How to manage self-doubt and learn to embrace your achievements. Key points Imposter syndrome is a distortion of reality that, if not checked, can be debilitating. Taking a realistic inventory of your life, your sacrifices, and accomplishments can help. Perfectionists often are the first to distort their own perceptions. Shakespeare once wrote, “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players.” He wasn’t just being poetic; he was capturing a truth about huma