Am I the only one who attributes career successes purely to luck or timing?

Many accomplished professionals feel this way, often downplaying their hard work, skills, and strategic decisions. This tendency to credit external factors, rather than internal capabilities, is a common pattern. It's a disconnect between observable achievement and internal perception of how it was earned.

Research from the Impostor Syndrome Institute suggests that over 80% of professionals have experienced feelings of impostor phenomenon at some point in their careers.

See other perspectives

Does everyone attribute career successes purely to luck or timing?

Does Everyone?

Is it normal to attribute career successes purely to luck or timing?

Is It Normal?

Is it weird to attribute career successes purely to luck or timing?

Is It Weird?

Why do I attribute my career successes purely to luck or timing?

Why Do I?

Real stories from the community

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I just got the principal job, fifty years old, and all I can think about is those veteran teachers, the ones who practically built this place, watching me…waiting for me to fail. …

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Tenure track. …

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Every time I walk past their classrooms, I feel this weird somatic response, like my stomach just clenches up. …

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I feel like my achievements are undeserved?▾
This feeling often stems from a pattern of discounting your own contributions and focusing on external circumstances. It's a common internal narrative that can persist despite clear evidence of your capabilities.
How can I recognize my own contributions to my career?▾
Try reflecting on the specific actions, decisions, and efforts you made that led to positive outcomes. Consider the skills you applied and the problems you solved, rather than just the final result.
Is it normal to feel like an impostor at work?▾
Yes, many high-achieving individuals experience feelings of being an 'impostor,' fearing exposure despite their competence. It's a common internal experience, not a reflection of actual ability.

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