the recognition they received for their accomplishments. Albert Einstein, the person who came up with the theory of relativity and changed the face of science as never before; Maya Angelou, the famous American thinker, author and poet; Neil Armstrong, the first man to step on the Moon; and even Emma Watson, the actress who everyone fell in love with for her role as Hermione Granger from the Harry Potter franchise, all revealed that at some point in their life they were nervous and feared that someone would catch on to the fact that they were not really that good. Many of them felt that their success was due to luck.

What about you? Do you think they are not good enough?

Imposter Syndrome Symptoms

Imposter syndrome is the fear that you are not as competent as others perceive you to be. This is not an official mental disorder, but a psychological condition that often occurs in people who are highly successful, including businesspeople, scholars, actors, specialists, and others. They are often in doubt of their own abilities, fearing that one day someone will realize that they are not really capable. People with this condition tend to think that their success only comes from good timing or luck.

Why do people fall victim to Imposter Syndrome?

See the checklist below to see if you or someone close to you is a victim of imposter syndrome:

• You are a perfectionist, no matter what. You must be the best at everything you do, otherwise it’s not good enough!
• You hold yourself to a very high standard, or work round-the-clock to complete tasks.
• You tend to be a solo artist, working alone or managing everything alone.
• You never ask or seek help from others, for fear of seeming incapable.
• You are indifferent to compliments or positive feedback because you think they are insincere.
• You fear mistakes. If you make even a minor mistake, you lose confidence instantly and feel that you are not good enough.

How can you treat the fear of being ineffective?

To be honest, imposter syndrome is a condition of too much thinking. Many quite capable people have this condition too. Therefore, you don't have to panic or worry too much. If you are aware that you are suffering from imposter syndrome, try to follow these simple tips:

• Keep a journal or write down what you have done each day so you can realize your success or achievements.
• Set goals that you want to achieve within 1 year, 5 years, or 10 years so you don't have to pressure yourself to accomplish everything overnight or within a short period of time.
• Seek advice from people you respect and trust, whether your boss, co-workers, or those you can confide in so you will accept their non-biased opinions or comments.
• Adjust your mindset and think positively. Dare to admit your own mistakes and think of them as little things that can happen to everyone. Don't dwell on them -- learn from them!
• Stop comparing yourself to others, because everyone is unique. You don't need to pressure yourself to be as good as others. Remember that everyone has their ups and downs.

Finally, anyone who is already experiencing imposter syndrome should understand that they are making their life tougher than it has to be.