Concepts discussed in this post: imposter syndrome
Some people and entities like the article in the below instagram post may assert that having imposter syndrome is a benefit. Rather than accept this perspective I’d encourage anyone to self-analyze and determine for his or herself if having imposter syndrome is a benefit. I’ve had imposter syndrome and won’t lie that it didn’t prevent from professional achievements which is why I think some claim it has upsides.
I’ve achieved things personally and professionally while having imposter syndrome in certain areas of my life and have feared losing my ability to accomplish things without this way of being. This way of being wasn’t without personal cost and often required me to harbor habits and thought patterns that negatively impacted my physical and mental health. Achieving despite the personal costs may be why some people think imposter syndrome has upsides. I now register the toll of this way of being as too high and prefer to operate from a place of ease that’s free of fear and anxiety. I also now focus on finding the upsides of operating from this place of ease and question if it’s impossible to achieve at the same levels–if not higher–without imposter syndrome.
If you’ve feared what you would become if you gave up your current way of being I encourage you to further analyze if you’re downplaying or overlooking benefits to changing. Another question to consider is: are you the primary benefactor of your imposter syndrome or is someone else?
The following instagram post attempts to balance the view that imposter syndrome is a positive by listing inauthentic behaviors that typically stem from imposter syndrome and describing how imposter syndrome is often a net negative for most people.
