Success Has a Side Effect No One Talks About

Hey there,

Albert Einstein’s name is synonymous with genius. 

His theories redefined physics. 

His mind shaped modern science.

But here’s something you don’t hear often:

Einstein himself didn’t feel like he deserved his success.

In a letter to a close friend, he wrote:

"The exaggerated esteem in which my life’s work is held makes me very ill at ease. I feel compelled to think of myself as an involuntary swindler."

Albert. Freaking. Einstein.

Turns out, even the guy who bent time and space couldn’t escape imposter syndrome…or bad hair days.

But seriously, what a relief to know even geniuses wake up every day thinking, “I have no idea what I’m doing.”

When Success Feels Like a Mistake

Imposter syndrome is real and has been well documented. 

Psychologists Pauline R. Clance and Suzanne A. Imes coined the term in 1978, calling it “an internal experience of intellectual phoniness”—where even high achievers feel like frauds despite clear evidence of success. 

In other words, it’s that sinking sense that you are a fraud in your industry, role or position, regardless of your credibility, authority or accomplishments.

This is not a unique feeling, and it hits many of us at some point in our lives.

For me it happened over the Christmas holidays.

I stepped into a room full of sharp, high-achieving professionals at an industry event.

Everyone looked polished, poised, and about as self-assured as their LinkedIn bios.

When a waiter offered me elegant, tiny food on sticks, I just nodded coolly and pretended I wasn’t starving. 

How could I eat? I was too busy adjusting my blazer to make sure my imposter syndrome wasn’t showing.

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone.

5 Types of Imposter Syndrome—Which One Are You?

Dr. Valerie Young, an expert on imposter syndrome, has found that people who struggle with self-doubt often fall into five different types. 

See if any of these sound familiar:

1. The Perfectionist 🏆

Do you set super high goals for yourself—and then feel like a failure when you don’t meet them?

Perfectionists believe that anything less than perfect is unacceptable. Even when they do well, they focus on tiny mistakes or think, "I could have done better."

If you obsess over every detail and feel like nothing is ever good enough, your perfectionism might be feeding your imposter syndrome.

2. The Natural Genius 🧠

Ever been told you were “gifted” or “a fast learner”? If so, you might be what Dr. Young classifies as a natural genius.

People in this group are used to things coming easily to them. But the moment they struggle with something new, they panic. They think, "If I were really smart, this wouldn’t be so hard for me."

If you hate feeling like a beginner or avoid challenges that don’t come naturally, you might be in this category.

3. The Soloist 🏋️‍♂️

Do you feel like asking for help is a sign of weakness?

Soloists believe that real success means doing everything alone. They avoid asking questions, fearing that if they do, people will realize they’re not as capable as they seem.

If you’d rather struggle in silence than admit you need help, your independence might be fueling your imposter syndrome.

4. The Super(wo)man 🦸‍♀️🦸‍♂️

Do you work longer and harder than everyone else just to prove yourself?

Supermen and superwomen believe that if they slow down—even for a second—everyone will realize they’re a fraud.

• They take on too many projects.

• They work late, even when no one asks them to.

• They feel guilty when they’re not being productive.

If you push yourself to exhaustion to prove you’re “good enough,” you might be in this group.

5. The Expert 📚

Do you feel like you never know enough?

Experts believe that their worth is based on knowledge. They constantly seek more training, certifications, or research, afraid that without them, they’ll be exposed as a fraud.

Even with tons of experience, they tell themselves: "I need to learn more before I’m truly qualified."

If you obsess over knowledge but still feel like you don’t know enough, your imposter syndrome might be showing.

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Silent Signs of Imposter Syndrome

No matter which type you are, imposter syndrome takes a toll.

It doesn’t just sit quietly in your head—if left unchecked, it can affect everything you do.

• It can lead to burnout from working too hard.

• It causes anxiety and self-doubt, even when you’re doing well.

• It shrinks you and makes you hold yourself back from promotions, projects, roles.

Worst of all is most people suffer in silence—because imposter syndrome is all about hiding the fear of being "found out."

Here’s how to spot it, according to the Imposter Syndrome Institute:

But the good news is there are ways to break free from it.

Dealing with Imposter Syndrome

We’ve all heard the usual advice on imposter syndrome:

‘Just believe in yourself!’
‘Fake it till you make it!’
‘Stop doubting your success!’

Cool advice… except if it actually worked, you wouldn’t still feel like a fraud every time someone recognizes your talent.

The truth is you don’t get rid of imposter syndrome.

As long as you’re striving and achieving, it will always be there along for the ride. 

It isn’t a flaw. It’s a feature that comes with success. 

It’s a signal that shows you’re excelling and is a sign that you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be. It’s a sign of growth that shows:

• you’re leveling up

• you care about getting better

• you’re in the exact place where you should be.

The goal isn’t to get rid of imposter syndrome entirely. 

The goal is to stop letting it stop you.

Instead of waiting to feel “ready,” act anyway. 

Feel the fear and do the thing.

Take the job. Speak up in the meeting. Share your idea.

FYI: Real Frauds Don’t Feel Like Frauds

Here’s something no one talks about: 

Real Imposters don’t suffer from imposter syndrome.

We tend to assume that self-doubt = incompetence. But in reality? It’s often the opposite.

Studies have shown that the least competent people tend to overestimate their abilities, while highly competent individuals tend to underestimate themselves.

Why?

🚀 The truly skilled feel like imposters because the more they know, the more aware they become of everything they don’t know.

👺 The dangerously unskilled think they’re geniuses—not because they actually are, but because they have no idea what they’re missing. 

It’s only the truly capable, thoughtful, and intelligent people who have the humility and honesty to question themselves.

Final Thought

The truth is the more you achieve, the more you will feel like a fraud.

So next time imposter syndrome creeps in, don’t see it as a reason to shrink back.

Reframe it as a sign of growth and success and as proof you’re in the right place because:

— your doubt means you have standards.
— your fear means you’re playing a bigger game.
— your discomfort means you’re growing.

And just because your brain says you’re not good enough doesn’t mean it’s right.

Even the smartest minds get it wrong. Just ask Einstein.

Now, go do that thing you’re afraid of. 

You’re more qualified than you think.

In your corner, 

Shakila

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