Introduction

You’ve done what was asked. You’ve performed, delivered, maybe even over-delivered. There are wins on your résumé, praise in your inbox, promotions in your past. By all visible standards, you’re succeeding.

So why does it still feel so shaky?

The answer might not be about you at all—it might be about the system around you. In today’s workplace, the definition of success isn’t fixed. It moves. It changes with industries, company cultures, market forces, and the people in charge. One year, it’s about visibility; the next, it’s about efficiency. Sometimes it’s just about keeping the lights on.

In this kind of environment, it’s not surprising that imposter syndrome persists—even among top performers. As the classic book Who Moved My Cheese? puts it: we’re often chasing rewards that have quietly moved, with no map to the new maze.

This article explores how the instability of success metrics contributes to imposter syndrome, and how we can begin to regain a sense of direction—not by chasing the “cheese,” but by reconnecting with what we value most.

The Illusion of Fixed Success

Imposter syndrome is typically framed as a psychological issue—an individual’s inability to internalize success. But that narrative ignores a deeper truth:

In school, success was simple. Get good grades. Follow instructions. Study hard. That clarity often disappears the moment we enter the workforce.

What does success look like in your job? It’s a surprisingly difficult question to answer. In many companies, success is:

• Loosely defined

• Inconsistently applied

• Dependent on who’s managing you, or what’s trending in leadership books

One quarter it’s about innovation. The next, cost-cutting. Suddenly, the “cheese” you thought you were chasing—your version of success—is gone, moved quietly down a hallway you didn’t even know existed.

Why This Uncertainty Fuels Imposter Syndrome

Imposter syndrome thrives in environments where expectations are unclear or constantly changing. When the metrics keep shifting, even accomplished professionals begin to question:

• Was my success real—or just good timing?

• Do I actually know what I’m doing—or did the rules just favor me for a while?

• What if I can’t replicate it—because I don’t know what “it” is anymore?

This isn’t about low self-esteem. It’s about internal confusion caused by external instability. The goalposts didn’t just move. Sometimes, no one tells you where they’ve been moved to—or whether they still matter at all.

The Changing Definition of Success

Part of the discomfort comes from not fully accepting a difficult truth: success isn’t static (at least, the conventional definition of the word “success” isn’t static). It evolves, and not always in fair or predictable ways. The factors influencing it include:

• Shifts in your industry or economy

• Changes in leadership or company culture

• Technological disruption

• Competitive pressures

• Even personal survival—like staying employed during uncertain times

And then there’s life itself. Sometimes success means launching something bold. Other times, it means paying the bills, staying well, or avoiding burnout. These versions of success are just as valid—but they often go unrecognized.

So What Can You Do?

When the outside world keeps shifting, your best move is to ground yourself in something that doesn’t: your principles.

Instead of chasing ever-shifting definitions of success, anchor yourself in something more stable: your own values, principles, and sense of purpose.

Here’s how to begin:

1. Define Your Own Success

In The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey defines proactivity as recognizing that we are not merely products of our circumstances—we are products of our values. Success works the same way. When you let your values, not your environment, shape your path, you take back agency in a world full of shifting expectations.

Ask yourself: What does meaningful work look like for you—not your company, your boss, or your LinkedIn feed? What kind of impact actually matters to you?
Write it down. Revisit it often. Let it evolve, but let it be yours.

2. Clarify Your Core Values

When everything around you feels unstable, your core values become your internal GPS. These are the principles that define how you want to show up—not just what you want to achieve. They guide your decisions, shape your leadership style, and help you filter out distractions that don’t align with what truly matters to you.

Clarifying your values isn’t about picking traits that look good on a résumé—it’s about identifying what you genuinely believe in, even when no one’s watching. These values become your personal definition of success—the standards you hold yourself to, no matter how external circumstances shift.

Start by asking:

• When have I felt most proud of the way I handled a situation?

• What qualities do I admire in the people I respect most?

