20/9

THE GUARDIAN

The philosopher Bertrand Russell wrote: The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are
always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts. Whether on a local or global level, the
problems we face require the best people to step up. But many hold back because they feel that luck rather Commented [a1]: 2 ci mu xanh ny c phi // ko, nu c ti
than ability lies behind their successes, and dread that sooner or later some person or event will expose sao li phi c comma y, rt nghi ng l ci hold back mi // vs
dread that th nn mi c du phy y trnh nhm hai ci
them for the fraud that deep down they believe themselves to be. Far from being a realistic self- mu xanh //
assessment, the impostor syndrome mind-trap prevents people from believing in themselves, to the
detriment of us all.

As a life coach, I work with people who sense they have more personal and professional potential but feel
blocked from fulfilling it. For some, hearing about impostor syndrome for the first time is a revelation.
They realise that, far from it being their own shameful secret, it is a recognised phenomenon, first
identified in 1978 by psychologists Pauline Clance and Suzanne Imes.

According to some estimates, up to 70% of successful people have experienced impostor syndrome,
including Maya Angelou, Albert Einstein, and Meryl Streep. Unlike other forms of anxiety that sap
confidence, the syndromes insidious nature means that external success heightens rather than soothes
the effects, as sufferers believe they are only ramping up the confidence trick they are playing on
everyone.

I am well acquainted with the sleepless nights before a presentation, the chorus of self-criticism even
when I do something well, my tendency to explain away success, and the fear of being exposed. Fellow Commented [a2]: to make something seem less important
or bad by giving reasons for it
[appositive cho N ng trc],

sufferers tend to overwork, people-please, and experience toxic stress and depression. But rather than
pushing our anxieties to the back of the emotional inbox and soldier on, I invite us all to lean in. If you Commented [a3]: continue working in spite of difficulties
spot the symptoms then you have a great opportunity to develop self-awareness, generate pragmatic
empathy, and integrate practices that will support you to live a more fulfilled life.

First, know that its not entirely your fault; evolution is partly responsible. We are all the descendants of
worriers. Any strain of homo sapiens who were not would have died out millennia ago. Survival of the Commented [a4]: a type of animal, plant, or disease
fittest means all humans live with degrees of anxiety including the kind that can cause impostor
syndrome.

Second, your culture will also have an effect. As a coach, I have noticed that British clients are less
inclined to own success for fear of being labelled arrogant, compared with Americans. Women and people
from minority populations also experience impostor syndrome more, due to cultural inequities.

Third, as children our emotional need to belong often leads us to downplay our abilities as a survival Commented [a5]: to make something seem less important
strategy, believing we are more acceptable when we fit in rather than stand out. This can linger into than it really is
adulthood where it harms rather than helps us. But while we may not be sole authors of our anxious
tendencies, we do have responsibility to do something about it so that we can serve ourselves and the
world better.

Next time you fear being exposed as a fraud, name it for what it is impostor syndrome. Notice the Commented [a6]: someone or something that is not what it
cascade of bodily sensations and automatic thoughts. Perhaps your stomach flips or heart pounds. What is claimed to be
are the scripts that your mind starts running? They will be the same ones again and again, which makes
them easier to spot: Im useless and people will know, for instance. Remind yourself that this is not
reality, just your perception of it. To name impostor syndrome is to start to sense control over it and
recognise that it is a complex condition that you can with practise overcome.

Give each inner script a character so you can recognise who is speaking when they pipe up: the judge or
the perfectionist, for instance. They are mechanisms of your subconscious running the same program as
when you were a child, working to keep you in your comfort zone where you feel you can manage and be
accepted. They often show up when you are taking on more responsibility, challenges and risks.

Talk back to them, thank them for services rendered and instruct them that they are surplus to
requirements. In parallel, tone up your connection to your inner allies: the inner psychological sub-
personalities of your brains executive function who encourage and coach you. Name them too: the sage Commented [a7]: an old wise man
or the inner leader. Though it might feel odd, you are externalising your negative thoughts and tapping
Commented [a8]: to express inner feelings
into your inner wisdom, clarity, courage and compassion.
Commented [a9]: a strong feeling of sympathy for someone
who is suffering, and a desire to help them
Have the courage to be imperfect. Our increasing impatience with ourselves seriously depletes our ability
to recognise that we are works-in-progress, moving along learning curves all the time. We tend to freeze

the frame when we feel nervous, make a mistake or have to sweat to achieve something, and then we
damn ourselves for not being up to the job.

Finally, take some time to clarify your values. When you know what you stand for, you know what you
uniquely have to offer so you wont pretend you are something you are not, just to get along. Impostor
syndrome can be a gift if you use it to create more helpful, mindful, less toxically stressful ways of living.
When people share with others who know how they feel, the sense of isolation and shame falls away, and
self-awareness, connection and empathy grow. Then we can step forward.

20/9

http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20170418-how-western-civilisation-could-collapse Hay pht y, cu trc cng

ko qu kh nhng cng vn challenge hc c ci mi v xem ng dng thc tin ca nhng ci mnh
hc