and wanted to tell you that it will get better. I cannot give you exact details of what has happened in my life but one thing that has helped me tremendously is “the next 15 minutes”. What I mean is when my focus is not where it is supposed to be – on myself. in the past or in the future – I give myself a “brain slap” (think 3 Stooges) and simply figure out what I am going to do in the next 15 minutes and get started on whatever it is immediately. Sometimes I will reset that “next 15 minutes” every 5 minutes until I get moving. Eventually I do move and I do get things done. “Semper Ad Meliora” (Always Towards Better Things) is the last tattoo I got to remind me that it will get better – and it does!
        As I said, hang in there and it will get better. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

    • Peter I think it’s amazing that you are receiving the help you need instead of complaining about your depression but not doing anything about it.

      I understand why you’ve been held from your achievements but what’s the worst that could happened – at least you would of tried. I’m sure the professors you’re are afraid to approach felt just like you at some point. Consider reading up on the history of the professors you admire the most – You’ll soon find a vulnerable side that you don’t see everyday, but that you can connect with.

      Lastly, why would you feel you don’t belong? It’s your dream and you deserve it just as much as anyone else. It sounds like you a have a fear of success. Wikipedia can explain it better than I can…http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonah_complex

      I hope this helps

      Good luck

      Naomi

  1030. Wow,
    I literally used to feel the same way but didn’t know what it is called.
    Now I do.
    Excellent tips to overcome it.
    I loved #12. “You’re going to die”
    Whenever the fear stops me from doing something, I say it to myself. It has helped several times.
    *Feeling better that I am not the only one suffering from this. 🙂

  1031. This is the first time ever I comment on a blog post.

    I have to say, I needed this article more than anyone here. I’m a self taught video production one man show. I sometimes feel that I’m impostor, and lower my fees seeing that I did not receive any hands on training or certificates like other companies have in their offices.

    You just gave me hope, seeing that I’m not the only one feeling like this.

    I love this article, I’m reading this again.

    Thank you….

    • I’m so glad this is helpful for you.

      Try this experiment: for your next gig, double your price.

      Nobody hires you for your certificate, just for you and the work you make. Kubrick wasn’t trained. Nolan wasn’t trained. Neither did Tarantino… it’s about making badass work.

  1032. Kyle, you need to quit sneaking into my mind and reading my thoughts. One, it’s creeping me out; and two, when you expose my inner most struggles and so many people other people relate, you make me feel like my “issues” are unoriginal — which hurts my pride.

  1033. Jesus, this article was awesome and weird for me to read.

    I know this feeling all too well and could never put it in to words – it’s limited me from going ahead with business ventures all the way to not making posts on forums in fear of being called out and not having any real world experience to back up my posts even if I just wanted to help.

    It’s weird though – number twenty really hit me. I actually said the exact words ‘I feel like a fake’ when in a very emotional argument/conversation with my girl only a week or two ago. And yes, she even laughed at me a couple times for it.

    Weirdly I’ve started doing things – maybe it has something to do with that conversation I had with her.

    But I’ve finally started taking action in my business and although it’s just the start, it’s more action than I’ve taken in a long long time.

    I also started contributing in my forum of choice a couple days ago – albeit only a little, but I’ve been receiving praise by established members for contributing value.

    It’s so weird to stumple upon this article that is something I’d never thought of but can relate to so much. I appreciate this article an incredible amount and will be re-reading when I’m fresh in the morning to make sure I’ve digested it all.

  1034. “To me ultimately martial arts means honestly expressing yourself.” – Bruce Lee
    “I have no idea what I am suppose to do … I only know what I can do” – Captain Kirk

  1035. Love that CS lewis quote.

    Also #4 is insane. I’ve done hat myself since a few days ago, and now you’re writing it. funny

    “Faking things actually does work.”
    — Indeed. Powerposing is for real

  1036. Kyle does it again! Love it, love it. This post and the other about being antifragile r so true. Every day Imposter Syndrome whispers n my ear that I am different, no one is interested n my self employment, the only thing keeping me afloat is luck, I should get a job and b just like everyone else.

