As you may have heard, ahem, I have written a book that will be released next month, June 2016. I’m noticing just a teensy weensy bit of impostor syndrome.
Well, OK, maybe it’s not so teensy weensy. Possibly because it’s infused with generous amounts of fear: of failure, success, overwhelm, and, oh, utter humiliation and devastation for now and all eternity.
Because I know that you also have bouts of the syndrome, affectionately known as IMPS, it occurred to me that there must be some benefits. Right? Why would so many of us be afflicted if there weren’t something to gain?
So, here it is. My list of the top ten reasons why you should love your IMPS:
10. You can avoid the pressure and expectations that come with being seen as a very smart (not to mention gifted) person.
9. You’re protected from ever having to produce anything of note.
8. You don’t have to worry about being overwhelmed because no one will be paying attention to you and that’s the way your introverted soul likes it.
7. You might actually be an impostor so you’re not embarrassing yourself by admitting it now.
6. In a past life, you were burned at the stake for being brilliant, and that was kind of painful so you’d rather not repeat it.
5. Family members like you better when you’re not so uppity.
4. You were bullied in school for showing your intellectual enthusiasm so you decided that mediocrity was a safe alternative.
3. You grew up with narcissistic parents and will avoid being like them — at all costs.
2. Your need to be fair and equitable to all humans overwhelms the evidence that you might be smarter than many of them.
1. People like you because you’re less annoying so they bring you tuna casseroles and cupcakes when you’re sick.
So, the next time you go out and write your book or speak your mind or believe that you’re gifted in spite of your fears of utter humiliation and devastation for all eternity, remember to love your IMPS.
And yourself.
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To my dearest bloggEEs: Tell us about your experiences with impostor syndrome. What’s it like for you? What helps? And, thank you. When we meet? I’ll bring the cupcakes.
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