“She explained that many people, but especially women, feel fraudulent when they are praised for their accomplishments. Instead of feeling worthy of recognition, they feel undeserving and guilty, as if a mistake has been made. Despite being high achievers, even experts in their fields, women can’t seem to shake the sense that it is only a matter of time until they are found out for who they really are- impostors with limited skills or abilities.” ― Sheryl Sandberg, Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead
“The exaggerated esteem in which my lifework is held, makes me very ill at ease. I feel compelled to think of myself as an involuntary swindler.” ― Albert Einstein
I have written eleven books, but each time I think, ‘Uh oh, they’re going to find out now. I’ve run a game on everybody and they’re going to find me out.” ― Maya Angelou
You think, “Why would anyone want to see me again in a movie? And I don’t know how to act anyway, so why am I doing this?” ― Meryl Streep
‘In a lot of ways, I’m quite proud that I’m still getting jobs. Because of falling into a job, you always feel like you’re a fraud, that you’re going to be thrown out at any second.’ ― Robert Pattinson
Many accomplished people admit doubting their talent, even in the face of evidence. For more people than speak openly about it, for many of us and in small ways, this thing that goes on in the mind, the Impostor Syndrome, is real.
Are you willing to let it rob you of joy in your achievements or do you want to find your way to handle it? Really knowing who you are is the bedrock from which you could shape responses to that little voice which seeks to convince you that you’re a fraud in your achievements.
