Impostor Syndrome Treatment (Patreon)

Impostor syndrome is a psychological phenomenon where individuals doubt their accomplishments and have an internalized fear of being exposed as a "fraud" or "impostor".

Despite external evidence of their competence, those experiencing this syndrome remain convinced that they don't deserve the success they have achieved. They often believe that their success is attributed to luck, timing, or deceiving others into thinking they're more competent than they believe themselves to be.

This affects people across all races, all genders, and all ages. It most commonly affects those who are new to their work, and those who don’t have several role models in their workplace. 

Impostor syndrome affects most people at some point during their careers. Online estimates put the number at 70 percent of engineers, while a quick poll of 30 personal engineering  contacts put it above 90 percent. 

The consequences of impostor syndrome can be multifaceted and detrimental. For one, it can lead to excessive perfectionism, where individuals feel an overwhelming need to achieve unattainably high standards for fear of any mistake being seen as proof of their fraudulence. This can result in burnout, stress, and anxiety.

Over time, constantly doubting oneself can stifle creativity and hinder performance, making it difficult for individuals to reach their full potential. Furthermore, it can prevent people from pursuing new opportunities or challenges, limiting their professional growth and personal development. On a personal level, impostor syndrome can affect self-worth and self-esteem, leading to feelings of inadequacy and potentially contributing to mental health issues like depression. In interpersonal relationships, it may cause individuals to withdraw or avoid situations where they fear exposure, leading to isolation and a lack of meaningful connections. Over time, the constant fear and doubt can be mentally exhausting, affecting both personal and professional spheres of an individual's life.

2 to 3 times a day.