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Do you think your success is due to good luck or timing? Are you at the top of your game but feeling a deep sense of fear or guilt? You may be suffering from imposter syndrome.
Fortunately, Dr Carmen Harra, American author of Committed: Finding Love and Loyalty Through the Seven Archetypes, has told FEMAIL how to find out if you might be experiencing this condition.
‘Imposter syndrome refers to repeated thoughts that one does not deserve one’s success and that one’s achievements are the result of fraud,’ the psychologist explained.
This comes after new research from the University of California showed that women in senior jobs are still far more likely than their male colleagues to fall victim to the psychological experience of intellectual and professional incompetence.
Could you be suffering from this psychological disorder? Reflect on the following questions to try to find out how likely it is that you suffer from it:
Do you think your success is due to good luck or timing? Are you at the top of your career but feeling a deep sense of fear or guilt? You may be suffering from imposter syndrome (stock image)
1. I attribute my success to:
A. My constant and diligent work.
B. My work mixed with a bit of luck.
C. Mostly luck, not so much my work.
D. Bad luck, I don’t deserve any of this.
2. I tend to downplay my accomplishments:
A never.
B. Rarely.
C. Often.
D. Always.
3. When performing an unfamiliar task, I feel:
A. I am completely sure: I know what I am doing!
B. I’m pretty sure: I think I know what I’m doing.
C. A little unsure. I’m making it up as I go along.
D. Completely unsure. I have no idea why I agreed to do this.
4. I consider my level of competence to be:
A. Above average.
B. Average.
C. Below average.
D. Abysmal.
5. When someone praises my competence or skills, I feel:
A. Incredible, I earned it.
B. Good, but I know I could have done even better.
C. A little embarrassed, because I’m not as competent as everyone thinks.
D. Very embarrassed, because I am not competent at all.
6. I feel that it is more difficult for me than for others to do things.
A. I don’t agree at all.
B. Disagree except in some situations.
C. I kind of agree.
D. I totally agree.
7. I have a tendency to compare myself with others:
A never.
B. Rarely.
C. Often.
D. Always.
Women in senior positions are more likely to suffer from impostor syndrome, according to a new study (file image)
8. When I’m given a challenging project at work, my first reaction is:
A. Go ahead! I love a good challenge!
B. I’m going to keep going, even if it’s not perfect.
C. I’m going to work to get over it, even if it makes me uncomfortable.
D. I have no idea what I’m doing, I’ll just make it up as usual.
9. When attention is drawn to my success, I feel:
A. Worthy of it.
B. Decent about it.
C. I feel uncomfortable about it.
D. Unworthy of it.
10. I feel that other people deserve my achievements more than I do.
A. I don’t agree at all.
B. Disagree except in some situations.
C. I kind of agree.
D. I totally agree.
11. As for my career, if I could go back and do things over again, I would do the following:
A. Make them exactly the same way.
B. Do them the same way with some exceptions.
C. Change some of the decisions I have made.
D. Change all the decisions I have made.
12. Honestly, I feel like a fraud.
A never.
B. Rarely.
C. Often.
D. Always.
If you answered mostly A: Dr Carmen said: ‘You are far from suffering from impostor syndrome. On the contrary, you are full of confidence in your progress and your potential.
‘Keep radiating this excellent work ethic and teach others to believe in themselves too.’
If you answered mostly B: Dr Carmen says: “It is unlikely that you have impostor syndrome. You are confident in your abilities and your work, although you also recognise that you are imperfect.
“This is completely normal and ensures a healthy balance between certainty and modesty.”
If you answered mostly C: Dr Carmen said: “You may have a low level of impostor syndrome. Although you recognise that you have worked hard, your success is a source of considerable discomfort.
‘Sometimes you feel a sense of unworthiness that you need to confront and resolve.’
If you answered mostly D: Dr Carmen said: ‘You may have a moderate to high level of impostor syndrome.
‘You feel that you have been able to ‘fool’ others into believing in your competence and you feel that your achievements are the result of pure luck.
‘Changing this mindset will not only contribute to your mental and emotional well-being, but will encourage continued progress.’
Dr Carmen added: ‘If you find yourself struggling with this psychological phenomenon, it is likely that the feelings of shame and embarrassment you are experiencing did not originate in adulthood; they are likely the result of certain pains or traumas from your younger years.
‘What you feel in your career can also be felt at home, so be careful not to let those self-degrading tendencies seep into and damage your relationships with the people who love you.
‘It is imperative to discover the source of your lack of confidence and eradicate it.
‘This usually means making peace with whatever has happened and recognizing that you are not a product of your past. You exist here and now and are exactly where you are meant to be.
‘Since impostor syndrome doesn’t develop overnight, elevating your beliefs will prove to be a process.
‘If you need help alleviating the symptoms of impostor syndrome, seek the assistance of a qualified professional who will work with you on the steps necessary to build a strong sense of self-confidence.’