What do Tina Fey, Sheryl Sandberg, Maya Angelou, Emma Watson, and a majority of Harvard Business School students have in common? Despite their obvious and widely recognized achievements, they’ve all suffered from the imposter syndrome—a nagging feeling that whatever they do, it’s only a matter of time before others discover they’re not as amazing as they appear.
You’ve probably heard of advice like “fake it ’til you make it.” But the truth is, famous celebrities aside, many people still feel like they’re faking it, even after they’ve made it. Even after impressive jobs, titles, or a string of career successes, they just can’t shake off that feeling of self-doubt.
Imposter syndrome is more common than you think. It’s incredibly widespread among Type A, career-oriented people, and especially women. But if this sounds remotely like you, you’re in good hands. We’ve gathered together everything you need to get up to speed and tackle imposter syndrome once and for all.
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See what all of this means and what you can do about it. (Fast Company)
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Where exactly does this feeling of fraud come from? (HBR)
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Think this doesn’t apply to you? It’s actually much more common than you think. (Business Insider)
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Discover why women in particular are prone to think this way. (Slate)
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Hear a candid experience from a woman in tech and how she learned to tackle her fear of failing. (Medium)
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But this isn’t just a problem for women. Guys experience it, too. (io9)
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Don’t let your doubt hold back your career anymore. Here are some great perspectives to keep in mind. (WorkIntelligent.ly)
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And here’s some actionable advice for how to conquer it. (Sources of Insight)
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Lastly, read some very specific and insightful tips about how to dial down your inner critic. (Lauren Bacon)
