#035 - Dealing with Imposter Syndrome
Imposter Syndrome is a psychological pattern in which an individual doubts their skills, talents, or accomplishments and has a persistent internalized fear of being exposed as a "fraud".
— Wikipedia
Like death and taxes, imposter syndrome is coming for you.
But how should you respond when it arrives?
There's a line in David Foster Wallace's famous Kenyon College commencement address that I think uncovers the heart of imposter syndrome:
Worship your intellect, being seen as smart, you will end up feeling stupid, a fraud, always on the verge of being found out.
— David Foster Wallace, Writer
If you shape your identity around your abilities as an editor, colorist, sound mixer, DIT or, in fact, any other aspect of your life, when you fail to live up to that identity at a standard - as measured by others or by yourself - that you've subconsciously settled on, you will feel like a fraud.