Writer Hannah Wickens explores why so many of us feel like frauds, even when we’re succeeding. Reflecting on the roots of imposter syndrome and her own journey of healing, she reveals how finding our identity in Christ can break the cycle of striving and self-doubt.
In 1978, the term ‘Imposter Syndrome’ was established through the work of Dr Pauline Rose Clance and Dr Suzanne Imes. They defined it as a personal sense of professional or intellectual illegitimacy, usually within a work context. In April this year, an online CV expert in the UK conducted a survey of over 1,000 employees to understand how many workers related to this syndrome. It revealed that 1 in 4 people work more than their prescribed hours to combat a sense of underperforming, and that at least 51% of the workforce identify with this syndrome.
In recent work-related discussions, this condition has been a common theme, and yet these sentiments aren’t a new concept, as they’ve been in existence from the moment Eve recognised her separateness from God in the Garden of Eden. Shame and inadequacy made her hide, and a faulty belief took root: a need to strive for recognition and acceptance.
At the core is a lack of self-worth, a belief that can shape personality and perspective.
At the core is a lack of self-worth, a belief that can shape personality and perspective. These beliefs are created through circumstances, words spoken over us or by us, and through our interpretation of events, which may be tainted by generational bias.
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An increased awareness of this syndrome may be due to the performance-saturated culture we live in, where comparison and striving are dominant fruits. We measure ourselves against metrics, the judgement of others and our own internal gauge, and take the best attributes in another and juxtapose them with the worst of ourselves. Within this equation, we will always fail. No wonder that 7 out of 10 of those surveyed in the workplace feel the need to be more confident.
If wealth or prestige are a barometer of success, these things will motivate us. But we know that ‘Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf’ (Proverbs 11:28). A desire for wealth isn’t destructive unless it becomes a source of trust and confidence. True assurance and security are found in having an identity rooted in the love of a good Heavenly Father, creator of all things, who never compares us to others.
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I used to feel like an imposter in my own life, that I didn’t belong and that I could be usurped at a moment’s notice.
I used to feel like an imposter in my own life, that I didn’t belong and that I could be usurped at a moment’s notice. But as God has healed my heart, I have realised the toxic and crippling nature of these thoughts. So much freedom has come from rejecting the lies of an imposter mindset.
When I first watched The Holiday (2006), I remember being struck by the line Kate Winslet defiantly states when the highly acclaimed screenwriter reflects that she is not playing the lead in her own life: “You’re supposed to be the leading lady of your own life.” Her moment of truth was a catalyst for an analysis of my own situation and whether I had fallen into believing I was only worthy of the supporting role too.
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Believing lies is exhausting, both physically and emotionally, and may lead to burnout. This can be remedied by spending time with Jesus, who says, ‘Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light’ (Matthew 11:28-30).
Jesus is the antidote to striving and exhaustion as we enter His rest and let Him define us. He is our optimal life insurance, far greater than any man-made imitation, and with it we can crucify a flesh response of imposter syndrome as we realise who we truly are in Christ.
The Gospel is the antithesis of a worldly perspective as it redefines who we are and how we are to live by relying on God’s strength. Joel 3:10 says, ‘Let the weak say I am strong.’ Perceived weakness can become a strength as we trust in God, who enables us to do all things through Him. By relying on the power of the Holy Spirit within me, I was able to walk out of feeling second-rate into knowing my true worth in Jesus.
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