On ‘THE IMPOSTER SYNDROME’ By Mercy Karumba

When we talk about the Imposter Syndrome, what comes to mind? Possibly someone, who is a fraud, or a criminal perhaps? But do...


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When we talk about the Imposter Syndrome, what comes to mind? Possibly someone, who is a fraud, or a criminal perhaps? But do you know that many of us, especially females, exhibit the Imposter Syndrome?

For example: How many times do you feel undeserving of your position at work? How many times are you allocated a duty/opportunity that you believe you are not up to completing and so don’t take it up? In the end, someone else takes up the position and later on, they are actually getting advice from you. How many times do you feel insecure in your relationship simply because you feel undeserving of your spouse? How many times do people applaud you for an achievement, and yet deep inside you are just not sure you actually did it yourself? How many times do you feel like you are actually incompetent and can only attribute your success to outside factors? This is the reality of the Imposter syndrome.

According to research conducted in 2011, approximately 70% of people will experience at least one episode of imposter syndrome in their lives (https://www.tci-thaijo.org)  It is said that some exhibit the symptoms the first few weeks of a new job/relationship whereas others battle with the syndrome for the rest of their lives. The sad part is that most of these people tend to be women.

Are you stuck in an impostor cycle? Always fearing to take up new tasks or to challenge yourself? Are you always burying your head when your supervisor is delegating duties because you feel insufficient? Do you always live in fear that if there is a retrenchment then you will actually be the first to leave? Are you always fearing that people may soon find out something about you and forsake you?

Self-confidence and knowledge is important in overcoming the imposter syndrome. Know what you are good at and start believing that you deserve the opportunities that come your way. The fear of what people will say can only bring you down. There is nothing to be exposed, so fear nothing. Get out of your comfort zone and experience the best life can offer. Give it your best shot.   To get a male perspective on this, be sure to catch Mitchell’s post HERE

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