SlideShare a Scribd company logo

Impostor syndrome

•Download as PPTX, PDF•
•
F
firstgen

The document discusses impostor syndrome, which is a psychological pattern of doubting one's abilities and fearing being exposed as a "fraud". It describes common signs like self-doubt, comparing oneself to others, and an inability to accept praise. Potential causes include praise from others, being a minority in one's environment, and cultural pressures in school or work. The document provides coping strategies like separating feelings from facts, finding support, and reframing failures as opportunities to learn. It emphasizes that impostor syndrome is common and discussing it openly can help address it.

1 of 17
The Impostor Syndrome: It’s not just you! Drs. Felicia De La Garza Mercer & Lisa Meeks October 16, 2013
Pop Quiz  Do you secretly worry that others will find out that you’re not as smart or capable as they think you are?  Do you sometimes shy away from challenges because of nagging self-doubt?  Do you tend to chalk your accomplishments up to being a “fluke”, “no big deal” or the fact that people just "like" you?  Do you hate making a mistake, being less than fully prepared or not doing things perfectly?  Do you tend to feel crushed by even constructive criticism, seeing it as evidence of your "ineptness?“  Do you believe that other people (students, colleagues, competitors) are smarter and more capable than you are?  •Do you live in fear of being found out, discovered, unmasked? From Dr. Valerie Young, www.impostorsyndrome.com
Workshop Agenda  What is Impostor Syndrome?  Why is this important to know about?  How to cope with impostor feelings
Feeling like a Fraud
One of These Things Is Not Like the Other
Signs of Impostor Syndrome  Self-doubt  Sense of incompetence  Frequently comparing yourself to others  Low self-esteem, self-worth  Fear, anxiety  Immobility  Stress & burnout  Under-performance  Hard to accept praise and/or compliments  Inability to enjoy your accomplishments
Sources of Impostor Feelings  “You’re so smart!”  You’re a student or new hire  The politics and culture of graduate/professional school can fuel self-doubt  You belong to an underrepresented group and are a minority in your school/work place From Dr. Valerie Young, www.impostorsyndrome.com
Sources of Impostor Feelings
But I Can Explain All That  Luck or timing  Supposed simplicity of the task  Others help or low expectations  Computer error  Likeability  Other creative excuses… From Dr. Valerie Young, www.impostorsyndrome.com
Competence Types  The Perfectionist  The Expert  The Soloist  The Natural Genius  The Superwoman/man/student From Dr. Valerie Young, www.impostorsyndrome.com
Coping & Protecting Strategies  Hard work to make up for “ineptness”  Holding back  Use of charm or perceptiveness  Procrastination  Not finishing  Self-sabotage From Dr. Valerie Young, www.impostorsyndrome.com
Small Changes Add Up  Break the silence and normalize feelings  It’s not just you!  Separate feelings from fact  Change thoughts and behaviors first and let feelings catch up…understand your unique “impostor pattern”  Reframe those “fraud” feelings into a sense of learning and growing From Dr. Valerie Young, www.impostorsyndrome.com
Impostor syndrome
Small Changes Add Up  Find a mentor, create a support system & community  Teach and be a mentor  Remind yourself that you are not alone  “Everyone else is an impostor, too.” – Tina Fey  Remind yourself of your accomplishments
True Competence  Knowing how to identify the resources it takes to get the job done…  Time  Money  Information  People From Dr. Valerie Young, www.impostorsyndrome.com
Use Your Resources! Student Health & Counseling Student Disability Services First Gen Support Services • 476-1281 • 476-6595 • 514-0840 Learning Resource Services Multicultural Resource Center Office of Career & Professional Development • 502-0319 • 502-1911 • 476-4986 Your Peers Faculty/Mentors
Impostor syndrome

More Related Content

Impostor syndrome

  • 1. The Impostor Syndrome: It’s not just you! Drs. Felicia De La Garza Mercer & Lisa Meeks October 16, 2013
  • 2. Pop Quiz  Do you secretly worry that others will find out that you’re not as smart or capable as they think you are?  Do you sometimes shy away from challenges because of nagging self-doubt?  Do you tend to chalk your accomplishments up to being a “fluke”, “no big deal” or the fact that people just "like" you?  Do you hate making a mistake, being less than fully prepared or not doing things perfectly?  Do you tend to feel crushed by even constructive criticism, seeing it as evidence of your "ineptness?“  Do you believe that other people (students, colleagues, competitors) are smarter and more capable than you are?  •Do you live in fear of being found out, discovered, unmasked? From Dr. Valerie Young, www.impostorsyndrome.com
  • 3. Workshop Agenda  What is Impostor Syndrome?  Why is this important to know about?  How to cope with impostor feelings
  • 5. One of These Things Is Not Like the Other
  • 6. Signs of Impostor Syndrome  Self-doubt  Sense of incompetence  Frequently comparing yourself to others  Low self-esteem, self-worth  Fear, anxiety  Immobility  Stress & burnout  Under-performance  Hard to accept praise and/or compliments  Inability to enjoy your accomplishments
  • 7. Sources of Impostor Feelings  “You’re so smart!”  You’re a student or new hire  The politics and culture of graduate/professional school can fuel self-doubt  You belong to an underrepresented group and are a minority in your school/work place From Dr. Valerie Young, www.impostorsyndrome.com
  • 9. But I Can Explain All That  Luck or timing  Supposed simplicity of the task  Others help or low expectations  Computer error  Likeability  Other creative excuses… From Dr. Valerie Young, www.impostorsyndrome.com
  • 10. Competence Types  The Perfectionist  The Expert  The Soloist  The Natural Genius  The Superwoman/man/student From Dr. Valerie Young, www.impostorsyndrome.com
  • 11. Coping & Protecting Strategies  Hard work to make up for “ineptness”  Holding back  Use of charm or perceptiveness  Procrastination  Not finishing  Self-sabotage From Dr. Valerie Young, www.impostorsyndrome.com
  • 12. Small Changes Add Up  Break the silence and normalize feelings  It’s not just you!  Separate feelings from fact  Change thoughts and behaviors first and let feelings catch up…understand your unique “impostor pattern”  Reframe those “fraud” feelings into a sense of learning and growing From Dr. Valerie Young, www.impostorsyndrome.com
  • 14. Small Changes Add Up  Find a mentor, create a support system & community  Teach and be a mentor  Remind yourself that you are not alone  “Everyone else is an impostor, too.” – Tina Fey  Remind yourself of your accomplishments
  • 15. True Competence  Knowing how to identify the resources it takes to get the job done…  Time  Money  Information  People From Dr. Valerie Young, www.impostorsyndrome.com
  • 16. Use Your Resources! Student Health & Counseling Student Disability Services First Gen Support Services • 476-1281 • 476-6595 • 514-0840 Learning Resource Services Multicultural Resource Center Office of Career & Professional Development • 502-0319 • 502-1911 • 476-4986 Your Peers Faculty/Mentors