  1037. AMAZING article. Despite having a hugely successful year I have still been feeling TONS of anxiety & fear (even more than the startup phase). This articulates exactly why and now I can work on releasing these unfounded fears and enjoy the successes. Many thanks for writing this article. I’m sure it’s something many of us feel.

    ~E

    • Thank you for the kind words. I’m grateful that you’re here!

      I love your site too, great products! My mom is starting a bag line, it sounds like a similar style to what you’re making. Would you be interested in chatting?

  1038. Hi Kyle, I took the Spring 14 StartUpBros online class. Yesterday I read “5 Levels of Entrepreneurship”. Today I took inventory of the 60 items I have purchased and not posted yet on Ebay. I will have my first item posted on Ebay within 3 days. It took a while. Now I’m taking action.
    Thanks,
    Phil Gerardo

  1039. Excellent and helpful article which I shall reread. Now I’ll get on with things.

    Thank you Rory

  1040. Hey Kyle,

    Great post! always love your stuff 🙂

    I’ve avoided starting my own business. Ironically I help young people under 25 start their own business but i haven’t taken the leap myself! I just hadn’t found the thing i wanted to start and now that i have (after some useful tips from yourself and others) i’ve started to think I don’t know what i’m doing, especially not compared to other people out there. The Icarus Deception changed everything for me and i’ve been building up to getting things started. Your post just gave me the final kick i need. No excuses you are right it’s a case of get over yourself and just do it.

    Your post is definitely going to be one i come back to again and again so thanks for sharing it.

    ps i regularly share your stuff with all the start-ups i help so thanks for making my job easier and thanks on behalf of them too 🙂

    • Great Katy! I’m so glad you enjoyed this. None of us really know what we’re doing… most startups that raise millions of dollars still fail… most movies aren’t hits… the highest-paid CEOs can tank companies.

      All we can do is learn as much as we can and keep trying things.

      I love The Icarus Deception, one of my favorite Godin books.

      Thanks so much for sharing this with startups. Sharing is honestly one of the highest compliments we can get. So THANK YOU! I’d love to know what startups you share them with if you’re willing.

      Godspeed! I hope you let us know when you launch your business 🙂

  1041. I’ve got to find that episode of The Sopranos you’re talking about… that made me laugh! Spot on, too.

    Love the “devil’s workshop” expression too.

    Thanks a ton for the kind words–I just took a screenshot for the praise file 🙂

    Most of all, thank you for letting us know that this site has been helpful. It’s easy to see traffic numbers and assume that nobody is putting the stuff to use (except the people in paid programs, I can see what they do!). So to see the business you’re building and knowing that we’ve had a small part in that makes me feel great.

    Please feel free to email/comment any time.

    Best wishes,
    Kyle

  1042. Great post Kyle! The crux is getting started with what you want from life. Might fail but that is not the end.

    Do you have more articles like these for people who are wanting to take the plunge into entrepreneurship but holding back. Would love to read.

  1043. Kyle, thank you for the article. It is was interesting and insightful. Your tips were valuable. In my mind the top two were 1) take action and 2) get over yourself.
    Taking action is a consistent message in your work, and many others, and it is simple. However it is sometimes the hardest thing to do, yet most effective. Many great statements involve the same principle (idle hands/devil’s workshop: if you ain’t trying you’re dying; rolling stone…). As I said, it is simple yet most effective and you consistently deliver that message. Kudos!
    The second tip of “get over yourself” is what I call “Tony Soprano’s Mom”. In one episode when Tony Soprano is pleading with his mother about something she looks at home and sneers “What makes you think you’re so special?”. Result was Tony was stopped dead in his tracks. I have brought that sneer to mind many times over the years and it never fails to a) stop me in my tracks and b) make me laugh. The concept ties in with being humble which ultimately leads to being grateful. Again, you have done an outstanding job in this article and others sharing and developing these concepts.
    I will confess that I have been a fan of your work and your company’s online content for sometime now. Like many others probably have, I came across your company’s work while researching eCommerce/importing. I was shocked at the amount of valuable information provided and fascinated with the comments and communication in the Comments sections. Although I cannot prove it, I suspect there a more than a few “silent admirers” of your work out there much like myself.
    I am not of your generation. In fact, I am pretty sure I have kids around your age. I am a 53 year old husband, father of 8, grandfather of 2, retired trial attorney and now an Ecommerce entrepreneur in a family business. Please know that your website and articles played a significant part in getting us to where we are today. I have personally enjoyed your articles and appreciate the depth of your examination and thought. Well done. well done indeed.
    In closing, I hope you remember to place this in your “praise file” as it is well earned in terms of praise and good karma. Thank you again for the article and the hard work. Keep it up!
    Best regards,
    Richie
    Manager | Blu & Red (bluandred.com)

