Why the Impostor Syndrome is Common and How to Cope with It
What If You're Not as Good as Others Think? Imposter Syndrome and How to Live with It
In your head, it sounds something like this: "I don't belong here at all. I just got lucky. If people knew who I really am, they wouldn't consider me a successful person." If these thoughts are familiar to you, you might be experiencing imposter syndrome—a psychological phenomenon that can undermine even the greatest success.
Although it has been talked about more in recent years, this condition is not new. As early as 1978, psychologists Pauline Clance and Suzanne Imes described it when they noticed that many successful women tend to attribute their achievements to chance, overestimation by others, or excessive effort, rather than their abilities. And it wasn't just women—men felt the same way, they just talked about it less.
Today, it is estimated that up to 70% of people experience feelings at some stage in life that correspond to this syndrome. Actors like Tom Hanks, entrepreneurs like Howard Schultz, or famous writers like Maya Angelou have spoken about it. And although it might seem that it only affects exceptionally successful people, the reality is different—imposter syndrome can affect anyone, regardless of age, field, or achievements.
Why Do We Feel Like Imposters?
The essence of imposter syndrome (sometimes referred to in English as imposter syndrome) lies in a deeply rooted belief that our achievements are undeserved. People with this syndrome believe they were just in the right place at the right time, that their environment is mistaken in considering them competent, or that everything they achieved is the result of chance.
It often begins during studies when students are afraid to speak up because they think their classmates know more. Later, at work, they fear asking for a promotion or taking on a more responsible task because they feel they don't deserve it. And even when they achieve success—publish an article, receive a grant, lead a team, build a company—instead of joy, anxiety comes: "This time it worked out, but next time it will surely be revealed that I can't handle it."
The syndrome manifests in various ways—some people withdraw from situations where they might be evaluated, while others overburden themselves, work late into the night, and constantly try to compensate for their perceived shortcomings. The result is chronic stress, anxiety, burnout, and in some cases, even depression.
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It's Not Just About Low Self-Esteem
At first glance, it might seem that imposter syndrome is just another form of low self-esteem. The reality is more complex. Many people with this syndrome appear outwardly confident, articulate, successful, and experienced—but inside, they struggle with deep doubts about their own worth. Interestingly, this phenomenon often affects those who are truly competent because they understand the complexity of their fields and see how much they still "don't know."
Moreover, cultural and social context plays a role. People from marginalized groups—such as women in technical fields, people of different ethnicities, or first-generation college graduates in a family—struggle with this syndrome more often because they feel like outsiders in environments where they are not sufficiently represented. "Self-doubt becomes the norm when no one else around you looks like you," said a professor at an American university in an interview with Harvard Business Review.
How to Deal with It?
If you recognize yourself in this, know that you are not alone. The good news is that imposter syndrome can be managed—not necessarily eliminated, but learned to live with in a way that doesn't limit you.
One of the first steps is naming the problem. Many people don't realize until they read about the syndrome or hear about it in a lecture that their feelings are not unique. Just knowing that something like imposter syndrome exists can bring relief.
It also helps to talk about your feelings with others—with colleagues, friends, a mentor. An open conversation often reveals that others have similar doubts. This creates a space for sharing experiences and naturally weakens the sense of isolation that often accompanies this syndrome.
It's also useful to re-evaluate your own expectations. People suffering from this syndrome often have overly high demands on their own performance. They learn that it's enough to be "good enough," not perfect. This doesn't mean lowering ambitions but having a healthier relationship with oneself.
Finally, it's good to consciously remind yourself of your own successes—for example, keeping a journal where you record each week what you've achieved, what you've learned, what you've managed. Such an overview of concrete evidence can bring you back to reality in moments of doubt.
Real Example - Tereza, a Beginning Architect
Tereza graduated with honors in architecture and immediately got a job at a respected studio. Yet she constantly felt they were wrong to hire her. When she presented a design to a client, she felt like she was acting—as if she was just pretending to know what she was doing. "I felt that everyone else was more talented, experienced, confident," she says. After months of exhaustion, she began to notice that this inner voice repeated itself over and over. Therapy helped her, as well as conversations with colleagues who shared similar experiences. Today, she no longer asks if she is good enough. Instead, she asks what she can learn next—and that moves her forward.
When the Inner Critic Overpowers Reality
Imposter syndrome is like a small voice in your head that questions everything you do. It claims you're lying to those around you, that you're not competent enough, and that anything you've achieved was by chance. But as American psychologist Valerie Young, who has studied this topic for over twenty years, says: "Real impostors don't have these doubts."
This means that the very fact that you doubt is a sign that you care about the results, that you have responsibility, and that you reflect on your abilities. People without a shred of self-reflection or empathy rarely suffer from imposter syndrome.
So if you feel uncertain, anxious, or tend to underestimate your abilities, you might be battling this quiet but very common inner critic. And although its voice will never completely disappear, you can learn to listen to it with detachment—and gradually stop believing it.
Because success is not proof of chance. And recognition from others is not a mistake. It is the result of your work, passion, and effort. And you deserve it.
