Dismantling Imposter Syndrome (Especially with Decisions)
Case Study
Janet has built an incredible career helping massive corporations organize their backend and systems. Yet, when it came to something as simple as posting on LinkedIn, she procrastinated.
"Why?" I asked.
"Because I don't know what to post. I want to make sure it's providing value, bringing in new clients, is a topic I'm in the mood to talk about, I'm feeling like an imposter... Just not sure what to pick."
"Okay. How do you make decisions?" I followed up.
She smiled, "Gut feeling. I have this gut feeling and I just know."
Cool. "The reason why you're not having a gut feeling about what to post on LinkedIn is because of a thinking skill.”
She leaned in, did the work, and in no time was having an easy time posting on LinkedIn.
I knew it had clicked on a deep level when she shared, "I now understand why I had the imposter feeling. It wasn't about the LinkedIn post, it was about the weak thinking skill that my brain knew wasn't strong. Crazy how it's all gone."
Thinking Skills
While you are doing any task, you (without even realizing it!) are using your 28 thinking skills.
When the thinking skills you need to use are strong, doing the task is easy.
If the thinking skill you need to use is weak, doing the task will be a challenge.
The struggle that Janet had, came from a weak thinking skill of comparisons.
Comparisons
Comparison is a thinking skill most people think they are good at but are not really.
It’s the thinking skill behind making decisions and is one that many, many entrepreneurs struggle with.
When you are comparing correctly you talking about the characteristics on the same level.
If I go into Best Buy looking to buy a new computer and say, “I like this one because the price is cheaper and I like that one because it has a bigger screen” then I’m not talking about the same characteristics for each computer.
One is talking about price the other is talking about size.
I need to say what the price for each, what the screen size for each, and get super clear on which is more important to me, price or size.
If I am clear about what parameter (attribute) is most important to me, making the decision happens quickly.
In Janet’s case, she didn’t have her LinkedIn post attributes compared and prioritized, so internally she felt confused and imposter feelings showed up.
As soon as she improved her thinking skill of comparisons, ALL decisions happened quicker and the feeling of imposter went away.
Imposter Syndrome
You may be experiencing imposter syndrome due to a different weak thinking skill because you’re brain KNOWS what you are good at and where your weaknesses are.
From my experience, many times it comes from the weak thinking skill of comparisons, just like Janet
(Remember, she had teams of hundreds underneath her. Yet, the imposter feeling still remained and the weak thinking skill of comparison was still there.)
3 Ways to Improve Your Thinking Skill of Comparisions
- Take 2 random items in your house and compare them on the same level. What is each color? Texture? Material? Use? Compare as many parameters as possible. When you feel comfortable comparing 2 items, move on to 3, 4, 5, and even 6 items.
- Once you’re good at comparing physical items, compare abstract items. Attributes to a LinkedIn post, parts of systems, attributes of potential hirees. Etc.
- Next time you’re not sure how to move forward, feeling confused or like an imposter, take a moment to ask yourself these 3 questions: What decision do I need to make? What are the attributes of this decision? Which of these attributes are #1 most important, then #2 and #3. With that info, it will be easy for you to make the decision.
Your Challenge
The reason you’re feeling like an imposter is due to a weak thinking skill - your brain knows where your gaps lay.
Often, especially with entrepreneurs, it comes from the weak thinking skill of comparisons.
Your challenge this week is to build your thinking skill of comparisons by taking items and comparing them on the same parameter. Better yet, if you can compare abstract items.
Cheers to Peak Brain Performance!
Hi, I'm ST,
Just like you, I want to be more efficient and effective.
Most entrepreneurs want to grow their business but already got a lot of stress.
At LifePix University we help you rewire your brain to become more efficient and effective while experiencing more inner peace.
Learn more here.
Your Essential Guide
to Cognitive Functions
This guide will give you all you need to start improving your cognitive functions. Learn what all 28 thinking skills are, how they apply to you and what you can do today to begin improving them.
Cognitive Functions Assessment
Thinking is not one big thing. Thinking is made up of 28 parts, called cognitive functions.
Take the FREE assessment to see where each of your cognitive functions are currently at.
We're on for 1M downloads
By the end of 2025
Can you help us reach our goal?
Share this podcast with someone you love!
