Have you ever received genuine praise for something you worked hard on – like a completed project, a thoughtful presentation, a parenting win – only to immediately think, "If they really knew what I was doing, they'd realise I have no idea what I'm talking about"?

That quiet, nagging voice that says your success is just luck, timing, or somehow tricking people into thinking you're more competent than you actually are? That's not humility. That's Imposter Syndrome.

If you've ever felt this way, you're not alone. Research suggests that up to 70% of people will experience imposter feelings at some point in their lives. And here's the paradox: Imposter Syndrome doesn't discriminate based on actual competence. In fact, it often affects high achievers most acutely.

The term was first coined in 1978 by psychologists Pauline Clance and Suzanne Imes. Their groundbreaking research showed that many accomplished individuals –despite having clear, external evidence of their competence – were unable to internalise their success.

Instead of thinking "I worked hard and earned this," they think "I just got lucky" or "I somehow fooled everyone into thinking I'm capable."

This can create a painful, self-perpetuating cycle:

The result? Your accomplishments feel hollow. Your anxiety grows. And you live in constant fear of being "found out."

What makes Imposter Syndrome particularly insidious is that it doesn't just make you feel bad – it actively holds you back.

Research has shown that imposter feelings can lead to:

Dr. Valerie Young, one of the leading experts on Imposter Syndrome, identified five common patterns of imposter thinking. You might recognise yourself in one or more of these:

The Perfectionist sets impossibly high standards and feels like a failure over tiny mistakes. One small flaw in a project can make them question their entire competence.

The Expert feels like a fraud if they don't know the answer to every single question. They constantly seek more training and certifications, afraid to speak up for fear of being exposed.

The Soloist believes that asking for help is a sign of weakness. They feel they must accomplish everything on their own to prove their worth, and if they need assistance, it's evidence they're a phony.

The Natural Genius believes that competence means things should come easily. If they have to struggle or work hard at something, they feel like a failure. They judge themselves based on speed and ease rather than effort.

The Superhero pushes themselves to work harder than everyone else to prove they're not an imposter. This leads to burnout from taking on an unsustainable workload across multiple roles.

Recognising your pattern is the first step. It helps you see that these feelings aren't a personal failing – they're a predictable response to growth and challenge.

But recognition alone isn't enough. The real question is: what do we do about it?