Why Do I Feel Like An Imposter

An insightful examination of the Imposter Syndrome phenomenon—why 70% of people suffer from it, what you can do to overcome it, and how you can develop lasting self-confidence All of us, at one point or another, have questioned our capabilities and competence. Maybe you've wondered how you got hired and, handed big job responsibilities? One recent article suggested that 70% of people will experience at least one episode of IS in their lives. Imposter Syndrome (also known as imposter phenomenon, fraud syndrome, or the imposter experience) is a concept describing individuals who are marked by an inability to internalize their accomplishments and a persistent fear of being exposed as a ‘fraud’. The term was coined in 1978 by clinical psychologists Pauline R. Clance and Suzanne A. Imes. Despite external evidence of their competence, those exhibiting the syndrome remain convinced that they are frauds and do not deserve the success they have achieved. Proof of success is dismissed as luck, timing, or as a result of deceiving others into thinking they are more intelligent and competent than they believe themselves to be. This book presents an accessible and engaging examination of IS and how it affects us—not just at work, but as teenagers, parents and beyond. Using interactive quizzes to help you identify if you suffer and offering tips and tools to overcome your insecurities, psychologist Dr Sandi Mann will draw on her experience not only as an academic, but also as a practitioner, to present a comprehensive guide to understanding and overcoming IS.

Stop letting impostor syndrome hold you back! This guided workbook of interactive exercises and research-backed activities will help you conquer self-doubt, realize your true worth, and enjoy your success. How many times have you thought that everyone is crushing it except you? How often have you looked at one of your accomplishments and attributed it to luck or the help of others? It can be difficult to acknowledge our own successes and skills, and overcome the feeling of being an impostor. But moving past that feeling is crucial to continuing down the path to even greater success and happiness. Own Your Greatness will give you all the tools you need to recognize and overcome the impostor syndrome that is holding you back. Packed full of research- and therapy-backed exercises, prompts, and activities, this interactive workbook will help you: Identify the root causes of your impostor syndrome Recognize your natural skills and strengths Gain the confidence to lead Speak up for yourself Feel comfortable receiving and giving praise With this book, you’ll acknowledge the skills you bring to the table, understand that you truly deserve your success, and take steps to a successful, happy, and fulfilled life.

Learn to take ownership of your success, overcome self-doubt, and banish the thought patterns that undermine your ability to feel—and act—as bright and capable as others already know you are with this award-winning book by Valerie Young. It’s only because they like me. I was in the right place at the right time. I just work harder than the others. I don’t deserve this. It’s just a matter of time before I am found out. Someone must have made a terrible mistake. If you are a working woman, chances are this inter­nal monologue sounds all too familiar. And you’re not alone. From the high-achieving Ph.D. candidate convinced she’s only been admitted to the program because of a clerical error to the senior executive who worries others will find out she’s in way over her head, a shocking number of accomplished women in all ca­reer paths and at every level feel as though they are faking it—impostors in their own lives and careers. While the impostor syndrome is not unique to women, women are more apt to agonize over tiny mistakes, see even constructive criticism as evi­dence of their shortcomings, and chalk up their accomplishments to luck rather than skill. They often unconsciously overcompensate with crippling perfec­tionism, overpreparation, maintaining a lower pro­file, withholding their talents and opinions, or never finishing important projects. When they do succeed, they think, Phew, I fooled ’em again. An internationally known speaker, Valerie Young has devoted her career to understanding women’s most deeply held beliefs about themselves and their success. In her decades of in-the-trenches research, she has uncovered the often surprising reasons why so many accomplished women experience this crushing self-doubt. In The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women, Young gives these women the solution they have been seek­ing. Combining insightful analysis with effective ad­vice and anecdotes, she explains what the impostor syndrome is, why fraud fears are more common in women, and how you can recognize the way it mani­fests in your life.

You are stronger than your anxiety—you are mighty. In this empowering guide, you’ll find practical tools to help you shed the shackles of worry and fear and embrace a more vibrant life. In a culture where women are still paid less for doing the same jobs, expected to juggle family and career effortlessly, and faced with the harsh realities of misogyny and sexism daily, it’s no wonder you’re also twice as likely to experience issues related to anxiety and trauma. But there are real tools you can use now to build personal resilience in a difficult world, move past anxious thoughts, and conquer your worries and fears. This book will help guide the way. Be Mighty leads you on a bold quest to gain a deeper understanding of your anxiety by exploring your own “origin story”—how your early experiences led to thoughts and behaviors that may have offered comfort and protection at one time, but are now keeping you from living your best life. Using practical tools and experiential exercises based in mindfulness and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), you’ll learn to respond to present-day triggers in a new way, making choices from a more conscious, values-driven place. So, drop that outdated armor and dive headlong into this book. You’ll emerge fresh and fierce, with the confidence to stand up for the life you want to live and the power to face life’s complexities as your best, most authentic self. It’s time to be who you truly want to be. It’s time for you to be mighty!

