Imposter Syndrome: Part 1 (5 min read)
This post has been adapted from a talk delivered by Leona Walsh and Dr. G Mclachlan at the Association of Anaesthetists Trainee Conference 2021. (This is Part 1 of a 2 part series)
It resonated with me so much that I just HAD to share it!
Imposter syndrome prevents YOU from achieving your full potential.
“Others say I succeeded but I don’t feel like I did”
What I will cover:-
What is Imposter Syndrome
Who does Imposter Syndrome affect
Combatting Imposter Syndrome
What is imposter syndrome?
A collection of feelings of inadequacy that persist despite evident success (1)
It’s a set of symptoms and feelings that 70% experience (2) at some point in their lives – some for longer times than others.
'Imposters' suffer from chronic self-doubt
Fear of being found out
Fear of not being as competent as people think you are
Fear of being exposed as intellectually fraudulent
Which override any feelings of success or external proof of competence (3)
Imposter syndrome can manifest in many different ways…
Most of us doctors have experienced this at some point in our careers.
Imposters typically find it hard to internalise success, are good at discounting their accomplishments and attribute successes to external factors such as “a lucky day”.
Sound familiar?
Who does imposter syndrome affect?
It’s no surprise that imposter syndrome is prevalent within the medical field as we tick almost all the boxes
Endless assessments i.e. ARCPs, Exams, Internal clinical assessments
High standards in the workplace
Jobs associated with high pressure
High expectations from OURSELVES
This results in anxiety, self doubt/criticism, procrastination, decreased job satisfaction and poorer performance.
Imposter Syndrome prevents you from achieving your full potential.
Risk factors:
Childhood experiences
Careers with constant assessment
“the Perfectionist”
Combating Imposter Syndrome:
Here’s 7 steps to preventing this vicious cycle!
Take those thoughts “OUT” of your mind
By externalising thought processes we can CHOOSE how that information is re-inputted and processed. Creating distance can help us gain a new perspective
A. Externalise to a “crappy best friend” and make a “compassionate best friend” instead Watch this. (2)
B. Journal - use a gratitude journal, document your accomplishments
C. Self reflection
D. Talking to someone – a friend, mentor, counsellor, pastoral support
Get educated
Expand awareness
Form a support network
Model behaviour
Acknowledge the good and the bad and recognise that this is all part of lifelong learning.
Celebrate the wins
REMEMBER – YOU ARE NOT ALONE
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Next week, we will look at the types of Imposter Syndrome!
(shown below).
Which imposter do you think you could be?
Comment below on your experience with Imposter Syndrome.
References:
Adapted from presentation “Imposter Syndrome” by Leona Walsh and Dr. G Mclachlan, presented at Trainee Conference 2021, Newcastle, Association of Anaesthetists, 8th July 2021.
TEDx Talk - The Surprising Solution to Imposter Syndrome - by Lou Solomon https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whyUPLJZljE
Harvard Business Review, Overcoming Imposter Syndrome, published May 2008 [online] Accessed via : https://hbr.org/2008/05/overcoming-imposter-syndrome
