Impostor Syndrome in High Achievers

3 Proven Laws to Stop Feeling Like a Fraud

Why Success Makes It Worse (And How to Stop)

You’ve just been promoted, closed a major deal, and led a successful project. These are clear signs of your abilities.

But why do these achievements still make you feel like a fraud? This is impostor syndrome in high achievers, and it’s more common than you think.

A persistent voice says, ‘You just got lucky. You don’t deserve this.’ It warns that soon, people will find out you have no idea what you’re doing.

That fear can feel overwhelming, even as you continue to achieve.

Imagine working hard, staying up late, and sometimes even forgetting to eat because you’re so focused on your task. You lose track of time, all for the main prize. Now, think about what happens inside when you finally reach that moment of success.

But this prize isn’t just any reward. It’s more than winning the lottery; it’s a promotion to the top position on the board of a Fortune 500 company. Achieving this brings a flood of questions.

Is this really happening?

How did I get here? Did I earn this? Can I handle it? What do others think?

Impostor syndrome causes you to doubt your worth and abilities, even when you have clear evidence of your hard work and achievements.

impostor syndrome in high achievers doesn’t go away with success. Each new achievement can actually strengthen your self-doubt and leave you feeling more vulnerable.

Let’s look at why impostor syndrome sticks around. Once we understand that, we’ll go through a clear, practical way to overcome it. Here’s a quick overview of the steps: get the thought out of your head, separate your identity from your experience, and build your evidence file. We’ll also cover practical ways to handle these feelings.

Why are high achievers so prone to impostor syndrome?

Impostor syndrome in high achievers isn’t a sign of weakness. It often comes from your greatest strengths. The same qualities that make you a high performer can also make you feel like a fraud.

impostor syndrome in high achievers isn’t a sign of weakness. It often comes from your greatest strengths. The same qualities that make you a high performer can also make you feel like a fraud.

You set very high standards for yourself. Your idea of being ‘competent’ is almost impossible to reach. When you compare your own messy process to the polished results of others, you often feel like you’re not measuring up. However, these high standards have enabled you to achieve great things. Consider a recent project where your attention to detail and hard work not only met but exceeded expectations, earning you praise from both your peers and managers. This moment shows your true ability and effort, proving that self-criticism can go hand in hand with real success.

You Attribute Your Success to External Factors: When you succeed, you’re quick to credit luck, timing, or the help of others. But when you fail, you see it as a direct reflection of your own inadequacy. This is a classic cognitive distortion known as discounting the positive. And if ignored, it could easily send you spiraling into depression or even anxiety.

If these feelings become overwhelming, consider seeking professional help. Resources such as counseling or therapy can offer invaluable support, ensuring you have a solid foundation as you navigate these challenging emotions.

You’re used to being the best. If you’ve always been the smartest in the room, things often come easily. But when you move into a new, tougher environment, like a new job or promotion, you suddenly have to put in more effort.

This extra effort can feel like proof that you’re not smart enough, instead of a sign that you’re just being challenged.

We’ve examined several reasons why high performers often feel like impostors.

But the main reason is something I call the Identity Trap.

The Identity Trap: The Real Reason You Feel Like a Fraud

The Identity Trap happens when you unconsciously mix your sense of self with your thoughts, feelings, and especially your performance. You don’t just do good work—you see yourself as a good worker. You don’t just achieve success—you see yourself as success itself.

This mindset can motivate you, but it’s also a trap. When your identity is tied to your performance, any mistake or setback feels like a threat to your sense of self. It’s not just your work being judged—it feels like you are.

You can’t just reason your way out of impostor syndrome. You might have lots of proof of your skills—awards, promotions, praise—but it doesn’t matter, because the feeling of being a fraud is tied to your identity.

You’re not just thinking, “I’m not good enough.” Deep down, you believe it’s true.