Dismantling Imposter Syndrome (Especially with Decisions)
Case Study
Janet has built an incredible career helping massive corporations organize their backend and systems. Yet, when it came to something as simple as posting on LinkedIn, she procrastinated.
"Why?" I asked.
"Because I don't know what to post. I want to make sure it's providing value, bringing in new clients, is a topic I'm in the mood to talk about, I'm feeling like an imposter... Just not sure what to pick."
"Okay. How do you make decisions?" I followed up.
She smiled, "Gut feeling. I have this gut feeling and I just know."
Cool. "The reason why you're not having a gut feeling about what to post on LinkedIn is because of a thinking skill.”
She leaned in, did the work, and in no time was having an easy time posting on LinkedIn.
I knew it had clicked on a deep level when she shared, "I now understand why I had the imposter feeling. It wasn't about the LinkedIn post, it was about the weak thinking skill that my brain knew wasn't strong. Crazy how it's all gone."
Thinking Skills
While you are doing any task, you (without even realizing it!) are using your 28 thinking skills.
When the thinking skills you need to use are strong, doing the task is easy.
If the thinking skill you need to use is weak, doing the task will be a challenge.
The struggle that Janet had, came from a weak thinking skill of comparisons.
Comparisons
Comparison is a thinking skill most people think they are good at but are not really.
It’s the thinking skill behind making decisions and is one that many, many entrepreneurs struggle with.
When you are comparing correctly you talking about the characteristics on the same level.
If I go into Best Buy looking to buy a new computer and say, “I like this one because the price is cheaper and I like that one because it has a bigger screen” then I’m not talking about the same characteristics for each computer.
One is talking about price the other is talking about size.
I need to say what the price for each, what the screen size for each, and get super clear on which is more important to me, price or size.
If I am clear about what parameter (attribute) is most important to me, making the decision happens quickly.
In Janet’s case, she didn’t have her LinkedIn post attributes compared and prioritized, so internally she felt confused and imposter feelings showed up.
As soon as she improved her thinking skill of comparisons, ALL decisions happened quicker and the feeling of imposter went away.
Imposter Syndrome
You may be experiencing imposter syndrome due to a different weak thinking skill because you’re brain KNOWS what you are good at and where your weaknesses are.
From my experience, many times it comes from the weak thinking skill of comparisons, just like Janet
(Remember, she had teams of hundreds underneath her. Yet, the imposter feeling still remained and the weak thinking skill of comparison was still there.)
3 Ways to Improve Your Thinking Skill of Comparisions
- Take 2 random items in your house and compare them on the same level. What is each color? Texture? Material? Use? Compare as many parameters as possible. When you feel comfortable comparing 2 items, move on to 3, 4, 5, and even 6 items.
- Once you’re good at comparing physical items, compare abstract items. Attributes to a LinkedIn post, parts of systems, attributes of potential hirees. Etc.
- Next time you’re not sure how to move forward, feeling confused or like an imposter, take a moment to ask yourself these 3 questions: What decision do I need to make? What are the attributes of this decision? Which of these attributes are #1 most important, then #2 and #3. With that info, it will be easy for you to make the decision.
Your Challenge
The reason you’re feeling like an imposter is due to a weak thinking skill - your brain knows where your gaps lay.
Often, especially with entrepreneurs, it comes from the weak thinking skill of comparisons.
Your challenge this week is to build your thinking skill of comparisons by taking items and comparing them on the same parameter. Better yet, if you can compare abstract items.
Cheers to Peak Brain Performance!
Hi, I'm ST,
Just like you, I want to be more efficient and effective.
Most entrepreneurs want to grow their business but already got a lot of stress.
At LifePix University we help you rewire your brain to become more efficient and effective while experiencing more inner peace.
Learn more here.
Your Essential Guide
to Cognitive Functions
This guide will give you all you need to start improving your cognitive functions. Learn what all 28 thinking skills are, how they apply to you and what you can do today to begin improving them.
Cognitive Functions Assessment
Thinking is not one big thing. Thinking is made up of 28 parts, called cognitive functions.
Take the FREE assessment to see where each of your cognitive functions are currently at.
We're on for 1M downloads
By the end of 2025
Can you help us reach our goal?
Share this podcast with someone you love!
