Imposter Syndrome: How it shows up and how to deal with it

Imposter syndrome is a widespread issue affecting around 70% of people. It’s the internalised fear of being exposed as a fraud, regardless of past achievements or evidence of competence. For professionals in fast-paced and high-pressure environments, it can often manifest in ways that hinder performance, creativity, and overall career progression.

How Imposter Syndrome Shows Up

1. Dismissing Achievements: Attributing success to luck or external factors rather than skill or effort.

2. Overworking: Putting in excessive hours to compensate for feelings of inadequacy.

3. Avoiding Opportunities: Declining career-advancing roles due to fear of failure or not meeting expectations.

4. Perfectionism: Setting unrealistically high standards and being overly critical of outcomes.

5. Solo Work Preference: Avoiding collaboration or delegating tasks, fearing exposure of perceived weaknesses.

These behaviours can lead to chronic stress, missed opportunities, and diminished job satisfaction. Over time, they may contribute to burnout and stunted career growth.

Imposter syndrome often stems from past experiences, such as:

1. High Expectations: Growing up in an environment where success and achievement were the ways love was received. Being productive was celebrated and often gained the much-desired attention from a parent figure.

2. Early Academic Success: Pressure to maintain an identity of being the “smart” or “gifted” one.

3. Comparisons: Being measured against peers or siblings, leading to feelings of inadequacy.

Imposter Syndrome & EFT

By addressing these root causes through EFT, individuals can release emotional burdens and reshape their inner narrative. Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), or tapping, is a powerful tool that combines cognitive therapy with physical tapping on specific acupressure points. It helps neutralise the emotional intensity of self-doubt and reframe unhelpful beliefs. Here’s how EFT can help:

1. Calming Anxiety: Tapping reduces physiological stress responses, helping individuals feel more grounded and in control.

2. Reframing Negative Beliefs: By addressing the emotions behind self-doubt, EFT helps create space for more balanced, constructive thoughts.

3. Building Self-Compassion: EFT encourages acceptance of personal imperfections, reducing harsh self-criticism.

4. Neutralising Emotional Triggers: It helps process past experiences, such as critical feedback or comparisons, that may have contributed to imposter syndrome.

5. Boosting Confidence: EFT enables a shift in perspective, allowing individuals to acknowledge and embrace their abilities.

The Benefits of Addressing Imposter Syndrome:

1. Improved Confidence: A greater belief in your skills and contributions.

2. Enhanced Creativity: Freedom from self-doubt fosters innovation and exploration.

3. Career Growth: Openness to opportunities and challenges propels professional advancement.

4. Better Collaboration: Confidence encourages seeking support and valuing teamwork.

5. Mental Well-being: Reduced anxiety and stress contribute to a more balanced, fulfilling work life.

Imposter syndrome doesn’t have to define your career. With tools like EFT, you can address its root causes and become a more confident, empowered version of yourself. By tackling these patterns, creative professionals can unlock their potential and navigate their careers with assurance and clarity.