I'm a Fraud, and I'm Proud of It
A couple of years ago I had a short conversation with a colleague that went something like this:
Me: I sometimes feel like any minute now the whole world is going to figure me out. That I am a fraud, that I’m not qualified to do what I am doing, and they are going to finally realize what I’ve been trying to prove isn’t the truth.
Him: Are we talking about you, or me?
Up until tonight I’ve never encountered anyone other than that guy who was willing to admit they felt that way. Then I read the following:
When I read someplace that a lot of people found themselves haunted by the irrational thought that they were frauds, I recognized myself immediately-with the difference, of course, that I really was a fraud.
That comes from Peter Robinson, in his book, How Ronald Reagan Changed My Life.
It is really quite amazing to read that. Since I joined Ricochet I’ve asked myself how it is that these great men and women found themselves in a position to know so much about politics and history and the world. I realize reading Peter’s comment and reflecting on my own life that they are just like me: simply trying to get by in the world and doing the best they can and making sense out of life. They aren’t any greater than me. Peter goes on to say that working for Ronald Reagan made him realize that if the President could have simple, common views on important issues, then he could relax as a speechwriter and as a citizen. For me, reading how Peter learned this lesson from Reagan helps me to learn it as well.
So what do you say? How many frauds do we have on Ricochet?
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Comments:
Sep '11
Re: I'm a Fraud, and I'm Proud of It
There's a similar feeling to this among professional athletes, best described by Alex Rodriguez: "when you first get called up, you keep your head down, your mouth shut, and you hope and pray you can last for a week--maybe even two--before they figure out they called up the wrong guy named 'Rodriguez'."
Mar '11
Re: I'm a Fraud, and I'm Proud of It
Pseudodionysius:How many frauds do we have on Ricochet?
Not as many as are in the Whitehouse. One guy I hear dates composite women. · 25 minutes ago
Once I met a beautiful composite woman in a bar.... by the next morning she had completely decomposed.
Feb '11
Re: I'm a Fraud, and I'm Proud of It
Oh I'm definitely a fraud. I'm in grad school and everyone else is brilliant and knows what they're doing. They all say that they feel like frauds and that everyone else is brilliant, I keep thinking "NO! You're not the fraud, I am! What's wrong with you?" Basically we all work ridiculous hours hoping that no one realizes that they made a mistake in admissions, and so we end up looking like we actually know what we're doing after all, adding to the insecurity of the next batch of "frauds". I think there is a vicious cycle in there somewhere.
Jan '11
Re: I'm a Fraud, and I'm Proud of It
I can't let that pass un-thanked. Thank you!
Sep '10
Re: I'm a Fraud, and I'm Proud of It
Not only do I fear I'm a fraud, but I'm frequently found out. Bit of a come-down, I must say.
Jun '10
Re: I'm a Fraud, and I'm Proud of It
EJHill · 2 hours ago
Thanks, E.J.: You're not only good, you're fast.
Jun '10
Re: I'm a Fraud, and I'm Proud of It
Casey
Pseudodionysius:How many frauds do we have on Ricochet?
Not as many as are in the Whitehouse. One guy I hear dates composite women. · 25 minutes ago
Once I met a beautiful composite woman in a bar.... by the next morning she had completely decomposed. · 2 hours ago
Casey: Just when I think you're too far gone to save, you come up with a line like this and go right back to the top of the list.
Did you drive your parents crazy?
Sep '11
Re: I'm a Fraud, and I'm Proud of It
RetroGeek
Doc said that the tendency to feel like a fraud seems to be most common among the intelligent and gifted.
Do you think that rather than a matter of intelligent and gifted, it could be peculiar to those of the conservative temperament, vision or mindset? The leftist sees himself as the possessor of superior reason by virtue of which he should rule over the masses, but the conservative's view is predicated on human fallibility, his own included (gosh, another thing I like about Ricochet is you don't have to use inclusive language).
Dec '10
Re: I'm a Fraud, and I'm Proud of It
I had almost the identical conversation with an engineering colleague 18 years ago. We were both trusted and respected in our respective positions, he as a software engineer, and I as a systems engineer. But neither of us felt worthy of our reputations.
