How I Learned to Quiet My Inner Critic: 5 Ways to Beat Imposter Syndrome
- saby198
- Feb 22
- 2 min read
How I Learned to Quiet My Inner Critic: 5 Ways to Beat Imposter Syndrome
Can I be honest for a second?
There have been moments in my life—standing on a stage, walking into a boardroom, or even hitting “publish” on a LinkedIn post—where I’ve thought:
“What am I doing here? What if they realize I’m not as capable as they think?”
That’s imposter syndrome. And it’s sneaky. It whispers doubts into your mind when you’re on the verge of something amazing.
But here’s what I’ve learned: It’s a liar.
You belong in those rooms.
You’ve worked for those moments.
And you don’t need to prove anything to anyone.
Here are 5 things that have helped me silence those doubts:
1️⃣ Keep a "Brag Folder": I started saving emails, notes, and reminders of the times I succeeded or made an impact. On hard days, this is my go-to. It’s like my pep talk in a folder.
2️⃣ Practice Positive Intelligence (PQ): Shirzad Chamine’s PQ framework has taught me how to recognize and quiet my “saboteurs” (those inner critics) and tap into my “sage” mindset. It’s a game-changer for staying grounded and confident.
3️⃣ Lean on Trusted Mentors: I’ve been lucky to have mentors who remind me of my strengths when I forget. Sometimes, you need someone else to hold up the mirror for you.
4️⃣ Reframe the Voice in Your Head: Instead of “I don’t belong here,” I tell myself, “I’ve prepared for this. I’ve worked for this.” (Because it’s true!)
5️⃣ Talk About It: Opening up about my own imposter feelings has been one of the most freeing things. It’s helped me realize so many others feel the same. And honestly? That makes it less scary.
Here’s what I’ve come to believe:
You are not your doubts.
You are your resilience, your effort, and your results.
Don’t let imposter syndrome take that away from you.
What about you?
Have you ever felt like this? What’s helped you overcome it?
Let’s talk—I’d love to hear your story. It might inspire someone else who’s feeling the same way.
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