  1044. By the way, I’m the Mormon you spoke to differently when pitching your vacuum cleaner. Thanks! I appreciate that. But how do you pitch Mormon rock stars? Cuz you KNOW they’ll still be doing their own housework.

    One more aside: At least in the vacuum cleaner business if someone tells you your product sucks it’s easier to choose to see it as a compliment.

  1045. [NOTE: I originally wrote an 1150 word reply. Holy Schmoly, right? Well, I copied that to my personal notes and greatly reduced my comment. However, it was a great exercise.]

    Hi, Kyle. Great article; glad you shared. It’s been the discussion for the evening at our house – the follow up of a brief mention of an interview I saw with billionaire businessman, John Hunstman Sr. who said this about business (to the best of my recollection): “It’s all made up. Everything. And that’s OK. As long as everyone else agrees to find value in whatever is made up, it’s good.”

    My wife, Renee, had a conversation earlier today with some friends of hers about similar things, not knowing of your article, at that time. So your article was perfect timing and perfect fodder for our conversation, tonight.

    (As you know, Kyle) I’m producing a moviemaking competition. Yet I know very few in the moviemaking industry. So, I’m going in with this kind of, ‘Build It And They Will Come’ mentality.

    Fortunately, I can look at my skillset as someone who brings people and ideas together and I can take confidence in that. And, I can look at the actual description of the competition and say, “Dang! This is really cool. I want to get involved with this somehow.” Then I get to smile, because I AM involved in it.

    Those are really great perspectives, right?

    But THEN, a voice from the opposite shoulder chimes in: “You don’t have any filmmaker friends. You don’t know anyone to help you get this off the ground; people you can say, ‘Hey guys, let’s do this thing!’ Nope. You’ve opened registration and all you’re hearing are crickets — but even THEY aren’t signing up.”

    And so goes the daily battle. Sometimes once voice wins. Sometimes, the other. I try to keep moving regardless of which voice is winning.
    —Dave

    • Hey Dave!

      You just sent me down a Wikipedia hole with the Jon Huntsman quote… so great!!

      I’m still pumped on Trailer Sports. You got to tap the community that is already participating in blitz film fests.

      Creating Trailer Sports is probably the best way to meet those people you need to meet. Talk with them about what they think about it, talk with them about events they’ve run or participated in. Having a venture to discuss instead of just getting coffee or whatever is really helpful!

      I love you you put that at the end: it really doesn’t matter which voice prevails in the end if you take action… because that’s the one thing that really does make a difference.

      You rock. Thanks Dave!!

  1046. Thanks Kyle – I am also very glad you published this article as well.
    I have heard of imposter syndrome and while I didn’t think I suffered from it, I realize there’s a variant out there called ‘not good enough’ syndrome with which I am quite familiar.
    Being enough is a work in progress. “Done is better than perfect” is now my motto (any men on here read Lean In?). I like the idea of keeping good testimonials for rainy days. Asking for feedback from people we trust and who like us is a good way to ensure more positive testimonials.
    I heartily agree that comparing oneself to others is a road to hell – it’s like comparing my most miserable self to someone’s most awesome on holiday Facebook self – not a fair comparison, is it? There is probably nobody we know with the same unique mix of talents, challenges, beliefs and experiences that we have, so each of us is unique and incomparable. “Same unique” is oxymoronic as well. And just plain moronic.
    I shall get out my pen and write my beliefs that are not serving me as well as my skills that gave me some awesome testimonials in the first place. Let’s play to our strengths, lovely start-up people! 🙂

    • Thanks for the insights on the not-good-enough variant! That seems like something that is especially American currently (thinking of the Bigger Stronger Faster documentary) and I’m not sure it’s all together terrible. That feeling of dissatisfaction can propel us forward. It’s when we let it overtake us/paralyze us that it’s really bad.

