The Imposter Syndrome – Part One.

Over the summer, I enrolled in a Dissertation Coaching class which is part of my ICF coaching certification process. I am writing a blog series on issues that I faced as a doctoral student and the wonderful things I am gaining in my dissertation coaching class.

Personal experience with the Imposter Syndrome.

Frequently, throughout my doctoral journey, I saw myself as a little girl dressed up in her mommy’s high heels. I was convinced that somehow I had got into the program by some clerical error. I felt my professors were just being nice to me when they said something positive or encouraging about my work or writing.

It took me four years to complete my course work and finally pass my comprehensive exams. Every semester would begin with the same apprehension that the other classmates in the room with me were smarter, more prepared, and had more professional experience. I felt they were faster and more worldly wise. I felt insignificant, shy and scared, even though, I had a master’s degree, had been married for 30 years and successfully launched three adult children.

The imposter syndrome

…is seen in people who deep down inside, despite all the evidence to the contrary, have a hard time internalizing their success. People with imposter feelings think that sooner or later they will be found out to be a fraud. Women are more vulnerable for imposter feelings. People who experience the imposter syndrome personalize criticism more and are more likely to drop out of school or fail to resubmit a paper. Due to scholarly isolation so prevalent in higher education, imposter feelings are more common among higher education.

 

Watch this interview with author Valerie Young, Ed.D. to learn more.

 

What does someone with imposter feelings say to herself?

 

“I give the impression that I’m more competent than I really am.”

” My success has been the result of some error or due to some kind of luck.”

” Sooner or later others will discover my lack of knowledge and ability.”

” The people around me are more intelligent than I am.”

 

Test you own imposter tendencies here.

 

 

Read a post I wrote in the middle of a very stressful time in my doctoral journey here. I describe how I handled my stress.

 

Valerie Young, author of Secret Thoughts of Successful Women,  offers three tips for those of us who experience the imposter syndrome:

1. Realize that the imposter syndrome is normal. It is a frequent occurrence. So you are not alone.
2. Redefine competence. Embrace realistic expectations.
3. Avoid internalizing criticism by separating yourself from it personally. If you need to rewrite your chapter 2 for the umpteenth time that means your writing is inadequate but not that you are inadequate. You are simply improving your writing skills through the roof!

 

Next in the series is The Fixed Mindset. Keep following my blog post!

Your own coach:

If you are considering whether to get your own coach to help you reach your academic goals, contact me for a free 30-minute consultation.