Test Result
Frequent Impostor Feelings
“You likely spend a significant amount of energy 'managing' the fear of being found out, often working harder than necessary to prove your worth.”
Your overall pattern
Result: Frequent Impostor Feelings
Your score suggests that feeling like a "fraud" is a recurring theme in your professional life. Even when you have objective proof of your success—degrees, promotions, praise—you likely have a mental "filter" that blocks this information from sinking in.
You may feel like you are on a treadmill that is moving slightly too fast. You keep running (working hard, over-preparing) not just to succeed, but to avoid the catastrophic feeling of falling off and being "exposed." This cycle is exhausting, but it is also highly treatable.
"Your competence is real. It is your ability to feel it that is currently offline."
Typical behaviors
- The Discounting Loop: If someone praises you, you immediately think they are being "nice" or "don't know the full story."
- The Super-Worker Trap: You may work longer hours than your peers, driven by the belief that you must work twice as hard to be considered half as good.
- Fear of Exposure: You might avoid asking for help because you think asking questions reveals incompetence.
Strengths in this pattern
- High Standards: You care deeply about quality. Your work is likely polished and thoughtful.
- Diligence: You are the person who checks the details that others miss.
Common pitfalls
The cost of this pattern:
- Burnout: Using anxiety as your primary fuel source is not sustainable.
- Risk Aversion: You might turn down amazing opportunities because you are terrified you won't be able to "fool" them at the next level.
"Reflection point: What would you do differently today if you knew you couldn't fail?"
What you can do next
Small actions you can start today
- The 'Thank You' Challenge: For the next week, when praised, you are only allowed to say "Thank you." No explanations, no deflections.
- Share the shame: Talk to a trusted peer about these feelings. You will be shocked to find out how many of them feel exactly the same.
Longer-term directions
- Reframe 'Phoniness': Realize that everyone is "winging it" to some degree. Professionalism is a role we all play; it doesn't mean you are lying.
- Internalization Practice: Look at your CV as if it belonged to a stranger. Would you be impressed?
Disclaimer and when to seek help
This test describes patterns based on self-reported feelings and is for educational purposes only. It is not a clinical diagnosis. If you find that stress or anxiety is interfering with your daily life, please consider speaking with a mental health professional.