      Striking that balance and being content with dissatisfaction–feeling the need to push forward without feeling anxiety about not being further along–is freaking tough, maybe impossible to sustain, but it’s the thing I strive for.

      Cheers!

  1047. Hey Kyle, great article. I constantly feel like a fraud. I have started up a jewellery business, and I handmake sterling silver jewellery. The thing is, I’m self sabotaging myself and not doing anything to expand as I feel that I’m not as good as the other jewellers and what’s the point? I taught myself what I know, which isn’t much, but I definitely don’t have as many skill in silversmithing as hose who studied for 3-4 years. So, while I could be pushing myself forward and building a business, I’ve gone back to ‘day job’ work and have put the business on the sidelines while I try and figure out how to get around the next hurdle… Finding someone/ people I can get to handmake my designs, while bringing work to them and helping their community.

    • Clare I love your designs… you better not stop!

      It’s bizarre to me that we can see ourselves self-sabotaging and then still do it! The best-seller is almost never the “best” at something. You have a unique style that others will want. I love the site you have set up. It seems to me like you just need some assistance with branding, motivation, and some technical pieces of growth.

      You might be interested in our coaching program that deals with the details of sourcing products and working with suppliers; setting up distribution channels, marketing, and other requirements with growth.

      You’ve already built an awesome foundation. I really hope you push through this dip.

      • Thanks Kyle,
        It’s so nice to hear that. 🙂
        And yes, absolutely bizarre to keep self sabotaging even though I know I’m doing it. Odd to day the least!
        I would love to know more about the course/ coaching program you mention. Are you able to email me some details please?
        Thanks again, I feel this was a step toward getting more clarity and pulling myself forward.
        Cheers
        Clare

  1048. Hi Kyle,

    Great post and glad you decided to publish it.

    All great points but the one that I can relate to the most is…
    9. Remember: being wrong doesn’t make you a fake…

    I allow being wrong and my failures to weigh down on shoulders far to much. But I guess being such a psychotic perfectionist has a little something to do with that too!

    Keeping a praise file is a great idea and I’ll test out the 30 minute writing task to.

    Thanks for sharing your vulnerabilities with us. It’s nice to know industry leaders are human too – I guess we forget about these types of emotions sometimes because it’s to commonly associated with weakness so nobody talks, we forget.

    Buy as soon as someone opens the can, the floods starts and everyone saying “yea bro, me to, know how you feel”

    Naomi

  1049. Hey Kyle,
    I found you guys last week while looking for info on importing. I read your post on becoming Antifragile a few days ago, and it’s really stayed with me. One of my favorite Aqib Talib quotes: “Atheists are just modern versions of religious fundamentalists: they both take religion too literally.”

    I was let go from a network radio job four months ago, and it was like the fulfillment of the Impostor Syndrome sufferer’s worst nightmare; you think someone’s going to decide what you do is crap and blow you out–and one day they do. I’ve been frenetically creating content, hoping to get some traction (I’m doing a daily podast on spirituality, and a weekly podcast on geek-centric topics). I’m seeing some good things happen, but not much money. The money part is starting to get really, really important. So it’s pretty much Impostor’s Syndrome all day, every day.

    When I read the post and your call to action, I thought of the piece of content I’ve worked the hardest on, have been the proudest of, and haven’t shown anybody. I finished it three months ago. It’s the first part of a short documentary I’m making about a kid with Asperger’s Syndrome who shot his own Star Trek fan film. Sorry if this seems like a plug; it’s really, truly the first thing that came to mind, because out of everything I’ve done over the past four months-podcasts, animation, video, blogging–it’s the only thing I’ve been hoarding. Very strange. Here’s the link: http://youtu.be/AMBjep626EQ

    I like what you have to say about entrepreneurship, but I LOVE what you have to say about life. Seriously. It’s just what I’ve needed.

    • That quote is great!

      A couple general tips on your business (although I’m going to get into this in much more depth in future posts):
      -Focus less on quantity and more on quality and marketing. There is a TON of content being created every day now. You need to make something awesome that will hit people in a new way. Also, you need to spend time marketing the content or nobody will get to it. Focus on providing absurd value.
      -Use your content as an MVP for a possible course or coaching program. Take your best performing piece of content and turn it into a premium course. (This is your best bet to make money quickly without ruining your brand.)

