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+Document: WM-034                                                 P. Webb
+Category: How to Be Awesome                                   2018.08.22
+
+                    The Fallacy of Imposter Syndrome
+
+Abstract
+
+   Who's holding the carrot?
+
+Body
+
+   You (or, someone you know) has claimed to suffer from imposter
+   syndrome at some point in time. But what IS it, really?
+
+   > "Impostor syndrome" is a psychological pattern in which an
+   > individual doubts their accomplishments and has a persistent
+   > internalized fear of being exposed as a "fraud", despite external
+   > evidence of their competence.
+
+   I'm speaking from the lens of someone firmly entrenched in the web
+   industry, but what I'm about to say applies anywhere. Imposter
+   syndrome appears to be a very real threat to the psyche. It has
+   occurred to me that maybe…it's NOT.
+
+   Y'see, when people reach the next plateau of their career they begin
+   to compare themselves against impossible odds. They look at the
+   "superstar" members of their industry, they look at their peers of
+   similar standing, *they look at everything around and beyond them*. I
+   mean, just check out that VIEW! What happens next ~~will~~ won't
+   shock you.
+
+   > How did I get here? I don't *belong* here! What if they kNoW?!
+
+   These are questions people ask themselves instead of the one that
+   *matters* as they turn around:
+
+   > *Wow*, I really came THIS far? 🤩
+
+   Our fast-paced society and the scripted nature of social media where
+   we only display accomplishments and accolades encourages us to keep
+   our figurative necks on a swivel. *Mentally, we ALL have full range
+   of motion.* Not just laterally and up, but backwards too! It's
+   important to acknowledge your accomplishments to yourself.
+   Internalize it. Believe it!
+
+   Let's think about this another way.
+
+   Imagine someone riding a horse with a long stick in hand. On that
+   stick is an equally long string with a carrot tied to the end. The
+   horse sees the carrot and starts to trot towards it. The horse jockey
+   moves the carrot when they want the horse to change direction. Now,
+   replace the carrot with everything you saw on that plateau and the
+   horse with yourself. PLOT TWIST, you are ALSO the horse jockey.
+
+   WHUUUUUH?!
+
+   Get off the horse and give them a salt lick for doing a ~~great~~
+   *fantastic* job. Huh, interesting…that salt lick is suspiciously
+   similar to your personal accomplishments.
+
+   TL;DR
+
+      You're awesome. Stop beating yourself up. Stop and smell the roses
+      of your accomplishments thus far. Know when to use blinders. 🕸