To overcome impostor syndrome, you need to separate your identity from your performance. What does that mean? It might sound unclear, but here’s a simple way to look at it. I call them:

The 3 Laws of Mental Freedom

This isn’t just theory; it’s a practical method. By following these steps, you can sever the connection between your identity and your thoughts. This gives you space, and in that space, you find freedom.

For example, take Maria, a senior executive at a tech company, who struggled with impostor syndrome as a high achiever after leading a major acquisition deal.

By applying these methods, she documented her successes and gradually shifted her mindset, eventually taking on new roles with renewed self-assurance.

Her story exemplifies the potential of these techniques to transform self-doubt into lasting confidence.

Get the Thought Out of Your Head

When impostor syndrome in high achievers strikes, the first thing to do is what I call ‘mental forensics.’ Imagine you’re a detective, looking at your thoughts as clues to be examined. You can’t fight a thought if you’re completely caught up in it.

Ask yourself. What exact sentence is running through my mind right now?

Write it down. Say it out loud. Don’t just think it. Get it out.

Scenario: I’m a fraud and everyone’s going to find out.

Now look at that sentence. It’s just words on a page. Writing it down creates distance. You’re not the thought—you’re the person noticing the thought.

Separate Identity from Experience

Now you’re going to change the sentence. This helps break the identity trap.

Instead of: “I am a fraud.”

Say: I’m having the thought that I’m a fraud.

Instead of: I am incompetent.

Say: I’m feeling incompetent right now.

This isn’t just playing with words. It’s a real shift in power.

“I am a fraud” is a statement about who you think you are. Saying “I’m having the thought that I’m a fraud” is about a passing thought.

One feels permanent. The other is just a passing thought.

This technique comes from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and it’s one of the most powerful tools for mental freedom.

Build Your Evidence File

Your impostor thoughts aren’t based on facts—they’re based on feelings. So you fight them with real data.

You’re going to become a scientist of your own abilities.

Get a notebook or document. Call it your “Evidence File.” For the next 30 days, collect objective proof of your competence.

Dedicate 5 to 10 minutes each evening to this practice. By choosing a specific time slot, such as after dinner or before bed, you can seamlessly integrate this into your busy schedule.

Consistency is important, so make this a daily habit. Soon, it will feel natural.

This isn’t about affirmations or positive thinking. This is about real, solid data.

What goes in your Evidence File:

• Positive feedback (exact words): Copy and paste emails, messages, comments.

• Problems you solved: Write down the problem and how you solved it.

• Skills you used: Note when you used a specific skill effectively.

• Times you helped someone: Did you mentor someone? Answer a tough question? Write it down.

When an impostor thought comes up, open your Evidence File and ask, “What does the data say?”

Impostor thought, “I have no idea what I’m doing.”

Data: On Tuesday, I resolved the API issue by performing X, Y, and Z. On Thursday, Sarah said my feedback on her proposal was incredibly helpful.

This helps your brain learn to base conclusions on evidence rather than feelings. Over time, it breaks down the impostor story.

You’re Not a Fraud. You are Human

Impostor syndrome in high achievers isn’t permanent. It’s just a habit of thought—a story you’ve told yourself for so long that you’ve started to believe it.

Start telling yourself a new story based on facts, not fear. Let go of old impostor beliefs and define yourself by your learning and growth.

Start today. The next time you hear that voice saying you’re a fraud, don’t argue or try to push it away. Just notice it and say, “There’s that thought again.” Then, review your Evidence File and examine the facts.

Now, picture yourself six months from now, after using these practices every day. You wake up feeling more confident, and your achievements are no longer hidden by doubt. You’ve developed a mindset that enables you to face challenges with confidence.

Imagine the strong self-belief you’ve built, which helps you take on new goals and seize opportunities with renewed energy. Let this vision guide you, turning information into inspiration and setting you on a hopeful path.

PS. If you want to make this a daily habit, our 5-Day Stress Pattern Discovery Journal can help you start. It provides a simple, structured way to identify and challenge the thoughts that fuel impostor syndrome in high achievers.