Experiencing Imposter Syndrome? A Sign of Success, Not Failure.
The weight of imposter syndrome can be soul-crushing. Especially, when numerous MBA application deadlines are nearing. The overshadowing worry you feel that you are not worthy to be accepted into business school is real. The good news is that this feeling of self-doubt is temporary and is often accompanied by a new role or an achievement.
What exactly is imposter syndrome?
According to Psychology Today, imposter syndrome is when people “believe that they are undeserving of their achievements. They feel that they aren’t as competent or intelligent as others might think - and that soon enough, people will discover the truth about them. People with imposter syndrome are often well accomplished; they may hold high office or have numerous academic degrees.”
Just know you are not alone.
CEOs, Olympic athletes, and presidential nominees have all experienced imposter syndrome. First Lady Michelle Obama, Oscar-winning actor Tom Hanks, Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg, Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, and tennis player Serena Williams. Just know you are not alone. Above all, it is experienced by at least 70% of people in the workforce.
View it as a recognition of your success, not your failures.
What if we flipped the script? What if we looked at imposter syndrome from a different angle? Let’s move away from looking at it as a trigger for insecurity, anxiety, and inadequacies. Rather, let’s look at it as though you get it because you care and are motivated to succeed. What if this feeling is interwoven with your laser-focus mission to improve and advance your business career?
You are earning your imposter syndrome.
If you are feeling the imposter syndrome creeping in while working on your business school apps, it’s not because you are not worthy. Rather, it’s because you are putting in the time and effort the MBA applications demand. It is a sign that you are paying full attention to your life’s mission. In other words, you are earning your imposter syndrome.
This may be a new and unfamiliar feeling.
And perhaps the syndrome, according to Psychology Today, is the body’s defense mechanism as you learn to cope with your (potential) win. Look at it as if your feeling of "imposter syndrome is a celebration of your achievement, not a concession of your inadequacies."
It’s a win!
There are enough people in the world who will choose to put you down, do not let your self-imposed imposter syndrome do the job for them. The awards selection committees that presented you that award in college or at work did not make a mistake granting you that achievement. They saw something in you that you may have yet to recognize in yourself. Realize that your imposter syndrome is well earned – it’s a win!
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