You Have “BORDERLINE” Imposter Syndrome!

(Just barely short of full-blown Imposter Syndrome, but something to keep an eye on).

It’s common for all of us to doubt ourselves every now and then. Let’s face it, every one of us couldn't possibly be a pro at all things all of the time. However, when the self-doubt is consistent and chronic, it can most definitely become a barrier not only to our mental health but also to our enjoyment and functioning in the workplace. When we ruminate about our insecurities, we become crippled by them. We stop taking risks, we try to remain under the radar, and see if we can sneak by just one more day without getting caught.

The best course of action to correct Imposter Syndrome is to recognize when we’re giving ourselves negative labels when thinking about our perceived weaknesses. It’s helpful to remember that a part never equals a whole. So if we’re not competent at everything at all times, it hardly means we’re a complete failure, no good, or a worthless person. Just as performing well at something wouldn’t make us entirely competent people, poorly executing something wouldn’t render us altogether useless either. To get out of this train of thought, it’s helpful to look flexibly at ourselves in perspective, rather than rigidly uphold negative all-or-nothing self-labels.

It’s important to think about the actions of others, and how in most cultures it’s encouraged that we consistently put our best feet forward. It’s in our very nature to broadcast our strengths and to minimize our apparent weaknesses. It may appear that we are the only person with self-doubt and insecurities when it’s more likely the majority of people are feeling the same way that we do at any given moment. So don’t hold yourself to unrealistic expectations, and don’t put yourself down with a negative label when you make a mistake. We are all human, we are all fallible, and our weaknesses never define us.

*** When all else fails, schedule an appointment with a psychotherapist to help you get out of the Imposter Syndrome mindset.