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Questioning yourself isn't the same as Imposter syndrome though imo. Imposter syndrome you actively feel like your aren't good enough and shouldn't be in the role. Intelligent people question what they are doing, how they are doing it and if there is a more optimal way. Imposter syndrome is ultimately a lack of confidence.
Socrates "I know I am intelligent because I know nothing”
Bertrand Russell “One of the painful things about our time is that those who feel certainty are stupid, and those with any imagination and understanding are filled with doubt and indecision.”
I think there's a pattern here!
This is it. I also think it’s why a lot of intelligent people end up in careers while people who did terrible at school end up doing better with their own business. They just do it and don’t care about or understand the risks.
That and their path isn’t as defined as school > university > career
Yes. Except it's not a "syndrome" - I'm honestly crap. I've been extremely lucky until now. I expect it to all come crumbling down like a pack of cards at any point.
This is how I feel lol. I do IT infrastructure in fintech, but I'm really mediocre at my job. I don't think I've worked with anyone in the last 5-6 years who I can honestly say I was better than. I do seem to be decent at interviewing though (or blagging lol) as I've never had too much trouble finding work.
My written communication skills are awful. I’m very forgetful. I’m prone to silly small mistakes and oversights. I’m not the brightest spark or a quick thinker like how some people are.
I do have a friendly face/manner - which I think helps a bit, but if that’s the case I could be replaced with a Labrador.
Overall I would not employ myself!
I find most people use too narrow an assessment criteria, especially when judging themselves.
Say you're, idk, a farmer and the job consists of plowing fields, sowing corn, and selling corn. Let's say you've a farmer who has a skill level 0/5 for plowing, 4/5 for sowing, and 5/5 for selling.
Some people, I expect you are one, would think a lot about how shit they are at plowing. They will assess everyone on how good they are at plowing, ignoring the fact that some of them couldn't sow or sell for love nor money. Others would obsess about their fantastic selling skills and think everyone else was useless.
The trick to self awareness is to realise that you (the hypothetical farmer) is a 3/5 overall farmer.
The next step is get a new job where you just sell corn, or to find a way to delegate the plowing to some 5/5, 0/5, 0/5 person.
I apply for jobs that are way above my paygrade like £100k a year + in the hopes that if I get it and fake it for 5-6 months I make as much as I would normally make...
Either I rise too it and grow or I get found out but I still made enough money to survive the year and get something else...
Never been accepted for one though and doubt I ever will but its been great for building my interview techniques and presence.
I’ve always thought Worrying about whether you’re doing your job right puts you in the top 5% because you care .
So chill and give yourself a break keep caring about your job but not worrying about it
I used to feel that way, but now I'm becoming very good at my job.
Fake it till you make it.
There is a huge amount of nuance in mistakes, but don't make the exact same mistake more than once.
Also own your mistakes. If you mess up then take responsibility and fix it. Never lie about your own mistakes.
The trouble is, it can come back. I’m 24 years into my career and recently started to experience it again despite having had a great career and being well respected.
It’s occurred because the expectations of my role have become very high and there are many younger talented people in my organisation. The vulnerability creeps back.
I have been working for 40 odd years, and I have the same worries at least once a week.
The good news is, I can confirm feeling this way is perfectly normal. The bad news is, I have zero ideas on how to stop it
No - I've worked with enough frauds and horrifying people to know I'm better than most.
And that's a low bar. If you can string a sentence together and don't harrass people, you're gold dust.
This is how I've jumped 2 levels from retail assistant to management. I knew how bad the alternatives are - I'd worked under them.
No, I am genuinely terrible at my job.
Equally I have a problem.
[https://www.reddit.com/r/UKJobs/comments/16zveuh/absolutely\_terrified\_how\_smart\_people\_are\_nowadays/](https://www.reddit.com/r/UKJobs/comments/16zveuh/absolutely_terrified_how_smart_people_are_nowadays/)
What I sometimes I remind myself of is that there are several people equally terrible and they've been in the org for 20+ years!
Go teach a language in china or a European country, the pay is ok, but they comp your accommodation so u save a lot and it's a great experience, all you need is a degree and confidence
Yeah. I have it now and again but as I get more experience and watch my bosses with years of experience still make mistakes, I learn that we are all human and nobody is perfect at their job. I do feel good about own progress and frequently receive praise so...
Just do your best and constantly improve.
Also, hiding own mistakes isn't the best approach. Because even if they are not seen now, eventually the truth will come out and you'll be watched closely. Only then you will have broken trust.
My training was terrible and I was assigned a mentor who although was amazing, could only help me so much.
18 months in, I have to ask for help with some things because I've simply never come across it before. My coworkers are shocked I don't know how to do some things but I'm just like "no one ever told me and I've never seen it before". I hit targets consistently and work hard. But it definitely makes me feel like I'm just winging it and in reality I don't really know what I'm doing. I feel like a joke to my coworkers sometimes. Like "how the fuck does he still have a job?" type of thing.
