The Utility of Imposter Syndrome

Ray Dalio outlines a five-step process for success in his book “Principles” where he intelligently outlines that the practical process of getting what you want out of life. This can also be applied to utilizing imposter syndrome.

However, a huge challenge with getting what we want is overcoming fear, belief, and our internal concept of who we are. To accomplish something great, you need to grow beyond who you are today. This requires an internal confrontation with the current self.

Imposter syndrome is a psychological pattern in which an individual doubts their skills, talents, or accomplishment and as a result fears they will be exposed as a “fraud”.

Imposter syndrome is a unique issue that I think everyone feels to some extent, but it also very common in my field of the legal profession. You are told your whole life that getting into law school or practicing law was difficult and now that you are doing it you feel as if you do not deserve it.

But maybe you are a new entrepreneur or beginning a new career. Maybe you have just been promoted, or had some recent success that was widely recognized. Regardless of your situation, most people experience feelings of imposter syndrome.

Are these feelings associated with imposter syndrome merely a result of our own internally high expectations of ourselves or is there actually truth to our feelings of inadequacy? I do not think imposter syndrome itself is a myth because we live in a meritocracy that rewards the skills and efforts of individuals. But I do think that there is a benefit to imposter syndrome relating to our natural human responses that is often ignored.

What is Imposter Syndrome?

Experiencing imposter syndrome is essentially feeling that you do not deserve or belong in the role that you currently hold. This phenomenon is evident throughout our lives from the first time we make a competitive sports team, to college admissions, job promotions, and even in relationships.

The symptoms often include self-doubt, anxiety, comparing yourself to other people, and distrust in your own intuition. In full transparency, I feel imposter syndrome right now just writing about it and have that little voice in my head that is telling me that I am not an expert in psychology so I shouldn’t discuss it. But I think that the imposter syndrome is a natural response to moving outside of your comfort zone and a sign of growth.

Imposter Syndrome as a part of human nature

As human beings we are programmed with fundamental dispositions and traits that have enabled us to survive and evolve. These fundamental dispositions have remained programmed in us over time but as our environments evolve, these traits are simply expressed in different ways.

There is a common link between imposter syndrome and human nature because our natural response to new situations creates an internal feeling of caution. In order to grow into a greater version of ourselves or attain things we have yet to do before, we must go through the difficulty that comes with expanding our comfort zone.

There is likely some truth to the initial feelings of inadequacy that is associated with imposter syndrome because we have yet to test our capability in the new environment. More often than not the feelings relating to imposter syndrome begin to fade the more you are exposed to new environments.

The paradoxical nature of feelings of inadequacy

Most situations that trigger imposter syndrome are not unilateral. In other words, you cannot decide yourself that you want to go to a certain college, or get a certain job, or sustain a wonderful relationship because these things require acceptance of you from another party. 1(you) + 1(other party) = 2(acceptance).

At some basic level we must feel that we deserve to be in the new environment or else we would not have pursued or accepted it in the first. But for some reason once we become accepted into the new environment by another person (who is typically better suited to make such a determination) then we all of a sudden feel inadequate in our capabilities. This is a paradox. 1+1= 1.

The paradox rests in our lack of self-belief. When we feel imposter syndrome we begin to distrust our personal intuition and capabilities. We believe that we are inadequate to exist in this new environment because those that operate within it are more skilled. Yet it is paradoxical to have faith in the intuition of those who you believe are more skilled but not trust their decision to admit you into the new environment in the first place.

In a university context we begin to feel imposter syndrome when classes first begin and start thinking we are not smart or skilled enough to be in that new environment. As a result, we feel like a fraud that is going to be found out at any minute. Yet, at no time during the onset of these feelings of self-inadequacy do we think that those who run the program do not know what they are doing. If you have faith in those that you are learning from then you should have faith in yourself; because they picked you.

In a relationship context, imposter syndrome is often felt when we believe that we are not good enough to be with the person we love. But again, if you love your partner and value their opinion then you should have faith in their choice to be with you. People see things in you that you do not yet see in yourself.

The Utility of Imposter Syndrome

Human nature has programmed us to experience discomfort in new environments because there is the possibility of unknown threats. In modernity this threat mainly revolves around a fear of failure. When we enter new environments and feel imposter syndrome, what we are really feeling is the fear of failure.

This is where the line of demarcation is drawn between those who hold a growth or fixed mindset. A growth mindset is that which perseveres in the face of potential failure and acknowledges that effort is required to build new skills. A fixed mindset avoids challenges and is complacent.

Source: thepeakperformancecenter.com

Self-confidence is built through overcoming adversity. The more we expose ourselves to difficult tasks, the more we adapt and grow as a result.

There is a common saying in law school that the first year they scare you to death, the second year they work you to death, and the third year they bore you to death. I do not know whether this is intentional or not on behalf of the faculty or if it is merely our imposter syndrome fading overtime, but we grow as a result and are more capable in the end.

This is no different than any other challenging task. When you first start working out it is exhausting and painful, but after a few months you become stronger and your capability expands. When you enter into a new relationship with someone you really like the first few dates are nerve racking, but overtime you become more comfortable and discover things about one another and grow.

The utility of imposter syndrome therefore rests in our human nature warning us that we are experiencing growth and that such feelings are normal. It is then our choice to be confident in the face of adversity and persevere.

Summary

1) Feelings of imposter syndrome are rooted in human nature when we enter new environments.

2) These signals of discomfort tell us we are experiencing growth.

3) If you believe those around you are superior, then have faith in their choice to accept you and disregard your intuition telling you that you are inadequate.

4) Practice a growth mindset that views challenges and failure as the pathway to improvement.

5) Overtime you will become more and more confident in the face of adversity as you confront new environments and difficult tasks.