Does the definition of imposter syndrome include the awareness that one should feel better about one's accomplishments? It seems ironic to self-diagnose imposter syndrome because that is internalizing your accomplishments - which is the precise antithesis of the Wikipedia definition:
> individuals who are marked by an inability to internalize their accomplishments [and a persistent fear of being exposed as a "fraud".]
I've made a lot of progress since I realized that I potentially do not have imposter syndrome and instead have self-esteem problems.
Impostor syndrome is mostly marked by the feeling of being a fraud which can run in parallel to feelings of "I know I'm smart, but I feel so dumb compared to everyone else."
It's a constant self-doubt in spite of knowledge of what one is capable of; self doubt that one should be in a particular position, because while one knows what they're capable of, they think they should be capable of more when comparing oneself to one's peers.
One doesn't need accomplishments to feel like an impostor and a lack of notable accomplishments doesn't mean that one shouldn't be in a particular position.
I don't know. I mean, rationally, I understand my accomplishments, and register when people compliment me. But I used to have a hard time internalizing that. It didn't feel like it was really me doing it on an emotional level... If that makes sense.
Especially earlier in my career I'd attribute nearly everything to luck. Finishing that project on schedule, getting good marks on an annual review... It made leaving my first job hard because I thought I'd caught lightning in a bottle. But with each transition I was still getting good marks from managers and peers, finishing projects on schedule, etc. I began to accept that I wasn't a fraud who got lucky and would blow it one day.
Even though all along I was able to rationally deduce it, it didn't feel intrinsic. Is that imposter's syndrome?
I’ve always wondered this same point. Not trying to be disrespectful to people who feel this way. But yeah idk, sometimes it feels like the term is thrown around too loosely. Anyway, irrelevant to conversation.
> individuals who are marked by an inability to internalize their accomplishments [and a persistent fear of being exposed as a "fraud".]
I've made a lot of progress since I realized that I potentially do not have imposter syndrome and instead have self-esteem problems.