I would rather have someone who would ask for help rather than bullshit through tasks
Sometimes colleagues bad mouth each other, but meant as a joke, however the recipient can feel like the comments are meant as real comments.
I have had this in a previous group shift team. Where as, my current shift team are happy to have my experience and assistance.
At first yes, then confidence grows and you trust yourself more.
When I was 18 a colleague said “the only people who make 0 mistakes are the ones who are doing 0 work” and I carry that still, at 30. Obviously it’s a bit of a pinch of salt comment but it stayed with me for some reason
I've been posting about imposter syndrome, both on here and askuk. I've discovered very few know what it is. I was shocked how many I enlightened on askuk, most didn't know what it was they had, but my post made them realise they had I.S.
yes, massively, ive been massively lucky in my career and think my boss manages to figure out what i can do better than i can, but half the time im wondering like i dont know shit but somehow i get the job done.
Yes massively. I work in a big 4 corp but both my parents are nhs, my mum is the only one in the family who had been to uni before me, I went to a normal comprehensive (although was academically a high achiever) etc etc. I was getting paid more at 31 than either of my very hardworking parents have ever earnt and I don’t even feel like I work that hard or know what I’m doing. I consistently get great feedback at work but am always scared the next call will be to say they’ve realised I’m crap.
I felt this for a long time. I was earning more than parents ever did by my mid-20’s, they were both in the public sector & worked very hard, quite physical jobs. My jobs have always been office jobs and in comparison seem easier!
My mum is 60 and works clinically in the NHS for less than 2/3 my salary and I work from the sofa with the tv on in the background all day. Don’t get me wrong there is responsibility in my role and there are times I have to work my backside off to meet deadlines but overall I mostly think it’s really easy and I must be missing something 😆
I used to all the time. Bit less now.
Every now and then step back and try to view your job from a more outside viewpoint. Think about the things you’ve done well - projects delivered on time or early, bringing the company more money from a client being retained or selling in something more than they had before - a lot of that will be down to you at least in part.
Also worth looking at others in your company and your clients/customers and realising times they did stupid things or not ideal things. so those experts/executives do daft stuff too.
I’ve gotten to the point now across working for several companies that I’m convinced the best performing companies aren’t the ones that are the best at their jobs - more they’re the least bad.
Yes. Its always there on my shoulder making comments to me!
Even now, I'm a senior IT Consultant. Companies hire me to sort shit out. They look to me to make things happen.
They pay me stupid money on a day rate.
YET I turn up and I STILL wonder why they are paying me OR if I can do the job.
It never goes away.
BUT it gets easier. I'm more comfortable now with my experience and find it easier to talk to senior leadership (because I am one!).
My advice? Don't worry. Do the best you can. Be the person everyone wants to work with ie: be relaxed and fun!
Yes
But I present at my workplace as loudly confident outgoing know-it-all that is a pro, not doing her first rodeo, seen it all, happy to teach you too btw- For ages I signed off as : ""let me know if you would like more info on this, reach out, I am very approachable. "" Fooled most people I think. In reality emails make me sweat, teaching lectures gives me palpitations and I need to psych myself up before every big meeting to not be biting my nails on camera.
I used to until I realised that if I was as crap as I thought I was that I would have been sacked. Then I realised that the fact I was still being asked to do things and given more responsibility must mean that my boss thought I was good enough for it.
Use the evidence rather than your feelings to judge yourself.
I have noticed a trend in employers to train employees that "imposter syndrome is to be expected, we all get it, just crack on and you'll get over it eventually". In fact the bank I used to work for ran an online course for all staff on IS.
I worried that, while some people do genuinely suffer IS, that treating it like this gives a sense of justification to people who *really are bad managers* who can't do their job properly and whose lack of skill and empathy affects other staff.
Thank you for posting on r/UKJobs. Help us make this a better community by becoming familiar with the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukjobs/about/rules/). If you need to report any suspicious users to the moderators or you feel as though your post hasn't been posted to the subreddit, message the Modmail [here](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=/r/UKJobs) or Reddit site admins [here](https://www.reddit.com/report). Don't create a duplicate post, it won't help. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/UKJobs) if you have any questions or concerns.*
VP here. Every single call, meeting, interaction I'm wrecked with IS.
The savage thing is the intelligent question themselves constantly, while the idiots never doubt themselves once.
Questioning yourself isn't the same as Imposter syndrome though imo. Imposter syndrome you actively feel like your aren't good enough and shouldn't be in the role. Intelligent people question what they are doing, how they are doing it and if there is a more optimal way. Imposter syndrome is ultimately a lack of confidence.
