Just found out about a fascinating syndrome: Impostor Syndrome. This, according to my vast and extensive research on Wikipedia and the Internet (who can argue with those sources), is a “psychological phenomenon in which people are unable to internalize their accomplishments.” In other words these people feel like fakes or feel like they’re fooling everyone. It’s that terrible feeling of inadequacy that many of us struggle with. The nagging feeling of constantly failing in slow motion.
Bottomline, you feel like a phony and you’re the only one who feels that way.
How many of us know what it is like to labor under the impression that “if they only knew, they’d know we were fakers?” How many of us have the voice of the doubt and self-criticism loud in our heads?
If they only knew, they’d know we’re doing the best we can but we’re terribly inadequate.
So let’s find out. Take our online survey and we’ll report what you think. Click here to take survey
Completely anonymous. Helpful to all of us to know if we’re the only ones or not. It’s simple, should take you about a minute. I’ll keep you updated on the results.
You can cut and paste this link (https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/GX86BGF) and spread the joy. The more, the merrier. The more who play, the more interesting the results will be.
Conversations around Steven Pressfield’s new book, Do the Work sparked this line of thought. Some more on what Pressfield calls the “Resistance” on this year’s Easter blog.
And, as always, love to hear what you’re thinking.
Hat tip to Austin Kleon about impostor syndrome.
Steve Thomas
Partner, Oneicity
(photo credit: robtxgal)
