Have you ever found yourself thinking that you aren’t competent or skilled enough to do your job? Or that other people will one day discover that you are a fraud and don’t deserve the achievements you have gained? If so, you’re not alone.
At least one study found that more than 7 in 10 adults have suffered from Imposter Syndrome. I know it has affected me at many points in my career. When my publisher, Peg, contacted me about writing Illustrated Enneagram, I almost didn’t respond to her message. It wasn’t because I didn’t want to write a book, it was because I doubted that I was qualified to do so. I also believed that my art wasn’t good enough or different enough to be included in a book.
Imposter Syndrome often occurs to high achieving women and has nothing to do with whether they actually are competent. It causes them to believe that they are undeserving of their achievements. It propels someone to feel like they aren’t as competent or intelligent as others might believe and makes them fear that they might be found out.
But you KNOW when you overcome Imposter Syndrome, magic can happen. Magic like:
- New opportunities for growth in your career or personal development;
- Improved self confidence;
- More money because you aren’t selling yourself short in setting your rates or salary;
- Less anxiety and burnout in your career; and
- Improved relationships by ending self-sabotage.
If I had leet Imposter Syndrome consume me, I would have never allowed myself the opportunity to write my book. Of course, it still creeps in pretty frequently, but now I can recognize it for what it is and not simply allow it to dictate my opportunities.
So how do you overcome Imposter Syndrome? Your Enneagram Type can give you some great clues for how you can start to overcome, so let’s get into it!
Enneagram Type 1
Here are some ways that Imposter Syndrome shows up in Type 1s:
- Taking criticism personally
- Has to be perfect to be good
- Believes that they have to earn good things
- Feels like they are not deserving of success
- They do not believe that they can duplicate past successes
Some tips for Type 1s to start overcoming Imposter Syndrome:
- Allow yourself to fail and know that means that you cared enough to try, not that you are a failure
- Practice letting god of your inner perfectionist
- Acknowledge the benefit of feedback when someone criticizes you
Enneagram Type 2
Here are some ways that Imposter Syndrome shows up in Type 2s:
- Wants to please everyone else
- Believes that if they have accomplished something, anyone could do it
- Wants to help, but they fear that they are not good enough
- Discounts any praise that they receive for a job well done
- Believes that they are not lovable if they do not succeed
Some tips for Type 2s to start overcoming Imposter Syndrome:
- Internalize and affirm any praise or kind works others say to you
- Be as kind to yourself as you would be to a friend or loved one
- Accept and acknowledge that imposter feelings commonly arise
Enneagram Type 3
Here are some ways that Imposter Syndrome shows up in Type 3s:
- Works harder and longer than everyone else
- Avoids evaluations for fear of criticism
- Feels bad if they are not the best in every situation
- Does not tolerate small mistakes
- Used to things coming easy so they feel like an imposter if a task takes a lot of effort
Some tips for Type 3s to start overcoming Imposter Syndrome:
- Reward yourself often instead of relying on others’ acknowledgment of your achievements
- Share your mistakes or failures with others
- Know that you are not alone in feeling like an imposter, many high achievers experience it
Enneagram Type 4
Here are some ways that Imposter Syndrome shows up in Type 4s:
- Feels like they are missing something others have
- Focuses on past times when they did not do their best
- Doubts their creativity and uniqueness
- Feels like they have to do it all
- Compares their abilities with others
Some tips for Type 4s to start overcoming Imposter Syndrome:
- Stop comparing yourself to others
- Embrace the imposter feelings and use them for motivation
- Let go of that idealized version of yourself and accept and authentic self-image
Enneagram Type 5
Here are some ways that Imposter Syndrome shows up in Type 5s:
- They don’t believe that they are competent, but others believe and know that they are
- They don’t want to waste their time or energy
- Fears being exposed as incompetent
- Believes others are more knowledgeable
- Discounts the importance of their contributions
Some tips for Type 5s to start overcoming Imposter Syndrome:
- Take inventory of everything you have already accomplished
- Say “yes” to new opportunities, even if you do not feel ready
- List all the facts that support you being successful or competent in your role
Enneagram Type 6
Here are some ways that Imposter Syndrome shows up in Type 6s:
- Engages in worst-case-scenario thinking
- It is hard for them to accept compliments
- Struggles with constant self-doubt
- Doubts that they will be able to repeat past successes
- Will only take on a new project if they feel prepared
Some tips for Type 6s to start overcoming Imposter Syndrome:
- Know that you can feel confident and that it doesn’t mean you lack humility
- Recognize that self-doubt isn’t serving you anymore
- Share your fears and imposter feelings with a trusted friend or colleague
Enneagram Type 7
Here are some ways that Imposter Syndrome shows up in Type 7s:
- Attributes success to good luck
- Feels like they don’t belong in spaces
- Tends to self-sabotage
- Afraid that others will discover they are not as good as them seem
- Moves on to the next project before they can fail
Some tips for Type 7s to start overcoming Imposter Syndrome:
- Set boundaries and limits on how much you work
- Let go of perfectionist tendencies and accept good enough
- Learn the signs of Imposter Syndrome for you Type so you can identify it when those thoughts arise
Enneagram Type 8
Here are some ways that Imposter Syndrome shows up in Type 8s:
- Feels the need to succeed in all areas of their life
- Not happy unless they are the best
- Works really hard to prove themselves
- Focuses on small mistakes instead of their wins
- Refuses to celebrate their successes
Some tips for Type 8s to start overcoming Imposter Syndrome:
- Accept that you don’t have to prove yourself to anyone
- Celebrate big and small successes
- Be kind to yourself and don’t succumb to negative self-talk
Enneagram Type 9
Here are some ways that Imposter Syndrome shows up in Type 9s:
- Believes their voice is not important
- Doubts their ability to have future success
- Declines new opportunities
- They believe others over-estimate them and their abilities
- They avoid asking for more
Some tips for Type 9s to start overcoming Imposter Syndrome:
- Challenge yourself to try new things
- Cultivate self-compassion through mindfulness
- Share your fears or thoughts with a mentor or friends who pushes and encourages you
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