Reframing Imposter Syndrome

I heard the legendary Seth Godin reframe 'Imposter Syndrome' in a way that completely shifted its meaning for me. As an ambitious person trying to do something big things, I feel 'Imposter Syndrome' all the time - and if you're like me you’ve probably felt it for yourself.

Maybe it was the last time you collaborated with a certain group of people that you felt were out of your league… Organized an event when you didn't really know what you were doing… Or delivered a speech where you felt no more qualified to speak on the topic than the people you were speaking to.

Normally ‘Imposter Syndrome’ brings up feelings of being out of place and mislabeled. It comes with a fear of being exposed and found out for who you are. It creates internal confusion that causes you to discredit yourself and your capabilities, thinking that you lucked into the opportunity rather than truly earning it.

Seth shares that it’s precisely this tension that we must use as an indicator. The fact that we feel ‘Imposter Syndrome’ in a situation should be positive reinforcement that we’re succeeding in doing something personally significant. Consciously we want to push ourselves beyond our comfort zone, knowing that’s where we grow, yet when we’re in that space we question if we belong.

The discomfort of ‘Imposter Syndrome’ is meant to be celebrated. It’s noble, courageous, and exactly how you’re supposed to feel anytime you push past your edge. It’s what Teddy Roosevelt articulated beautifully in his ‘Man In The Arena’ quote:

“The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming”

So the next time you feel out of place, like you’re in a room that’s beyond your level of success or experience level, honor that you chose to say “yes” to something new. Do it enough times and you’ll become someone new - someone who sees that they belonged all along.