How to Beat Impostor Syndrome

"Good news: If you're worried you might be a phony, there's a good chance you're the real deal. "The true phony is convinced they're not one," Arthur C. Brooks explained earlier this summer. But no matter what the facts, your experiences, or other people tell you, it can be hard to believe that your own talents and strengths are genuine."

"I recently asked readers to share a photo of something that sparks their sense of awe in the world. "Bird watching, in our backyard and while traveling, never fails to instill a sense of wonder in me," Becky L., 54, from Santa Fe, New Mexico, writes. "Such beautiful creatures capable of vast migrations and aerial acrobatics! Recently, on a hike with"

Impostor syndrome undermines happiness and can make genuine talents feel unreal. Three approaches can reduce impostor feelings, including kinder self-talk and honest self-assessment. Authentic-relating gatherings use guided games to foster intimacy and encourage vulnerability with strangers. Consistent truth-telling to oneself, even when painful, supports long-term happiness. Common methods for detecting liars are often unreliable. Sharing hard truths with others can strengthen relationships and promote well-being. Small experiences of awe, such as bird watching, can spark wonder and connection to the wider world. Practical honesty and vulnerability are presented as routes to greater authenticity and joy.

Read at The Atlantic