How to Overcome 'Imposter Syndrome'

'Imposter Syndrome' can be a real struggle and can hold you back in your career, but you're far from alone. Over a quarter of all high-fliers are estimated to be struggling with it, and 70% of adults will experience it at least once in their life.

Put simply, it's the fear of being unmasked as a 'fraud' in what you do, doubting your skills, accomplishments and talents even when there's external proof that they exist. So what are the key symptoms and how can you learn to push through that self-doubt?

One thing many people with Imposter Syndrome experience is a fear of what other people are thinking. You might feel anxious about when they are going to discover you're not 'qualified' to do your job, or when they will realise you have 'lied' about your skills. Many people prefer to put their successes down to luck rather than hard-work and talent.

This often stems from perfectionism, the need to be the best at everything you do. Since there is no such state as 'perfect', it's a vicious circle which leads back to more self-doubt. In order to overcome it, you need to change your mindset.

You ought to reflect on those concrete, tangible achievements. You should also seek confirmation and reassurance from someone close, or subtly ask your manager whether they're pleased with your performance. Also seek out a mentor – finding someone who has been there and overcome it can really help restore your faith.

Remember, we all have our talents and there's no such thing as luck. Your successes are entirely down to you.