25/08/2026
“Protect Mental Health, Be the Self-Starter”
"Voices of Resonance" Series: Imposter Syndrome
Hello everyone! I'm "Little Corn" (“Siu Suk”)! In this " Voices of Resonance " series on safeguarding mental health, I'll be sharing what is on my mind, opening up my heart, and looking at mental and psychological health right in the eye of all of you.
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The more outstanding you are, the more anxious you become?
Even though you get top marks, you always feel inside: "I'm just lucky," or "Sooner or later someone will find out I'm faking it"... Actually, you're not alone! Research shows that even highly successful CEOs and professionals have this kind of thinking.
In the comic, "Little Corn" analyzes things exceptionally well; even the CEO wants to hire him. But what he's thinking is: "I'm just a snack, not a leader."
This feeling is actually called "Imposter Syndrome." Even with objective achievements, you might still doubt your abilities and feel unworthy of the praise. This isn't a mental illness, but a common psychological phenomenon. It often appears in high-achieving individuals, characterized by an inability to internalize their success and a persistent feeling of "pretending to be professional."
Pause and Think:
Why do we always feel like "imposters"?
We habitually set very high standards, and once achieved, we attribute it to luck, timing, or help from others, never recognizing it as a result of our own ability and effort.
Being in this state of anxiety for a long time can easily lead to:
1. Overworking: Exhausting oneself to "cover up" one's shortcomings.
2. Fear of challenges: Fearing that failure will expose one's "lack of ability."
In fact, feeling that there is still room for improvement is a form of humility; but erasing one's own efforts becomes a burden.
Action: How to break out of this cycle?
✨ Accept praise: Next time someone praises you, try simply saying "thank you" without rushing to look for justification.
✨ Record achievements: Write down the small details of your successes to remind yourself that these are skills and effort.
✨ Talk to people you trust: You'll find that many of us have experienced the similar anxieties and self-doubt.
If you're currently struggling with this psychological state, remember that your professional standing is not accidental.
As leaders or HR professionals, try to pay attention to this invisible pressure within our teams:
🔹 Build a sense of security: Encourage the team to share failures and attempts, reducing the illusion of "must be perfect."
🔹 Provide specific feedback: When giving praise and feedback, specifically list what the person did well, helping them link achievement with competence.
We cordially invite you to visit this free platform with educational value in "mental health"!
https://drspchan.health/
Dr SP Chan Psychotherapy and Mental Health Education Centre
2026.06.25