Imposter Syndrome can affect people in various ways; in essence, it is a negative feeling that makes people feel that they are not good enough. Despite their best efforts, people with Imposter Syndrome sometimes feel like impostors or frauds, doubting the worth of their skills, talents, or accomplishments.
If you ever felt not good enough and doubted your self-worth, you are not alone; many people have been there before. According to a UK survey, more than 50 per cent of men and women struggle with Imposter Syndrome.
Whether you are striving to learn more about the topic or you suffer from Imposter Syndrome, here are five books that you could check out to help you normalize your self-doubt and learn more about actionable strategies to stop sabotaging your own achievements.
The Imposter Phenomenon: Overcoming the fear that Haunts your Success – Dr Pauline Rose Clance
In this book, Dr. Pauline Rose Clance argues that Imposter Syndrome is a social phenomenon rather than a clinical disease. Despite this argument, Dr. Clance describes Imposter Syndrome as a psychological experience of intellectual and professional fraudulence. The book is divided into three sections, each examining how and why people experience Imposter Syndrome and how to overcome it. Through various exercises, readers can do a number of self-assessment tests to counteract its effects and avoid getting trapped into the cycle of self-doubt, negativity, and fear.
Presence: Bringing Your Boldest Self to Your Biggest Challenge – Amy Cuddy
Amy Cuddy’s approach to tackling Imposter Syndrome is all about harnessing the power of the mind-body connection. In the book, Cuddy claims that empowerment and movement are intrinsically linked, which affects how we are perceived by others and how we perceive ourselves in our daily life. The book combines social psychology with real-world stories that teach practical mind-over-body techniques to allow you to conquer anxiety, communicate with impact, and perform at your absolute peak. Its goal is to boost your self-confidence and reduce your stress before a big challenge.
Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy – Dr. David D. Burns
In Feeling Good, Dr. David Burns describes how cognitive behavioral therapy can be applied to reduce the frequency of self-doubt and challenging emotions by shedding light on the root cause of one’s thinking patterns. Although it does not uniquely address Imposter Syndrome, the book addresses how one can conquer feelings of inadequacy as they pertain to anxiety, depression, low self-worth, and doubting one’s capabilities. The book is filled with practical techniques, and powerful mindset shifts to overcome negative feelings.
The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women: Why Capable People Suffer from the Imposter Syndrome and How to Thrive in Spite of it – Dr. Valerie Young
Speaking from experience, Dr. Young has suffered from Imposter Syndrome herself, and in this book, she creates a roadmap to help people thrive despite their despondent thoughts. Dr. Young strived to understand why so many intelligent people suffer from Imposter Syndrome. To that end, the book is filled with useful exercises that advance the reader’s understanding of Imposter Syndrome and help them master their inner critic. Throughout the book, Dr. Young classifies Imposter Syndrome into five competence types and suggests ways to respond to failure by recommending actionable steps like becoming a humble realist or someone who acknowledges their faults and flaws without allowing failure to impede your capabilities or achievements.
Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead – Sheryl Sandberg
If you are a woman and feel the urge to stand out in an ever-competitive corporate world, then this is the book to read. Through various anecdotes and narratives, the book provides well-researched data and practical advice for exploring gender inequality at home and at work. Speaking from experience, Sandberg has held high-level positions at Google and Facebook, as well as at the US Treasury Department. People have drawn inspiration from this book, as it empowers women to envision more in their personal and professional lives and to achieve their full potential.
These books are just a starting point. Picking up one or even two can help you uncover the roots of self-doubt, quiet your inner critic, and celebrate your achievements with confidence!
David Messiha| Staff Writer