Andy Whyte Journal Subscribe →
← Journal

Imposter Syndrome ≡ Self-Awareness

“Imposter Syndrome ≡ Self-Awareness”

Only the self-aware suffer from imposter syndrome.

Everyone I’ve spoken to about this observation agrees.

But I feel like this focuses too much on the ‘syndrome’ and not the ‘imposters’ that cause it.

I am 𝗡𝗢𝗧 talking about people with imposter syndrome, as the imposters…

I’m talking about the 𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗨𝗔𝗟 imposters who are the reason self-aware people get imposter syndrome.

Because, without 𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗨𝗔𝗟 imposters, those out there overselling themselves, claiming success they didn’t authentically achieve, and bigging themselves up beyond their worth, there would be no Imposter Syndrome.

Think about it…

When you feel imposter syndrome, you worry that people are judging you negatively…

💁‍♂️ “𝙒𝙝𝙤 𝙙𝙤𝙚𝙨 𝙝𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙠 𝙝𝙚 𝙞𝙨?…”

💁‍♂️ “𝙃𝙚 𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙𝙣’𝙩 𝙗𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙧𝙤𝙤𝙢…”

💁‍♂️ “𝘾𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙡𝙮, 𝙝𝙚’𝙨 𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙙𝙚𝙥𝙩𝙝…”

But you only think that because you know it’s what people think about 𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗨𝗔𝗟 imposters.

Not you!

By virtue of you having imposter syndrome, you are actually not an imposter. It wouldn’t be a syndrome if you were…!

As a self-aware person, you only get imposter syndrome when you are growing.

It’s the uncertainty of growing into uncharted territory of your potential that brings on the imposter syndrome…

And that’s Okay. As long as you are kind to yourself and don’t let it hold you back.

Your imposter syndrome is a skill. A strength. An indicator of your emotional intelligence.

And in this ever-inauthentic world, where unearned egos go unchecked, your authenticity will become your number one intangible asset.

P.S. Does anyone else’s spelling go out of the window when you are concentrating on your handwriting? 🤦‍♂️

—Andy Subscribe to the journal →
Keep reading

One entry. Every Friday.

One entry. Every Friday. No noise. Join the journal — your email goes straight to Substack.

No spam. One email a week. Unsubscribe whenever.