• What principles am I unwilling to compromise, even under pressure?

Common core values include things like:

• Integrity – Doing the right thing, even when it’s hard

• Adaptability – Staying flexible and open to change

• Creativity – Valuing innovation and original thinking

• Service – Leading with a desire to contribute and support others

• Courage – Speaking up or stepping up despite fear

Identify 3–5 values that resonate most deeply with you. Write them down. Revisit them regularly. These values are what stay consistent—even when the goals, the company, or the rules all change (Try our FREE Interactive Core Values Exercise to discover yours!).

3. Reflect Often

In fast-moving workplaces and careers, it’s easy to stay in motion without ever checking your direction. But speed doesn’t equal alignment. That’s where reflection comes in—not as a luxury, but as a discipline.

Set aside regular time—weekly, monthly, or even just in moments of transition—to pause and ask yourself some deeper questions:

• Am I working in alignment with my values—or just reacting to noise?

• Do I feel grounded, or am I constantly trying to keep up with shifting expectations?

• What kind of “cheese” am I chasing—and is it still what I want, or did it become someone else’s goal along the way?

Self-reflection is how you stay oriented in a world that won’t stop changing. You may not be able to control where the maze leads, but you can make sure you’re walking with intention—not just chasing whatever’s around the next corner.

Journaling, voice memos, meditation, or simply talking it out with someone you trust can help bring clarity. The key is to create space where your inner voice isn’t drowned out by the demands of the moment.

Self-reflection won’t stop the maze from shifting—but it can keep you from getting lost in it.

4. Accept Ambiguity Without Losing Yourself

The truth is, you won’t always get clarity. The rules will keep changing. Leadership may send mixed signals. The promotion path might be vague. Entire industries can pivot overnight.

But ambiguity doesn’t have to mean anxiety—not if you’re anchored in who you are.

Accepting ambiguity isn’t about giving up control; it’s about letting go of the illusion that control was ever yours to begin with. You don’t need to decode every unspoken rule or win every popularity contest. Instead, focus on the only thing that truly is in your control: how you show up.

When you define success on your own terms, you become more adaptable without being directionless. You’re less likely to be shaken by every organizational shift, and more likely to make decisions that reflect your deeper values—not just short-term survival.

Think of it like sailing: you can’t control the wind, but you can adjust your sails. Your values are your compass. Let them steer you, even in uncertain waters.

5. Seek Out a Mentor or Coach

When you’re inside the maze, it’s hard to see the bigger picture. That’s where outside perspective can be a game changer.

A trusted mentor or career coach isn’t just someone who gives advice—they’re someone who reflects back your strengths, challenges your assumptions, and helps you see possibilities you might not have imagined on your own. They can spot patterns in your story, remind you of your progress when self-doubt creeps in, and offer honest, objective feedback that’s grounded in experience.

This kind of support is especially valuable when the path ahead feels blurry or when you’re not sure if the “cheese” you’re chasing is even yours to begin with.

At PolishedResume.com, we specialize in helping professionals at every stage navigate these exact moments—whether you’re wrestling with imposter syndrome, contemplating a pivot, or simply craving more clarity and confidence in your work.

If you’re ready to take ownership of your career and redefine success on your own terms, reach out to us here. We’d be honored to support your next step.

Final Thoughts

You’re not imagining it—the rules really have changed. And they’ll keep changing. That’s the nature of modern work, shifting economies, and evolving industries.

But feeling like an imposter in the face of those changes doesn’t mean you’re unqualified—it often just means the map changed, and no one gave you a new one.

You don’t need to chase after every new version of “success” defined by someone else. You can choose to play a different game—one where your success is grounded in clarity, integrity, and alignment with your own values.

Because the truth is: the cheese will always move.
The real question is—are you chasing what you truly want?

Know what success means to you—and what you’re willing to do (or not do) to achieve it. That’s not just how you overcome imposter syndrome. That’s how you lead a career (and life) with purpose.