Lately there has been a lot of buzz in the Internet on the “Imposter Syndrome (IS).” I don’t know if it is a fad that will die off soon as so many other ‘viral’ news do. The ‘IS’ theory is that high achievers often feel that they do not deserve the appreciation and recognition or success they have achieved, and are in constant fear that one day they will be ‘exposed’ as imposters and will lose all that they have gained. I don’t know how or to whom that happens. But I do know many hard working and competent people who have attained success, and yet feel humble about it, saying that they are being over-rated. They are certainly not imposters, but genuine and modest individuals who do not get drunk with power of success.
I am not an achiever, but whenever people praise me or put me on a pedestal, I often feel that whatever I have attained is due to many others who have been part of this process and have contributed significantly towards whatever achievement I am being recognized for. I am often reminded of the words of Isaac Newton when he was praised for reaching great heights. He is supposed to have said, “I could see far ahead because I could climb on the shoulders of tall men.” What he implied was that great men have helped him by lifting him up and giving him greater wisdom.
I do not like climbing over shoulders, but I have certainly learnt so much from so many named and unnamed people that I have lost count. I feel no achievement of mine is a singular effort. I feel humbled whenever someone praises me for any so-called attribute of mine which they admire. I feel that it was just a matter of learning from every source, gaining from each interaction, and expanding from all experiences. I salute all those who have contributed to whatever I am today
I am not an imposter. I am a genuine person. But I am sometimes the actor on the silver screen whose dialogues people adore, not realizing that it was the script writer who deserves the credit. I have had many script writers in my life, and continue to have many more who empower me to move on and continue with my humble mission. I salute them all.
