Last month, I introduced the Corporate Impostor Syndrome Tax™. Today, let's delve into the Personal Impostor Syndrome Tax™, which manifests in two distinct yet equally costly ways.
Whether you're a superstar overworking to prove yourself or you’re watching opportunities slip by, paralyzed by an invisible force, you might be paying the hefty avoidable Personal Impostor Syndrome Tax™.
Debunking Some Impostor Syndrome Myths
Before we dive in, let’s clear up some common misconceptions:
1. Myth: Impostor syndrome isn’t real
Truth: With over 45 years of research, impostor syndrome is a well-documented phenomenon affecting professionals across various fields—from interns to seasoned CEOs.
2. Myth: Impostor syndrome only affects women.
Truth: Studies show up to 80% of people, regardless of gender, experience it at some point in their careers. Underrepresented groups might experience impostor syndrome differently.
3. Myth: Impostor syndrome is a superpower that keeps you humble and driven
Truth: Impostor syndrome-related behaviors are ultimately unhealthy and can hinder personal and professional growth.
Understanding Impostor Syndrome
The Impostor Phenomenon, coined in 1978 by psychologists Pauline Rose Clance and Suzanne Imes, is the persistent belief that you’re not as talented or capable as others perceive you to be, despite evidence to the contrary.
Its manifestations include:
These behaviors tax your career and life in significant ways.
The Dual Face of the Personal Impostor Syndrome Tax™
1. The Overworking Tax
You might think that working overtime and consistently over-delivering would fast-track your career. While this can lead to short-term success, it comes at a significant cost:
- Sacrificed personal relationships and work-life balance: The constant need to prove yourself leaves little room for nurturing relationships or enjoying life.
- Emotional toll of constant self-doubt: The nagging feeling of not being enough wears you down, leading to chronic stress and anxiety.
- Potential career derailment due to burnout: Overwork is not sustainable. Burnout is a real risk that can sideline even the most promising careers.
A study by the American Psychological Association found that chronic stress and burnout can lead to serious health problems, including heart disease, anxiety, and depression.
Imagine the tollthis takes not just on your career but on your overall well-being.
2. The Missed Opportunities Tax
Equally severe is the tax paidby those who shy away from challenges and fly under the radar due to self-doubt:
- Missed promotions and slower career advancement: Hesitating to step up means others will pass you by, despite your capabilities.
- Salary stagnation: Not negotiating salary increases can result in losing over $1 million in lifetime earnings (Linda Babcock, "Women Don’t Ask").
- Unfulfilled potential leading to job dissatisfaction: Playing it safe might protect you from immediate discomfort, but it also keeps you from realizing your full potential and finding true satisfaction in your work.
The compound effect over time creates a significant gap in earnings and career achievementscompared to your true potential, leaving you with a sense of regret for what could have been.
By understanding how impostor syndrome affects you personally, you can begin to implement targeted strategies to overcome it.
Let's explore some effective methods to break free from this self-imposed tax and reclaim your potential.
Breaking Free: Strategies to Abolish Your Impostor Syndrome Tax
1. Identify your impostor syndrome intensity
Take the Clance Impostor Phenomenon Scale hereto understand your experience. Awareness is the first step in tackling the problem.
2. Determine your impostor type
Dr. Valerie Young identifies five types of impostors: the perfectionist, the natural genius, the soloist, the expert, or the superhuman. Understanding your type helps tailor your approach to overcoming impostor syndrome.
3. Increase your mental fitness
Our brains can change and adapt, known as neuroplasticity. Start rewiring your brain according to your impostor type to adopt healthier beliefs about competence, confidence, failure, and feedback. Gradually replace unhelpful coping mechanisms with positive, growth-oriented habits.
4. Seek help from experts
Consider seeking professional help through coaching or training to understand your impostor syndrome better and learn effective strategies to overcome it.
5. Embrace continuous learning
View challenges as growth opportunitiesrather than tests of your abilities. Adopting a growth mindset will help you see setbacks as valuable lessons rather than evidence of inadequacy.
Your Next Steps
Ready to take the first step?Take the assessment now and start your journey toward freedom from impostor syndrome.
By addressing your impostor syndrome, you’ll improve your career and invest in a more confident, balanced, and fulfilling life.
Let’s work together to abolish the personal impostor tax ™ and build a future where you thrive confidently and joyfully.