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PAE
your title (despite numerous degrees Not sure if this applies to you?
and achievements), so you feel pressed
to work harder and longer than those • Are you used to excelling without much
around you to prove your worth? effort?
• Do you have a track record of getting
Imposter workaholics are actually addicted to
the validation that comes from working, not to “straight A’s” or “gold stars” in everything
the work itself. Start training yourself to veer you do?
away from external validation. No one should • Were you told frequently as a child that
have more power to make you feel good about you were the “smart one” in your family
yourself than you—even your boss when they or peer group?
give your project the stamp of approval. On
the flip side, learn to take constructive criticism • Do you dislike the idea of having a
seriously, not personally. mentor, because you can handle things
on your own?
As you become more attuned to internal
validation and able to nurture your inner • When you’re faced with a setback, does
confidence that states you’re competent and your confidence tumble because not
skilled, you’ll be able to ease off the gas as performing well provokes a feeling of
you gauge how much work is reasonable. shame?
3. The Natural Genius • Do you often avoid challenges because
Young says people with this competence type it’s so uncomfortable to try something
you’re not great at?
believe they need to be a natural “genius.”
As such, they judge their competence based To move past this, try seeing yourself as a
ease and speed as opposed to their efforts. In work in progress. Accomplishing great things
other words, if they take a long time to master involves lifelong learning and skill-building—
something, they feel shame. for everyone, even the most confident people.
These types of imposters set their internal Rather than beating yourself up when you
bar impossibly high, just like perfectionists. don’t reach your impossibly high standards,
But natural genius types don’t just judge identify specific, changeable behaviors that
themselves based on ridiculous expectations, you can improve over time.
they also judge themselves based on getting For example, if you want to have more impact
things right on the first try. When they’re not at the office, it’s much more productive to
able to do something quickly or fluently, their focus on honing your presentation skills than
alarm sounds. swearing off speaking up in meetings as
something you’re “just not good at.”
22 September 2022
