Document: WM-034                                                 P. Webb
Category: How to Be Awesome                                   2018.08.22

                    The Fallacy of Imposter Syndrome

Abstract

   Who’s holding the carrot?

Body

   You (or, someone you know) has claimed to suffer from imposter
   syndrome at some point in time. But what IS it, really?


   "Impostor syndrome" is a psychological pattern in which an
   individual doubts their accomplishments and has a persistent
   internalized fear of being exposed as a "fraud", despite external
   evidence of their competence.



   I’m speaking from the lens of someone firmly entrenched in the web
   industry, but what I’m about to say applies anywhere. Imposter
   syndrome appears to be a very real threat to the psyche. It has
   occurred to me that maybe…it’s NOT.

   Y’see, when people reach the next plateau of their career they begin
   to compare themselves against impossible odds. They look at the
   "superstar" members of their industry, they look at their peers of
   similar standing, they look at everything around and beyond them. I
   mean, just check out that VIEW! What happens next will won’t
   shock you.


   How did I get here? I don’t belong here! What if they kNoW?!



   These are questions people ask themselves instead of the one that
   matters as they turn around:


   Wow, I really came THIS far? 🤩



   Our fast-paced society and the scripted nature of social media where
   we only display accomplishments and accolades encourages us to keep
   our figurative necks on a swivel. *Mentally, we ALL have full range
   of motion.* Not just laterally and up, but backwards too! It’s
   important to acknowledge your accomplishments to yourself.
   Internalize it. Believe it!

   Let’s think about this another way.

   Imagine someone riding a horse with a long stick in hand. On that
   stick is an equally long string with a carrot tied to the end. The
   horse sees the carrot and starts to trot towards it. The horse jockey
   moves the carrot when they want the horse to change direction. Now,
   replace the carrot with everything you saw on that plateau and the
   horse with yourself. PLOT TWIST, you are ALSO the horse jockey.

   WHUUUUUH?!

   Get off the horse and give them a salt lick for doing a great
   fantastic job. Huh, interesting…that salt lick is suspiciously
   similar to your personal accomplishments.

   TL;DR

      You’re awesome. Stop beating yourself up. Stop and smell the roses
      of your accomplishments thus far. Know when to use blinders. 🕸