Imposterism and John Henryism are two psychological challenges that can deeply impact your career and well-being. Both create stress and can stall professional growth, but with the right support, you can overcome them.
What Are Imposterism and John Henryism?
Imposterism is the persistent feeling of being a fraud, despite your achievements. You might attribute your success to luck, which fuels anxiety and self-doubt. This is surprisingly common—up to 70% of people experience it at some point in their lives (Clance & Imes, 1978).
John Henryism, named after the folk hero, refers to the relentless effort to overcome adversity, often seen in marginalized communities. This drive for success can take a toll on physical and mental health (James, 1994).
Both can lead to burnout, stress, and reduced job satisfaction if left unchecked.
How Psychological Career Services Can Help
Build Confidence and Self-Awareness: Overcoming imposterism starts with recognizing your strengths and accomplishments. Cognitive-behavioral techniques can help shift negative thought patterns, leading to lasting confidence (Kumar & Jagacinski, 2006).
Develop Resilience: John Henryism can result in burnout from constant pressure. Resilience-building strategies like stress management and mindfulness can help balance ambition with well-being (Grossman et al., 2004).
Navigate Career Transitions: Major career changes can intensify these challenges. Tailored support during transitions can help set realistic goals and manage anxiety, ensuring smoother shifts.
Find Career Satisfaction Without Sacrificing Wellbeing
The goal of psychological career services is to help you thrive in your career while maintaining your mental and emotional well-being. By addressing both, you can find long-term satisfaction and success (Whiston et al., 2017).
Ready to take the next step? If you're struggling with imposterism or John Henryism, or simply want to develop skills to thrive, I'm here to help. DM me to learn more about my imposterism group or schedule a session—we'll work together to create a path to a more confident, balanced professional life.
References
Clance, P. R., & Imes, S. A. (1978). The imposter phenomenon in high achieving women: Dynamics and therapeutic intervention. Psychotherapy: Theory, Research & Practice, 15(3), 241-247. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0086006
Grossman, P., Niemann, L., Schmidt, S., & Walach, H. (2004). Mindfulness-based stress reduction and health benefits: A meta-analysis. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 57(1), 35-43. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0022-3999(03)00573-7
James, S. A. (1994). John Henryism and the health of African-Americans. Culture, Medicine and Psychiatry, 18(2), 163-182. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01379448
Kumar, S., & Jagacinski, C. M. (2006). Imposters have goals too: The imposter phenomenon and its relationship to achievement goal theory. Personality and Individual Differences, 40(1), 147-157. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2005.05.014
Whiston, S. C., Li, Y., Mitts, N. G., & Wright, L. (2017). Effectiveness of career choice interventions: A meta-analytic replication and extension. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 100, 175-184. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2017.03.010
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