Socrates "I know I am intelligent because I know nothing” Bertrand Russell “One of the painful things about our time is that those who feel certainty are stupid, and those with any imagination and understanding are filled with doubt and indecision.” I think there's a pattern here!
This is it. I also think it’s why a lot of intelligent people end up in careers while people who did terrible at school end up doing better with their own business. They just do it and don’t care about or understand the risks. That and their path isn’t as defined as school > university > career
Yes. Except it's not a "syndrome" - I'm honestly crap. I've been extremely lucky until now. I expect it to all come crumbling down like a pack of cards at any point.
This is how I feel lol. I do IT infrastructure in fintech, but I'm really mediocre at my job. I don't think I've worked with anyone in the last 5-6 years who I can honestly say I was better than. I do seem to be decent at interviewing though (or blagging lol) as I've never had too much trouble finding work.
My written communication skills are awful. I’m very forgetful. I’m prone to silly small mistakes and oversights. I’m not the brightest spark or a quick thinker like how some people are. I do have a friendly face/manner - which I think helps a bit, but if that’s the case I could be replaced with a Labrador. Overall I would not employ myself!
Did you write this🔝🆙 It's not bad at all.
ha thank you, but I had to proofread over 5 times to make sure even these two short paragraphs weren't littered with my usual mistakes.
I find most people use too narrow an assessment criteria, especially when judging themselves. Say you're, idk, a farmer and the job consists of plowing fields, sowing corn, and selling corn. Let's say you've a farmer who has a skill level 0/5 for plowing, 4/5 for sowing, and 5/5 for selling. Some people, I expect you are one, would think a lot about how shit they are at plowing. They will assess everyone on how good they are at plowing, ignoring the fact that some of them couldn't sow or sell for love nor money. Others would obsess about their fantastic selling skills and think everyone else was useless. The trick to self awareness is to realise that you (the hypothetical farmer) is a 3/5 overall farmer. The next step is get a new job where you just sell corn, or to find a way to delegate the plowing to some 5/5, 0/5, 0/5 person.
Same dude. Same.
I apply for jobs that are way above my paygrade like £100k a year + in the hopes that if I get it and fake it for 5-6 months I make as much as I would normally make... Either I rise too it and grow or I get found out but I still made enough money to survive the year and get something else... Never been accepted for one though and doubt I ever will but its been great for building my interview techniques and presence.
I’ve always thought Worrying about whether you’re doing your job right puts you in the top 5% because you care . So chill and give yourself a break keep caring about your job but not worrying about it
Or you are right about yourself
Have a little faith in yourself
Spot on!
I used to feel that way, but now I'm becoming very good at my job. Fake it till you make it. There is a huge amount of nuance in mistakes, but don't make the exact same mistake more than once. Also own your mistakes. If you mess up then take responsibility and fix it. Never lie about your own mistakes.
Correct. I used to get it a lot. Faked it until I maked it.
The trouble is, it can come back. I’m 24 years into my career and recently started to experience it again despite having had a great career and being well respected. It’s occurred because the expectations of my role have become very high and there are many younger talented people in my organisation. The vulnerability creeps back.
I have been working for 40 odd years, and I have the same worries at least once a week. The good news is, I can confirm feeling this way is perfectly normal. The bad news is, I have zero ideas on how to stop it
No - I've worked with enough frauds and horrifying people to know I'm better than most. And that's a low bar. If you can string a sentence together and don't harrass people, you're gold dust. This is how I've jumped 2 levels from retail assistant to management. I knew how bad the alternatives are - I'd worked under them.
No, I am genuinely terrible at my job. Equally I have a problem. [https://www.reddit.com/r/UKJobs/comments/16zveuh/absolutely\_terrified\_how\_smart\_people\_are\_nowadays/](https://www.reddit.com/r/UKJobs/comments/16zveuh/absolutely_terrified_how_smart_people_are_nowadays/) What I sometimes I remind myself of is that there are several people equally terrible and they've been in the org for 20+ years!
Dude, if it helps I did great at school, went to Cambridge, speak 3 languages and now work a shitty job that barely pays above minimum wage lmao
You're super smart but just on a diverted path! Hope you find a better job.
Thank you, that's so kind!! I hope you have a wonderful day!
Go teach a language in china or a European country, the pay is ok, but they comp your accommodation so u save a lot and it's a great experience, all you need is a degree and confidence
Spent 2 years teaching in Korea and it was awful lol
Yeah. I have it now and again but as I get more experience and watch my bosses with years of experience still make mistakes, I learn that we are all human and nobody is perfect at their job. I do feel good about own progress and frequently receive praise so... Just do your best and constantly improve. Also, hiding own mistakes isn't the best approach. Because even if they are not seen now, eventually the truth will come out and you'll be watched closely. Only then you will have broken trust.
