Why High Achievers Struggle with Imposter Syndrome (And How to Break the Cycle)
You’ve ticked the boxes: academic success, a thriving career, personal accolades. On paper, you look confident. Capable. Sorted. But privately, it’s a different story. You second-guess your decisions. You worry you’re not really as good as people think. You discount your wins. You live with the anxiety of being “found out.”
Welcome to the exhausting world of imposter syndrome - a phenomenon especially common among high achievers.
What Is Imposter Syndrome?
Imposter syndrome is the internal belief that you’re not as competent as others perceive you to be. It’s characterised by:
Chronic self-doubt
Fear of being exposed as a fraud
Difficulty internalising accomplishments
Attributing success to luck, timing, or help from others
It’s not a formal diagnosis, but it is a well-researched psychological experience that can interfere with work, relationships, and mental wellbeing.
Why High Achievers Are Especially Prone
Imposter syndrome doesn’t strike because you’re underqualified - it shows up because you’re doing well. Often, the higher you climb, the more fraud-like you feel.
Here’s why:
1. You Set Exceptionally High Standards
High achievers tend to set unrealistic or perfectionist goals. When they don’t meet them flawlessly, they see it as proof of incompetence - rather than evidence of normal human limitation.
2. You’ve Been Praised for Being “The Smart One”
If you grew up being labelled the clever kid, success may have felt like part of your identity. But when success gets harder (as it does in adulthood), you can feel like you’re no longer measuring up.
3. You Work in a Competitive Environment
Whether it’s corporate, academic, or creative industries - being surrounded by accomplished peers can intensify feelings of “not belonging.”
4. You’re Often the “Only One” in the Room
For women, especially women of colour or those in male-dominated industries, imposter syndrome can be linked to the broader experience of underrepresentation and bias.
The Hidden Costs of Imposter Syndrome
Left unchecked, imposter syndrome can quietly sabotage your personal and professional growth:
Burnout from overworking to “prove” yourself
Missed opportunities because you don’t feel ready
People-pleasing tendencies and poor boundaries
Perfectionism that stalls progress
Low self-worth, despite high achievements
It’s not just a confidence issue. It’s a self-perception distortion - and it needs to be addressed at its roots.
Signs You Might Be in the Cycle
Use this checklist to reflect. Do any of the following sound familiar?
“I’m just lucky” or “It was a team effort” (when it was mostly you)
Constant fear that others will “find you out”
Downplaying compliments or deflecting praise
Overpreparing for tasks you’re already well-equipped to handle
Avoiding new roles or promotions because you “don’t feel ready”
Believing that success must come effortlessly - or it doesn’t count
If you nodded to more than a few, it’s likely you’re in the loop.
Signs You Might Be in the Cycle
Overcoming imposter syndrome isn’t about faking confidence. It’s about rewiring how you process success, failure and self-worth.
Here’s how to begin:
1. Track Your Achievements (Objectively)
Keep a success log. Write down concrete wins - big and small. Over time, this builds evidence against your inner critic.
2. Learn the Difference Between Confidence and Competence
You don’t have to feel 100% confident to be competent. Feelings ≠ facts.
3. Name the Voice (And Question It)
Give your inner critic a name: “There goes Judgy Jane again.” Externalising the voice helps you separate you from your unhelpful thoughts.
4. Start Accepting (Not Just Deflecting) Compliments
Instead of brushing off praise, practice saying, “Thank you, I worked hard on that.” It’s not arrogance - it’s accuracy.
5. Reframe Fear as Growth
If you’re nervous about being exposed as a fraud, it may mean you’re simply stretching into new territory. That’s not incompetence - it’s expansion.
6. Stop Comparing Your Inside to Everyone Else’s Outside
You see their curated LinkedIn wins. You feel your internal chaos. That’s not a fair comparison.
Finding Help for Imposter Syndrome
The next time that voice creeps in - the one that says you don’t belong - pause and consider this: imposters don’t feel imposter syndrome. Only capable, self-aware, intelligent people do.
You’re not tricking anyone. You’re showing up, doing the work, and making things happen.
Let that be enough - for today, and every day after.
If you feel like you could benefit from counselling, contact Sami or book a session using the button below.
