The Pros and Cons of Imposter Syndrome

Every successful person I know has dealt with Imposter Syndrome at some point. You too? Here’s why and how to manage it.

Imposter Syndrome isn’t all bad.

I know, I know. As human beings we really want things to be cut and dried, especially when it comes to “good” and “bad.” This is good, that is bad — as if anything ever was 100% one or the other. Life would be so much easier then! It wouldn’t require any discernment at all.

Lately, I’ve been hearing a lot about Imposter Syndrome — the feeling that you don’t deserve your success and are a “fraud” despite measurable proof of high performance and consistent achievement. Imposter Syndrome definitely gets a bad rap. And for good reason! This inaccurate self-assessment can lead to debilitating anxiety, burnout, shame, an inability to live up to your potential, and self-sabotage. Serious stuff.

And yes, if you struggle with Imposter Syndrome, then you need to address it. But let’s not forget why you fall into this thought trap — and so many others like it, such as catastrophizing, blaming others, ignoring the positive, abusive self-talk, etc. — in the first place.

All of the pesky thought patterns and behaviors you struggle with exist because your magnificent brain is trying to help you! It wants you to be SAFE. You eat too much and…