Imposter Syndrome

Have you ever felt like a fraud or a phony? Like your accomplishments have nothing to do with you? You think you got lucky, and you may fear that people will “find you out” for not being perfect, exceptional, or an expert.

This experience is known as the imposter phenomenon or as is common vernacular, the imposter “syndrome.” One of our favorite quotes by Reese Witherspoon is, “Feeling like an imposter might just be a clue that you're on the verge of learning something new.” We all have agency, as individuals and as a society, to ensure we keep learning, keep growing, keep dreaming. It’s ok to let go of the fear that we’ll disappoint others by not being perfect. It’s ok to dare and mess up sometimes. It’s ok to evolve. It’s even ok to feel like an imposter at times.

In this episode, Izzy and Zu define and talk about the origins of the imposter phenomenon, break down the imposter cycle, talk about different archetypes and characteristics of this experience, and provide strategies for all of us to experiment with to navigate the imposter phenomenon with greater insight and grace. Let’s eradicate the negative aspects of this deeply human experience, once and for all.

Listen the full episode on Spotify and let us know what you want to learn next!