The Imposter Syndrome Paradox

“Imposter syndrome is a paradox: others believe in you, you don’t believe in yourself, yet you believe yourself instead of them.”

— Adam Grant.

The first time I read this, I’ll be honest, I felt uncomfortably seen.

I often find myself trusting that negative, nagging inner voice more than I trust the people around me, even when the evidence says otherwise.

And I know I'm not alone in this.

One way I’m trying to challenge that is by making my self-talk more evidence-based. I keep a Smile File (also known as a Bragging Book). Whenever I receive a kind message or positive feedback, I save it. Over time, it becomes a body of evidence that reminds me I do know what I’m doing.

That’s where I’m starting. What could help you?