I've been a homemaker for about 15 years and the vague unease I have about how people perceive me and my ability to live up to their perception persists. It's why I hesitate to participate in meet-ups and member podcasts. I'm afraid I'll disappoint (be discovered a fraud).
I think Maggie's onto something with this being associated with the conservative disposition or philosophy. Maybe the libertarians would like to chime in?
It reminds me of the tee shirt slogan: Lord, please make me the person my dog believes I am.
Apr '12
Re: I'm a Fraud, and I'm Proud of It
As a business woman, I too feel like a fraud when I am with women who have chosen a domestic path in life. I can't feel any interest in so much that they consider important, like giving little gifts, cooking special meals, and this makes me feel a fraud in their company.
May '10
Re: I'm a Fraud, and I'm Proud of It
Thanks, Andrea. A very nice thing to say, and same to you -- except for the ditch-digger part.
May '11
Re: I'm a Fraud, and I'm Proud of It
Actually, I am not an authentic pessimist. I just play one at Ricochet. I did sleep at a Holiday Inn Express last night, however.
Actually, that's not true either. It was a Baymont Inn because it was cheaper than the Holiday Inn but their breakfast bar was identical to a Holiday Inn Express.
Fraud is everywhere, I guess.
Edited on May 12, 2012 at 3:17amAug '11
Re: I'm a Fraud, and I'm Proud of It
A friend and I refer to this syndrome (as experienced in the workplace) as "just waiting to get found out." We've remarked on it many times over the years. At some point somebody is going to review a list of salaries and responsibilities and say, hey aren't we paying this gal too much? But I've realized it's not just about how smart/expert/legit you are; it's about how hard you're willing to work. And I am willing to work VERY hard. Credentials do not crank out the work.
As for Ricochet--I'm out of my depth and guaranteed to get found out in pretty short order.
Apr '11
Re: I'm a Fraud, and I'm Proud of It
MaggiMc:
As for Ricochet--I'm out of my depth and guaranteed to get found out in pretty short order. · 2 minutes ago
My thoughts are in alignment with this. That's why my involvement thus far has been limited to comments. In my many months here, I have posted precisely one item. It was about my cat and was in response to a query by a contributor. I would, however, like to post something that is interesting to me but in the scheme of things is rather silly. Still mustering my courage.
Apr '12
Re: I'm a Fraud, and I'm Proud of It
Go for it. I think that's part of why we have the member feed, and you might be surprised by the number of others interested. I've been considering posting something regarding form changes in poetry and visual arts, but think I'll wait just a bit longer.
May '11
Re: I'm a Fraud, and I'm Proud of It
"I would, however, like to post something that is interesting to me but in the scheme of things is rather silly."
You obviously have not read my posts if you need more courage to do that. There is little in life that is interesting to me that is not silly.
Edited on May 12, 2012 at 4:18amMay '10
Re: I'm a Fraud, and I'm Proud of It
I suppose I belong on this list, too. Everytime someone finds my remarks thoughtful, intelligent, or the LIKE counter clicks beyond 0, I think to myself , "Ha! Fooled another one!"
Re: I'm a Fraud, and I'm Proud of It
The only time I feel like a fraud is when I'm supposed to write something good, and the ability to write at all deserts me.
Re: I'm a Fraud, and I'm Proud of It
Actually, that's not true. I don't feel fraudulent,which now makes me think I might have Narcissistic personality disorder . But maybe that’s better than what’s being described in this thread, which is Impostor Syndrome. It’s the flip side of Dunning-Kruger effect, “in which incompetent people find it impossible to believe in their own incompetence.”
But enough about the President. I think I’ve been spared Impostor Syndrome because A) I have a raft of non-professional deficiencies that keep me humble, and B) I have no trouble admitting that half the time I’m just recycling a verbal casserole assembled from the kitchen cabinets of my intellectual betters.
By the way, my real name is Dick Whitman.
May '10
Re: I'm a Fraud, and I'm Proud of It
Mmmm. James is muscling in on my act. Does that mean I get to host the podcast the next time your muscle shirt goes on a cruise?