Impostor Syndrome: How to Stop Doubting Your Achievements and Accept Your Success

Imagine a successful executive at a large company who wakes up every morning with the thought that everyone is about to find out that he is “not real.” Or a talented surgeon who, after every successful operation, convinces herself that she's just lucky. This is not fiction; it is the reality of millions of people suffering from impostor syndrome.



What is impostor syndrome?
Impostor syndrome is a psychological condition in which a person cannot accept their achievements and successes, considering them an accident or luck. People with this syndrome live in constant fear of exposure, thinking that others are about to realize that they are “not real professionals.”

The main signs of the syndrome:

• Impairing your own achievements
• Fear of being "exposed"
• Perfectionism
• Difficulty accepting praise
• Attributing successes to external factors

The story of Marina: from doubt to acceptance
Marina K., 34, the lead architect, agreed to share her story of struggling with impostor syndrome. Her journey from constant doubt to acceptance of her own success can help many who face similar experiences.

“I remember the day I was promoted to head of the project department. Instead of joy, I experienced a real panic. I was sure it was a mistake, that I didn't deserve the job, and that soon everyone would realize how incompetent I was. ?


Despite two higher educations, many successful projects and the recognition of colleagues, Marina constantly lived in fear of “exposure”. She worked overtime, double-checked each decision several times and was never happy with the result.

The path to healing
The turning point came when Marina turned to a psychologist. During the year, she went through several important stages:

1. Awareness of the problem
The first step was to recognize that her fears and doubts were manifestations of impostor syndrome, not a real assessment of her competence.

2. Documenting successes
On the advice of a psychologist, Marina began to keep a “diary of achievements”, where she recorded all her successes, large and small. This helped her to see an objective picture of her skills.

“When I started recording all my achievements, I was amazed at the number of them. It was the first time I saw how much I really knew.


3. Working with persuasion
An important stage was working with deep beliefs. Marina found that her impostor syndrome was rooted in childhood, where success was always taken for granted and failure was criticized.

4. Practice of adoption
Marina learned to accept praise and recognition without devaluing them. She practiced a simple "thank you" instead of the usual excuses and complacency.

Results of therapy
After a year of working on herself, Marina notes significant changes:

• Reducing anxiety at work
• Improving sleep quality
  
• Increased productivity
• Healthier relationships with colleagues
• Ability to enjoy success

Practical recommendations
Based on Marina’s experience and the recommendations of psychologists, we can identify several key strategies for combating imposter syndrome:

1. Keep a diary of achievements
2. Practice accepting praise
3. Share your feelings with loved ones
4. Keep track of self-critical thoughts
5. Celebrate small victories
6. Remember that perfect people do not exist.

Conclusion
Marina’s story shows that impostor syndrome is not a sentence, but a condition that can be overcome. The key to success is understanding the problem, accepting help, and constantly working on yourself.

“I now realize that my achievements are the result of my knowledge, experience and hard work. I don't feel like an impostor anymore. I am a professional who continues to learn and develop. ?