Think You Don’t Deserve Your Success? Here’s How to Overcome Impostor Syndrome

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Raise your hand if you’ve ever thought, ‘I don’t deserve this’ after a win. Or waited for someone to say, ‘We made a mistake hiring you.’ That’s impostor syndrome talking, and it loves to crash your success party. Let’s break down what it is and how to kick it out for good.

Impostor Syndrome Isn’t Just in Your Head—It Shows Up in Your Habits

Ever caught yourself thinking:

‘I just got lucky.’
‘I don’t actually deserve this.’
‘I need to work twice as hard to keep up.’

These aren’t random thoughts; they’re red flags of what’s known as the impostor complex. It’s not just self-doubt. It’s a deeply rooted pattern where you constantly second-guess your achievements, even when the proof of your success is staring you in the face.

So, who’s most likely to feel this way?

• High achievers who secretly believe they’ll never be ‘enough’.
  

• Perfectionists who fear even their tiny mistakes will be exposed.
  

• First-gen students or professionals stepping into unfamiliar spaces.
  

• Marginalised individuals navigating environments where they feel they have to ‘earn’ their place more than others.
  

• Anyone in a new role, feeling the pressure to prove they belong.

Do You Have Impostor Syndrome?

Let’s find out with a quick self-check. Tick the statements mentally that feel familiar:

• ☐ I downplay or dismiss my success
  

• ☐ I often say, ‘I just got lucky’
  

• ☐ I fear being exposed as a fraud, even when I’ve done well
  

• ☐ I overwork just to prove I deserve my spot
  

• ☐ I feel awkward or uncomfortable accepting praise
  

Your Score:

✔ 1–2: You might be dealing with occasional self-doubt—totally normal.
✔ 3–5: You’re likely experiencing impostor syndrome. Time to unpack those thoughts and shift the script.

Why Your Brain Lies to You (And How to Outsmart It)

Here’s the wild part: your brain isn’t always trying to be right; it’s trying to keep you safe.

That’s why impostor syndrome sticks around. It’s your brain running defence mode, whispering things like:

‘If I ask for help, they’ll think I’m clueless.’

 ‘If I don’t overwork, I’ll fall behind.’

Sound familiar?

Neuroscience says this is your brain taking mental shortcuts, called cognitive distortions, to avoid shame, failure, or rejection. These are fear-based false alarms. Your brain isn't trying to sabotage you… It's just overreacting.

How To Overcome Impostor Syndrome

 1. Spot the Thought

Catch yourself thinking, ‘I’m not good enough’ or ‘They’ll figure out I’m a fraud’? Pause. Don’t shove it down, just name it. That voice isn’t the truth. It’s an old fear trying to keep you safe. 

 2. Talk It Out

Say it out loud to someone you trust, a friend, a mentor, or a mental health professional.
You’ll be amazed how many people silently feel the same. Saying it is the first step toward softening its grip.

3. Reframe It: From Fear to Fact

Your thoughts can shape your confidence. Here’s how to challenge the inner critic with a little cognitive trick, reframing.

Try picking one of your most common self-critical thoughts and rewriting it using this format. Save it. Repeat it. Watch your mindset shift.

4. Create Your ‘I Did That’ Folder

Start a digital or physical folder where you save compliments, wins, positive feedback, and even small victories. On tough days, revisit it to remind yourself: you’ve done the work, you’ve earned the praise, and you absolutely belong here. Call it your ‘I Did That' file; you deserve one.

5. Seek Professional Help

A therapist trained in cognitive behavioural therapy or career counselling can help you understand the roots of your self-doubt and build lasting confidence.

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Impostor Syndrome vs Impostor Complex: What’s the Difference?

They’re like cousins, but not quite twins.

Impostor syndrome is the internal feeling that you’re a fraud, even when you’ve earned your place. It’s that voice that says, ‘You don’t belong here,’ no matter how much evidence proves otherwise.

But the impostor complex takes it a step further. It’s not just how you feel, it’s how those feelings start to shape your behaviour.

If you constantly…

• Overwork just to ‘justify’ your position.
  

• Downplay your skills or deflect praise when someone compliments you.
  

• Self-sabotage, like procrastinating, staying invisible, or avoiding opportunities that feel ‘too big’.
  

...then it’s likely not just impostor syndrome, it’s impostor complex at work.

The complex is sneakier. It doesn’t just live in your mind; it rewrites how you show up in the world. It’s the emotional weight behind every ‘I’m not ready’ or ‘They’re just being nice.’

The good news? Once you can name the pattern, you can start breaking it. And that’s when things begin to shift.

When Is It Time To Get Help?

If those thoughts and behaviours are:

• Messing with your sleep
  

• Draining you into burnout
  

• Making you play small or avoid new opportunities 

…it’s time to call in support.

Remember: the goal isn’t to eliminate self-doubt forever. It’s to recognise the pattern, challenge it, and keep showing up, with self-trust, support, and your receipts in hand.

You’re Not Faking It—You’re Growing

impostor syndrome doesn’t show up because you’re weak; it shows up when you’re stepping into something new, meaningful, or challenging. That’s not a flaw. That’s a signal that you care.

Feeling unsure doesn’t make you a fraud. It makes you human.

You don’t have to fake confidence to move forward; you just need the right tools to build it, one step at a time.

Disclaimer: The information provided is intended for general informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional advice or guidance. For personalised recommendations or specific concerns, please consult a certified professional.

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