The Imposter Syndrome

Oh, the imposter syndrome… a topic that I could practically write a book about.

First of all, answer me a few simple questions:

Would you say Tom Hanks is a great and successful actor? Natalie Portman a smart and successful woman? Sonia Sotomayor (a U.S. Supreme Court Justice) a successful judge? Emma Watson a very accomplished actress?

Pretty sure your answer was a quite obvious and somewhat emphatic yes!

Well… they don’t think so. They have trouble understanding how successful they are by questioning whether their achievements were pure luck, amongst a plethora of other insecure thoughts. Wait, don’t go on thinking that I am calling them, or you, insecure. The point is that these thoughts bring them, and you, and my insecurity regarding our previous achievements and whether we even are capable of future success.

Let’s face it – being admitted to a doctoral degree at an elite university was pure luck, being accepted to numerous conferences was pure luck, publishing an article on an academic journal once was pure luck, being invited to teach in many different universities was also pure luck. No matter what I do and what I achieve, for me, it is always a matter of luck, and coincidence, and never a matter of quality and hard work.

Perhaps you feel the same, and if you do, let me assure you – that is fine! Many accomplished folks feel the same way – the opposite way would make you a somewhat narcissistic person!

Stay safe folks!