Sydney Jackson-Clockston Discusses Imposter Syndrome

On Wednesday, July 19th, the Colorado Neurodiversity Chamber of Commerce (CNDCC) hosted Sydney Jackson-Clockston, who gave an amazing presentation on imposter syndrome and how to tackle feelings of inadequacy. Sydney has recently published a new book titled, “My Own Worst Enemy” which discusses the more intricate parts of imposter syndrome and how we can better support ourselves moving forward. Sydney is a certified life coach, consultant, public speaker, trainer and presents on several topics regarding mental health, well being, and more.

The presentation started with Sydney reviewing some information about herself and her values. She is a 4th generation Denverite that values transformation, honesty, joy, community, and more. After a brief introduction, the group played an icebreaker game to name some famous celebrities. After a few moments, Sydney explained that the four celebrities named all had one thing in common: they suffered from imposter syndrome.

• Emma Watson: “It’s almost like the better I do the more my feeling of inadequacy actually increases, because I’m just going ‘Any moment, someone’s going to find out I’m a total fraud and I dont deserve any of what I've achieved,” Watson told Rookie magazine in 2013

• Lupita Nyongo: “I go through [acute imposter syndrome] with every role, I think winning an Oscar may in fact have made it worse. Now [that] I've achieved this, what am I going to do next? What do I strive for?

• Ryan Reynolds: “I went to a lot of events this year because of Deadpool, so you get into a tux and try to look like a grown-up, but to be honest, I still feel like a freckle-faced kid, faking it until I make it”

• Jennifer Lopez: “I’m very insecure about my voice, after being told for so many years that you’re not as good as this person or that person, it beats away on your insecurities…”

Jackson-Clockston, after revealing each of these quotes from the introduction game, established the connection between each artist and actor. Each of these individuals are highly successful, yet they still feel as though they are frauds in their respective industries. 

Defining The Issue

Imposter syndrome is a psychological phenomenon (belief) that you’re inadequate and an incompetent failure despite evidence that indicates you’re skilled and quite successful. Imposter syndrome can affect anyone but heavily impacts women and members of the BIPOC community. According to Jackson-Clockston, about 70% of people will feel imposter syndrome to some degree at a point in their life. This could relate to starting a new job, moving a city or country, taking on new responsibilities, or something related to those items. 

However, a smaller percentage of people will feel imposter syndrome for long periods of time. It ultimately impacts one’s mindset and the way someone lives their life.

Jackson-Clockston continued to speak on the topic, saying that there are a few different reasons that people fall into imposter syndrome. It could be related to a disability, a neurological disorder, or based on several past experiences. She recalled that in school and in her previous job, teachers, coworkers, or bosses had ridiculed her for being “smart, but lazy” or having misspelled items in an email (her dyslexia diagnosis would happen later in life). Similar experiences can compound for individuals and ultimately create different perspectives for people. Instead of reveling in their success, those with imposter syndrome can have a skewed perspective on what success looks like and how they don’t fit into the definition of it. 

Types of Imposter Syndrome

Those with imposter syndrome will manifest it in one of four different ways. Sydney reviewed them each while prompting the crowd to see if they ever felt like that. Over 70% of the attendees recognized each of the symptoms and several admitted that they had fallen into the trap that Jackson-Clockston was describing. The group reviewed the definitions below and described their experiences. The audience was very involved as people messaged each other about their own feelings, how they felt at certain points in their careers/life, and shared to the group their own methods to accept their successes. 

1. The Perfectionist

1. Perfectionists set extremely high goals for themselves, when they fail to reach a goal, they experience major self-doubt and worry about measuring up

1. If they want something done right, they have to do it themselves

2. Have difficulty delegating

3. Missing an “extremely high” mark on something causes self doubt or thoughts of ‘not being cut out’ for a job

4. Ruminate on errors for days, weeks, months, years

2. The Soloist

1. Do not like to ask for help, and often feel like a failure or ashamed if they have to ask for help

1. Get upset when folks offer help (defensive)

2. Avoid asking for help even if it’s really needed

3. The idea of being “self-made” rules their world

3. The Expert

1. The experts fear that they will never know enough about any subject no matter how much they have learned from life experiences, institutionalized learning, continued reading, etc

1. Shy away from applying to jobs unless meet every requirement

2. Cringe when someone says they are an expert

3. Avoids starting a business or new project because they “don’t know enough”

4. Often feel like peers or supervisors overestimate their abilities

4. The Superstar

1. The super-woman, super-man, or super-student. These individuals feel inadequate and place others around them on a pedestal. To prove their worth, they commit to working harder and longer

1. First to arrive and last to leave despite completion of task

2. May be convinced they don't deserve their position in job or life

3. Chooses work over passions like hobbies, family, friends

Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

Sydney concluded the presentation by reviewing actions that people can take to break out of the mental hold that imposter syndrome can hold. 

1. Speak Up

1. Sydney says that in order to truly combat imposter syndrome, one must speak their truths. Don’t be afraid to share your thoughts, feelings, or instincts with those that you trust. Trust the validation that you receive in professional and personal relationships. If this requires building up to that process, consider journaling to review thoughts and feelings. 

2. Take a Risk

1. Review the ideas you have that conflict with feelings of shame or fear. Imagine the steps you could take or the tangible ideas you could act upon if thoughts of doubt weren’t in your way. Trust the power of yourself and act upon these feelings. 

3. Reward Yourself:

1. Take time to reward yourself. This can include spending adequate time on a hobby, with a loved one, or practicing self-love. Enjoy the free time you have and review the items that allow you to enjoy that time. 

2. Create a ‘Ta-Da’ List’. This reprogramming of a ‘To-Do’ list celebrates the small victories as we move forward through our day to day plans and can help us to focus on the accomplishments, instead of what is left to do

At the end of the presentation, Sydney opened up the session to review not only questions from the audience, but also her process of writing a book while being diagnosed with dyslexia. Questions poured in for about 20 minutes as people reviewed her presentation, reviewed what changes they wanted to make going forward, and discussed their own goals of one day overcoming imposter syndrome to write their own book.

If you are interested in attending a Lunchtime Lecture event with the CNDCC, please feel free to reach out to our event coordinator Lauri Murphy at lauri@cndcc.org, or sign up to become a member of the chamber.