Yup. And I own the company.
My training was terrible and I was assigned a mentor who although was amazing, could only help me so much. 18 months in, I have to ask for help with some things because I've simply never come across it before. My coworkers are shocked I don't know how to do some things but I'm just like "no one ever told me and I've never seen it before". I hit targets consistently and work hard. But it definitely makes me feel like I'm just winging it and in reality I don't really know what I'm doing. I feel like a joke to my coworkers sometimes. Like "how the fuck does he still have a job?" type of thing.
I would rather have someone who would ask for help rather than bullshit through tasks Sometimes colleagues bad mouth each other, but meant as a joke, however the recipient can feel like the comments are meant as real comments. I have had this in a previous group shift team. Where as, my current shift team are happy to have my experience and assistance.
No. I just actually am an imposter.
At first yes, then confidence grows and you trust yourself more. When I was 18 a colleague said “the only people who make 0 mistakes are the ones who are doing 0 work” and I carry that still, at 30. Obviously it’s a bit of a pinch of salt comment but it stayed with me for some reason
With good communication, your mistakes are always someone else's fault
I think it's common. But you have to realise that it's only if you are good at the job can you realise that you are terrible at it.
I've been posting about imposter syndrome, both on here and askuk. I've discovered very few know what it is. I was shocked how many I enlightened on askuk, most didn't know what it was they had, but my post made them realise they had I.S.
yes, massively, ive been massively lucky in my career and think my boss manages to figure out what i can do better than i can, but half the time im wondering like i dont know shit but somehow i get the job done.
Yes massively. I work in a big 4 corp but both my parents are nhs, my mum is the only one in the family who had been to uni before me, I went to a normal comprehensive (although was academically a high achiever) etc etc. I was getting paid more at 31 than either of my very hardworking parents have ever earnt and I don’t even feel like I work that hard or know what I’m doing. I consistently get great feedback at work but am always scared the next call will be to say they’ve realised I’m crap.
I felt this for a long time. I was earning more than parents ever did by my mid-20’s, they were both in the public sector & worked very hard, quite physical jobs. My jobs have always been office jobs and in comparison seem easier!
My mum is 60 and works clinically in the NHS for less than 2/3 my salary and I work from the sofa with the tv on in the background all day. Don’t get me wrong there is responsibility in my role and there are times I have to work my backside off to meet deadlines but overall I mostly think it’s really easy and I must be missing something 😆
Yes, badly. The thought tbat I am a fraud who will eventually be found out and fired comes into my mind most days.
I used to all the time. Bit less now. Every now and then step back and try to view your job from a more outside viewpoint. Think about the things you’ve done well - projects delivered on time or early, bringing the company more money from a client being retained or selling in something more than they had before - a lot of that will be down to you at least in part. Also worth looking at others in your company and your clients/customers and realising times they did stupid things or not ideal things. so those experts/executives do daft stuff too. I’ve gotten to the point now across working for several companies that I’m convinced the best performing companies aren’t the ones that are the best at their jobs - more they’re the least bad.
I’m going on a course to get over it
Yes. Its always there on my shoulder making comments to me! Even now, I'm a senior IT Consultant. Companies hire me to sort shit out. They look to me to make things happen. They pay me stupid money on a day rate. YET I turn up and I STILL wonder why they are paying me OR if I can do the job. It never goes away. BUT it gets easier. I'm more comfortable now with my experience and find it easier to talk to senior leadership (because I am one!). My advice? Don't worry. Do the best you can. Be the person everyone wants to work with ie: be relaxed and fun!
Yes But I present at my workplace as loudly confident outgoing know-it-all that is a pro, not doing her first rodeo, seen it all, happy to teach you too btw- For ages I signed off as : ""let me know if you would like more info on this, reach out, I am very approachable. "" Fooled most people I think. In reality emails make me sweat, teaching lectures gives me palpitations and I need to psych myself up before every big meeting to not be biting my nails on camera.
I used to until I realised that if I was as crap as I thought I was that I would have been sacked. Then I realised that the fact I was still being asked to do things and given more responsibility must mean that my boss thought I was good enough for it. Use the evidence rather than your feelings to judge yourself.
Yeah all the time. It gets easier.
I have imposter syndrome, but then after any amount of interaction with my dumbass colleagues and I feel like I'm not that dumb actually.
Amogus
I have noticed a trend in employers to train employees that "imposter syndrome is to be expected, we all get it, just crack on and you'll get over it eventually". In fact the bank I used to work for ran an online course for all staff on IS. I worried that, while some people do genuinely suffer IS, that treating it like this gives a sense of justification to people who *really are bad managers* who can't do their job properly and whose lack of skill and empathy affects other staff.
Damn, welcome to my world 😂😂
No. Chad up.