Imposter Syndrome

Imposter Syndrome is when you feel like you don’t deserve your success, even though you’ve worked hard for it. You might think, “I just got lucky” or “Everyone else is smarter than me” — even when you have proof that you're good at what you do.

Simple Examples:

• At Work – You get promoted, but instead of feeling proud, you think, “They must have made a mistake. I’m not really that good.”

• At School – You ace a test, but instead of believing you studied well, you tell yourself, “The test was just easy.”

• In Daily Life – People compliment your cooking, but you think, “They’re just being nice.”

Even successful people, like actors, CEOs, or athletes, sometimes feel like they don’t belong or aren’t truly talented. But in reality, they are!

Five Imposter Syndrome Types:

Psychologist Dr. Valerie Young identified five types of Imposter Syndrome based on different thought patterns and behaviors. Each type experiences self-doubt in a unique way:

1. The Perfectionist

• Core belief: “If it’s not perfect, I failed.”
• Behaviors: Sets unrealistically high standards, is never satisfied with their work, and fears making mistakes.
• Example: A student gets ...