According to psychologists and researchers, many professionals struggle with imposter syndrome: a mix of self doubt and fear of being discovered as inadequate, despite personal success.
One UK survey conducted in 2019 by Clara Josa, an author and researcher on imposter syndrome, found that about 50% of all men and women struggle with this issue.
- There are a number of books that can help if you struggle with imposter syndrome, including Josa's "Ditching Imposter Syndrome," and "Own Your Greatness" by psychologists Lisa and Richard Orbé-Austin.
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Have you ever felt like your success is all due to luck? Or that it's only a matter of time before everyone discovers that you're not talented or you're a fraud? If so, you may have what's called imposter syndrome. While it's technically not a medical prognosis, psychologists and researchers alike acknowledge it as a real problem many struggle with.
According to an article in the The Journal of the American Medical Association, imposter syndrome is defined as "a pattern of behavior wherein people (even those with adequate external evidence of success) doubt their abilities and have a persistent fear of being exposed as a fraud." In other words, you don't believe your own achievements are due to your abilities; and you think it's merely a matter of time before people realize you're incapable.
About half of all people struggle with imposter syndrome, according to a 2019 poll of 2,000 UK residents conducted by Clara Josa, author of "Ditching Imposter Syndrome." Some 49% of men and 52% of women reported they dealt with it "daily" or "regularly" over the previous year.
Thankfully, a number of psychologists and career coaches have written on the topic. Here are seven of the most helpful books written by psychologists, career coaches, and successful entrepreneurs to help you deal with imposter syndrome.