GNT #114: Why impostor syndrome is a good thing

read time: 3 minutes

Last week, I reconnected with my friend over hot yoga. Nothing like sweating out your stress while unpacking life’s big questions.

We landed on impostor syndrome — that creeping doubt that whispers, You’re not ready. You don’t belong. Any minute now, they’ll figure you out.

Most advice tells you to “overcome it,” “fake it till you make it,” or “build confidence to push through.”

But what if impostor syndrome isn’t something to fix?
What if it’s just a signal that you’re exactly where you need to be?

The truth is, I’ve never been completely comfortable in my work.

Competent? Mostly.
Comfortable? Rarely.

Early in my career, I kept waiting for the day I’d feel legit. The moment I’d finally “arrive,” flip on cruise control, and coast with effortless confidence.

Like a career crock pot — set it and forget it. 

But that moment never came. Because the more you master, the more you see how much you don’t know.
The more you challenge yourself, the more you find new challenges.
The sharper your skills get, the more you realize how much sharper they could be.

And that’s the point.

There’s power in leaning forward, slightly off-balance. If you’re pushing yourself into new spaces, you’re not supposed to feel comfortable.

Impostor syndrome is only a problem if it stops you from moving. But if you use it right, it’s fuel.

In today’s newsletter, we’re unpacking:

• Why impostor syndrome happens to high performers (and what it really means)
• How to reframe it from a weakness to a growth signal
• A simple mindset shift that helps you stop overthinking and start acting

Let’s dig in.
 

The science-y stuff: Why high performers feel like frauds

The irony of impostor syndrome is that it tends to hit the people who are actually the most competent.

Dr. Pauline Clance and Dr. Suzanne Imes, who first studied the phenomenon, found that high achievers are often the ones who struggle with feeling like they don’t deserve their success.

The Dunning-Kruger effect — a cognitive bias studied by psychologists David Dunning and Justin Kruger — shows that the least competent people tend to overestimate their abilities, while highly skilled individuals tend to underestimate themselves.

And it’s not just an individual issue — it’s an environment issue.

Impostor syndrome thrives when:

→ You’re in a period of rapid growth. New job, new challenge, new responsibility — when you’re leveling up, impostor syndrome loves to make an entrance.
→ You’re surrounded by high performers. The more talented the people around you, the easier it is to assume you’re the odd one out.
→ You actually care. If the work didn’t matter to you, you wouldn’t be questioning yourself in the first place.

Why impostor syndrome is a growth signal, not a weakness

Here’s what most people get wrong: The goal isn’t to eliminate impostor syndrome. It’s to learn how to work with it.

If you're feeling like an impostor, it doesn't mean you're unqualified.

It means:

→ You’re stretching beyond your comfort zone. Great! That’s where real progress happens.
→ You’re learning. The masters in any field aren’t the ones who think they know everything — they’re the ones who constantly push themselves.
→ You’re in the right room. If you’re surrounded by people who challenge you, it means you’re in the right place.

Instead of seeing impostor syndrome as a flaw, see it as proof that you’re leveling up.

How to stop letting imposter syndrome hold you back

1. Stop waiting for permanent confidence

My set it and forget it career crockpot dream doesn't exist.

Confidence isn’t a prerequisite for action. It’s a result of action.

You don’t wait to feel ready — you take the step first. And confidence naturally follows.

2. Shift from “I’m not ready” to “I’m learning”

People with impostor syndrome assume everyone else has it figured out. They don’t.

Instead of saying, I don’t know enough, shift to:
→ I’m in the process of learning what I need to know.

3. Turn the discomfort into a data point

If you feel impostor syndrome, don’t take it as proof that you don’t belong. Take it as a map for where to grow next.

Ask yourself:
→ What specific skills do I feel least confident in?
→ What’s one step I can take to level up in that area? Then take the step.

4. Keep a “receipts folder”

If you're like me, your brain will focus on the one mistake you made while ignoring everything you did well.

Combat this by keeping a folder, journal, or email mailbox of positive feedback, past wins, and proof of your competence.

When impostor syndrome creeps in, open it up. Read the proof. You’ve done hard things before — you'll do them again.

Takeaway

My conclusion over hot yoga was this:

Lean into the stretch zone. 🧘‍♀️

We don't grow by avoiding discomfort.
We grow by stepping into and navigating it.

If you're feeling impostor syndrome right now, it's likely a sign you're exactly where you need to be.

1. Stop waiting for permanent confidence
2. Shift from “I’m not ready” to “I’m learning.”
3. Turn the discomfort into a data point. Ask: what do I need to focus on next?
4. Keep a “receipts folder"

What’s one thing you’ve been avoiding because you don’t feel ready? Do it this week.

I'm always rooting for you. See you next week.

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If you liked this article, you might also like:

GNT #096: The Power of Self-Worth Theory
GNT #088: These 9 Reframes Change Everything
GNT #083: Embrace Your Rivals

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