I have a confession to make: I suffer from imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is the internal psychological experience of feeling like a fraud, despite having evidence of your competence and achievements. It can affect anyone in any profession, but I think it’s especially common among accountants.
As the head of the accounts and finance unit at my company, I have a lot of responsibility and expectations. I have to manage the financial records, prepare the budgets, oversee the audits, and report to the senior management. I have a degree in accounting, some years of experience, and a good reputation among my colleagues. Yet, I constantly doubt myself and my abilities. I think about all the things I don’t know or understand, such as taxation and certain accounting standards. I worry that I will make a mistake, miss a deadline, or give wrong advice. I fear that one day, someone will expose me as a fraud and I will lose everything I have worked for.
I know I’m not alone in feeling this way. Imposter syndrome can have negative effects on your mental health, such as anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. It can also limit your career growth, as you may avoid taking risks, seeking feedback, or applying for promotions. Imposter syndrome can also affect your relationships, as you may find it hard to trust others, accept compliments, or share your feelings.
So, how did I overcome imposter syndrome? Well, I’m still working on it, but I have made some progress. Here are some of the strategies that have helped me cope with my imposter feelings:
- Talk to someone. One of the best ways to deal with imposter syndrome is to share your thoughts and feelings with someone you trust, such as a friend, a mentor, a therapist, or a coach. Mine is my brother. Talking to someone can help you gain perspective, challenge your negative beliefs, and receive support and encouragement. You may also realize that you are not the only one who feels this way, and that others have similar struggles and doubts.
- Question your thoughts. Another way to cope with imposter syndrome is to examine your thoughts and question their validity. Imposter syndrome often involves cognitive distortions, such as overgeneralizing, catastrophizing, or discounting the positive. For example, you may think that you are incompetent because you made one mistake, that you will ruin your career if you fail at one task, or that your success was due to luck or external factors. To counter these thoughts, you can use evidence, logic, and alternative explanations. For example, you can remind yourself of your qualifications, achievements, and feedback, and attribute them to your skills, efforts, and contributions.
- Avoid comparing yourself to others. A common trigger for imposter syndrome is comparing yourself to others and feeling inadequate or inferior. However, comparing yourself to others is unfair and unrealistic, as you may not have the same background, experience, or goals as them. You may also focus on their strengths and ignore their weaknesses, or vice versa. Instead of comparing yourself to others, you can focus on your own growth and improvement. You can set realistic and attainable goals, celebrate your progress, and learn from your mistakes. You can also appreciate your unique strengths and values, and recognize your own worth.
- Seek feedback. Imposter syndrome can make you avoid feedback, as you may fear criticism or rejection. However, feedback is essential for your learning and development, as it can help you identify your areas of improvement, correct your mistakes, and enhance your performance. Feedback can also boost your confidence, as it can highlight your strengths, achievements, and impact. To seek feedback, you can ask specific and constructive questions, such as “What did I do well?” “What can I do better?” “How can I improve my skills?” You can also thank the person for their feedback, and use it to create an action plan.
- Embrace uncertainty. Imposter syndrome can make you crave certainty, as you may want to know everything and avoid any errors or surprises. However, certainty is impossible, as the world is constantly changing and evolving. Trying to achieve certainty can lead to stress, anxiety, and perfectionism. To cope with imposter syndrome, you can embrace uncertainty and accept that you don’t have to know everything or be right all the time. You can view uncertainty as an opportunity to learn, grow, and discover new things. You can also adopt a growth mindset, which means believing that your abilities are not fixed, but can be developed through effort, feedback, and practice.
These are some of the strategies that have helped me overcome imposter syndrome as an accountant. I hope they can help you too, if you are struggling with the same issue. Remember, you are not a fraud, you are not alone, and you can overcome imposter syndrome. You deserve to be proud of yourself and your accomplishments. You are enough.
