Overcoming Self-Doubt: Understanding Imposter Syndrome and Its Many Forms

Photo by Gabrielle Wright on Unsplash

I was 39 when my imposter syndrome reached its peak.

I’d applied and interviewed for a job I absolutely did not believe I was qualified for — and… amazingly… I got it.

My brain didn’t celebrate. It panicked. It convinced me I didn’t know what I was doing. That I’d bluffed my way in. That sooner or later, everyone would realise I didn’t belong.

There was a constant, low-level sense that whatever I did, it just wasn’t enough.

A project I was overseeing — the one that took up most of my time — was going disastrously wrong. And that only added fuel to the fire.I overworked myself to try and prove I could handle it. Eventually, I wasn’t sleeping. I wasn’t eating.(If you’re interested, I share more about that period — and how burnout changed my life — in another blog.)

Self doubt. Just two small words with an almighty impact.

By the time I trained to become a coach, my confidence was in tatters. I’d been let go from a role I’d poured my identity into, and I was trying to rebuild — slowly, clumsily — and get back out into the world.

Somewhere in that process, I deep-dived into imposter syndrome — what it is, how it works, and why it’s so common, especially for people who care about doing things well. It’s become something I now speak about often, in talks and workshops. Not just to support others — but because I know firsthand how quietly and completely it can unravel us.

Here’s what I’ve learned.

What Is Imposter Syndrome (And How It Relates to Self Doubt)

Imposter syndrome is a form of persistent self doubt that makes you question your own success — even when there’s plenty of evidence that you’re doing just fine.

It can sound like:

“They’ve made a mistake hiring me.”“I should already know how to do this.”“Any minute now, they’re going to realise I’m not actually good at this.”

It’s not a diagnosis. You won’t find it in the DSM or get medication for it. But it’s real, and it’s widespread.

The term imposter phenomenon was first introduced in 1978 by psychologists Pauline Clance and Suzanne Imes, who observed this pattern in high-achieving women. Today, we know that imposter syndrome affects people of all genders, industries, and levels of experience.

At its core, it’s a form of self doubt that thrives in silence and isolation. It often shows up strongest in moments of success — new roles, promotions, opportunities — when we’re most visible and most afraid of not measuring up.

The 5 Types of Imposter Syndrome (and How to Handle Each One)

Dr. Valerie Young’s research outlines five common types of imposter syndrome.

Recognising your dominant pattern is the first step to unravelling it.

1. The Perfectionist

• How it feels: You set impossibly high standards — and even when you meet them, you focus on what wasn’t good enough.

• What it says: “If I didn’t do it perfectly, I failed.”

• How to break the cycle:

  • Reflect regularly on what actually worked

  • Practise acknowledging your wins — especially the small ones

  • Allow space for “good enough” to be exactly that

    
    

2. The Superperson

• How it feels: You push yourself harder than everyone else — constantly doing more, proving more, and rarely switching off.

• What it says: “If I slow down, they’ll realise I’m not good enough.”

• How to break the cycle:

  • Reclaim your right to rest

  • Make time to reflect on your accomplishments

  • Ask: Would I expect this pace from someone I care about?

    
    

3. The Natural Genius

• How it feels: You expect success to come easily. When something takes effort, you question whether you belong.

• What it says: “If I don’t get it right straight away, I shouldn’t be here.”

• How to break the cycle:

  • Embrace the growth mindset — effort is the process

  • Try these growth mindset activities →

  • Celebrate perseverance, not perfection

    
    

4. The Soloist

• How it feels: You believe you should do everything on your own. Asking for help feels like failure.

• What it says: “If I need support, I’m not capable.”

• How to break the cycle:

  • Find a trusted confidante to share thoughts, fears, and ideas

  • Ask for help as a deliberate practice

  • Let go of the myth that competence = independence

    
    

5. The Expert

• How it feels: You never feel like you know enough. You keep learning, training, researching — but still don’t feel ready.

• What it says: “If I don’t know everything, I have no right to speak up.”

• How to break the cycle:

  • Mentor someone else — it shows you how much you already know

  • Trust that clarity matters more than encyclopedic knowledge

  • Start contributing before you feel 100% “ready”

    
    

Self Doubt at Work: Why It Hits Harder Than You’d Think

Self doubt doesn’t always shout. Sometimes, it’s quiet.

You hesitate before speaking up. You apologise too often. You delay submitting work until it’s “perfect.”And in high-stakes environments — especially male-dominated ones — that quiet self doubt can become deafening.

I’ve written before about confidence in male-dominated workplaces, and this is a core part of it. When you’re underrepresented or overlooked, it’s easy to believe the problem is you — not the environment.

Imposter syndrome often intensifies at work. Even when you’re qualified. Even when your performance is solid. Even when others see your talent. (You can also read more about how it showed up for me in my original imposter syndrome blog.)

Self doubt at work isn’t a sign of weakness — it’s a signal that you care, that you’re growing, and that you’re navigating a complex system. Naming it is the first step toward changing how you relate to it.

Final Thoughts

Self doubt doesn’t mean you’re failing.

It doesn’t mean you’re not good enough.

It just means you’re human — and you care about doing things well.

Imposter syndrome thrives in silence. Most people who experience it believe it’s just them. That they’re the only one second-guessing themselves. The only one wondering if they’re good enough.

One of the most powerful ways to loosen its grip is also one of the simplest: talk about it.

The more we share these stories, the more we realise how normal it is — and how manageable it becomes once we stop pretending we’re alone.

If you want a practical way to reset when those thoughts start swirling, you can download my free Imposter Syndrome First Aid Essentials — a quick, coaching-based guide you can keep on hand:👉 Download it here

And if any of this resonated, I’d love to hear from you in the comments:

Which type felt most familiar — and what helps you move through self doubt when it shows up?