I’ve always felt that, as an artist, I am a bit of an imposter… That at some point soon someone was going to find out that, although I put up a good front, I am actually not a very good artist… That I am (fairly gracefully) winging it, and that at some point I would be found out and be exposed!
My husband recommended this wonderful BBC Radio 4 program The Imposters’ Survival Guide, which aired this week and explores Imposter Syndrome.
In it Oliver Burkeman investigates this phenomenon, which it transpires is endemic amongst artists.
He interviews an author, a musician, an academic, a high flyer in business – even a neurosurgeon! He also confesses his own neuroses, saying he himself felt under-qualified to make the program!
I discovered that people feel more this way when not surrounded by people like them (I suppose in my case, other artists – I’ve never been the best at networking locally, living in a little populated area with big distances to travel, although its wonderful these days that so much networking and friend-making can be done online) and its more a problem amongst women (who are generally encouraged from childhood to be modest).
What particularly resonated with me is the link between Imposter Syndrome and Perfectionism, and the fact that many Perfectionists have feelings of shame when they feel they have underperformed or made mistakes.
It’s a wonderful listen for anyone who feels in any way inadequate (which the program indicates, is most of us) – wether in your career, creative life, as a parent, or just in general!
Hi Nicki, I only just stumbled across your blog post about the programme. I’m it’s producer. I know Oliver would totally agree when I say I’m so glad you enjoyed it and its really gratifying to hear it’s maybe prompted you to think a little more deeply about feelings of imposterism and how to not be undermined by them. I know it’s been like that for me making it!