A newly updated edition for 2024 'You've definitely heard of it, you've almost certainly felt it and it's actively stopping you from being your best self. In a new book on imposter syndrome Dr Jessamy Hibberd provides a definitive guide to understanding and tackling the psychological mind trap.' - The Sunday Times 'Dr Jessamy teaches you the tools to break free from those self-sabotaging thought patterns that are holding you back from your own success.' - Hazel Wallace, The Food Medic 'If you suffer from imposter syndrome, this is definitely a must-read!' - Goodreads reviewer 'I have suffered with imposter syndrome my entire life [...] In the few days I have been reading this book I have done an almost complete 180.' - Goodreads reviewer Imposter syndrome is a phenomenon in which people believe they are not worthy of success. They convince themselves that they have done well due to luck and are terrified their shortcomings will eventually be exposed, making it impossible to enjoy their accomplishments. The Imposter Cure explores the psychological impact of imposter syndrome and exposes the secrets fears and insecurities felt by millions of men and women. Dr Jessamy Hibberd provides sound expert advice to help the reader better understand the problem and overcome it, so they think differently, gain self-belief and learn to see themselves as others do. Filled with case studies to bring the concepts alive and packed with strategies to increase confidence, this book is a must-read for anyone who has struggled with their achievements.

How is it that successful people can often feel like a fraud? Despite clear evidence that youare doing well you still have that nagging feeling that at any moment someone is going to tapyou on the shoulder and say "We need to have a chat. You're out of your depth aren't you. Youshouldn't be here." This book draws on the best research in psychology to explain where thesefeelings come from and how to deal with them.

The popular LGBTQ advice columnist and writer presents a memoir-in-essays chronicling his journey growing up as a queer, mixed-race kid in America's heartland to becoming the "Chicano Carrie Bradshaw" of his generation.

Leading is hard enough without lying awake at 3 a.m. worrying that 'they' might find out you're not good enough. Or that you don't know as much as you should. Or that they might suss you're a fraud, you don't belong and got to where you are by accident or luck. There's a name for this: Imposter Syndrome - and it's time to ditch it! In this ground-breaking book, Clare Josa guides you through the revolutionary five-step strategy she has created over the past fifteen years of mentoring women in leadership roles, so that you can set yourself free from Imposter Syndrome, for good. With the inspirational, practical techniques Clare shares with you, you will learn how to: stop negative self-talk, without going to war with the inner critic voice in your head wave goodbye to the self-doubt, limiting beliefs, perfectionism and procrastination that sabotage your personal & professional success feel naturally resilient and bounce back from conflict and criticism - without pretending or losing sleep with midnight self-talk rants discover the power of true confidence finally feel safe to take off your secret masks, without having to 'fake it till you make it' feel happier, calmer and more in-flow, rather than feeling like life is an uphill struggle influence authentically and show up as the leader you were born to be, so you can make the difference you are really here to make in the world In Ditching Imposter Syndrome you'll discover why mindset-based, cognitive approaches haven't worked for you in the past and exactly how Imposter Syndrome affects your performance and causes so much stress - and worse. Clare's inspirational, practical exercises bring you the best from the worlds of practical psychology, NLP, Leadership Development, the neuroscience of performance, and demystified ancient wisdom. This is blended into simple steps that mean you can spot and release Imposter Syndrome's deeply subconscious drivers, in a way that's fast, fun and forever. If you're hungry to move from the fear of being found out as a 'fraud leader' to becoming the 'thought leader' the world needs you to be, the practical strategies in Ditching Imposter Syndrome will help you to create breakthroughs in minutes, not months. Is it time to finally start ditching Imposter Syndrome? Buy your copy today!About The Author Clare Josa is considered the UK's leading authority on Imposter Syndrome, having spent the past fifteen years working with business leaders to help them to overcome it, as well as leading the landmark 2019 Imposter Syndrome Research Study and publishing her new book: Ditching Imposter Syndrome. An expert in the neuroscience and psychology of performance, her original training as an engineer means her inspirational approach is grounded in practical common sense, creating breakthroughs not burnout. She makes changing your life fast, fun and forever. She is the author of eight books and has been interviewed by the likes of The Independent, The Daily Telegraph and Radio 4, amongst others. Clare speaks internationally on how to change the world by changing yourself.