I’m pretty sure a lot of people have heard or experienced Imposter Syndrome at some point in our lives or careers, if you haven’t that's alright you’re really not missing out much.

Imposter syndrome is the experience of feeling like a phony — as if you’re about to be exposed as a fraud at any moment — as if you don’t belong where you are and were only there by chance.

Based on research carried out by Dr. Valerie Young she highlights the various types of Imposter Syndrome.

The Perfectionist — They hold themselves to such high standards that even minor mistakes make them feel like a failure.

The Superwoman/Superman — In order to prove they are the “genuine deal,” they work longer hours, never take vacations, and must achieve in all facets of life.

The Natural Genius — Because they are accustomed to things coming easy, they feel guilt and self-doubt when something is too difficult or they do not master it on the first try.

The Soloist — They don’t want to ask for help, therefore they feel like a failure or a phony when they do.

The Expert — They are always on the lookout for new certificates or training because they believe they will never know enough to be fully qualified.

In the digital age it is so easy to feel as like you’re not meeting up to societies standards and to left behind, when we view our life from the lens and accomplishments of others we feel like we haven’t done enough. We tend to create feeds that are “Perfect”, to get validation from people, it can feel like a house of cards for many.

Most of us can recall a time when someone on social media questioned our genuineness, whether it was a stranger on Twitter or a buddy on Facebook. When you’ve been publicly challenged, that sinking sensation can be especially difficult for people suffering from imposter syndrome — especially if the comment comes from someone with a well-kept, well-followed profile of their own.

There are a couple of ways to deal with Imposter Syndrome

Examine your abilites — Make a realistic appraisal of your abilities if you have long held views about your inadequacy in social and performance situations. Compare your accomplishments and your strengths to your self-evaluation.

Feel free to express yourself — Talk to your friends and family about how you’re feeling. When irrational views are kept hidden and unspoken about, they tend to fester.

Use social networking in a responsible manner — We know that excessive usage of social media is linked to feelings of inadequacy. If you try to project a social media image that isn’t true to who you are or is hard to accomplish, it will just exacerbate your thoughts of being a fraud.

Stop comparing yourself to others — When you compare yourself to others in a social environment, you will find some flaw in yourself that will fuel your feelings of not being good enough or not belonging. Instead, pay attention to what the other person is saying during conversations. Have a real desire to learn more.

As I conclude

Remember that if you’re feeling like an impostor, it’s because you’ve had some success in your life that you’re blaming on luck. Instead, try to transform that emotion into one of appreciation. Be appreciative for all you have done in your life.

I’d love to know other ways you handle Imposter Syndrome.