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How to Get Over ‘Imposter Syndrome’
Have you ever questioned your own ability? Does it ever feel like people are light years ahead of you while you seem to be behind.
It’s not uncommon to get a new title at work, be sitting at a table with talented people, or be leading in some way and suddenly think to yourself, “What am I doing here???”
This human phenomenon is known as “imposter syndrome” and it is quite common.
Why is imposter syndrome so common?
Comparison is a natural thing for human beings to do, and we all do it at times. But if you you do it too often, and always with a negative bent, it can be psychologically detrimental and even debilitating.
Comparison can motivate you, IF you use it properly (for example, when you compare yourself to a past version of yourself to see how far you’ve come). Comparison can inspire you, IF you use it properly (for example, when you admire someone else’s effort and choose to adopt personal habits for yourself based on what helped them reach a certain goal).
The problem is most people use comparison all wrong.
Notice that when we’re comparing ourselves to someone else, we always look forward and compare ourselves to people who have done more than us or done it longer than us. When we do that, it makes us feel as if those…
