Anyone else have impostor syndrome at work?

Never give up, never surrender wrote:

This is just another syndrome or condition that this generation has developed to explain why some things in life are difficult or need hard work.

They feel things should be given to them (jobs, money, free school), and then cannot accept the responsibilities and criticisms that come along.

They feel that if something is wrong, they are a victim, or they have a condition, rather than they did something wrong.

If they're fat... not their fault.

If they're unemployed... not their fault.

If they're a slow runner... not their fault.

If they're a crack whore... not their fault.

Fair enough. I definitely agree.

no one ever accused me of being competent

I always do just enough not to blade those around me

other wise I'm on cruise control

success is for suckers , is my motto

Yes. Very successful a t work but it never feels right. Im 32 and am the youngest VP in the company's 150 year history. Everyone else here is double my age. Seriously, after 10 years of being here I am still the youngest employee by 15 years. I always feel new because everyone one else has been in the industry for 30 years.

Impostor syndrome is a novel way of somebody congratulating himself for being different, smarter, and better than the herd. Unfortunately, it doesn't work quite so well when the entire herd bleats out "I have impostor syndrome!"

Yeap. Pretty common from what I understand, especially in certain fields. Know a decent number of people that have admitted to feeling like that at times.

Yeah, as an alcoholic I can relate, I have this problem all the time.

I'll have a sudden thought like "man, I should be really drunk or trying to find crack or maybe boofing ecstasy into a hooker's ass right now..." because I spent all of my 20s doing that sort of shit.

Then I remember I'm on my way to pick my kid up at the sitter's and there's a pizza waiting at home, and me and the wife are gonna watch Netflix after we put the boy down tonight.

So, yeah. I feel like an imposter from time to time.

LM wrote:

Yeap. Pretty common from what I understand, especially in certain fields. Know a decent number of people that have admitted to feeling like that at times.

Yep and despite what the geniuses on the board think, it isn't something new. It goes back to at least the 70s. Knowing that it is a common feeling might help you ignore it and focus on the fact that you are doing the job.

Competence syndrome is far more common. The number of clueless people who think they have skill is insanely high.

Ignoring is not the right answer. Acknowledge the feeling, but run a checklist. You belong.

Thanks. I'll worker harder on ignoring it. My problem is that it's almost always in the back of my mind, and my enjoyment of work is limited because of it. I know it's in my head, so I'll try to get better at managing it.

Thanks again.

Never give up, never surrender wrote:

This is just another syndrome or condition that this generation has developed to explain why some things in life are difficult or need hard work.

They feel things should be given to them (jobs, money, free school), and then cannot accept the responsibilities and criticisms that come along.

They feel that if something is wrong, they are a victim, or they have a condition, rather than they did something wrong.

If they're fat... not their fault.

If they're unemployed... not their fault.

If they're a slow runner... not their fault.

If they're a crack whore... not their fault.

So is it my fault that I'm not an Olympic champion? Some things are just luck. It's pointless to place blame on yourself for no reason.

LM wrote:

Yeap. Pretty common from what I understand, especially in certain fields. Know a decent number of people that have admitted to feeling like that at times.

You mean like politicians.

There is a related concept called defensive pessimism. Many people who "suffer" from imposter syndrome probably are defensively pessimistic. Some people end up being overly critical of their performance and self while others just skate by with unbridled happiness. Choose your route. You only live once either.

MWx wrote:

Never give up, never surrender wrote:

This is just another syndrome or condition that this generation has developed to explain why some things in life are difficult or need hard work.

They feel things should be given to them (jobs, money, free school), and then cannot accept the responsibilities and criticisms that come along.

They feel that if something is wrong, they are a victim, or they have a condition, rather than they did something wrong.

If they're fat... not their fault.

If they're unemployed... not their fault.

If they're a slow runner... not their fault.

If they're a crack whore... not their fault.

Fair enough. I definitely agree.

I don't see any connection whatsoever. What you say may or may not be true about "this generation" but it has no relationship to imposter syndrome.

dafasdfsf wrote:

FAKE IT TILL YOU MAKE IT!

+1

works for me