      HELL YES on sharing that video. I loved it… really inspiring!!

      Thanks a ton for posting here Sean. Awesome to have you in the community 🙂

      • Thanks, Kyle. I’ve seen some of your posts on marketing, and I’ll spend some time with them. I wrote a post on my blog talking about what you’d written, and about some things I had said in a recent podcast, and I’ve gotten a tremendous response. I’m getting a clear idea of what’s resonating with my podcast audience, and I need to focus on maximizing that. I really appreciate your combination of boots-on-the-ground advice and some really insightful thoughts about life in general.

  1050. Fantastic article. I felt compelled to leave a comment just to say thanks.

    It really resonated with me and I realise I have been doing this imposter syndrome thing my whole life…

    NOT ANY MORE

  1051. Man, seriously the timing of this is unbelievable. “The fastest way to get over feeling like a fraud is to genuinely try to help someone else.” — duuuude, I’m just saying, if I wake up every day and read that one thing my life will look totally different.

    Today I started working on a product and threw the idea in front of some people and one of them said, “Why would anyone listen to you instead of John Carlton & this and that person.”

    It got me down, pretty bad, I kind of decided he was right and that I didn’t want to finish. Then I read this post and thought about how it could help people. Like I said, perfect timing. Thanks for writing.

    • Thanks Taylor! I do that same thing–stick with a couple quotes that I read every day to remind myself of an important theme.

      Peter Thiel wrote a business book, so have a bunch of other billionaires… it doesn’t mean they are the ONLY books worth reading. If anything, they’re detached from what many people need.

      Why would anyone read anything besides the BEST? I’ve been thinking about that a lot lately and still can’t figure it out for sure. Nobody would call the bestselling novels the “best” novels. They help in their own way that academics don’t often appreciate.

      People will listen to you over John Carlton because you connect with them in a way that he didn’t. You have a story that’s different than his.

  1052. Nice post. Love the emphasis on techniques to just move forward and do it anyway.

    My thing is “I know how to get kids from zero to pretty dang good on the guitar, but I’m no John Mayer so I have no business selling guitar learning products”. Truth is, I should never rest until every little kid who tries my stuff gets just as good as I am on the guitar. Then I can say “that’s all I got man” and I will have added tons of value. It’s funny really that we’d let the lack of having the last piece on the tip top of the iceberg keep us from adding the huge value below that we already can add.

    • Great insights Scott! In the case of teaching I think it’s helpful to remember that teaching/coaching and performing are separate skills. A coach isn’t expected to perform at the same level as the athlete or musician or entrepreneur–the coach has a different skill set.

      Mannn I really want to see these guitar videos!!

  1053. I did #6. I wrote all about how I’m insecure and anxious. About all the bad, undesirable things about me. I let it all out. And it was all true because even though I do my best to put forward a facade, I’m still the same insecure and anxious person.

    It made me feel like even more of a fraud who deceives people with his external persona (and not always succeeding at it).

    • This post just went up a few minutes ago — I’d try to keep going at least for the 30 minutes suggested. Keep writing and writing until you break through.

      It’s not about punishing yourself, it’s not about figuring out new ways you’re bad, it’s simply a record. It’s not an immediate switch that happens. If you try this style writing (#13) for a week I would bet that you begin to see results. (It takes me a solid 7 days in a row to really see serious improvements.)

      The quicker perspective-shifters are in the other numbers.

      • I meant to say I did the writing on another occasion before I read this article, but you’re right that it wasn’t for 30 minutes (I think…I didn’t keep track). I wrote until I expressed everything I wanted to say about my shortcomings.

        However, I will try your suggestions, thanks.

        • Ahh I gotcha! Definitely try pushing yourself PAST the point of seeing your shortcomings, that’s when they lose power.

          I think it was in Thinking, Fast and Slow that I read about an experiment where people felt GOOD after writing 3 good things about themselves but BAD when they tried to writes 12 or so… because the feeling that “I can’t think of any more good things about myself” itself is painful. What we’re doing, in part, is a kind of reversal of that.

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