5 Types of Imposter Syndrome: Are You One of Them?

Plenty of us put pressure on ourselves to perform because we feel afraid that any mistake will expose that we aren't good or smart enough for the job and that it is only a matter of time before we're found out!

Mental toughness is required to combat the imposter condition.

Studies say around 70% of adults will encounter imposter syndrome at some point in their lives. According to psychologists, imposter syndrome occurs when people believe they are undeserving of their accomplishments.

Many of us suffer from imposter syndrome due to our lack of confidence in our talents. We consider ourselves to be fake.

 

What causes imposter syndrome?

It all stems from our youth and how we dealt with the world as we grew up, as it does with most things in life. Furthermore, much of our personality is formed from the minute we are born.

Let's look at the many types of imposters to see how our personalities play a role in why we feel like a fraud. Here are five absurd reasons why you could feel like an imposter at work:

 

The perfectionist

This person is under a lot of pressure to be great in all they do. They frequently took on adult responsibilities at a young age. They can be unduly concerned with little details—in other words, they take great pains to complete tasks and then hand them over to others.

The pressure to seem flawless can be overwhelming. When perfectionists believe their work isn't up to par, their inner critic can be harsh and unforgiving. They feel like a phoney because they've disappointed themselves as well as others.

What is absurd? You may believe that everything must be flawless before you can make a decent decision.

How to make it work: Rather than aiming for perfection, strive for excellence. You will maintain high standards and be a trustworthy individual. Rather than judging your performance as less than ideal, seek methods to transform your vision into creativity and innovation.

Concentrate and ask yourself this: "What if?" This helps you to focus more on the future and provides you with a broader range of options.

 

The hero

We learn as children that heroes are those who put the needs of others ahead of their own. We also recognise that we must give to others in order to receive.

When we helped others, our parents and instructors were our cheerleaders, encouraging and rewarding us. We continue to develop relationships as adults, assuming that our path to success will be littered with enthusiastic supporters.

However, life is complicated. The presence of pain is unavoidable. Growth, on the other hand, is a choice. Our self-esteem suffers when we don't get the praise or passionate acknowledgement from others that we've been taught to expect since infancy.

We ask ourselves, "What did I do wrong? Why didn't my efforts get unnoticed? Am I a liar?"

What is absurd? Thinking that people rely on you and that they wouldn't be able to get by without you.

How to make it work: Don't be concerned about what others think of you! The hero's ego is nourished by constant passionate and positive comments from others. Instead, be compassionate to yourself and pleased with doing your best.

The imposter syndrome shows that you can be your worst enemy.

The overachiever

Overachievers are admired as youngsters for doing things perfectly and for being the type of person who views life as a game to be won. Achievement and performance provide them with proof of their worth. They are frightened that unless they perform, they will be worthless.

Nothing succeeds like the appearance of success, as the saying goes. Because they aim to be slick and professional, an overachiever's basic commodity is themselves.

It's never good enough for them. When things aren't perfect, they beat themselves up, not because they're perfectionists, but because they constantly want to be the greatest and win the first prize!

What is absurd? They believe they can do it better than anyone.

How to make it work: Recognise when you're "turning it on" for the sake of getting attention or being the best. Get a handle on your obsessive desire to win at everything. Instead, look for a way to contribute as a team member without having to be the team's leader.

 

The expert

This individual believed that the only way they could perform at their best was if they knew more about the project than everyone else. They loved to observe and learn, and as a result, they were the go-to person for whatever needed to be done.

Experts need consistency, so when they can't use the facts to solve their problem, they experience imposter syndrome.

What is absurd? You believe you need all of the facts before making an informed conclusion.

How to make it work: "Why?" is your favourite question. When you feel like a fraud, you frequently have an internal dialogue going on all the time. Engage with other people who can take their flaws without feeling like a failure by channelling your interest into important tasks.

 

The big boss

They're the ones who don't want to be ruled over or give others influence over them. They get the sense that being soft and giving is dangerous.

"No one tells me what to do!" they might have screamed. They prefer to be self-sufficient and dislike being reliant on others.

They believe they are in control of their own fate, but when life throws them a curveball, they can no longer rely on mere resolve to get them through. They begin to doubt their abilities and feel like a phoney at this point. When a project goes apart, their initial reaction is to delve deep and consolidate plans in order to deliberate how to reclaim power.

What is absurd? You believe that you alone are in charge of your destiny.

How to make it work:

1. Refrain from retreating inside a cave to heal your wounds. When you put your charisma and forceful personality to good use, you're at your finest.

2. Stop walking over people simply because you can.

3. Become a servant leader by championing those around you.

4. Concentrate on someone other than yourself.

 

Source: SmartBrief