Impostor Syndrome: Or "Why Success Does not Always Feel Like Success"

By Geraldo Neto

You’ve worked hard, accomplished great things, and earned your spot—but it still feels like you don’t belong.

This is impostor syndrome in a nutshell.

It’s the voice in your head whispering, “You’re not good enough,” even when everything around you says otherwise.

For many people, this is not just a passing thought; It's a constant, uncomfortable feeling of being a fraud.

And here’s the issue: impostor syndrome does not care how successful or capable you are.

It hangs around, convincing you that your successes are coincidental and your failures are evidence that you do not deserve them.

When Doubt Becomes a Daily Effort

Impostor syndrome not only affects your mind, but it also causes problems in your daily life.

· Mentally, it’s draining. The constant self-doubt can lead to anxiety, stress, and even depression. You may feel as if you are walking a tightrope, scared that one wrong move may "reveal" you.

· Emotionally, it’s isolating. You may believe, "I am the only one who feels this way," and be hesitant to share your troubles with others.

· At work, it’s limiting. Instead of focusing on your strengths, you overthink every move, avoid taking risks, or try too hard to “prove” you belong.

This creates a cycle: the more you doubt yourself, the harder you try to compensate.

But instead of feeling confident, you end up exhausted.

Breaking Free from Doubt

Here’s the good news: impostor syndrome doesn’t have to control your life. You can stop the cycle and start believing in yourself—step by step.

1. Challenge the voice in your head. When self-doubt arises, ask yourself, “What is the proof that I do not belong? What’s the proof that I do?” Most likely, you will find numerous reasons to believe in yourself.

2. Track your wins. Keep a list of your accomplishments, big or small. Seeing things on paper can remind you of what you’ve achieved, even when your mind tries to ignore it.

3. Talk about it. Open up to someone you trust. You'll probably discover that they, too, felt this way at some point.

4. Reframe the failure. Everyone makes mistakes. Instead of seeing them as proof of incompetence, view them as opportunities to grow.

The Truth About Success

Impostor syndrome tricks you into thinking you’re alone, but you are not.

Many people—some of the most successful ones you know—have battled the same feelings.

The real challenge is not proving you belong.

It’s learning to recognize that you already do.

The next time you hear that voice of self-doubt, remind yourself:

You are not a fraud.

You are human—and you are doing just fine.

References

Bravata, D. M., Watts, S. A., Keefer, A. L., Madhusudhan, D. K., Taylor, K. T., Clark, D. M., ... & Hagg, H. K. (2020). Prevalence, predictors, and treatment of impostor syndrome: a systematic review. Journal of general internal medicine, 35, 1252-1275.

Gullifor, D. P., Gardner, W. L., Karam, E. P., Noghani, F., & Cogliser, C. C. (2024). The impostor phenomenon at work: A systematic evidence-based review, conceptual development, and agenda for future research. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 45(2), 234–251

Hutchins, H. M. (2015). Outing the Imposter: A Study Exploring Imposter Phenomenon among Higher Education Faculty. New Horizons in Adult Education and Human Resource Development, 27(2), 3-12.

Ménard, A. D., & Chittle, L. (2023). The impostor phenomenon in post‐secondary students: A review of the literature. Review of Education, 11(2), e3399.