Feeling out of place? How to beat imposter syndrome

Do you struggle to take a compliment? Cringe at your own achievements? From celebrating your wins to embracing your failures, these top tips will help you banish self-doubt

Fake it till you make it, the saying goes. But what happens when you’ve “made it” but still feel like a total fraud? The term “imposter phenomenon” was coined in 1978 by American psychologists Pauline Clance and Suzanne Imes, who noticed their female students and therapy patients were full of doubt about their abilities. A 2021 survey found that up to 82% of people have experienced what’s become known as imposter syndrome – that nagging feeling that you’ve tricked everyone into thinking you know what you’re doing.

“Imposter syndrome is incredibly common among my clients,” says psychologist Dr Jessamy Hibberd, author of The Imposter Cure. “It seems to be worse among high-achieving, very competent people who are outwardly very successful and experienced.” Indeed, Michelle Obama, David Bowie and Maya Angelou have all spoken about feeling as if they didn’t deserve their success.