Impostor Syndrome

(written by Lawrence Krubner, however indented passages are often quotes)

Interesting:

It turns out there’s a psycho-babble name for this: Impostor Syndrome. As Inc Magazine points out, studies show that “40% of successful people consider themselves frauds.” Ask any small business coach; they’ll confirm how prevalent these feelings are. It’s even common with PhD candidates.

Although not an official psychological disorder, and generally not crippling, if you have these feelings it’s useful to know that it’s common and there’s something you can do about it.

See if these sound familiar:

You dismiss complements, awards, and positive reinforcement as “no big deal.”

You are crushed by mild, constructive criticism.

You believe you’re not as smart/talented/capable as other people think you are.

You worry others will discover you’re not as smart/talented/capable as they think you are.

You think other people with similar jobs are more “adult” than you are, and they “have their shit together” while you flounder around.

You feel your successes are due more to luck than ability; with your failures it’s the other way around.
You find it difficult to take credit for your accomplishments.

You feel that you’re the living embodiment of “fake it until you make it.”

But wait, how can this be? This overwhelming lack of self-confidence is the opposite of the traditional entrepreneurial stereotype. Don’t founders forge ahead even when others say success is impossible? Doesn’t a founder invent a new product based on her confidence that others will want it? Doesn’t the very idea of starting your own company scream “I’m doing it my way, and my way is better?”