Academics know the imposter syndrom all too well: It’s that sneaking suspicion (or certainty) that you don’t deserve your success. It strikes fear into the hearts of graduate students and jr faculty alike. It keeps us from showing our work to anyone. It makes it difficult to hear criticism, and even harder to hear praise. It makes it impossible to enjoy our successes.
An article in the March/April publication of Scientific American Mind explores the imposter syndrom and offers these suggestions:
- learn to ascribe your successes to your own abilities
- disrupt imposter self-talk and replace it with self-talk about your deserved success
- seek psychotherapy
This is not a terribly helpful list, in my opinion, but the argued links between the imposter syndrome and low self-esteem & depression may give one pause and lead to seeking professional help.
- Recommended reading: The Imposter Phenomenon: Overcoming the Fear that Haunts Your Success by P. R. Clance
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