Here is why you feel like an impostor

Spoiler alert: I feel like an impostor 99% of the time so this article is directed to me as much as it is directed to you.

'Impostor Syndrome' has become a buzz word lately. I don't know about you but it is widely written about in the tech community. Extensive research has been done where causes as well as solutions have been proposed. The root cause of Impostor Syndrome is because we hardly see ourselves. Our eyes were made to look into the world, and of course it is a great big world out there with lots of great people. You logon to social media and see how brilliant other people are, rarely do you see yourself.

Impostor Syndrome is not inherently bad. It is big motivating factor to get out of the comfort zone. Feeling like an impostor is a sign that you have aspirations that are probably not met yet but is a good place to start. Allow a manageable amount of it in your life. By the way, research has shown that it is high potential people who face impostor syndrome more, sort of like the opposite of Dunning Kruger effect. On the other hand, once a threshold is reached, impostor has diminishing if not opposite returns. According to AdamGrant, everything of consequence follows an inverted U-curve as illustrated below.

Once impostor syndrome starts to have a paralyzing effect we need to eliminate it and the most effective way to do it is to look inside. Appreciate what you have and make use of it. Magic happens when we accept that we can't have it all or be perfect, we can just be our best and that's enough. (#NoteToSelf). What appears to be weaknesses could actually be strengths. David didn't defeat Goliath by trying to be as strong or big, he used his speed, accuracy and vision which happened to be his strength and his opponent's weakness. Winners don't have it all, they just capitalize on their strengths.

Impostor Syndrome is not all bad. It is necessary because we are fundamentally different and diversity is good. We should celebrate it. On the rare occasions that impostor syndrome becomes destructive, be gentle to your self. Forget the world and look inside, there is so much treasure  yet to be unlocked.

Can you tell that I'm currently reading David and Goliath by Malcolm Gladwell? Its awesome, if you haven't read it , I'm happy to lend mine when I'm done. Have a great and productive week ahead!!