impostor syndrome
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The Impostor Syndrome: It’s not just you!
Drs. Felicia De La Garza Mercer & Lisa MeeksOctober 16, 2013
Pop Quiz Do you secretly worry that others will find out that you’re not as smart
or capable as they think you are?
Do you sometimes shy away from challenges because of nagging self-doubt?
Do you tend to chalk your accomplishments up to being a “fluke”, “no big deal” or the fact that people just "like" you?
Do you hate making a mistake, being less than fully prepared or not doing things perfectly?
Do you tend to feel crushed by even constructive criticism, seeing it as evidence of your "ineptness?“
Do you believe that other people (students, colleagues, competitors) are smarter and more capable than you are?
•Do you live in fear of being found out, discovered, unmasked?
From Dr. Valerie Young, www.impostorsyndrome.com
Workshop Agenda
What is Impostor Syndrome?
Why is this important to know about?
How to cope with impostor feelings
Feeling like a Fraud
One of These Things Is Not Like the Other
Signs of Impostor Syndrome
Self-doubt
Sense of incompetence
Frequently comparing yourself to others
Low self-esteem, self-worth
Fear, anxiety
Immobility
Stress & burnout
Under-performance
Hard to accept praise and/or compliments
Inability to enjoy your accomplishments
Sources of Impostor Feelings
“You’re so smart!”
You’re a student or new hire
The politics and culture of graduate/professional school can fuel self-doubt
You belong to an underrepresented group and are a minority in your school/work place
From Dr. Valerie Young, www.impostorsyndrome.com
Sources of Impostor Feelings
But I Can Explain All ThatLuck or timing
Supposed simplicity of the task
Others help or low expectations
Computer error
Likeability
Other creative excuses…
From Dr. Valerie Young, www.impostorsyndrome.com
Competence TypesThe Perfectionist
The Expert
The Soloist
The Natural Genius
The Superwoman/man/student
From Dr. Valerie Young, www.impostorsyndrome.com
Coping & Protecting Strategies
Hard work to make up for “ineptness”
Holding back
Use of charm or perceptiveness
Procrastination
Not finishing
Self-sabotage
From Dr. Valerie Young, www.impostorsyndrome.com
Small Changes Add UpBreak the silence and normalize feelings
It’s not just you!
Separate feelings from fact
Change thoughts and behaviors first and let feelings catch up…understand your unique “impostor pattern”
Reframe those “fraud” feelings into a sense of learning and growing
From Dr. Valerie Young, www.impostorsyndrome.com
Small Changes Add UpFind a mentor, create a support system &
community
Teach and be a mentor
Remind yourself that you are not alone“Everyone else is an impostor, too.” – Tina Fey
Remind yourself of your accomplishments
True CompetenceKnowing how to identify the resources it takes to
get the job done…TimeMoney InformationPeople
From Dr. Valerie Young, www.impostorsyndrome.com
Use Your Resources!Student Health & Counseling
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Student Disability Services• 476-6595
First Gen Support Services• 514-0840
Learning Resource Services• 502-0319
Multicultural Resource Center
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Office of Career & Professional Development
• 476-4986
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